There's no question that men and women are different. Even when it comes to their housing choices, men and women are often profiles in contradiction.

According to the National Association of Realtors' latest profile of home buyers, three of every ten single females purchase either a condominium or townhouse. Only two in ten males make the same choice.

Part of that, of course, has to do with money. Rookies who are women earn significantly less than their male counterparts. The median for women is $35,500 vs. $44,800. So it's not surprising that women spend far less than men -- $88,900 vs. $101,700.

Still, previously-owned houses of the single-family variety are the overwhelming choice of both men and women. Men were more likely to buy single-family houses, 74 percent to 66 percent, though. But at least that shoots holes in the theory that women prefer townhouse or apartment living.

In addition, NAR found that the half the gals bought in the city and 44 percent opted for subdivisions in the suburbs. More guys, 56 percent to be exact, went for city locations, but a whopping 36 picked rural spots.

Single persons, especially the ladies, are a significant segment of the first-time home buying marketplace. In 1999, single women accounted for 22 percent of the purchases made by rookie buyers. Men were responsible for only 12 percent.

First-time buyers are different from repeat buyers, too. They tend to be younger, have smaller savings and earn less, so they buy smaller houses, NAR found.

At 32, first-timers are typically 13 years the junior of their more experienced counterparts. Their median incomes are $49,700, or $18,900 less than that of move-up buyers. And the houses they buy have a median price of $104,000, or about two-thirds of the $150,000 repeat buyers typically spend to put a roof over their heads.

For more articles by Lew Sichelman, please press here.

Published: May 9, 2001

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When Lew Sichelman first started writing about housing in 1969, he was the youngest real estate writer in the country. Now, 37 years later, he's one of the oldest -- and most decorated. He has been rated the top housing columnist in the country by the National Association of Realtors as well as by his peers in the National Association of Real Estate Editors. Indeed, NAREE has recognized his work on numerous occasions. One year - due to his advancing age, he can't recall which one - he earned top honors in the annual NAREE Journalism Contest in three out of the four major writing categories. It was the first time one writer has won so many NAREE awards in a single year. Known for his ability to make even the most difficult topics understandable, Sichelman also has been honored by the National Association of Home Builders and the Mortgage Bankers Association. He began providing in-depth coverage of and consumer-oriented information about housing and housing finance at the Washington Daily News, where he was real estate editor. He held that same position for nine more years at the Washington Star, which purchased the News in 1972. The Star, a so-called "writer's newspaper" which also had the misfortune of being an evening paper, was put out of its misery in 1981, and Sichelman, who had begun self-syndicating his column in 1978, decided to become a full-time columnist. Today, his column, "The Housing Scene," is distributed by United Media to newspapers throughout the country. He also is on the staff of National Mortgage News, an independent newspaper which is considered the bible of the mortgage business. And he writes for numerous other publications, including MarketWatch.com, where he answers readers questions once a week, Sports Illustrated (don't ask), RealtyTimes.com, BigBuilder and others. Sichelman is married, the father of five and grandfather of eleven.