Korea Real Estate Brokerage Fee Calculator

Estimate the legal brokerage commission for a Korean property sale, jeonse, or monthly-rent contract, including VAT on commercial deals and other closing costs.

Transaction details

Amounts

Brokerage rate
0.4%
Statutory cap: 0.4%
Brokerage fee
₩2,000,000
One agent
Total fee
₩2,000,000
Base amount
₩500,000,000
Amount the rate is applied to

Market snapshot

Region
Seoul
Market condition
Overheated
Regional average rate
0.4%
Discount likely
Yes
Potential saving
₩300,000

Other closing costs (reference)

Acquisition tax (est.)
₩5,000,000
Registration tax (est.)
₩1,000,000
Stamp duty
₩150,000
Total other costs
₩6,150,000

Estimates only. Actual tax depends on your household and property situation.

Negotiation tips

  • •Get quotes from several licensed agents and compare them.
  • •The statutory rate is a maximum cap, so you can negotiate within it.
  • •Seoul has dense agent competition, so a discount is often easier to negotiate.
  • •For a sale, the higher the price the more room there usually is to negotiate.
  • •Apartments trade frequently, so fee negotiation tends to be relatively easy.

This calculator is based on Korean real estate brokerage rules and 2025 statutory maximum rates. It is a planning estimate and does not replace a licensed agent quote or a binding contract.

Related calculators

What is the Korea brokerage fee calculator?

This calculator estimates the real estate brokerage commission you pay to a licensed agent (gongin-jjunggaesa) when you buy, sell, or lease property in South Korea. It applies the statutory maximum rates by transaction value and property type, and it also shows the VAT and other closing costs that often surprise first-time buyers.

Korean real estate transactions move large sums, so the commission is rarely trivial. Knowing the legal maximum rate protects you from being overcharged and gives you a clear baseline to negotiate from.

Korea-based calculator

This tool is based on Korean brokerage rules and the 2025 statutory maximum commission rates. It is intended for people who need to estimate costs for a property transaction in Korea. It is a planning estimate and does not replace a licensed agent quote, a binding contract, or professional tax advice.

Who this is useful for

  • Buyers and sellers of apartments, officetels, and other Korean property
  • Tenants signing a jeonse (lump-sum deposit) or monthly-rent lease
  • Foreign residents and investors estimating Korea-related transaction costs
  • Anyone preparing to negotiate the commission before signing
  • People who want to know the total cash needed at closing in advance
  • Business owners leasing a shop or office (VAT applies)

Commission rates by transaction type

1. Sale (purchase)

A sale transfers full ownership of the property. The statutory maximum rate is tiered by price, and unlike a flat percentage it dips in the mid range before rising again for high-value homes.

Statutory maximum rate (2025, residential)

  • Under KRW 50 million: 0.6%
  • KRW 50 million to under 200 million: 0.5%
  • KRW 200 million to under 900 million: 0.4%
  • KRW 900 million to under 1.2 billion: 0.5%
  • KRW 1.2 billion to under 1.5 billion: 0.6%
  • KRW 1.5 billion and above: 0.7% (0.9% for commercial property)

Tips for a sale

  • The larger the price, the more room there usually is to negotiate
  • Get quotes from several agencies and compare them
  • Plan for acquisition tax and registration costs on top of the commission

2. Jeonse (lump-sum deposit lease)

Jeonse is a uniquely Korean lease where the tenant places a large refundable deposit instead of paying monthly rent. The rate is applied to the deposit and is lower than the sale rate.

Statutory maximum rate (2025)

  • Under KRW 50 million: 0.5%
  • KRW 50 million to under 100 million: 0.4%
  • KRW 100 million to under 300 million: 0.3%
  • KRW 300 million to under 600 million: 0.4%
  • KRW 600 million and above: 0.8%

Tips for jeonse

  • Check whether a renewal also triggers a commission
  • If you use a jeonse loan, factor in the bank fees as well
  • Registering a jeonse right (jeonse-gwon) has a separate cost

3. Monthly rent

A monthly-rent lease combines a deposit with a monthly payment. This tool applies the rate to the deposit and selects the tier from the size of the monthly rent.

Rate used by this tool

  • Monthly rent under KRW 1 million: 0.5% of the deposit
  • Monthly rent of KRW 1 million or more: 0.4% of the deposit

Note: Korean practice often converts monthly rent into a deposit-equivalent base (deposit + monthly rent multiplied by 100) before applying the jeonse rate table. Treat monthly-rent results here as a rough guide and confirm the exact figure with your agent.

Tips for monthly rent

  • The deposit-to-rent ratio changes the commission noticeably
  • Short-term leases can be negotiated separately
  • Maintenance fees are not part of the commission calculation

Property types and what to watch

Apartment

The most standard transaction. Prices are easy to benchmark and high trading volume makes commission negotiation relatively favorable.

  • Always compare the asking price against actual recorded sale prices
  • Compare with other units in the same complex
  • Large complexes give you more negotiating leverage

Villa / multi-household

Each property is more individual, so professional review matters. Check the building and its management condition carefully.

  • Review the building register and the property registry
  • Check for leaks, cracks, and other defects
  • Ask about redevelopment or reconstruction prospects

Officetel

Used for both residential and business purposes, which changes the tax and loan treatment. Confirm how the unit is registered.

  • Confirm whether a residential-use certificate is available
  • Maintenance fees can be higher than an apartment
  • Run the rental yield carefully if you are investing

Commercial / office

Commercial property adds 10% VAT on top of the brokerage fee, and profitability analysis is essential before you commit.

