Single ladies are driving Toronto’s condo market

All the single ladies now put your hands up are a force in the booming housing market—they’re even changing the ways condos get built. Moneyville reports single women represent about 20 per cent of all real estate purchases and over 30 per cent of condo purchases in the city. And it’s not just a Toronto thing, either: a recent RBC Homeownership poll suggests that among Canadians eager to buy in the next two years, 49 per cent are women and 35 per cent are men. (On a more morbid note, men tend to die younger, so ladies will probably be a big part of the downsizing market too). Companies like development kingpin Tridel have noticed the uptick, pointing out that women’s preferences are now shaping buildings: to cater to female buyers, developers have boosted security features and focused on things like designer kitchens, bathroom storage, lighting, and durable and low-maintenance finishes. Which we imagine men are into too. [Moneyville]