White buyers for the first time made up less than 50% of the local home-buyer population in the fourth quarter of last year‚ at 48.5% of total buyers from 57% in 2005‚ according to FNB's latest estate agent survey‚ released on Monday.

In contrast‚ the group classified as black under apartheid-era classifications have seen their estimated percentage of total suburban buyers rise from 23% in 2005 to 31% in 2013‚ up from 29.5% in 2012‚ the survey stated.

Asian and coloured groups have seen their percentages remain relatively stable over the period. The Asian percentage was 8% in 2005 and rose mildly to 8.5% by 2013‚ while the coloured group‚ at 12% in 2013‚ saw its percentage unchanged on the 12% of 2005. "Despite slow economic and job growth‚ we would expect to see a further mild rise in the percentage of previously disadvantaged group buyers in 2014‚ as the transformation of the economy continues‚" the survey said.