I have had some listings where it was a problem. Many buyers bring up the concern of cancer being a side effect especially in children. They are ugly to look at too.

I toured a house, under high tension lines, that actually had an audible buzz in most of the house from the overhead lines. When we went in the garage all the fluorescent bulbs were glowing but the power wasn't on. The hair on my arms was sticking straight out.

We ran!

We have huge power towers running through a portion of our neighborhood and it is usually a dealbreaker for about 90% of the people that look at those listings.  The other 10% want to lowball you because of them.  

I think a lot of folks are just fearful of them.  

Yes & they don't even have to be really close.

Barbara is right about the buzzing especially when it rains.

Jeff Dowler I had a commercial property where high power tension lines went through the middle of the property from front to back. Between zoning restrictions and buffer zones, there wasn'much if anything that could be done with the property. A parking lot would work. I did sell it quire a while back. I noticed it is on the market again.

Jeff, if the buyers are local, they don't question it, it's a great concern for out of state buyers though.

Only after I have pointed the out.  The Buyers didn't really notice them.

I have seen some of the effects and would never buy a home under one, and could not in good conscience sell one either.  Best to keep that land as parks or forests.

Even in Oklahoma it is an issue.

We have a few electrical grids that certain people have shied away from, mainly for health concerns.  They replaced the electrical poles with huge ones.  People complained.  They said, you want electric, that's what we need to do. 

One town assessed everyone and installed underground lines.  Another builder built one section against high tension wires.  He offered free pools to sell the lots.

I had 37 lots in a subdivision that backed up to high tension wires.... large pedestals.... go in the backyard and get a perm for free!!!  that type.... I sold every one of them....and have had resales since....

my daughter had a home that was so close to the wires, you could hear the buzzing!!! it was on the market for one year and the price finally hit the right point....and that's the bottom line....PRICE IT COMPETITIVELY.... everything sells at the right price...

We have a couple of spots with high tension wires and it is always an issue with buyers.

Have had several shy away for that reason for health concerns.

I don't know Jeff Dowler but it sure seems scary.

RELO Co.'s won't let a transferring buyer buy near one !

No, that has not come up as an issue...but train tracks a couple of blocks away from a home caused concern for some buyers once.

It is a concern with a lot of buyers in my market. 

Not a home but a commercial building I had shot - the photographer got rid of the obstructions - did a great job with the pics

I've never had a listing with this issue but I have shown a couple of homes that backed up to that and each time the buyer did express some concern.  Neither bought the home.

yes - I used to work for the Department of Energy and even though DOE always said there were no health effects, I always felt like it was not an enthusiastic refutation of health effects. In addition high voltage lines vibrate (or sing) in the rain - and they are not attractive.  I will discourage a buyer from considering a house with a view of lines, towers because I think they are hard to resell. I always promise buyers that I will not "let" them buy something that I may have trouble selling in the future. 

I did have people who refused to buy a house near high tension wires, even when they were provided with an electric company document that indicated the amount of electricity in the area was less than a toaster.

It is a big issue for some and some are indifferent. Some have the biggest issue with aesthetics!

I had one listing like that, but about 1/2 of the buyers didn't like the wires.

Jeff,

These towers usually will provide a report, and yes, it is a concern to some.  These reports are very detailed and well regulated as far as I know.  I would supply it, if someone had a concern...of course you have to be well-versed in science to understand it.  A

Being in close proximity to tall electrical towers is equal to death kiss in my area.  Health concerns are HUGE!

Buyers have shied away from these houses.

I've wondered about this question myself, and if there really was any health risk, or is it a myth.  The listings I've seen around high tension wires/towers still seem to find buyers.  I haven't heard of any health issues arise from any of these people.  And some of these properties are over $1 million.  Thanks for the post, as I'm anxious to see what others say about this topic.

Yes if in the suburbs. Some people do have health concerns. I've seen reports stating they're no worse than standing in front of a microwave. However, it still seems to be a re-sale issue. Then you get to other areas outside the suburbs and it doesn't seem to be as big of an issue.

