Selling a house near a pylon: a guide

Selling a house can be a very stressful experience generally, but when you’re trying to sell a house near an electricity pylon, you may find buyers have additional concerns about safety, resale value and securing mortgages. This can make the process even more difficult and drawn out, but it’s not all doom and gloom, and you do have options; so, what should you expect?

What is a pylon?

A pylon is a tall steel structure used to support overhead electricity transmission lines, often seen running along roads and across fields. Its overhead lines are uninsulated, and so its height keeps these lines safely away from people, vehicles and buildings.

Is it safe to live near a pylon?

Many prospective buyers will wonder about the safety of living near pylons, and these concerns aren’t unfounded.

One of the areas of concern is around electromagnetic fields, or EMFs, that are produced by electricity infrastructure. National Grid says that the UK’s electricity infrastructure operates within government-adopted exposure guidelines and so is safe.

That doesn’t mean every buyer will be comfortable living near a pylon. Health concerns can still influence buyer behaviour even where the evidence confirms there’s no risk. From a seller’s perspective, the important point is that perception can affect the marketability of a property.

How much value does a pylon take off a house?

A nearby pylon can affect property value because it’s a feature that some buyers will actively want to avoid. The most obvious issue is visual impact, particularly where a large tower dominates the garden, windows or outlook.

This visual deterrent can translate into lower sale prices. Research by the London School of Economics found that newly constructed overhead power lines and pylons were associated with lower house prices in nearby areas. Depending on how near the property is to a pylon, the value loss could be anywhere between 3.9% and 21%.

Chris Hodgkinson, House Buyer Bureau’s Managing Director, puts this into perspective for sellers: 

“That doesn’t mean a house worth £300,000 will automatically lose £12,000+ because there’s a pylon nearby. A valuer would consider your property’s location, condition, size, garden, outlook and the strength of local demand; all matter too. Try to avoid relying on a standard percentage – the more useful question is what similar properties in your particular area have actually sold for recently.”

Common buyer concerns with houses near pylons

Buyers may be concerned about how close the structure is, whether it can be seen from the property, whether overhead wires cross or pass close to the garden, and whether there are restrictions affecting the land. Some buyers will also worry about noise, as overhead lines can sometimes produce a humming or buzzing sound.

Then there’s the question of resale; a buyer may be perfectly comfortable living near a pylon themselves but still worry whether they will face the same objections when they eventually come to sell.

Chris Hodgkinson says, “These concerns don’t make a property unsellable, but they do tend to mean that the pool of interested buyers may be narrower than it would be for an otherwise identical house without a nearby pylon. If you find you’re not getting any interest in your property, you can sell to House Buyer Bureau, as we buy any house.”

Mortgage issues for houses near pylons

A common misconception is that a house near a pylon automatically can’t be mortgaged – this isn’t true. In most cases, mortgage providers will still lend on houses near pylons, but the amount they offer may be less than a comparable property not near a pylon. The only exception is if the valuer considers the pylon exceptionally close to the property or it to be a permanent blight.

How to sell a house near a pylon

The best option for selling your house near a pylon depends on how quickly you want to move, how much work you’re willing to put into marketing the property and whether you’re happy to accept a discounted price in exchange for a fast, guaranteed sale.

Selling on the open market

The traditional route is to instruct an estate agent and market the property to buyers in the usual way. This gives you access to the widest possible audience and allows the market to determine what buyers are prepared to pay. A good local agent should also be able to advise on comparable properties and how the pylon may affect pricing.

The downside is that attracting a buyer is only the beginning. A buyer still needs to secure their mortgage, appoint a solicitor and complete surveys and searches. If at any point concerns about the pylon result in a buyer withdrawing, you’ll find yourself back at the starting line.

Selling at auction

Auction can be an option for owners who want a more defined sales process or who believe the property may appeal to buyers comfortable with unusual features.

A successful auction sale can move quickly, but there are costs and legal preparations to consider, and there’s no guarantee that bidding will reach the figure you have in mind. The property also needs to be presented accurately so potential buyers understand the condition and any relevant issues before bidding.

Selling to a cash house buyer

A cash house buyer can offer an alternative where speed and certainty are more important than achieving the highest possible open-market price.

Because a genuine cash buyer doesn’t need a mortgage to fund the purchase, there aren’t any delays with mortgage approval and a lender’s valuation. In fact, we can buy your house in as little as 7 days, or a longer timescale if you’d prefer. This can be particularly useful if you’ve already struggled to find a buyer because of concerns about the pylon, or you just don’t want to spend months waiting for a conventional sale to progress.

Sell your house fast with House Buyer Bureau

If you’re worried that a pylon is making your property difficult to sell, you don’t necessarily have to keep waiting and dropping your asking price in the hopes of luring the right buyer.

Here at House Buyer Bureau, we specialise in buying properties for cash, giving homeowners an alternative to the traditional estate-agent process. We can assess your property based on its individual circumstances, including any features that may make a conventional sale more challenging.

Naturally, a cash offer is below the full open-market value you could potentially achieve after finding a buyer and completing a traditional sale. The trade-off is that you get a guaranteed sale to fit your exact timescale.

For a straightforward way to explore your options, contact House Buyer Bureau to discuss your property and find out what a cash sale could look like.