[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] It has been revealed that the number of first and second priority subscribers to the comprehensive housing subscription savings in small and medium-sized cities nationwide, excluding metropolitan cities, has steadily increased this year.
According to Korea Real Estate Agency's Cheongyak Home as of August 18, the number of subscription subscribers in small and medium-sized cities nationwide reached 5,791,878. Monthly figures were ▲ January 5,469,767 ▲ February 5,509,907 ▲ March 5,545,177 ▲ April 5,589,702 ▲ May 5,641,110 ▲ June 5,697,547 ▲ July 5,747,076, showing a steady increase of 40,000 to 60,000 each month.
The regions with the largest increase in subscribers from July to August were ▲ Cheonan (13,676) ▲ Cheongju (2,668) ▲ Sejong (2,151) ▲ Jeonju (1,981) ▲ Changwon (1,938) ▲ Gimhae (1,339) ▲ Suncheon (1,284) ▲ Pohang (1,270) ▲ Wonju (2,167) ▲ Gumi (1,135), in that order.
In terms of the subscriber increase ratio relative to population, some regions showed a reversal phenomenon where the increase ratio was higher than that of the most populous area within the province (do). Gumi, with a population of 416,551, has fewer people than Pohang, which has 503,883, but the subscriber increase ratio relative to population was 0.27%, surpassing Pohang's 0.25%. By the same standard, Gimhae City (0.25%) also had a higher subscription rate relative to population than Changwon (0.19%), despite having a smaller population.
Furthermore, the total number of housing subscription subscribers in the top 10 regions with the most subscribers compared to July was 28,609, which was higher than the 16,193 subscribers in the remaining 114 regions. This is interpreted as a result of ▲ high population ▲ expansion of industrial complexes ▲ rising housing prices ▲ development prospects ▲ and residential conditions all coming together. Looking at the apartment sale price increase rates from July to August in these regions, all showed an upward trend except Gimhae, which remained stable. In Gumi (1.31%), the apartment sale price increase rate was higher than Pohang (1.22%), the most populous city in Gyeongbuk Province.
A real estate industry official explained, “Despite the government's strong regulations, it seems that the number of subscribers is increasing as actual demanders who have learned about rising housing prices and investors expecting capital gains through resale of pre-sale rights gather together.” He added, “With the strengthening of resale restrictions on pre-sale rights in metropolitan cities, it is expected that subscription savings accounts will flock to newly developed complexes in small and medium-sized cities where premiums can be expected from the early stages of pre-sale rights resale.”
Meanwhile, interest in complexes being sold in small and medium-sized cities is expected to grow further. Major complexes scheduled for sale within the year include ‘Gumi I-Park The Sharp’, ‘Iksan Easyum The Terrace Atriche’, ‘Gangneung Xi Fine Venue’, and ‘Geoje Gohyeon 2nd e-Pyeonhan Sesang (tentative name)’.
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