Buying a home with Major Power Lines near home? (maintenance, prices)

[SunnyinBoston]

Would you ever consider buying a home next to Power Lines? When I say Power Lines I mean those massive power lines that basically power a whole town, not the street power lines.

(By the way I have 2 little kids)

[CaseyB]

You mean High Tension Wires?

No.

[SunnyinBoston]

Yes didn’t realize that is what they are called. Heard if you are far enough the actual EMF drops off significantly but the visual of them are a bit ominous..especial for resale

[jayrandom]

I'm not afraid of 60Hz photons, but enough people are that it is bad for resale value.

[wolfgang239]

I work for the power company. There's people I work with who have been in close proximity to 345kV power lines (a few feet away in substations, not way up high) for 30 years with zero health issues. I do the same thing daily, and have read numerous peer reviewed studies that show no evidence of any adverse health concerns.

Things to be aware of...

People riding quads and dirtbikes at 3AM, people hunting, power company surveyors and maintenance workers arriving at all hours, possible use as a future gas transmission corridor or additional lines going up, regular clear cutting up to the established easement.

If you are far enough away or can deal with all that, or got a deal on the land I would go for it. Don't pay regular prices because it might take the right buyer if you go to sell in the future. Really all depends on how close and how unsightly they are.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

I'm not afraid of 60Hz photons, but enough people are that it is bad for resale value.

What he said.

[alidmc]

I looked at a house a few years ago that was near power lines. You could not see the power lines from the house, as there was a wooded lot between the house and the lines. The house was priced at about a 100K discount compared to similar sized houses on the same street further away from the power lines and still took two years to sell. If resale is important, I would not consider it.

[dleeke]

I recall an article from years back where farmers noted a higher incidence of pregnant cows aborting when they spent time grazing under power lines. There's much pro-con on the subject - some think nothing of it, others would steer clear of a house nearby. I'm in the latter group, and not a gambler when it comes to my family's health.

[SunnyinBoston]

Yeah I don’t plan on being in this house for more than 5 years so be challenging if resale would be tough

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by wolfgang239

I work for the power company. There's people I work with who have been in close proximity to 345kV power lines (a few feet away in substations, not way up high) for 30 years with zero health issues. I do the same thing daily, and have read numerous peer reviewed studies that show no evidence of any adverse health concerns.

Things to be aware of...

People riding quads and dirtbikes at 3AM, people hunting, power company surveyors and maintenance workers arriving at all hours, possible use as a future gas transmission corridor or additional lines going up, regular clear cutting up to the established easement.

If you are far enough away or can deal with all that, or got a deal on the land I would go for it. Don't pay regular prices because it might take the right buyer if you go to sell in the future. Really all depends on how close and how unsightly they are.

The same people who complain about these wires are the people who complain the loudest when the power goes out.