Who ever would have thought that someone would recognize that women have a large influence in the purchase of a home. My guess most of us women could have told builders that we make the decisions. But really, the wave of the future is to consider and market to women when building new homes.
Over the past few months, an associate who is a builder has been talking to me about this new concept called "Women-Centric" Designs and Builders. I had to admit that I was not familiar with the concept itself but it made some sense. Now, it seems the Women-Centric concept is gaining in the market and being talked about in the Wall St. Journal and Smart Money Magazine.
The most recent article offered some statistics, insight into what women want and prespectives from a few women interviewed. He also shared with me the website for the Women-Centric site where more information is available including some basic designs.
I think this concept is going to grow and we may see a need for Realtors to focus on "Women-Centric" concepts when working with couples to build a new home or maybe some of us may think about marketing niche with single women in mind.
Here are some key points:
(1) The national Association of Realtors say women now purchase 25% of the homes, up from 14% in 1995.
(2) Women are closing the salary gap at 94% of what their male counterparts do.
(3) The beleaguered economy that created the housing bubble may have actually helped women. While in 2008, more men than women, 3 to 1, were affected by layoffs, especially in the financial and manufacturing sectors where men are the predominant employees.
(4) Things that women want: more security, less maintenance, drop zones, plus amenities like walk-n panties, and spas. Then there are noise muffling walls, hidden storage in bathrooms, hairdryer ready drawers and 360 mirrors.
I think their might be something to it!!! My experience with men who call to inquire about homes say their wives have to see it with them and If the wife doesn't like it we'll keep looking. So I am interested in feedback from other Realtors across the country...what are your thoughts on "Women-Centric Concept"?
Here is the information on the article:
Hungry to jump-start sales, more home builders are aggressively targeting women buyers. Will they bite?
By ALYSSA ABKOWITZ in Wall Street Journal and Money Smart
