Buying a House in South Korea: Detached Homes and Villas

Across all property types, the median asking price in South Korea is €2,861,345, with 25% of listings below €1,197,772 and 25% above €6,181,835. The median per m² is €5,710. Houses specifically tend to be cheaper per m² than central apartments or commercial floors, but they carry land value, so the total ticket can still be high near Seoul. All figures are asking prices from current listings.

• Building types. Dandok jutaek (detached), dagagu (multi-unit, owner lives upstairs) and townhouse developments each come with different rental potential.
• Heating and insulation. Older houses may rely on ondol floor heating with oil or gas boilers; ask for recent bills.
• Land ownership. Confirm the house and the land are registered to the same owner.
• Reporting. Foreign buyers must report the acquisition within 60 days; restricted zones need a permit first.
• Tax. Acquisition tax rates for homes rise if you already own other Korean housing, and foreigners may face surcharges in designated areas. Verify with a tax adviser.