First-time purchases of registered property units in Seoul rose to 7,547 in July, the highest level since November 2021 and up 4.7% from 7,210 in June. The increase was driven mainly by buyers in their 20s and 30s, with those in their 30s accounting for 4,300 purchases, or 57.0% of the total, and those in their 20s reaching 887, or 11.8%. By contrast, purchases by buyers in their 50s and 60s declined. Zigbang said the trend appears tied to relatively relaxed lending standards for first-time home purchases, which can improve buying conditions for younger owner-occupiers, as well as a shortage of jeonse (lump-sum rental lease) listings that may be pushing some renters toward buying. Eunpyeong District recorded the largest concentration of first-time demand at 841 purchases, or 11.1% of Seoul's total, helped by relatively accessible prices, subway access and large redevelopment complexes. The area has also seen a rising share of apartment deals above previous record prices, a sign that concentrated demand may be feeding into transaction values. Zigbang said it will be important to watch how the government's recently announced housing supply plans and comprehensive financial measures are implemented and how they affect transaction trends in areas where first-time owner-occupier buyers are concentrating.