Broadcaster Jang Young-ran has drawn attention by purchasing an ultra-luxury APT. in Seongsu-dong for nearly 9.4 billion won.
According to a report by Korea Economy TV on the 11th, real estate industry sources and court registry documents indicate that Jang Young-ran acquired one unit at Galleria Fore in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, with a dedicated area of 218㎡ in co-ownership with her husband Han Chang for 9.45 billion won in February and completed the registration at the end of last month.
Galleria Fore is known as a high-end APT. where celebrities such as actors Han Ye-seul, Kim Soo-hyun, and singer G-Dragon reside. The unit purchased by Jang Young-ran has a mortgage set at a maximum bond amount of 5.768 billion won from a commercial bank, indicating that she is estimated to have borrowed around 4.8 billion won, which is about half the house price given that the maximum bond amount usually reflects about 120% of the loan amount.
In the real estate industry, considering the current atmosphere of the Seongdong-gu real estate market, experts believe that Jang Young-ran made a wise investment. This is due to the ripple effect of the Seoul city government's reassignment of the land transaction permission zones, which has caused housing prices in the three districts of Gangnam and Yongsan to rise, spreading to the nearby Seongdong-gu and Mapo-gu.
Currently, Seongdong-gu is not included in the land transaction permission zones, except for some scheduled redevelopment sites such as four strategic maintenance areas in Seongsu. Since it is not a regulated area, gap investments are allowed, making it relatively easier to invest. Following the reassignment of land transaction permission zones, there have been reports of high price transactions. Experts predict that investment demand heading towards Seongdong-gu will accelerate due to additional regulatory movements by the Seoul city government. In fact, a 195㎡ unit at Galleria Fore, which Jang Young-ran purchased, was traded for 9 billion won in April, setting a record high.
According to the Korea Real Estate Board and the Statistical Office, the average increase in housing prices in Seongdong-gu over the last three months recorded 0.54%, surpassing double the inflation rate of 0.23% in the Seoul region. In response, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon noted during a regular city council session on the 11th that "Seongdong-gu's housing prices are rising at a relatively fast pace. We are monitoring the market with considerable caution" and mentioned, "While it is preferable not to use land transaction permission, it can be applied if the market is in an emergency. Seongdong-gu has not yet reached the level of being designated as a land transaction permission area, but there is a need for further examination."
The land transaction permission system, known as 토허제, is a measure designed to prevent real estate speculation and stabilize the market by requiring approval from the administrative authority for land transactions within certain areas. It is primarily applied in regions where significant housing price increases are expected or in development districts, and transactions can only occur if certain criteria are met.
In March, when the Seoul city government reassigned all APT.s in the three districts of Gangnam and Yongsan as land transaction permission areas, they postponed the designation for Seongdong-gu, along with Mapo-gu, for six months to observe the potential occurrence of a 'balloon effect.' However, with the recent rise in housing prices in Seongdong-gu, discussions about additional measures have resurfaced. Mayor Oh Se-hoon explained, "The decision on additional designations will be made based on a comprehensive consideration of opinions from the city council and experts."
Meanwhile, Jang Young-ran married Han Chang, a doctor of Korean medicine, in 2009 and they have one son and one daughter.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]