Finding housing in Korea

Huong wants to live closer to her office to cut her long daily commute. She asks her friends for advice on finding housing.

Su-hyeon: Hi, Huong. How's work? Are you adjusting well there?

Huong: Yes, I'm learning a lot. But I'm concerned about something.

Pedro: What?

Huong: I've grown closer to my coworkers so my job is more enjoyable. But my office is far from my house, so the long commute is exhausting and takes too much of my time.

Jessie: Yeah, I know some friends who live alone instead of with their families for that reason. They do so despite the higher cost of living alone because of the much shorter commute.

Huong: I see. I'm seriously considering moving. What I should do to find a home closer to my office?

Su-hyeon: We'll help you, so don't worry too much. Jessie and Pedro, you have experience in finding housing in Korea, right?


Jessie: I lived in a dorm when I first came to Korea as an exchange student. I started looking for off-campus housing as my stay at the dorm was ending. Su-hyeon told me about some real estate search apps and they had a lot of useful information. I easily found a place thanks to the apps.

Huong: Really? What apps were they? Are they easy to use by foreigners, too?

Su-hyeon: The apps have information on available housing on the market nationwide. Just select the desired region or the subway station you want to live around, and the apps provide information about vacancies in that specific area. You can select the housing type you want like an apartment, officetel (studio apartment) or villa and the price range.

Pedro: You can check not only a home's size but also if it comes furnished with household appliances and furniture such as a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a washing machine, a desk and a bed.

Jessie: Each app can have slightly different information, so I recommend downloading multiple apps and comparing the data on each one.


Huong: OK, but can I find a place without using an app?

Su-hyeon: Sure. You can visit a budongsan (real estate agent). Most Koreans go this route. Leasing a home can often require a hefty security deposit. Paying a commission to your agent for introducing the place and serving as a middleman also ensures safety.

Pedro: Visit a real estate agent in the region where you want to live. One of the biggest advantages of this method is that he or she might know of places not appearing in the apps and more details about a neighborhood's environment.

Jessie: Vacancies offered can differ by agent, so it's a good idea to visit several of them. They'll ask you what type of home you want and the rent you can pay and show you places that meet your criteria.

Huong: If you use a real estate agent, you have to pay a commission regardless of whether you used an app and visited the homes on your own, right?

Su-hyeon: Yes. You must pay a commission but this ensures a safer transaction, so I highly recommend using an agent.


Pedro: Oh, I almost forgot. Check your lease agreement thoroughly before signing it. It stipulates the size, purpose, status of facilities and other details about the home. You must check if all the information on the agreement is accurate, including the payment terms.

Su-hyeon: Right, if you need to pay jeonse (lump sum deposit) or bojeunggeum (security deposit), it's important to know in advance information on safeguarding your jeonse deposit and getting the proper insurance.

Huong: I see. I think I'll have no problem because I learned so much from you guys today.

Jessie: Let's all help Huong find a new place.

Pedro: Sounds like a plan. I'll keep my eyes wide open to help her find the right home (smiles).

Huong: Thank you all so much. I'll invite all of you to my housewarming party after I settle into a new place.

Written by Park Hye Ri
Translated by Lee Jihae
Illustrated by Yuhaill
hrhr@korea.kr