In January this year, nationwide officetel transactions increased by nearly 70% from a year earlier.
ZIGBANG CO. said on the 9th that its analysis of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport actual transaction price data showed nationwide officetel transactions (based on individual transactions) totaled 3,366 in January 2026. That was up 65.6% from the same month a year earlier (2,033).
Specifically, the greater Seoul area logged 2,374 transactions and the provinces 992, up 63.5% and 70.7%, respectively, showing a rise in transactions in both the capital region and non-capital regions.
By floor area, small units still accounted for the bulk of transactions, but the growth rate was larger in the mid-to-large segment. Small units of 20–40 square meters exclusive area came to 1,830, accounting for 54.4% of all transactions.
However, mid-to-large officetel transactions of 60 to under 85 square meters exclusive area reached 542, up 126.8% from the same month a year earlier (239). Large units of 85 square meters or more also increased more than threefold, from 41 to 133. This appears to reflect some end users, who found it harder to secure funds due to tighter apartment loan regulations, turning to mid-to-large officetels, which have relatively lower entry burdens.
In the greater Seoul area, transactions increased across Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, with Seoul recording the most at 1,083. Gyeonggi followed with 1,007 and Incheon with 284.
By subregion, Bundang District in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, recorded 128, the most transactions among single districts in the capital region. The Bundang area, centered on Jeongja-dong and Pangyo Techno Valley, is home to clusters of IT and game corporations, drawing steady demand for short commutes. By individual complex, Jeongja-dong "Prugio City Jeongja-dong 3rd" exclusive 25.29 square meters transacted at 210 million won, while Daejang-dong "Pangyo Dior Nine" exclusive 84.99 square meters traded in the high-700 million to 800 million won range.
In Seoul, Yeongdeungpo District (106), adjacent to the Yeouido financial business district, recorded the most transactions. Songpa District (93), home to the Jamsil and Munjeong legal and distribution business districts; Mapo District (80), a media and business cluster around DMC and Gongdeok Station; Gwanak District (78); and Gangseo District (72), which includes business parks such as Magok LG Science Park, saw active transactions near major business districts. In Incheon, Michuhol District (78), Yeonsu District (56), and Bupyeong District (51) saw relatively many transactions.
In the provinces, Busan Metropolitan City recorded the most transactions with 244. Within Busan, Haeundae District (52), Busanjin District (40), and Suyeong District (24) saw relatively more transactions. Since the second half of 2025, as signs of a housing market recovery appeared in some preferred areas, a similar trend seems to be continuing in the officetel market.
They were followed by South Gyeongsang (135), Daegu (80), Daejeon (76), and South Chungcheong (71). These areas appear to have led officetel sale transactions as steady demand for short commutes flowed into cities centered on industrial complexes and research and development hubs. In particular, Daejeon is cited as an area with stable underlying demand, as research institutes and corporations are clustered around the Daedeok Research and Development Special Zone.
Nationwide officetel transactions have been rising since August last year. The background to this increase in transactions is analyzed to be the shift in demand due to tighter apartment loan regulations. Through its "housing market stabilization measures" in Oct. 2025, the government designated all of Seoul and parts of Gyeonggi as regulated areas and land transaction permission zones and tightened apartment loan regulations. By contrast, officetels are classified as non-residential, and because relatively looser loan regulations remain in place even within land transaction permission zones, some buying demand is moving to officetels.
However, ZIGBANG CO. emphasized that officetels have lower liquidity than apartments and limited long-term price appreciation potential, so a selective approach focusing on complexes with proven location and rental demand is necessary. As of now, February officetel sale transactions total about 1,900, and considering the transaction reporting deadline (30 days after contract), the final number could increase further. The market is watching whether the upward trend in transactions will continue in February, when the number of possible transaction days decreased due to the Lunar New Year holiday.