Am I a Non-Resident Single-Home Speculator? First-Time Homebuyers Express Outrage

Mr. Lim, an office worker in his 30s, is preparing to buy his first home while maintaining his homeless status.

After paying a 30 million won purchase agreement deposit to buy a 790 million won apartment in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, and even obtaining land transaction permission, he has fallen into deep concern over mortgage loan issues.

Amid the government's stance on strengthening household debt management, some banks have restricted new loans or reduced loan limits this month, raising worries that he may run into trouble securing his balance payment.

[Mr. Lim / Prospective First-Time Homebuyer: In this situation, continuing with this contract feels too unsettling and a bit frightening. From the perspective of a genuine homebuyer trying to buy a house for the first time, it is very frustrating.]

Mr. Lim also posted his frustrating sentiments directly on the government-run real estate policy public opinion collection website.

Mr. Lim was not the only one facing similar concerns.

More than 3,600 comments were submitted to the website in just one week, with financial-related opinions accounting for the largest share at around 1,500.

Demands for easing regulations dominated the board, such as expanding financial support for first-time homebuyers and applying differentiated loan regulations between the greater Seoul metropolitan area and regional provinces.

[Kwon Dae-jung, Chair Professor, Department of Economics and Real Estate, Hansung University: Loan regulations should be sufficiently relaxed so that people without homes can buy their own houses. Another aspect is relocation demand. For genuine homebuyers, loan regulations should be eased...]

In addition, tax and supply-related demands continued to pour in, such as recognizing tax exceptions for non-resident single-homeowners or easing redevelopment regulations.

Based on the public opinions gathered online, the government plans to hold a national public debate on real estate the day after tomorrow, attended by President Lee Jae-myung.

"Buying a Home Is Hard" Complaints Pour In... Exceeding 3,600 Cases (July 21, 2026, 8 PM News)

(Reported by Lee Seong-hoon | Produced by Choi Yoon-seo | Camera filming by Seol Chi-hwan | Video editing by Park Na-young | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.