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Data centers push up nearby land values but can hurt nearby home sales

HousingWire reports agents say homes closest to proposed or operating data centers can face buyer resistance tied to noise, water use, construction activity and resale uncertainty.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Industry & Land

Data centers are starting to reshape local real estate markets by lifting nearby land values while also creating frictions for homeowners and buyers, according to HousingWire. The outlet describes a split-screen effect, where some areas see demand and prices rise, but properties closest to controversial facilities may struggle as buyers weigh concerns such as noise, water usage and long-term desirability.

Realtors and appraisers told HousingWire that the impact can be immediate for sellers near proposed or operating sites. HousingWire reports Jerry Allen, a Realtor with eXp Realty and a member of the Granbury, Texas, planning and zoning commission, said nearby homeowners are having a harder time selling, as residents next to proposed data centers and other industrial sites express dissatisfaction.

HousingWire also cites Bernadine Anderson, a real estate agent and licensed appraiser, describing million-dollar homes on small acreage in the same area as proposed data centers that she said are moving slower because of the data center issue. Experts quoted by HousingWire say the longer-term outcome depends on factors including economic growth, housing demand, and how local infrastructure planning keeps pace.

The article notes the U.S. already has thousands of operating data centers, with industry databases placing the count from roughly 2,000 operating facilities to more than 4,500 listed sites depending on methodology. HousingWire says the development pipeline is also substantial, setting up additional valuation and buyer-demand challenges for communities where projects expand.

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