Are STL Home Values Better Together?

Greetings!

I have already had a client ask how home values in St Louis may be affected by the Better Together proposal.  A bit premature to give an accurate prediction, as the details are likely to change, if it happens at all.  But here is my take at this time:

In the near future, I feel the properties in St Louis city would benefit moderately, especially if the 1% earnings tax would be phased out.  I believe the County values would stagnate temporarily, as the folks that are mad enough about a shotgun wedding may just move to St Charles or another area, and other County residents that see the city as more appealing take the opportunity to move closer in to jobs, cultural, and historic neighborhoods. 

In the long term, however, I am confident both city and county would benefit from a shared government, whatever that looks like, and values in each area would increase above the recent norms, along with the rest of the region.  Eventually residents in STL would get used to the new structure and wonder what all the fuss was about.  Additionally I believe we would attract more relocating buyers who hear unifying themes about the metro, plus statistics will be more attractive that are now centered on the city alone. 

The city and county both have beautiful neighborhoods and desirable areas, and yet both have some issues that need addressing.  We are all St Louisans, let’s work together for our mutual benefit.  This can and should be a win-win.  I also believe that both the city and county should have voting majorities to pass whatever the resolution is, whether it needs a statewide vote or not.  Otherwise it is entirely possible for each district to be against it, and it passes a statewide vote and is forced upon the opposed residents that are directly affected.  And that would be a disaster for the region.