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New Power Line Study. I Wouldn't Want to Live Near Them.

The results of a new study on the health effects of living near power lines is coming out. It's still being debated in secret on how the results should be interpreted. It seems to be a little controversial as you might expect. But it is causing some lawmakers in England to consider banning the building of new homes within a certain distance of the high power lines. People in California are also trying to restrict what can be built in the areas around power lines.

It's been a while since I read about any new study showing conclusive results. Thirteen years ago we bought a home that happened to have high power lines right next to us. At that time no study seemed to be really too convincing. My two kids were conceived in that home and we lived there for their first 4 years of their lives. I'm glad we moved away and don't have to worry about it any more.

I used to think it was more of an aesthetic issue than anything else. If a significant study ties power lines to certain cancers, how much would that take away from the value of a home? Would people even be able to sell their homes if they lived next to power lines?

Do you think that the power companies should be forced to bury their lines and spread that cost across to all power users?

Posted by Tim Maitski on 04/21/2007 09:07 AM

Comments (15)

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Originally posted at: Tim's Atlanta Real Estate Blog: New Power Line Study. I Wouldn't Want to Live Near Them.

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15 Comments on New Power Line Study. I Wouldn't Want to Live Near Them.

APR

2007

Tim

Admittedly, I would be concerned about having power lines nearby. It's one of those tough calls like having factories located on bays or rivers. All of society ends up paying a price through increased toxic waste. In the case of power lines, we would all pay through increased energy costs if they were buried. You bring up a very valid point with this post.

This has been an issue in MD and VA for years. Back in 1993, I made it a policy that I do NOT sell homes within 100 yards of the high power lines. I watched a demonstration whereby a neon light lighted when under the line. A gouse meter provided free from the power company can be used to determine a safe distance and that was the benchmark.

Over the years it's been clear that electric companies, builders, real estate industry in general discounted the danger, while the environmentalist, other scientists warned of potential danger to children.

My theory is, for adults, do what you want. But, helpless children have to be protected.

I don't sell near them nor will I list a property near them. Builders get these lots cheap and sell them for the same price as other home sites. They simply don't acknowledge that the lot has less value when it backs to high power lines.

I have had many buyers say that they are too ugly to have behind your house.

Hi Tim,

I recently had a phone call from a buyer asking what I thought of the listing price of a home. I looked at the price and asked does it back to power lines? Yes was the reply. It was way under market for the area and it is just sitting.

Here I'm seeing between $30,000 to over $100,000 diffence in price if there are power lines and towers even a bigger difference.

Tim, because of personal like experiences I did a report on this YEARS ago in high school. It has irritated me that Cancer Society and everyone else seems to disregard the overwhelming cases of "coincidence" out there. Not a surprise to me! But do we pay for it? Tough call. Maybe the health insurance companies should pay for it!

Hi Tim,

We recently went on a listing call for a house right next to power lines. We had no choice but tell the Seller that some people will see them as a possible problem. We felt it was our duty to at least mention that it could adversely affect his listing. The Seller seemed surprised but we think that he knew and was just annoyed that it was something that he would have to consider. He never did list his home. Thanks for sharing this important issue.

Tim,

There is a listing in my area that is next to a sub-station with, or course, power lines in close proximity. The listing agent has documentation that the power company is no longer using the sub-station and is planning to remove it in the future, but the home still has languished on the market for over a year now. I think most buyer's are aware of the danger of being close to power lines because of the publicity over the last few years. I feel sorry for the owner's who didn't have the benefit of this knowledge when they purchased their homes.

Fran

We have a large tract of land that runs through Redondo Beach, CA and much of the South Bay highlighted by massive power towers..needless to say prices on these properties are always significantly less and they take three times as long to sell. For years Edison has said that there is no problem but most people have never believed them.. the report will be interesting..

Personally I think the power companies should bury all lines and pay for it themselves... from funds they have already received from the public. We have paid many times over for improvements which never happen due to some serious mis-management by the power companies. Maybe if they had to take responsibility and not throw their mistakes back on the public they would be more fiscally responsible. After all aren't they supposed to be public utilities?

I represented a buyer last year that would not buy a house if she could see the power lines at all. That was the numbe rone stickler for her. Sad part is she is a smoker go figure.

Ed- You're right. The power lines are like polluted rivers, just another type of toxin.

Lenn- I'd love to see that demonstration with the neon light. It is amazing sometimes to see lots by power lines going for the same price. Then when the people go to sell they are shocked to find that their home is less valuable than the others.

MaryAnn- Wow, I have seen around $30,000 but never have seen $100,000 decrease. With a new study, that amount might be way more common.

Stephanie- We all end up paying for it one way or the other. The health insurance companies just pass on the cost with higher premiums.

Lisa- If a buyer insists on buying a home near power lines I always make sure they know that they have to buy it at a discount because when they go to sell they are going to have to give a discount. I think some people are hoping to get a bargain and then sell for top dollar later to someone who might not know any better.

Fran- That might be a great bargain if the power station is in fact going to be removed.

Kaye- Again, the costs to bury the lines would just be passed on to all the power consumers in the form of higher rates. It should be interesting to see what comes out.

Jay- I guess we are all going to die of something. What's your poison?

APR

2007

What about us poor folk in FL where the water table is about six inches? I can hit water by digging with a spork. Not sure how the will bury all the lines down here.

Daniel, I didn't think of that. I wonder how many homes are within 200 feet of power lines?

Power Lines should go underground - no ifs or buts about it. Power companies don't do it because of the cost associated with it. There is a way to protect the consumer and it should be done. We just had a big issue in our community with new power lines being erected and the complaints were so huge that now these are being installed in another less fortunated neighborhood that did not have a voice - it's not right.

APR

2007

Tim how often do we get a client who HAS to see a home that is priced lower than others? When we take them to see it has power lines within 20 yards of the home. I wonder if homes like that ever sell?

Jennifer, That happens all the time. I guess sooner or later the price gets low enough or someone comes along who is oblivious to the situation. I once had a listing call where the lady was surprised that her home backing up to a busy street would affect the value. When she bought it new she payed the same as the homes across the street.

JAN

2008

Im curious to read all of the posts here. Were looking at a house thats over 100 years from a small power switching station. It's buried in a nest of trees, but remotely visable from certain windows. Would any of you say this was a concern for a family with kids over 4??

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Tim Maitski

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