Huge Power Transformer On Adjacent Land
Just found a great house in a very prestigious neighborhood. The biggest problem is that it is on the landt adjacent to a huge power transformer that projects power lines accross the hillside.
Granted, another million dollar home has these lines running right by it, but the house in question has the power lines right up almost against the house. A few big trees stand between the house and transformer, so from inside the house, the view isn't terrible.
But this transformer poses a problem I cannot fix. I am worried that I won't be able to sell the property if I buy it to flip.
Whatd'ya think?
MarleneM 
I think you better read the following about the connection between powerlines and ill health.
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I would personally stay away from the property as I am convinced that transformers and large power lines cause cancer as a byproduct. This is my personal opinion only, and I'm sure you will find someone who will buy the house regardless, it just may take a bit longer, and you will probably get less than you are asking.
[addsig]
Hi Marlene,
Just my opinion… but I think a huge power transformer is definitely a drawback – especially in that price range. But, it could also be a good negotiating factor for you. I would also be inclined to find out what kind of easement rights or eminent domain exists. You don’t want the power company coming in a tearing up half the yard.
I guess it really depends on what kind of deal you can work. But I would certainly expect to hold it longer if you’re planiing to flip it.
Good luck!
Power lines near properties impact values for 2 reasons:
1. Issue of whether EMF's cause cancer (the debate has been going on for decades on that one)
2. Perception of undesirability
In my area, values of properties near power lines suffer either because people think there's a health issue or because people think they're otherwise undesirable. Thinking like a seller when you're buying is exactly what you should do. I'd pass on the property.
I personally would not be scared off by the power lines and EMF. There isn't a clear cut answer one way or the other if power lines cause health issues. If there was a definitive answer the government would have some sort of disclosure similiar to the Lead Base Paint. Also, from personal experience my father is a lineman for a utility company and has worked on power lines for close to 35 years and is as healthy as can be. I haven't heard of any lineman getting sick as a result of being around EMFs. BTW...I'm also putting my money where my mouth is and bidding on a property next week that has a transmission line running parralel to it.
PD
P.S. As for thinking like a buyer when purchasing a house to flip remember that PRICE is the #1 motivating factor. If you can price the house 1-5% below FMV and still make money on the deal most buyers will say, "heck for that price they can run another set of wires across the property"[ Edited by ProspectDaily on Date 02/29/2004 ]
Every day I pass along the freeway that feeds from Hollywood to the Valley. On the East side of this freeway is a rolling hill and on and above it is Lake Hollywood and the prices really go insane at the upper reaches..
As you drive along look to your right. Just off the freeway is one of my early kit A frame houses. The cost way back in 1959 about $12,000. The noise of the freeway is like a constant thrumming sound. The house is never empty only had two owners. Most undesirable location. People love it.
Right next about 200 yards away is a very high tension wire delivery system. Right next to it was a house over two years in the building. Took two sets of builders to finish it up. The first from overseas and unskilled. The second a local man highly skilled. It misses the high wires by about 15 feet. Cost of construction about $195,000.Only finished up about six months ago. Value today about $750,000. It is very attractive but right on the wire. Sell in an instant.
Given the following. Do a good job of preparing it for sale. Pick the colors and trim, the landscaping and stand back, you are still in an up market. Enjoy the profit dear lady and, upon completion, take your bow. You did good.
Lucius da container king. [ Edited by Lufos on Date 02/29/2004 ]
Thanks for your responses. Fo far, They are mixed - just like I feel - but I think I am leaning in the direction of bidding on the property. If anyone else has an opinion, please let me hear it!
Gratefully,
MarleneM
Prospectdaily - My uncle was also an employee of a great utility company. He worked on those wires for twenty-some years before he had to go on a permanent medical leave. Why? He's dying of leukemia. He's the only person in my family's history to have worked on wires, and the only one in my family's history to have cancer. Coincidence? I doubt it. Z
When I was in the service it was the really early days of Radar and most of us knew nothing about the long term effects or how to reduce hazards.
For a period of time I was Chief Controller of a Type 16 experimental
radar. A large dish about the size of a house and in the middle of it was a piece of steel that wabbled up and down and sent out the beam of the radar. It had for those days an enormous range and from it I could control masses of bombers and their fighter escorts.
When we tested this large array. We would lock the wabulator into the straight single position and I would climb out on it and check signals. This put the full array of the electrons right through my body and this went on and on and on a daily basis for almost six months. Well I used to fly the odd mission just to keep my hand on but this was where I was.
Years latter as I get my yearly examination and when I describe this act of madness. The doctors check and check as I should be a walking container of cells in revolt. Aka Cancer.
Alas I am not. At the age of 81 the only sympton of all this prior electronic energy is a slight reddening of my ears after the third martini.
One doctor became very excited while listening to my heart, he heard a humming sound pitched at F sharp Middle scale. Oh how he yelled. At last a symptom. Hated to disapoint him it was the hum generated by my electronic tuning fork watch cira 1964. An Accutron by Bulova, called a Spaceview. Has no proper face you just look into the electronic guts.
I know how I am going to die, have it all planned out. I shall be caught. In flagrante delicto at the age of 92 by a jealous husband. When he shoots me I do hope he misses her cause that would be a waste. I promise you it will take at least two undertakers to get the smile off my face.
enjoy, tempus est fugit. Lucius
I once looked at such a house with an oriental realtor when I commented on the power lines going through the yard she said "You no go outside".
Like Bob Barker says If the price is right
Years ago, I spoke with someone at the PA Dept of Envl Protection on why the debate over the health issue with power lines. He said the problem is finding enough people who are not exposed to other sources of EMF's (microwaves, electric appliances). The ideal group was the Amish since they don't use electricity. However, they are scattered over wide areas and don't live in high-density housing. So the problem is being able to get enough (whatever that number is) of them to generate statistical data.
Zach, I am sorry about your uncle. You couldn't give me a house near those power lines. I know if I owned one, when I went to sell, it would be very difficult, and price discounting doesn't always solve the problem.
Lufos
I'm no physicist, but if you expect me to believe that EMF's have the same effect on the human body regardless of relative frequency, it's not going to happen. If that were the case, I'd be warming up my leftover pizza with my cell phone, taking x-rays with my tv remote, listening to rock n roll from my garage door opener, and lighting my fluorescent bulbs Tesla style with my refrigerator magnets. But I do enjoy your story. Thanks Nancy. Z