Overview
Cell phone towers may bring extra tax revenue, greater reception, and security to a city or town. Despite these benefits, many remain skeptical of towers due to potential health risks, environmental aesthetics, and the impact on property values.
Source: Wireless Substitution: Early Release of Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, July–December 2009, (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 12, 2010).
References
NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.
Cell Phone Towers & Property Values
How Does the Proximity to a Cell Tower Impact Home Values? (Valbridge, Sep. 14, 2018)
Cell Tower Installation Plans Lower Property Values (Scientists for Wired Technology, Sep. 12, 2018)
Wireless Towers and Home Values: An Alternative Valuation Approach Using a Spatial Econometric Analysis (Journal of Real Estate Finance & Economics, May 1, 2018) E
Property Values, Desirability and Cell Towers (EMFZA, Jul. 24, 2018)
The Impact of Cell Phone Towers on House Prices: Evidence from Brisbane, Australia (Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Jan. 1, 2018) E
Cell Phone Towers: Risks & Health Concerns
Cellphone Towers on Hit List of U.S. Domestic Extremists: Report (The Crime Report, Mar. 18, 2021)
Is 5G Making You Sick? Probably Not (CNet, Jul. 30, 2020)
California Requires Back-Up Power for Cell Towers, After Wildfire Evacuation Alerts Failed (The Sacramento Bee, Jul. 20, 2020)
Cell Phone Towers (American Cancer Society, Jun. 1, 2020)
Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Fields: Guidelines for Cellular Antenna Sites (U.S. Federal Communications Commission, Oct. 15, 2019)
Cell Phones, Cell Towers, and Wireless Safety (School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Feb. 27, 2019)Cell Phone Tower Aesthetics
The Masquerading Cell Towers of the American West (California Sun, Apr. 27, 2021)
Charlotte’s Mysterious ‘Tree’ Communications Tower Is Raising Some Scary Questions (Charlotte Stories, Apr. 19, 2021)
Inside the Complicated Business of Disguising 5G Equipment (CNN, Mar. 2, 2021)
Fifth New Cell Tower in 2 Years, at Palm Harbor Golf Club, Draws Less Than Beaming Reception (Flagler Live, Dec. 8, 2020)
The History of Fake-Tree Cellphone Towers (Slate, Oct. 12, 2020)
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Real Estate Appraisal (eBook)
The Art of Real Estate Appraisal (eBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Member Support. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Member Support at 800-874-6500 for assistance.
Cell Towers: Wireless Convenience? Or Environmental Hazard? (Markham, ON: Safe Goods/New Century Publishing, 2001)
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