  • The commission plus 10% VAT is billed together
  • Research key money and prevailing rent levels thoroughly
  • Confirm whether a change of use is permitted

Detached house

The land and the building must be valued together, and development potential and access strongly affect the price.

  • Review both the land register and the building register
  • Check road frontage and the right to light
  • Confirm the zoning, building coverage, and floor area ratio

Seven ways to lower the commission

1. Visit several agencies

The same property can carry different rates at different offices. Visit at least three and ask for a comparison quote. Competition is fiercer in busy districts.

2. Watch the price tier boundary

If your price sits just over a tier boundary, you may be able to negotiate the lower tier rate. The statutory figure is a cap, not a fixed price.

3. When one agent represents both sides

If a single agent handles both the seller and the buyer, they collect from both sides, so you can ask for a discount. A reduction of 10 to 30% is common.

4. Time the contract

In the off season, volume is low and agencies are more likely to offer a discount. If you are not in a hurry, timing can improve your leverage.

5. Trade extra services for a lower fee

If you do not need add-on services such as interior, moving, or loan referral, you can decline them in exchange for a lower commission.

6. Consider direct-deal platforms

Platforms such as Naver Real Estate and Zigbang can support a direct deal that saves the commission. Still, have the contract and legal review handled by a professional.

7. Build a long-term relationship

A trusted agency may give you a discount on the next deal or first access to good listings. Negotiation based on trust is the most effective.

Worked examples

Scenario 1: Seoul apartment sale (KRW 500 million)

  • Transaction type: Sale
  • Price: KRW 500 million
  • Property type: Apartment, Seoul
  • Applied rate: 0.4% (200 million to under 900 million tier)
  • Brokerage fee: KRW 2,000,000
  • Acquisition tax (est. 1%): KRW 5,000,000
  • Other closing costs incl. registration and stamp duty: about KRW 6,150,000

High-value apartments often have room to negotiate the rate toward 0.3%.

Scenario 2: Gyeonggi officetel jeonse (KRW 200 million)

  • Transaction type: Jeonse
  • Deposit: KRW 200 million
  • Property type: Officetel, Gyeonggi
  • Applied rate: 0.3% (100 million to under 300 million tier)
  • Brokerage fee: KRW 600,000

Budget for the jeonse-right registration cost (roughly KRW 200,000 to 300,000) as well.

Scenario 3: Monthly rent (deposit KRW 50 million, rent KRW 1.2 million)

  • Transaction type: Monthly rent
  • Deposit: KRW 50 million, monthly rent: KRW 1.2 million
  • Property type: Villa
  • Applied rate: 0.4% (monthly rent of KRW 1 million or more)
  • Brokerage fee: KRW 200,000

With monthly rent, a higher rent relative to the deposit pushes the rate to the lower tier.

Frequently asked questions

Q1. Do I have to pay the commission?

Yes. If you transact through a licensed agent, the commission is legally owed. The figure shown is the statutory maximum, and in practice you can often agree on a lower amount. A direct deal can save the commission but carries legal risk, so professional help is safer.

Q2. When is the commission paid?

Usually at closing, when the contract is signed and the deposit is paid. Some agents collect at the final balance payment, so agree on the timing in advance.

Q3. Do two agents mean double the fee?

If the seller and the buyer each use a different agent, each side pays its own commission. When one agent represents both sides, you can ask for a discount, commonly 10 to 30%.

Q4. Why does commercial property add VAT?

Commercial property such as shops and offices is treated as a business transaction, so 10% VAT is added to the commission. A KRW 1,000,000 fee becomes KRW 1,100,000 with VAT. Residential property (apartment, villa, officetel) does not add VAT.

Q5. Is a commission due on a lease renewal?

If the agent did not broker the renewal, no commission is owed. If the agent did broker it, a commission applies. Spell out renewal terms in the original contract to avoid a dispute.

Q6. Is acquisition tax part of the commission?

No. Acquisition tax is separate from the commission. A sale also incurs registration costs, local education tax, and other items. The acquisition tax shown here is a rough reference and the exact amount depends on your housing situation.

Q7. What if I refuse to pay?

The commission is a legal obligation, and non-payment can lead the agent to take legal action. If you were charged above the statutory cap, you can report it to the Korea Association of Realtors or a consumer protection agency.

References

Government and public bodies

Statutory maximum rates (2025 summary)

Sale

  • Under KRW 50 million: 0.6%
  • KRW 50 million to under 200 million: 0.5%
  • KRW 200 million to under 900 million: 0.4%
  • KRW 900 million to under 1.2 billion: 0.5%
  • KRW 1.2 billion to under 1.5 billion: 0.6%
  • KRW 1.5 billion and above: 0.7% (commercial 0.9%)

Lease (jeonse)

  • Under KRW 50 million: 0.5%
  • KRW 50 million to under 100 million: 0.4%
  • KRW 100 million to under 300 million: 0.3%
  • KRW 300 million to under 600 million: 0.4%
  • KRW 600 million and above: 0.8%

Expert tips

The commission is negotiable. The statutory rate is only a ceiling. In practice you can agree on a lower figure, especially for large deals or when one agent represents both sides.

Read the contract carefully. Beyond the commission, confirm the contract terms, special clauses, and defect-repair responsibilities, and ask the agent to explain anything unclear.

Always check the registry. Before signing, review the property registry and building register to verify ownership, mortgages, jeonse rights, and any seizures. Do not rely only on documents the agent provides.