Women are increasingly driving South Africa’s property market, with new data showing they now make up more than half of first-time homebuyer applications—supported by digital tools that simplify searching, financing, and navigating the buying process. As PropTech solutions evolve, platforms like TransBridj are streamlining everything from home-loan applications to bridging finance, creating faster, clearer, and more efficient experiences for buyers, sellers, realtors, and attorneys alike.
Johannesburg, South Africa – 8 December 2025 - Women bought more homes than men in South Africa in Q3 of 2025. This is according to Absa’s Homeowners Sentiment Index (HSI), a leading measure of consumer confidence in the property sector. The latest Absa HSI shows that women, especially single women, make up over half of all first-time homebuyer applications so far in 2025. In line with this, Standard Bank’s Home Loans data reveals that around 40% of all main applicants for home loans today are women – up from 37.9% a decade ago.
This trend indicates meaningful diversification in the property market, which is, in part, being enabled by technology, says TransBridj CEO, Michael Lenz. Property industry technologies, or PropTechs for short, include digital tools, platforms, and innovations that transform how people buy, sell, rent, finance, and manage property. These digital solutions make it easier for first-time buyers to enter the housing market by saving time, improving access to information and providing support throughout the buying journey, he adds.
According to Lenz, PropTech portals and apps allow first-time buyers to explore hundreds of homes across various cities and filter their searches by price, location, size, and other key features. This simplifies the process of finding exactly what you’re looking for, within your budget. Taking viewings virtual, some apps offer buyers the chance to take a virtual reality tour of a property, saving time and providing a clearer picture of the listing before a buyer visits the home in person.
Another major benefit of digital property tools is that they bring together all the information buyers need, such as historical pricing for the area, so first-time buyers can make more informed decisions and avoid overpaying, adds Lenz. And when these digital solutions are AI-enabled, they can even suggest homes based on the buyer’s preferences, budget, and lifestyle. “This makes looking for a new home more efficient.” From a financing perspective, digital platforms now help buyers navigate the paperwork, making the bond application process less intimidating and even enabling them to apply for a home loan without setting foot in a bank.
“Digital technologies are also changing the property market for other players across the industry. For example, attorneys and realtors often face delays in finalising property transfers, which can cause cash flow issues,” outlines Lenz, adding that applying for bridging funding is often complicated and time-consuming. “Digital funding platforms, like Transbridj, offer a frictionless, tech-powered experience and deliver approvals and disbursements within 24 hours, speeding up the application process and minimising admin while reducing the risk of errors.”
For Lenz, developments like this showcase how technology is elevating the experience for buyers, sellers, attorneys and real estate professionals alike. “Buyers get clarity, sellers get efficiency, realtors gain tools that save time so they can focus on relationships, and attorneys benefit from streamlined workflows that reduce delays and paperwork,” he concludes. And as these digital solutions mature, each step of the property journey will only get easier, quicker and less stressful for everyone involved. ENDS
About TransBridj
TransBridj is a fintech platform redefining property transaction funding through automation and seamless digital integration. Built for attorneys, sellers, and realtors, it eliminates manual processes, leveraging smart technology to accelerate deal closures, ensure instant fee settlements, and unlock liquidity. With an intuitive, AI-driven interface, TransBridj is a future-first solution transforming real estate funding into a frictionless, tech-powered experience. Future. Funding. Now https://transbridj.com/
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