Family matters are a deciding factor

SELLING of homes due to changes in family structure accounted for 12.2% of all property sales completed in the first three months of this year.

These changes include marriage, divorce, new additions and death.

According to a recently released report from Statistics SA, 2017 divorce data indicates a slight increase in the number of divorces from 2016 to 2017.

The number of divorces from 2008 to 2011 fluctuates, but then increases consistently from 2012 to 2017. The highest number was observed in 2009 (30763) and the lowest in 2011 (20980). In 2017, more than 25000 divorces were granted, and of this number, 55.6% involved minor children.

On the other hand, Stats SA data shows more than 135 000 marriages of South Africans and permanent residents were registered at the Department of Home Affairs in 2017.

This figure indicates the continuing declining trend of marriage. From 2008 to 2017, this number has consistently decreased, save for a 0.6% increase between 2015 and 2016.

Generally, the warmer months from September to December are the most popular for solemnising marriages in South Africa and most newly-weds look to purchase their first homes together in the months following these.

However, in modern relationships, many couples buy properties before getting married, or forego big weddings in favour of getting a foot on the property ladder.

Many couples look to sell their homes and upgrade to bigger homes when planning for, or expecting babies, agents say.

While Stats SA revealed that the total number of registered births had been “continuously dropping” from 2013 up until 2016, it increased in 2017.

“A total of 989 318 live births were registered at the Department of Home Affairs in 2017.

“This is an increase of 2.1% compared to 969 415 births that were registered in 2016.”