Last-Minute Buying Spree for “Single Prime Home” Ahead of Loan Caps: High-End Seoul Apartment Sales Surge…Over ₩2.6B Transactions Double

In H1 2025, High-End Seoul Apartment Sales Surge…Over ₩2.6B Transactions Double sales above ₩2.6 billion more than doubled, rising 133.4% year-on-year from 1,467 units to 3,424 units, according to RealToday. Higher price brackets saw the greatest growth: ₩1.6–2.6 billion by 83.6%, ₩1.2–1.6 billion by 74.6%, ₩600–1.2 million by 38.3%, and below ₩600 million by 24.1%. Transactions over ₩2.6 billion now account for 8.3% of total sales, outpacing mid-priced segments valued for owner-occupancy. This surge underscores continued strong demand from affluent investors and the enduring appeal of prime Gangnam real estate. 강남 빌딩 매매

Concentration in Gangnam and “Mayongseong” Areas

Of transactions above ₩2.6 billion, 83.2% occurred in Gangnam’s three districts (Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa) and the “Mayongseong” area (Mapo, Yongsan, Seongdong). Gangnam led with 1,105 deals (up 106.5%), followed by Seocho (862) and Songpa (561). Mayongseong saw 184 in Yongsan, 102 in Seongdong, and 36 in Mapo. Songpa’s 392.1% spike reflects heightened price expectations. In contrast, outer districts like Nowon, Dobong, and Gangbuk, and southeastern areas Geumcheon, Gwanak, Guro, recorded zero ultra-high-end transactions. This concentration underscores a flight to premium locations among affluent buyers.

Loan Caps and Political Shift Fuel Buyer Anxiety

KB Kookmin Bank analyst Park Won-gab attributes the buying frenzy before loan caps to a shift from commercial to residential investments, a “single prime home” strategy reaching its peak. Factors include rate cuts, lifting of land‐transaction permits, expectations for a liberal government, and impending DSR Phase 3 in July. Together, these drove concerns over abundant money supply and rising prices, intensifying anxiety. Indeed, Seoul apartment sales hit 10,336 units at June’s end, surpassing March’s peak. In H2, experts anticipate “gap filling” conversions from rentals to purchases and cyclical trading between complexes. beyond visual