[GLOBAL ECONOMIC TIMES]  In the subscription market, the popularity of exclusive 59㎡, which is smaller than the exclusive 84㎡, which is called the national standard, is increasing. In a situation where sales prices are skyrocketing, it is interpreted that consumers are turning to relatively cheap apartments as exclusive 59㎡ units are being built with a wider space than in the past. If this trend continues, there is also the possibility that 59㎡ could be dedicated to the name of national equilibrium.

According to Real Estate R114 on the 23rd, among the first-priority subscriptions held until September this year, the competition rate for exclusive use areas of 59㎡ or less was calculated to be 33.1 to 1. The highest competition rate was 59㎡A exclusively for ‘Maple Xi’ in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where subscription was held in February. 3,574 people gathered to recruit one household.

In detail, the competition rate for exclusive 59㎡ was 23.08 to 1, and for small units of 49㎡ or less, the competition rate was 39.23 to 1. On the other hand, the competition rate for the national standard of exclusive use of 84㎡ was found to be 10.8 to 1. In the case of large units exceeding 85㎡, the competition rate was the lowest at 7.72 to 1.

It is analyzed that as pre-sale prices soar and apartment prices continue to increase, small flats have become popular. According to the Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG), as of last month, the sale price per 3.3㎡ of private apartments in Seoul was 44,241,000 won, the highest ever. It has become difficult to find an apartment for less than 1 billion won based on an exclusive use of 84㎡. The sale price per 3.3㎡ in the metropolitan area also rose 1.7% from the previous month to 27,927,000 won.

In addition, the recent increase in space utilization in small square footage of newly built apartments appears to have contributed to the surge in popularity. In the past, the 4-bay plate structure was only applied to 84㎡, but now it is also applied to 59㎡. In addition, various storage spaces such as a dressing room and utility room are being added to the exclusive 59㎡. In fact, in the case of the 59㎡ A·C type exclusively for ‘Raemian One Pentas’ in Seocho-gu, Seoul, which was subscribed for post-sale last July, it was built in a 4-bay plate style.

A real estate industry official said, "As the number of families raising only one child or not raising them at all increases, the demand for exclusive use of 84㎡ is decreasing. If this trend continues, the standard of national equilibrium is likely to move to 59㎡ for exclusive use. “It’s high,” he said.

Meanwhile, small units of 49㎡ or less are also attracting attention, especially among newlyweds. Last month, 8,824 people gathered to recruit 47 households for an exclusive 45 m2 space at the ‘La Cervo Prugio Summit’ in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. It is said that there is no significant difference in the actual interior space from the 59㎡ exclusive apartment built in the 1990s with two bedrooms and one bathroom.

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