It is his fifth time applying for a BTO flat, but the chances of Mr Ang Teck Peng, 44, getting his desired five-room unit in Punggol are slimmer than before. Five-room flats at Punggol Northshore Cove had the highest demand as of 5pm yesterday, with 878 applicants vying for just 170 units. This works out to more than five hopeful buyers for each unit. First-timers posted the highest application rate for the units compared with other projects and flat types in Punggol, Clementi and Tampines, with more than three applicants gunning for each unit. The latest BTO sales exercise, which began last Tues, attracted 12,704 applicants for the 4,056 flats as of 5pm yesterday. Property experts said Punggol is getting more popular with first-time homebuyers because of a combination of affordability and attractiveness of the neighbourhood.... Continue Reading