GlobeBy Korea

Buy a home in Korea,
fully in English.

From Seoul apartments to Busan ocean views — GlobeBy connects international buyers with licensed Korean agents. Search, negotiate, and close with full English support.

Cheonggyecheon stream in central Seoul
Seoul shopping street at duskGyeongbokgung Palace, SeoulTraditional hanok rooftops

Full foreign ownership

Korea allows foreigners to own apartments, houses and land outright — same rights as locals.

Transparent registry

Every property has a public registry record. Ownership and liens are verifiable before you pay.

World-class city living

Safety, transit, food, healthcare — the reasons you love visiting Korea are the reasons to own here.

How it works

01

Tell us what you're looking for

City, budget, and purpose — a home base in Seoul, an investment, or a future move to Korea.

02

Get matched with a licensed agent

We work under eXp Korea. You get a licensed Korean brokerage with full English communication.

03

Tour & negotiate

In-person or video tours. We handle the Korean-language negotiation and paperwork for you.

04

Close safely

Foreigner acquisition reporting, registration, and tax filings — guided step by step.

City guides

Frequently asked questions

Q. Can foreigners buy property in South Korea?

Yes. South Korea allows foreign nationals to own real estate — including apartments, houses, and land — with virtually the same ownership rights as Korean citizens. You don't need a visa or residency to own property. Most purchases simply require a foreigner acquisition report after signing (certain protected zones need prior permission, which your agent checks up front).

Q. Do I need to live in Korea or visit to buy?

No. Purchases can be completed remotely using a power of attorney handled through a Korean notary process, and tours can be done by video. Many of our clients complete everything before ever landing at Incheon.

Q. How much does an apartment in Seoul cost?

The range is wider than most expect. A standard 84㎡ (25-pyeong) apartment runs from around ₩700M–₩1.5B ($500k–$1.1M) in solid outer districts, ₩1.5B–₩3B in popular central areas — and ₩5B–₩7B ($3.5–5M) in Gangnam's best complexes like Banpo, where 2026 trades topped ₩7.1B for 84㎡. Seoul's ultra-prime market (Hannam-dong's The Hill and Nine One Hannam) now trades at ₩10B–₩25B ($7M–$18M) per unit. Busan is typically 40–60% cheaper than comparable Seoul areas.

Q. Can I get a mortgage as a non-resident?

It's difficult. Korean banks rarely lend to non-residents without Korean income, so most foreign purchases are cash. Residents with visas and Korean income can access local mortgages subject to LTV/DSR rules. We'll walk you through realistic financing options in the consultation.

Q. What taxes should I expect?

Acquisition tax is roughly 1–3% for a first home (higher for multiple homes), plus small registration levies. Ownership brings annual property tax, and high-value homes may owe the comprehensive real estate tax. Rental income and capital gains are taxable in Korea. Exact numbers depend on price and your situation — we lay them out before you commit.

Q. What is jeonse? Can I use it as an investor?

Jeonse is Korea's unique lump-sum lease: the tenant deposits 50–80% of the home's value instead of paying monthly rent, and the deposit is returned at the end. Investors sometimes buy with a jeonse tenant in place, which lowers the cash needed upfront — a structure worth understanding carefully, and one we're happy to explain in detail.

Talk to a licensed Korean agent

Free, no-pressure consultation. We reply within 1–2 business days.

Free consultation in English · Licensed Korean brokerage (eXp Korea)

GlobeBy Korea is operated by a licensed agent affiliated with eXp Korea. Tax and legal notes on this page are general guidance, not advice; figures vary by property and personal situation and are confirmed during consultation. Busan photo: Wikimedia Commons.