Despite Loan Regulations, 30s Remain No.1 Buyers of Apartments Nationwide and in Seoul

Despite strengthened loan regulations last year, including the implementation of the enhanced Level 2 Stress Debt Service Ratio (DSR), people in their 30s were found to have purchased the most apartments.

According to the Korea Real Estate Board on the 16th, among the 492,052 apartments traded last year, the purchase share of those in their 30s was 26.6%, the highest among all age groups. The share for those in their 40s was 26.2%.

In Seoul, the purchase share of people in their 30s was also the highest among all age groups at 31.9% last year.

By district in Seoul, the 'Gangnam 4 Districts (Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa, Gangdong-gu)', which led the apartment sales market last year, had a higher purchase share from those in their 40s, while 'Mayongseong (Mapo, Yongsan, Seongdong-gu)' saw a higher purchase share from those in their 30s.

Voices suggest that unless there are special variables, the strong presence of people in their 30s in the apartment market will continue through the first half of this year. However, with the Level 3 Stress DSR set to be implemented in July and loan regulations expected to tighten further, it is also anticipated that the buying momentum of those in their 30s, who generally have relatively lower incomes compared to those in their 40s, will slow down compared to before.