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Gender Difference and Intra-Household Economic Power in Mortgage Signing Order

Published by USC Bedrosian Center on

“Gender Difference and Intra-Household Economic Power in Mortgage Signing Order”

Sumit Agarwala, Richard Greenb, Vincent W. Yaoc, Jian Zhangd
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfi.2018.01.001*

Abstract
This paper adopts a novel approach to examine the roles of gender difference and intra-household economic power in mortgage signing order. We develop an “economic power” index based on relative economic power within the same-sex couple households. We then use this measure along with gender identity and other factors to explain signing order in different-gender couples. Our results suggest that, while pure economic power explains much of the observed signing order, gender difference plays an important role. Exploit regional variation reveals thatgender difference in signing order is greater in states with a larger gender wage gap and red states whose residents predominantly vote for the Republican.

 

*This paper will only be available through a library or personal subscription to Journal of Financial Intermediation

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