Recently, as subscription fever has intensified mainly in Seoul, a blind subscription atmosphere has spread, resulting in a significant increase in disqualified applicants.
According to data submitted by Min Hong-cheol, a member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, to the Korea Real Estate Board, a total of 15,441 people were disqualified after winning subscriptions from 2022 until last June. Due to the lifting of regulation areas and the easing of subscription criteria, the disqualification rate was high not only in general supply but also in special supplies such as first-time homebuyers and newlyweds, whose eligibility has been expanded.
In particular, it was found that the more popular the complex among demanders, the higher the number of disqualified applicants.
According to data titled ‘Top 10 Apartment Status by Number of Disqualified Winners (Since 2020)’ submitted by Park Sang-hyuk, a member of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the ‘Raemian Forestige’ supplied in January last year in Dongnae-gu, Busan, had 303 people, accounting for 12.6% of the subscription winners, classified as disqualified. This complex recorded a competition rate of 113.93 to 1 for the exclusive 84A㎡ unit during the first-priority subscription, with the lowest winning score of 65 points and an average winning score of 67.47 points for this housing type, making it a popular complex.
The apartment with the next highest number of disqualified applicants was ‘Olympic Park Foreon.’ This complex, which attracted attention as the largest-scale reconstruction complex since the founding of Korea, had 275 disqualified winners out of 5,645 subscription winners, invalidating their wins. At the time of subscription, the exclusive 84A㎡ unit had a minimum winning score of 64 points and an average of 67.2 points.
A real estate expert said, “The more popular the complex, the more the ‘blind subscription’ atmosphere spreads, leading to a large number of disqualified applicants,” adding, “Most reasons include errors in calculating dependent family points, non-homeownership period, and insufficient mandatory residence period in the relevant area.”
Meanwhile, some experts advise that actively targeting the canceled units due to disqualified winners in popular complexes is one way to secure a home. Currently, non-priority subscriptions are open to anyone aged 19 or older regardless of residence, number of owned houses, or household head status, and winners are selected by a 100% lottery system.
In fact, ‘Olympic Park Foreon’ conducted a non-priority subscription in March, including units canceled due to disqualified winners, attracting a total of 41,540 applicants and recording a competition rate of 46 to 1. Subsequently, the complex sold out through a first-come, first-served sale, and recently, the exclusive 84㎡ occupancy rights were traded at prices more than 600 million KRW higher than the general supply sale price.
Given this situation, real demanders with newly opened subscription accounts or low scores are waiting for the uncontracted units of popular complexes.
The most representative example is ‘Bomun Central I-Park,’ which recorded an average competition rate of 78 to 1 and a maximum of 483 to 1 in the first-priority subscription last September. This complex attracted high demand due to its ultra-station area location, allowing easy access to major business districts. The winning scores were also high, with average winning scores of 64.44 points for the exclusive 76㎡ and 69 points for the exclusive 81㎡ units.
With ‘Bomun Central I-Park’ posting a non-priority subscription announcement today (the 10th), not only previous unsuccessful applicants but also real demanders with short subscription account periods will have a chance to secure a home.
Non-priority subscriptions are open to anyone aged 19 or older regardless of residence area, homeownership status, or household head status. The non-priority subscription application will be held on the 15th (Wednesday), the winner announcement on the 20th (Monday), and contract signing on the 27th (Monday).
The complex is located in the ultra-station area of Bomun Station, served by Seoul Subway Line 6 and the Ui-Sinseol Line, allowing quick access to downtown Seoul. In particular, it takes about 10 minutes to Jonggak Station, 30 minutes to Yeouido Station, and 20 minutes to Sinsa Station via Bomun Station, earning high marks from real demanders in their 30s and 40s who prefer proximity to work.
Various convenience facilities are well established around the station. Once commercial facilities within the complex are completed, a one-stop lifestyle will be possible within the complex. Korea University Anam Hospital is nearby, providing excellent medical services, and Seongbukcheon Stream is located right in front of the complex, allowing residents to enjoy pleasant leisure time on the Seongbukcheon walking trail without needing extra time.
The educational environment is also excellent. Within a 500m radius are Dongsin Elementary School and Kyungdong High School, enabling safe walking commutes. Additionally, Korea University and Sungshin Women’s University are nearby, offering diverse educational infrastructure.
‘Bomun Central I-Park,’ developed in Bomun-dong 1-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, will be built with 199 units from basement level 2 to ground level 27, with an expected move-in date of September 2026.
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