How Do Cell Tower Leases Affect
Home Sales?
Due to the unique nature of cell tower leases and their relationship with real estate, their presence on
a parcel of land can change the rules that govern the buying and selling of property. If you have a home
with a cell tower on the property, you may have to take certain provisions into account when the time
comes to sell the property. Below are several situations you may find yourself in if you are selling a
house with a cell tower, as well as the likely options you will have in each situation.
A Tower on Your Property
If you have a cell tower lease on your property and the tower is owned by a wireless carrier or a tower
company, there are several things that can happen. You can sell the entire property and transfer the
lease to the buyer, making sure to factor in the value of the lease in your asking price. In order to do
this, you would need to work out an arrangement with the owner of the tower. Sometimes, the terms
of the lease agreement will dictate this process.
With many cell tower leases, the tower company or carrier will insert a Right of First Refusal (ROFR)
clause in the lease agreement. What this means is that if you get an offer on your property, you have to
first approach the owner of the tower and give them the opportunity to match the offer on your land. In
this case, selling your land along with the lease to a third party without notifying the tower company
or carrier can hinder or even prevent the sale. Additionally, prospective buyers may have concerns
about living in close proximity to a cell tower due to the perceived potential for health risks or the
aesthetics of the structure. These concerns could affect your asking price.
Creating a Subdivision
Some landowners opt to sell their land while retaining their cell tower leases so they can continue
to receive a monthly revenue. This means subdividing the property so that you can sell your home and
keep the parcel of land that the tower sits on. In some cases, localities will not allow the subdivision of
properties, so you have to be sure that you are aware of local ordinances.
Performing a Lease Buyout
Another option is to sell your lease to a third party for a lump sum up front. Lease Advisors offers a
lease acquisition service in which we can purchase the rights to your lease in exchange for an up-front
cash payment. Our payouts are the highest in the industry and our team does not rest until you achieve
the highest return possible on your investment. We also offer expert consultation services and we
negotiate directly with carriers to secure the most favorable terms on cell tower leases.
Do you have any questions about what you should do with your cell tower lease? Our consultants can
help you understand your terms and conditions, as well as the value of your lease in a sale. Give us a
call today at 1-877-418-5238 for a free evaluation.