Housing Finance Policy

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A. Legal and Regulatory Framework

A.1 Legal and Regulatory Framework
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Basis of the legal system: Civil, Common, Islamic, Other? (Describe)Mixed system including civil lawMixed system including civil law Mixed system including civil law
CIA World Factbook
A.1.1
Registration/Transfer of titles:A.1.3
Typical number of days needed for the transfer of title5.505.505.50
WDI
A.1.3.4
Are there legal constraints on the types of mortgage products that are permitted?Yes  
Financial Services Commission
A.1.5
Are there legal constraints on mortgage features?Yes  
Financial Supervisory Service Annual Report
A.1.6
Loan-to-Value capYes  
Financial Supervisory Service Annual Report
A.1.6.2
OtherYes  A.1.6.4
Is there specialized legislation covering:A.1.9
B. Housing Finance Subsidies
B.1 Subsidies to Housing Finance Institutions
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Is the lending side of the housing finance system subsidized?Yes  
Research
B.1.2
Guarantees for mortgage loansYes  
Korea Housing Finance Corporation
B.1.2.2
B.2 Subsidies to Households
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Are there subsidies to households on housing finance?YesYes 
Research
B.2.1
Interest rate subsidies by special government fundsYesYes B.2.1.1
Mortgage interest deductibility from income taxYes  
National Tax Service
B.2.1.5
Reach of subsidies in 2.1.1 to 2.1.4 ?B.2.2
C. Taxation
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
What taxes apply to Residential Real Estate?C.1
Tax on property (home-owners) YesYesYes
Deloitte
C.1.1
Property transaction taxes (purchase/selling)YesYesYes
Deloitte
C.1.2
Mortgage transaction taxesYes  
Deloitet
C.1.3
Tax on capital gains on property Yes Yes
Deloitte
C.1.5
Other  YesC.1.6
back to top | Country Data:
Notes: At Q4 2009; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2010; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2011; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2012; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2013; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2014; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2015; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2016; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: KB Kookmin Bank offers a "stepping stone" mortgage with lower interest rates for low-income workers. It is funded through the Housing and Urban Fund
Notes: The government recently restrained mortgage borrowing to once per household in "overheated" districts in Seoul. Owners of two homes must pay an additional 10% in transfer income tax and those of three homes must pay an additional 20%.
Notes: 0.2-0.9% is Real Estate Agent's fees
Notes: 0.25-1%
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: Annual property taxes are levied between 0.15-0.5%, depending on property location, type, and other other factors. There is also a comprehensive real estate holding tax that ranges from 0.5-2% for homes that exceed KRW 600 million (~ US$ 540,541)
Notes: As of Nov 1st
Notes: At Q4 2018; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: Average dwelling unit size for apartments. Over 60% of dwellings are apartments.
Notes: Capital gains tax is levied on the seller. The rate depends on the amount of capital gains earned. The individual is then given a deduction that ranges according to the length of time that the home was held
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Financial Services Commission (financial regulator)
Notes: For banks only
Notes: For banks only
Notes: For banks only
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: KB Kookmin Bank offers a "stepping stone" mortgage with lower interest rates for low-income workers. It is funded through the Housing and Urban Fund
Notes: Median housing price in Seoul
Notes: mortgage interest deductibility is only available to Korean nationals
Notes: Mortgages are allowed only for residential purpose for high-priced houses exceeding KRW900MM
Notes: National Housing Bonds (NHBs) are bonds issued to raise funds for the construction of residential houses pursuant to the National Housing Act. Unlike other government bonds, NHBs are issued on the basis of mandatory placement.
Notes: National Rate
Notes: National Rate
Notes: National Rate
Notes: National Rate
Notes: Range from 0.24% to 0.6% depending on property type. Additionally, there is a comprehensive real estate tax for owners of land with value over KRW600MM
Notes: Range from 0.24% to 0.6% depending on property type. Additionally, there is a comprehensive real estate tax for owners of land with value over KRW600MM
Notes: Range from 0.24% to 0.6% depending on property type. Additionally, there is a comprehensive real estate tax for owners of land with value over KRW600MM
Notes: Real estate acquisitions are taxed at a rate of 4.6% based on the actual acquisition price
Notes: Real estate acquisitions are taxed at a rate of 4.6% based on the actual acquisition price
Notes: Real estate acquisitions are taxed at a rate of 4.6% based on the actual acquisition price
Notes: Rental income is taxed at progressive rates. The taxable amount is calculated by taking total rental income and subtracting deductable allowable expenses
Notes: Share of individuals who resided in same region as the location of ownership houses
Notes: The individual acquiring the property pays an acquisition tax of 4.6%
Notes: There is a stamp duty but it is insignificant