Our area is surrounded by high voltage lines and when someone has a concern, we simply call Edison out and they will do an electromagnetic field test (EMF) to show the worried buyer that they are going to get more radiation (if that is the correct term) from the clock radio next to their pillow than they will from the power lines. They go on to explain to them that if the power company was losing so much current through line dissipation, they would add another wire. They are not in the business of losing money.

It has always convinced a buyer that the lines are more non-aesthetic than dangerous. Did you also notice that Radley's blog title asks "if power lines are dangerous"? Just thought that was interesting and maybe he will chime in here.

It comes from the media...several years ago 60 minutes or 20/20 did a story about cows dying under power lines or some kids that got sick.  However, they refuse to report the millions of Americans that cross under them every day of their life.  What would we do without the media?  Have an electric day!

www.calgriffin.com

Edisto Beach-Now That's Heaven!

I have a phobia for tall standing structures like power lines, windmills, the Stature of Liberty and if they sizzle (that's the only way I can describe the sound power lines make) then I'm really uncomfortable.  So I can understand how some people feel about living close to power lines.  I like Gene's idea and may use it if I come across a situation like that.

We have the large power lines crisscrossing our Valley.  Many of the areas below them are leased out to wholesale nursery's which looks a lot nicer than just weeds or dirt.  But there are many people who are not comfortable living near them for whatever reason.  We just don't push it if our buyers are uncomfortable. We will move on to the next property.

Jana

I worked for a large ad company in the operations area and did all the corporate leasing in a former life.  We were moving the headquarters, and one of the properties proposed to us was an old power station on the river with MAGNIFICENT views.  Unparrelleled.  the power station was very old and had used water carbines to make the power.  Anyway, the cleaning of the station was not a worry, but on the "island" next to the building was still a huge transformer lot for all the power to the city.  I was tasked to do a huge study of power lines and the effects.  Now, this was about 15 years (or more) ago.  Basically, my research uncovered that a)everything is inconclusive and b) the highest dangers is presented when the power is stepping down from a large pole to a secondary.  The power does "leak?" there.  And some studies at the time, showed the increased risk of certain types of cancer.  Anyway, I stay away from them.

I have had clients worry about power lines before ... quite a few clients actually ... wouldn't want to be anywhere near ... 1st concern was if there were any harmful waves ... 2nd concern was noise (the buzzing you can usually hear) ... 3rd concern was future resale could be a problem ... personally, I wouldn't want to be near them either. Being a Realtor, my main concern would be future resale and the fact that the buyer pool would be quite limited. I find train tracks being a less of a problem than power lines. Wouldn't want a listing near power lines either.

I am closing on a listing this month that shares common ground with Com Ed lines and live across the street from them, myself. In some areas that have small lots, this allows for much more space and you can lease the land and plant huge gardens.

It's never been a concern of mine and I never had any problems finding my kids in the dark.

glowing children!!  and do you grow them big as well?

Gene, can you hear the power lines buzzing though? Or is it just my bad experience that anytime I'm near those, they make too much noise?

I have to admit I've considered couple wonderful properties next to the power lines before myself but in the end just couldn't put the offer in.

I have no problems showing these homes and of course leave it up to the clients to decide what's important to them or not. But if they tell me up front they don't want under any circumstances to be near high-voltage lines, I do go through satellite photos and eliminate the homes that would be too close for them to consider. Don't want to waste anyone's time.

Michaela - I never hear any buzzing from the lines but have heard when they are wet they tend to buzz somewhat. I have lived across from them since 1979, the kids played ball under or near them growing up, we ride the bike path under them, Mom's walk their strollers under them, they built kids play stations under them, they have park benches to sit and rest awhile under them, and we are all still alive. The only thing I visited the doctor for in the last twenty years was for my recent fall from my 12-speed which happened under the power lines. Does that count as being a danger?

Must had been my bad luck then. I lost a buyer once because of buzzing power lines. Found the PERFECT property for him ... it had everything he wanted and more and then he realized the power lines which he couldn't even see because the property was beautifully wooded were buzzing. The next week I lost him to a builder he visited without me! Hence my unfriendliness towards power lines. I do agree though that they allow for great additional open space!

I live VERY close to some power lines. I'm talking about a half-sand wedge for the golfers out there (for the non-golfers, you could throm a rock and hit them....)

Other than this weird growth coming out of my neck, we've seen no issues.  :)

Seriously. The wires hum in the high winds sometimes. WHile I would prefer it if they weren't there, it doesn't bother me. Doesn't seem to bother the home appreciation or buyers either...

If they have enough voltage running thru they hum.  I've heard them.  But I doubt you'd hear it unless you were standing under the lines.  Usually the right of ways for the large towers are 50 feet wide, or wider.

Have you ever noticed that everything the media reports on is bad for us. That is with the exception of Broccoli and anti-oxidants.

I can not understand how our species has existed this long with all of the bad things we subject our bodies to. OBTW I am texting this to you from my cell phone held up to my head.

Pow...pow...powper loons...I mean...I mean...powder lens...pow...power lines...have...have...never infected...I moon...I mean...injected...affected...oh crap...can you hear me?

lol!!  Can you hear me Now?

Mike, hardy hardy har har, funnie!!!

The proper term for half sand wedge = lob wedge