Anecdotally, I've watched a couple of properties in an otherwise "hot" neighborhood of our city sit and sit and sit---the only obvious issue with them was that they had transformers sitting in the yards (both were in the same neighborhood, which for some reason has all its power done that way). One was pulled off the market and the other was rented after both dropped to extremely low prices. However, like I said, both had the power structures physically in the yards, so that may have been a big part of it....

That said, if you make your offer with the lines in mind when you buy it, it should work out when you sell assuming the market balances out. In our city people simply aren't buying anything with "defects" right now because the market is so soft (we live in the Bay Area), but in a normal market I would expect to see those houses go---just at a discount. Good luck!

I think it can be an issue, not necessarily a deal breaker.
Its one of those things that depends. If your market is hot, your location
otherwise ideal, no problem. If there are other houses as alternatives, the location so-so then it becomes more of a factor.
There are some who just won't live near them (the definition of near being different for everybody), there are some who don't care and there a probably a bunch like me who would rather not if given a choice.

I wouldn't buy a home with high voltage lines in close proximity,meaning - running through the back yard or directly across or adjacent to the property. I'm not sure about the health issues, but do know that they're ugly and really don't want that as my view. I'm sure you're going to find a number of people just like me that won't live near them, but you'll also find many people that for the right price will not have a problem with them. For resale purposes you'll have to take that into account, so I'd make sure that your offer also took into account the power lines.

I think a bit more information is needed..Are there "towers" nearby,or is it just the "high voltage wires" nearby..If the towers are close and highly visible, i wouldn't even go into the house,let alone consider buying it..If there are overhead wires adjacent to the property,i'd likley pass also..If the wires are a few lots away,i'd look at the home,and offer a price accordingly

there ia a set running along the road by our house. not a big deal to me at all. ours are on huge poles instead of towers, so they do look a bit nicer. but even if it were towers it would not bother me since i happen to like towers! and yes, i am talking about high voltage lines on poles, not the standard 7.2kv residential lines(those are in the side yard and across the other street).

you will be exposed to more EMF inside your house surrounded by the cocoon of home wiring than standing in your yard 100ft away from HV lines.

Here are a few threads from the past on this very subject:

Living near power lines - how close is too close?

Purchasing a house near power lines?

Increased chance for childhood leukemia due to certain genetic trait. Google it. You should get the house for much cheaper than comps, but be prepared to sell for the same. I would NEVER get stuck with one, but YMMV.

Okay - thanks for the info so far.

These power lines have the enormous poles but not towers. They're not in the yard of this home but adjacent to it and across the cul de sac - so they're close. However they'd pretty much only be in my view when I come and go from the house. When I'm looking out the windows of my house I'm looking at a gorgeous 1+ acre wooded lot with a stream running through the back of it. When I'm in my backyard or on my deck - same gorgeous view and complete privacy. The home was designed to take advantage of the beautiful views and not the view of the lines & poles. So far there is nothing else similar - home of this quality, lot of this size and privacy, in this close in location where I want to be. If there was a comparable place I'd certainly choose it over one with the power lines but so far there isn't.

I've read the info on cancer risks, etc. and like I said, there is no valid scientific evidence of that. I've got quite a bit of experience evaluating that kind of thing so I'm not the type to believe everything I google. Plus I had cancer twice before I lived by high voltage power lines and I never had it again after I lived by them so what does that tell you.

Back to my questions: What % of people do you think would/would not buy in this location? What do you think the % impact is on the price of a newer home in an area of custom built homes on nice one acre lots?

Thanks again!!

I don't know if anyone can give you a number as to what percentage of people will or will not buy a home in the situation you describe. I can only say I wouldn't. As far as impact on price, I'd estimate about 10% lower then comparable homes that do not have the proximity to high voltage lines might be enough to entice some to purchase the home despite the presence of high voltage lines nearby.

As a REALTOR for 19 years, I'd say that approx. 20% of my buyers would not consider having a major electric power line behind their property, especially if it would impact any views.
However, as the price becomes more of an incentive, some of my buyers might overlook this handicap and make an offer.

Okay that is what I'm wondering. I realize it's everyone's opinion and guesstimate - but that's the kind of thing I'm wondering. Is it 80% of people who would NOT buy a property like this or is it 20%? The house has been on the market for over a year so clearly overpriced for the current market. I still need to do some more research to figure out how overpriced - if it's overpriced beyond the impact of the power lines.

We have twice said no to houses that we liked but had the power line issue. We were really motivated to buy one of them because it belonged to my husband's grandparents and was on a nice creek. I can't stand the buzz and I hate the way they look.

Purely anecdotally... my sister lived in a home with no power lines. Had 2 children, no issues. Moved to a home with more land, but high voltage lines running along the open land behind the house. 3rd child born in that house, at 18 mos. was diagnosed with cancer. Hard to correlate, but would I buy a house anywhere near high voltage lines? No.

Also purely anecdotally, we've been on and off (for 2 years) looking at property in an area that even in this economy has been selling reasonably well. The one property that I know for sure has been on for that entire time is really priced well compared to everything else available in its range... but it has high voltage lines running through the acreage. The agent flat out told me it's not selling because of the power lines.

We passed on several properties due to the power lines running through them. We're not that far from some now, but they are not on our property nor visible from our property or any property in our neighborhood.