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Opinion in Scotland over whether or not house prices will fall if there is a Yes vote for independence is divided, a new poll shows. Almost a third of people think house prices in Scotland will fall if the country becomes independent while about the same number believe prices will rise. The crucial vote is on Thursday. Overall the survey by s1homes shows that 32% of people believe independence could cause the value of their house to fall while 31% it will lead to a price increase. A further 24% said they did not know while 13% said they did not believe Scotland would vote to leave the union. Almost half of those surveyed, some 46% said they think that independence would make it harder to get a mortgage while 19% said it would be easier. The remaining 35% said it would be no different. Across almost all regions and age groups the consensus is that getting a mortgage would be harder in the eventuality of independence. The only segments to disagree were those aged 55 to 64 who believe that getting a mortgage would be no different and those under 18 who are split evenly between believing that getting a mortgage would be easier and believing it would be harder. Those currently living outside of Scotland are the least likely to buy property in Scotland until after the referendum, 50% said the impending referendum would make them less likely to buy or sell at the moment. The North East of Scotland followed with 35% of respondents less likely to buy or sell until after the referendum. Those aged 65 and over feel strongest that independence would result in the value of their home falling while those under 18, followed by those aged 18 to 24, feel strongest that property values would increase. More men than women believe that independence would impact on the value of their home, while more women admitted to not knowing one way or the other. Despite uncertainty over the result of the referendum and the potential rise or fall in property prices, 59% said that the referendum has no influence on their decision to buy or sell at the moment. Ewan Stark, s1 managing director, believes that the survey shows a ‘feeling of trepidation’ among Scots over the future of mortgages and interest rates. ‘The prospect of independence continues to divide the country and the results of our survey reveal that there is little agreement on what independence would mean for Scotland’s property market either,’ he said. Meanwhile, a survey by rental firm Citylets found that 58% of private renters who have made up their mind on which way they are going to vote, support independence. Continue reading →

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