Homes For Her: Poll Indicates Home Ownership Important to Women

Home ownership is a goal most Canadians strive to reach one day, and a lucky bunch already have. A recent poll for TD Canada Trust has determined that homeownership and the benefits that come with it are more much important to women than they were in 2008. The poll surveyed female homeowners over the age of 18 across Canada, and found that qualities of homeownership such as being able to have a garden and renovate as they pleased were important to Canadian female homeowners more so than in previous years.

When reflecting back on questions they could have asked during the home buying process, the majority of those surveyed said they wished they’d learned more about the overall costs and fees that came with purchasing a home, 32 per cent wished they’d known more about the annual expenses of home ownership, and 30 per cent said they wished they had known more about their mortgage options at the time.

Other highlights from the poll include:

• In 2008, only 5 per cent of women surveyed said most important part of homeownership was having a garden and backyard, being able to renovate was important to only 14 per cent and finally having their own place was important to 22 per cent.
• In 2009, these numbers changed dramatically as 34 per cent said having a place of their own was the largest and most important benefit of homeownership, renovating as they pleased was important to 34 per cent and being able to have a backyard and garden were the biggest selling points for 32 per cent of the women surveyed.
• Financial security was a major high point of home ownership for 44 per cent, up from 23 per cent in 2008. Not paying rent each month or owing other people money has also gone up to 38 per cent from 12 per cent in 2008.
• The worst part of home ownership according to 29 per cent of the women surveyed was the added cost and financial responsibility.