Should I stay or should I go?

March 14, 2016 by Rob Kahl

Should I stay or should I go?

There is one thing that the property market dislikes more than anything. Uncertainty. The EU referendum is now looming, infact it's only a couple of months away now and we are constantly being told what a huge decision this is and that we, the public, have the power to decide.

But on what? Does anyone really know the implications fully of staying or leaving and who has made up that awful word? Brexit!

Both sides seem to be trying to panic us into making a decision, either way telling us how dreadful and expensive it will be if we stay in the EU and how we will turn in to a third world country or waste land if we leave. The things that seem to be lacking from both sides of the argument are quite simply, the facts.

I don’t know about you but I don’t feel very informed about which way to vote at the moment and I am currently sitting firmly on the fence. I understand that the polls are extremely close but there must be a huge proportion of the country just like me who will no doubt have a huge influence on the final result.

The stay in campaign doesn’t seem to have the same momentum as Brexit and they seem to be relying on people worrying about the uncertainty of leaving. This is a strong argument, our economy is in a very fragile position, we have a tried and tested a trade agreement with the EU and there is a lot to be said for the Status Quo.

David Cameron this week said that it was likely that interest rates would rise if we left the EU, I have no idea if this was based on any facts he had, but if it was the case, then it could have a detrimental affect on the housing market as peoples mortgages would not doubt rise.

There is also the scaremongering about the London market. With so many foreign nationals investing in the capital (some sources say it is now 49%). If we left the EU would this then dry up and turn London in to a less attractive proposition for these people? This again could affect us here.

We have always traditionally ridden the wave of the London housing market and if this stalls then would prices drop and demand dry up here? The Brexit team obviously are much more positive at the prospect of us going alone and at the moment, in my humble opinion, seem to be winning the argument. They state that we are the fifth largest economy in the world and very capable of negotiating trade agreements with countries in Europe and the rest of the world without paying what seems like an absolute fortune to be in the EU.

They also have the hot topic of migration to call on. Being able to control the numbers of migrants coming in to the country, whilst a bit scary for such a diverse nation as ours is made up of all types of people, does seem quite attractive at a time when we are seeing millions of people trying to make their way onto the continent.

So I will have to wait and see if the arguments get a bit more fact based before I make up my mind.

I very much want to vote and will always advise people that they should but at the moment and swinging both ways.........Oh please, grow up, this was a grown up blog before you lowered the tone!

To read all of Rob, our property expert's previous articles please click the following link https://www.leigh-on-sea.com/tag/listing/blog/property

This article is by Rob Kahl fo Scott & Stapleton
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