Recently, with soaring sale prices, prospective homebuyers are becoming increasingly active. They are trying to secure their own homes before prices rise further.
According to data from Real Estate R114, the average nationwide apartment sale price per 3.3㎡ (excluding rental units), which had remained around 13 million KRW from 2019 to 2021, jumped to 15 million KRW in 2022 and surpassed 18 million KRW this year (as of November). This is due to a sharp increase in raw material costs and soaring interest rates, which significantly raised construction costs.
The issue is that the government announced it will expand the zero-energy building certification regulations currently applied to public buildings to private buildings starting next year, making further increases in sale prices inevitable. Zero-energy buildings incorporate technologies such as high-performance insulation materials and renewable energy sources like solar power.
According to a survey by the Korea Construction Industry Research Institute, achieving zero-energy grade 5 requires additional construction costs of about 30-40% for non-residential buildings and approximately 4-8% compared to the standard construction cost ceiling for multi-family housing.
An industry insider said, “As sale prices skyrocket, a sentiment is spreading among prospective buyers that ‘today’s sale price is the cheapest.’ With the upward trend expected to continue, even complexes that faced controversies over high prices are succeeding in attracting subscriptions.”
According to Korea Real Estate Agency’s Subscription Home, ‘The Sharp Ochang Prestige,’ which was offered in Cheongju, Chungbuk, last September, recorded a competition rate of 12.97 to 1 with 6,216 applicants for 479 units (excluding special supply). The highest competition rate reached 44.81 to 1.
The average sale price per 3.3㎡ for this apartment was 13.63 million KRW, marking the highest price ever in Cheongju. Despite the high price, the excellent subscription results are interpreted as reflecting the psychology that “although it seems expensive now, over time, this will be a reasonable price.”
In fact, sale prices in Cheongju, where the complex is located, are continuously rising. According to Real Estate R114 data, the average apartment sale price per 3.3㎡ (excluding rental units) in Cheongju rose from 9.45 million KRW in 2021 to 10.54 million KRW in 2022, and exceeded 12 million KRW this year (as of November).
Meanwhile, ‘Wonbong Park Hildesheim,’ introduced by Won Construction in Cheongju, Chungbuk, is attracting attention from buyers with its reasonable sale price.
‘Wonbong Park Hildesheim’ is located in Yongam-dong, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do. It is a large complex with a total of 1,211 households, ranging from underground 4 floors to aboveground 29 floors, with various unit sizes from the national standard 84㎡ to large 273㎡ units.
A sales official said, “Since the model house opened on the 24th, about 21,000 visitors have come over three days, and sales are proceeding successfully. The average sale price per 3.3㎡ is set at around 12 million KRW, highlighting its price competitiveness, which seems to have attracted much interest.”
The subscription schedule starts with special supply on December 4, followed by first-priority subscription on the 5th and second-priority subscription on the 6th. Winners will be announced on the 13th, and official contracts will be signed over four days from the 26th to the 29th.
‘Wonbong Park Hildesheim’ also draws attention for its excellent location. Built under a private park special project, it is expected to offer an eco-friendly urban lifestyle. The Wonbong Neighborhood Park, where the complex is located, spans about 170,000㎡, roughly the size of 23 soccer fields, allowing residents to enjoy the park’s four seasons right in front of their homes.
Additionally, it is situated in the heart of Dongnam District, the largest residential land development area in Cheongju, sharing the infrastructure of this completed new town. It offers quick access to all parts of Cheongju and the Jungbu Expressway via Cheongju’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ring roads. Just across the street are educational facilities such as Chorong Flower Kindergarten, Undong Elementary, and Undong Middle School, and it is adjacent to sites planned for Sinseol Elementary and Sinseol High School, providing an excellent educational environment.
The product quality, befitting Won Construction’s ‘Hildesheim’ brand, is also highly anticipated. The complex is mainly oriented southward to maximize sunlight, and all units are designed in a slab-type layout, ensuring excellent sunlight exposure and ventilation. Large pantries and walk-in dressing rooms provide ample storage throughout the home, and kitchens are designed as wide kitchens approximately 5.3 to 5.5 meters long with generous storage. Some units feature luxurious and differentiated spaces such as terrace-type exclusive units, sunken gardens, and duplex-style lofts.
The model house is located in Bunpyeong-dong, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do.
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