http://www.straitstimes.com/archive/...uyers-20130608

Schools, street life draw buyers

Checking out the page views on the STProperty website gives an instant snapshot of what projects buyers are keen on. This week, we look at what's attracting attention in districts 5 and 8.

Published on Jun 08, 2013

By Rachel Scully


BEING near good educational facilities is always a key attraction for home owners, and District 5 has plenty of appeal on that score.

The National University of Singapore, Anglo- Chinese School (Independent) and Nan Hua High School are just some of the institutions in the area to lure buyers.

There are also green features such as West Coast Park for recreational activities, and shopping malls like The Clementi Mall and The Star Vista.

Buona Vista, Dover, Pasir Panjang and West Coast fall into District 5, which is also known as the south-west district.

The most-viewed development in the district on STProperty from May 27 to June 3 was the Hundred Trees condo in West Coast Drive, with an average asking price of $1,379 per sq ft (psf).

The 396-unit development has a 956-year leasehold tenure.

The Trilinq in Clementi was next, followed by Blue Horizon in West Coast Crescent. Both projects are 99-year leaseholds.

Freehold Whitehaven in Pasir Panjang and The Rochester, a 99-year leasehold estate, rounded up the top five by page views.

The attractions of District 8, on the other hand, are of a different nature, with oodles of Indian culture to the fore in Little India, Farrer Park and Serangoon Road.

Beyond its cuisine and vibrant street life, Little India is close to the city and MRT stations on the North-East Line.

The top condo in the district by STProperty page views was the freehold City Square Residences.

The 910-unit project had an average asking price of $1,676 psf for its two- or more bedroom units over the May 27 to June 3 period.

Citylights condo was second by page views but led the way on asking price with an average of $1,781 psf.

The 600-unit condo is also the only 99-year leasehold in the top five.

The 250-unit Cityscape@Farrer Park had the lowest average asking price of $1,472 psf.

Hertford Collection and Loft@Rangoon rounded out the top five by page views.

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