As a female Broker Manager for RE/MAX Coastal along the Garden Route, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand just how instrumental women have become in shaping our local property market. Whether buying or selling, women are no longer passive participants—they’re powerful decision-makers driving trends, investments, and generational wealth.
Let’s take a closer look at how women are impacting the real estate market in our region and across South Africa.
Women as Buyers: Confidence, Clarity, and Long-Term Vision
Women are buying property at a faster pace than ever before, and they’re doing so with purpose. In many cases, women are buying on their own, confidently navigating financing, legalities, and negotiations.
Younger Women (20s–30s):
In their early careers, many young women are choosing to build independence through homeownership. They often prioritise:
- Security and location
- Low-maintenance living (think: lock-up-and-go apartments or townhouses)
- Proximity to work hubs or lifestyle conveniences
In towns like George, Knysna and Mossel Bay, we’re seeing young professionals investing in their first homes or rental properties, often with long-term passive income in mind.
Women in Their 40s–50s:
At this life stage, women tend to buy for stability and lifestyle. Many are purchasing:
- Family homes close to good schools
- Second properties for investment or holiday use
- Homes in security estates or coastal suburbs, where quality of life is key
These buyers are financially savvy and deliberate. They seek value, not just aesthetics.
Retired or Near-Retirement Women (60+):
Women in this bracket are often downsizing, relocating for lifestyle, or buying into retirement villages or sectional title developments. The Garden Route—with its beauty, safety, and pace of life—is a magnet for this demographic.
Women as Sellers: Strategic and Prepared
When women sell property, they tend to approach it with a strategic mindset. Whether it’s letting go of the family home, upsizing, or selling an investment unit, female sellers are:
- Well-researched
- Open to professional advice
- Clear about timelines and price expectations
Many female sellers are driven by life transitions: divorce, empty nesting, relocation, or scaling up. And they’re increasingly seeking agents who understand the emotional and financial nuances involved in the process—something we at RE/MAX Coastal pride ourselves on.
The Garden Route Advantage
Our region offers the perfect setting for female buyers and sellers. The combination of safety, lifestyle, community, and investment potential makes towns like Sedgefield, Wilderness, and George incredibly appealing.
Women are no longer just influencing real estate—they’re redefining it. Whether it’s buying that first flat, upsizing for a growing family, or selling to downscale into something more manageable, women are driving decisions that shape neighbourhoods and communities.
Final Thoughts
To all the women navigating the property market—whether buying, selling, or simply dreaming: you are seen, heard, and empowered.
At RE/MAX Coastal, we are proud to support and serve a growing network of incredible women shaping the future—one property at a time.
Let’s continue to lead with heart, work with purpose, and rise together.
Happy Women’s Month from all of us at RE/MAX Coastal!
By Fredri Feiertag, Broker Manager – RE/MAX Coastal