Men and Women See Real Estate Differently
August 26th, 2009A report issued by the International Communications Research group (ICR) was designed to delve into the inner space of men and women who are involved in or have been involved in real estate transactions. Working with Coldwell Banker, ICR interviewed 1000 individuals with purchasing experience.
The study dispelled long-standing misconceptions about what men and women actually consider priorities in the homes they buy. Coldwell Banker’s Dian Patton who is the company’s consumer real estate expert said, “The results were surprising. Not only did we uncover some of the inherent differences between men and women, but we also pinpointed a number of ways that the two genders are actually the same.”
In recent years, purchasing trends have definitely changed. A high priority is now placed on neighborhood and the sense of security surrounding the home. In fact, the respondents indicated they would sacrifice certain amenities for a secure feeling. 64% of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about security, they would not be interested. 51% of men agreed.
The survey also indicated that women make quicker decisions about real estate purchases than men do. 70% of women said their minds were made up the day they first saw the house. Women also expressed their desire to be closer to their extended families while men preferred to be close to their jobs.
However, today’s men feel strongly about locating a space where they can work at home. The idea of a home-office was a motivating factor for male purchasers. For the most part though that extra room will still be used as a bedroom. 25% of respondents indicated an extra room would be kept as bedroom while 15% suggested use as an office/den and 11% liked the idea of a family room/den. Men and women may not agree, but it seems women are taking charge of real estate decisions.