This Women’s History Month we are showcasing how female aspiring homeowners, and industry professionals, have taken on new heights in the real estate world. Read on for interesting facts & stats about women in the real estate industry.
- Before 1974, women were not legally allowed to obtain a mortgage without a male cosigner. Today, 19% of today’s single homebuyers are women, compared to 9% single men.
- Single women have bought more homes than men every year since at least 1981.
- In 1908 when the National Association of Realtors was founded, membership was 100% male. In 1910, the first woman was admitted as a member. By 1975, a third of its members were female. Today, 65% of all REALTORS are women.
- Catherine Bauer was the primary author of the Housing Act of 1937 which provided subsidized residences for low-income citizens for the very first time.
- An overwhelming 83.8% of interior designers & decorators are women. In fact, a woman by the name of Elsie de Wolfe is credited with inventing the field of interior design.
- Today, many women work in the home title industry, also known as the American Land and Title Association (ALTA). In 1907, when ALTA was established, it was called the American Association of Title Men, until 1923 when it was changed to the American Land and Title Association. ALTA had its first woman president in 2000.
- Only about 11% of women work in the construction industry, however, female representation is growing. In 1953, the first chapter of the National Association of Women In Construction was founded by 16 women in Fort Worth, Texas, and now has more than 115 chapters all over the U.S.
- According to the National Council of Architectural Registration, women consistently qualify for their licenses quicker than men, and complete education & examination requirements in 12 years, compared to 13 years for men.
Overall, women have come a long way from not being able to obtain their own mortgage, to now dominating some of the key industries of the real estate world. This month & always, we celebrate the achievements women have made, and the meaningful impact they have on the real estate industry.
