ECs in the north among top 10 most viewed properties

SINGAPORE - Executive condominiums (ECs) are popular with home buyers because of their higher capital appreciation relative to private homes and better aesthetics compared with public housing.

The most viewed EC on STProperty between Aug 12 and 18 was the 444-unit La Casa in Woodlands. The 99-year leasehold project had an average asking price of $837 per sq ft (psf) during the week.

It also had the highest average transacted price among the top 10 at $800 psf from January to June based on data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

La Casa is one of five developments in the Woodlands and Admiralty area that made it to the top 10 of most viewed ECs.

The other four are Northoaks, Forestville, Twin Fountains and Woodsvale. These four developments had average asking prices ranging from $726 psf to $742 psf on STProperty last week.

The Government's Land Use Plan released earlier this year said Woodlands would be further developed as an area of economic growth. Planning is under way to build North Coast Innovation Corridor, a commercial belt stretching from Woodlands and Sembawang to the future Seletar Regional Centre and Punggol.

Residents can shop at Causeway Point shopping centre or head across the Causeway to Johor Baru. They are served by the North-South MRT Line, which runs to the Orchard Road shopping belt and Central Business District.

Summerdale in Boon Lay Way had the highest average asking price of $870 psf of the top 10 ECs by page views.

The 120-unit project, which ranked seventh, is between Lakeside and Boon Lay MRT stations on the East-West line and near River Valley High School and Jurong Point Shopping Centre.

In other areas, Lush Acres with 380 units, Ecopolitan (512), The Rivervale (671) and One Canberra (665) round out the top 10.

rjscully@sph.com.sg

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