Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
Homeownership tends to make a potential partner more attractive, according to almost 60 percent of millennials surveyed by realtor.com.
The survey found that women (48 percent) were more likely to see added attraction in a homeowner than men (43 percent) were.
“Attractiveness is in the eye of the beholder, and this survey data suggests that many beholders find homeownership attractive, perhaps using it as a signal for financial savviness and success,” said Danielle Hale, realtor.com’s chief economist, in a statement. “Single millennials seem to find homeownership in a potential partner especially attractive, even if only one-quarter feels that it is important.”
The survey, which quizzed 500 single folk of all ages, found that 24 percent of respondents believed it was important for their partner to be a homeowner.
Homeowners are most likely to be found in the Midwest and the South, realtor.com’s survey found. The largest share of single male homeowners is in Detroit, with 23 percent owning a property. St. Louis is also a viable destination for relationship-seeking women, with 21.3 percent of all males there owning their own home. Minneapolis came in third at 21.3 percent, followed by Cleveland at 21.2 percent, and Pittsburgh at 19.9 percent.
“These markets have a high volume of young people, and relatively low median listing prices,” realtor.com’s survey noted. For example, Detroit and St. Louis median list prices are $220,000 and $198,000, respectively.
The survey also notes that single women happen to be the fastest-growing demographic with regards to homeownership. Female homeowners are likely to be found in Detroit, where 23 percent of single women own a home, followed by Baltimore (21 percent), Charlotte, N.C. (21 percent), Philadelphia (21 percent), and Minneapolis (21 percent).
“Strong job opportunities and growing economies that draw many young professionals to the areas are also helping keep them in these markets as homeowners,” the study authors note. “Affordable home prices have also helped singles achieve homeownership in these markets.”
