Women are gradually taking the positions held by men in the investment sphere.90% of women’s income goes back to their families, this is according to a research conducted by Global Poverty Agenda. This is a clear indication that a woman will always seek to empower her own both in provision and investments.
The driving force for each woman to invest is to secure her future, a place they make on their own and a safe space for their families. The constant fear of being evicted due to property wrangles causes women to prefer having a space they call their own and possess all the property rights.
The number of women coming on board to invest on their own rather than wait for men to invest for them is on the rise. This has been attributed to their nature of “buy and hold” to secure their future.
They have a deeper understanding that the best time to invest in real estate is now, they invest in property and remain silent on it until the investment is ripe for returns. Below are the strengths that have allowed them to invest in real estate without struggle.
Women’s short term goals helps them achieve the ultimate long term goals
Women prefer investing in the small opportunities available. They keep buying and buying in smaller affordable capacities and ultimately grow their investment portfolios.
Women do not mind buying properties worth Kshs 100,000- 400,000 rather than targeting a property worth 5 million that will keep them pooling resources for a lifetime.
Majority of women begin investing at the age of 25 years and by the time they reach the age of 55 years, they have already settled their families.
They are better informed
Women have easier access to information. Their outgoing nature gives them the opportunity to know what is happening in and around them.
When opportunities to invest are present, women are always the first ones to know. They inquire more often in line with their goals. They understand that investing as a woman creates long term social and economic benefits for all individuals, their communities and the world as a whole.
Their information resource consists of the does and the don’ts in property ownership, which company to buy from and which one not to. Access to these information has made women the best investors in the world.
Their investments are always well researched and well informed. They strive to always see the value of their savings. This is why majority of them will find time and attend open days and site visits to get assurance of their investments.
Their character of getting information before investing has continued to see them rise in real estate investments.
They are more organized and better in pooling resources.
Women have the best character in investing as a group/Chama. They believe in pooling resources little by little until they reach their target goals.
They come together as a group of 5 to 10 women and strategize on how best to raise a targeted amount to buy plots. Their contributions are made on weekly basis and upon reaching the amount, they purchase properties for each one of them.
This strength allows them to invest without much struggle because they believe if they choose to invest as an individual few of them will manage to raise the amount, but if they do it as a group the burden is easier to bear. “Unity is strength” has seen women own properties and invest in them.
It is a security for their future.
With the cultural biasness in women inheriting property, they will always prefer to own a property of their own to secure their families from future uncertainties.
Preference to buy plots to either resell it or build on it in future is the best investment they can make for their families. Having a place, they call home, park their own cars and sleep without the fear of rent is every woman’s desire.
Finally, the appointment of Farida Karoney as the CS for the Ministry of Lands is a great encouragement to women investors. The digitization reforms she is overseeing in her first days in office is a sure guarantee of the long awaited change in the Lands Ministry that will equip women further to continue investing without fear of manipulation and discrimination.
All the above strong points have seen and will continue to see women take up land ownership and ultimately empower them to be decision makers in matters land.
Formation of organizations such as Women in Real Estate (WIRE) continue to link, encourage, equip and empower women in real estate professionals in Kenya who in turn inspire young women to take up real estate and pass it on to generations.
This will see more women taking up investments and having them fully empowered to own property.
