Gas Pipe Line/ Petroleum thru Abbington? (Apex, Holly Springs: sales, power lines, houses)

[3muskateers]

Have a question and was hoping to get some feedback. Is anyone familiar with the gas/petroleum pipeline that runs through Abbington? We are currently looking at a home and the line runs thru part of the backyard.

Also, do you think this is a stong resale issue?

Thanks

[byebyenortheast]

My guess is it's the Colonial Pipeline.

It was a total deal-breaker for us in Sunset Ridge in Holly Springs; otherwise we really loved the area. I can't see how having this anywhere near your home would have a positive affect on property value.

[3muskateers]

I agree. As we looked into more thoroughly we could not believe how the town of Apex allowed this significant pipeline to go through neighborhoods as it does. Abbington is one big gas line, going through many backyards, and the listing and buyers agents act as though there is no big deal? A few years back Colonial Pipeline had a major accident where as many homeowners (subdivisions) were directly effected?
The particular property we were looking at in Abbington had a 50' easement (Unbelievable, and both agents when asked what it was claimed they did not know and would get back to us, but felt it was not an issue?)

[flamtap]

Originally Posted by 3muskateers

we could not believe how the town of Apex allowed this significant pipeline to go through neighborhoods as it does.

It's pretty clear the neighborhoods came after the pipeline, but whether the town should have allowed neighborhoods to be built around the pipeline?

We are about a half mile from this pipeline... it doesn't bother me.. it's very well-marked. I would think the gas lines that run through every neighborhood (and the weekend warriors who dig without marking utilities) are far more dangerous than any liquid petroleum product.

There's always the question of how it affects property value, and thus you should discount any purchase price by the amount you would expect it to affect a sales price later.

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by 3muskateers

Is anyone familiar with the gas/petroleum pipeline that runs through Abbington? We are currently looking at a home and the line runs thru part of the backyard. Also, do you think this is a stong resale issue?

The fact that you are asking if it's a resale issue probably answers the question.

I went through a number of corporate relos through the years. Often, I had to select and buy a house in a single weekend trip. As I did, I knew I'd be moving on within a couple of years, so resaleability was a huge factor in what we considered. I can't tell you how many houses we were scheduled to look at that we ended up backing right out of the driveway without even looking. Power lines nearby? Scratch it. Driveway is uphill? Pass. Driveway is downhill? Next. We didn't want anything that would keep even 5% of potential buyers away. Yeah, we ended up with the most boring, "same as everything else" houses you could imagine. But we were able to sell them quickly.

I'm not suggesting you select with the same mindset, but you do have to consider how strong a factor resale is for you. If you plan to be there for many years, and think (guess) that you won't be in a rush to resell, then maybe you shouldn't pass on a house you otherwise love. But know that if this pipeline causes you to ask questions, it will cause other prospective buyers to as well.

[adlnc07]

I bought a house with a 1-car garage that backs up to a utility easement with both power lines and a natural gas pipeline! Good thing I am staying put for a long time! Funny thing is - I consider the easement a positive because I have lots of privacy, and a big huge area to walk my dogs!