This study empirically analyzes the determinants of apartment auction sale price ratios in consideration of the regional heterogeneity of the Korean housing market. In recent years, rising interest rates, supply imbalances, and growing uncertainty in ...
This study empirically analyzes the determinants of apartment auction sale price ratios in consideration of the regional heterogeneity of the Korean housing market. In recent years, rising interest rates, supply imbalances, and growing uncertainty in the real estate market have heightened attention to auction outcomes. However, previous research has largely focused on ex-post analyses of realized results. To address this gap, this study employs the apartment auction sale price ratio as the dependent variable and incorporates not only current market conditions but also forward-looking indicators that reflect market expectations and sentiment (Housing Purchase Sentiment Index, Sales Price Outlook Index), as well as supply-side indicators such as housing construction starts.
The analysis focuses on two distinct submarkets in Seoul: the affluent Gangnam 3 Districts, where high-priced housing is concentrated, and the northern districts, where mid- to low-priced housing is prevalent. Quarterly data spanning from the second quarter of 2013 to the second quarter of 2025 were utilized. The econometric framework is based on a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), and Impulse Response Functions (IRF) along with Forecast Error Variance Decomposition (FEVD) were employed to examine the dynamic interactions among variables.
The results reveal that in the Gangnam 3 Districts, shocks to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Housing Purchase Sentiment Index (HPS) triggered strong short-term responses, which quickly converged. This indicates that auction sale price ratios in this market are highly sensitive to external shocks such as inflation and shifts in buyer sentiment, underscoring its short-term reactive nature. Conversely, in the northern districts, shocks to GDP growth and interest rates produced stronger and more persistent effects over time. In particular, interest rate shocks generated significant negative impacts from the outset, with effects that continued over the long run. FEVD results further demonstrated that self-explanatory power was higher in the northern districts, suggesting that structural and endogenous factors, including local financing conditions, play a greater role in shaping auction outcomes in this region.
In conclusion, the Gangnam 3 Districts exhibit characteristics of a short-term, shock-sensitive market, while the northern districts function as a medium- to long-term response market influenced by broader macroeconomic conditions. These findings highlight the necessity for differentiated policy approaches and market forecasting strategies that account for regional heterogeneity in the Seoul apartment auction market.