Hi Jeff - We have seen a lot of buyer resistance to high tension lines close to homes, mainly for health reasons, and it  has definitely affected the value.

I have had buyers who said they won't look at a property near high tension wires.  According to those I have asked it's more about aesthetics and resale value than health concerns.

I have only sold one property(that I can recall right now) where I represented the seller in that type of location ---- the "issue" was addressed when meeting and was reflected in the price.  

They are huge detractors in this area. With the sprawl and crawl we have, rarely does someone want to have transmission lines or cell towers in their back yard or view.

Absolutely, due to health concerns first, second, negative resale effects.

Years ago there were homes in Carmel Valley (East Del Mar) that had a very difficult time being sold due to high tension wires/towers. I haven't had to deal with that issue in a long time, but I think the health concerns are still there.

No lucky for me, not a problem in old East Dallas.

Yes, with many buyers, for both aesthetics and potential health issues. 

in days gone by.  we don't take them any more

I think, buyers shy away strongly believing it is dangerous. 

I had a listing that had a tower behind the house.  People would ask "What about the tower?"  I'd tell them that if they didn't see the lines, the lines were underneath them.  It made people think, but it never seemed to make them feel better.

Some people expressed grave health concerns, but would somehow be able to live with the tower if they got the house at a really low price. 

The house sold for a reasonable price, but it took a little longer than it would have had the tower not been there. 

Some people won't buy too close to the towers while others have properties directly backing onto the right of way.  Each buyer is different and has different views.

Yes, I have seen some backyards with high tension wires as part of the landscaping, and boy!, you just can't ignore it Jeff Dowler.  It has not been one of our Listings, though I do know of one home in particular in our community that had that 'power line view' (they are just so large) off in the desert, and that home was eventually sold to an older couple. 

No issues but the cell phone and how it affects body organs is under review

Routinely hear buyers object.  Whether there's current scientific support pro or con about them, in general the public doesn't seem to care what science says and goes with the perception.    Sure, there's a price that will get it done or there wouldn't be a homeowner now, but yesterday's bargain becomes tomorrow's bargain if they want to sell it.

Good question.  Definately there are health concerns and a great deal of disclosure needs to be done.  Advise your client to contact an attorney and relieve you and you broker from any and all liability.

It was with the adult-children of my buyer clients . . . they looked at a transformer and became unglued.  My clients (the parents) just look at me and rolled their eyes at their own adult-childrens' concerns.  There is a tract of homes that have the high-tension wires in the back.  I've had clients buy and others that did not.  

It can be a concern, mostly because of the eye sore.  The really bad ones hum.

Yes, we have had several homes in our area that have meen on the market for months for that reason. Thankfully, they have not been mine.

These houses always take longer to sell and I've worked with some buyers who won't even look at them.

This is usually an issue for buyers fearing safety issues or just the aesthetics of the wires.  Given a choice most buyers will stay away.

If the laws are followed there generally no problems here.

Tried to sell a home that the owner put an in ground pool under them with no permit; needless to say they are still living there and the town is trying to get them to dig it up!

Absolutely. 

I believe many buyers are fearful of high tension wires/towers and choose to shy away from them. Many feel they are eye sores!

Not here but friends on the mainland have had issues.

Jeff Dowler - this could be a good bargain for buyers - in the name of high tension cables.

There are pretty inexpensive remedies available to make the house 'normal' even when high tension cables are around!

I personally don't like homes that are close to electric lines, but a really nice subdivision is on a street that has power lines crossing the only road that accesses the subdivision.

We have a row of poles for miles in some rural areas.  People don't seem to mind as long as the home is not in the fall line. 

It bothers many people, some more than others. Above ground wiring of any sort is not desirable in many communities.

One Erie developer who owned large tract of land decided to build apartments near the high power lines instead of single family homes.  No problem renting these units