The sentiment among homebuyers nationwide has returned to a neutral state from rising in just a month. According to the “February 2026 Real Estate Market Consumer Sentiment Survey” released by the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements on the 17th, the National Housing Purchase Consumer Sentiment Index, an indicator of market trends, recorded 112.3, a drop of 9.8 points from the previous month’s 122.1. An index above 115 is deemed a ‘rising’ phase, while 95 to below 115 indicates a ‘neutral’ phase.
In Seoul, the index fell by 16.9 points to 121.3, marking the largest decline nationwide. Other regions like Gyeonggi and Incheon fell by 11.5 and 10.7 points, respectively, placing the entire metropolitan area in a neutral phase with an index of 114.4. The sentiment in provinces also exhibited a clear downward trend, with North Gyeongsang dropping 14.1 points and South Chungcheong 13.4 points. Among metropolitan cities, Busan fell by 7.4 points, Daejeon by 6.2 points, and Daegu by 4.1 points. Ulsan, however, recorded a 1.4 point increase to 126.4, maintaining an upward trend as the only region to do so.
The jeonse (long-term rental) market remained in a ‘rising-neutral’ phase, with a marginal decrease of 0.9 points to 109.8 from the previous month. This is attributed to buyers waiting due to concerns over declining sales prices, thereby supporting the index by remaining in the rental market.
Experts predict that with the buying sentiment retreating to around the critical 115 mark, trade volumes will continue to shrink, and a wait-and-see attitude will persist for some time. This survey reflects the results of telephone surveys conducted by the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements targeting approximately 6,600 general households and 2,300 real estate agencies across 152 cities, counties, and districts nationwide.