Not usually. Most utility easement agreements say you can't build permanent structures that could get in the way of access. If a fence gets in the way of the utility company's work, they can take it down. Some homeowners have been able to get a removable or gated fence, but you should read the exact wording of your easement agreement first. AmeriSave's home buying tools can help you understand what to look for when you review the title.

Most homes in a neighborhood have similar small distribution easements for buried water or sewer lines, so they don't usually have a big effect on value. Big transmission easements with high-voltage towers overhead can lower the value of a property by 5% to 15%, depending on how big and visible the infrastructure is. A professional appraisal can give you an exact picture. You can start the mortgage process with AmeriSave to find out how the appraisal of a property fits into your loan terms.

You can't say no to the easement if it's already on your deed. It goes with the land and automatically goes with the sale. You can talk to the utility company about the terms of a new easement, such as where it will be and how much they will pay you. But if the easement is needed for the public good, the utility company may try to take it by eminent domain. If you have questions about titles and deeds when buying a home, you can get help from AmeriSave's Resource Center.

The widths of utilities vary a lot depending on the type. A standard residential distribution easement for sewer or water pipes that run underground might be 5 to 15 feet wide. For smaller distribution lines, overhead power line easements can be 10 to 20 feet wide. Large easements for transmission lines can be 50 to 100 feet long or longer. The recorded easement agreement says exactly how wide it is. AmeriSave's mortgage experts can help you figure out how the details of the easement will affect when you can close.

Most utility easements are permanent, which means they stay in place as long as the property does. When the project they were made for is done, temporary construction easements do end. An easement can be ended in rare cases if the utility company officially gives it up or if a court says it is no longer needed. Check out AmeriSave's home loan options to find out how things like easements can affect the buying process as a whole.

Most of the time, standard utility easements don't get in the way of getting a mortgage. Lenders see them on almost every home, and they are a normal part of the title. Easements that are out of the ordinary and make it hard to use the property could lower its appraisal value, which could affect the amount of your loan. If you have questions, call AmeriSave to talk about how the easement on a certain property might affect your loan.

Most of the time, the property owner takes care of things like mowing and basic landscaping in the easement area. The utility company is in charge of taking care of its own equipment and infrastructure. If the utility company breaks something while fixing or upgrading your property, they are usually expected to fix it back to how it was before. AmeriSave's homeowner guides go into more detail about the duties of homeowners when it comes to maintaining their property, which can have an effect on your investment.

Not directly. If you don't agree to an agreement with a utility company, they have to use eminent domain through a formal legal process. Eminent domain means that the company has to show that the easement serves a public purpose and pay you a fair amount for the rights they take. The Fifth Amendment protects property owners in these cases. Learn about the buying process at AmeriSave so you know what to expect at every stage, from reviewing the title to closing.