| Power Lines, Visual Encumbrance
and House Values: A Microspatial Approach to Impact Measurement Author:
Francois Des Rosiers
Start Page:
275
End Page: 302
Volume: 23
Issue Number: 03
Year: 2002
Publication: Journal of Real Estate Research
Abstract: This research looks
at the impact of high-voltage transmission lines (HVTL) on surrounding
property values, using a microspatial approach. It is based on a sample of
507 single-family houses sold over the 1991?96 period in the City of
Brossard, in the Greater Montreal area, Canada. Findings suggest that
although severe visual encumbrance due to a direct view on a pylon or
conductors does exert a significantly negative impact on property prices
with depreciations ranging from 5% to well in excess of 20%, being
adjacent to the easement will not necessarily cause a house to
depreciate and may even increase its value in similar proportions where
proximity advantages exceed drawbacks.

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