175 New Homes Coming to Two Orange County Communities in Irvine and Rancho Mission Viejo

The increase adds pressure to buyers already facing elevated borrowing costs and inflation. The Korea Times did not report Orange County-specific figures, but national mortgage trends can shape affordability in high-cost housing markets.

The shift shows how younger first-time buyers are searching for lower-cost routes into homeownership while new rules push auction demand toward people who plan to live in the properties.

The sale involves Lee's only home, jointly owned with his wife, and comes after he listed it in February as part of an effort to curb runaway home prices, according to The Korea Times.