Arvada Regional Breakdown:

Arvada city limits cover a significant portion of land. So if you are interested in buying a home in the area, it’s a good idea to get familiar with its varying regions.

The city can be broken up into four main regions: Lake Arbor – Westdale – Lamar Heights is the area east of Wadsworth Boulevard. Olde Town – Scenic Heights – Ralston Valley is the central, most populous region that extends from Wadsworth to Indiana St. Meadowglen – Lakecrest – Oak Park is the upper part of the city, which borders Standley Lake. Wyndams – Meadows at Westwood – Candelas is the large section west of Indiana St.

The city has been growing and expanding for almost 120 years. So, needless to say, there are many different types of homes -new and old – from region to region.

Lake Arbor – Westdale – Lamar Heights

This region has seen a lot of growth over several generations. Single family homes, town homes and condos make up the majority of this eastern section of Arvada.

The section closer to Olde Town saw a lot of expansion during the post-WWII boom. So you will find homes in neighborhoods like Lamar Heights that were mainly built in the ’50s and ’60s. You will see a majority of ranch style homes in this area with one car garages or no garages at all.

It goes without saying that getting these types homes inspected is a must, because you never know what you’re going to get. In many cases, these houses will have a number of original components such as electrical, structural, plumbing etc.

Speaking of plumbing, many of these homes will have original cast iron drainage systems which are prone to corrosion and damage. That’s where a sewer scope inspection comes in handy.

Heading further east to neighborhoods such as Yacht Club, we find newer homes ranging from the ’80s to the ’00s. Homes in these ages ranges tend to have potential issues related to EIFS siding, aging roofs, and potentially outdated mechanical systems.

Olde Town – Scenic Heights – Ralston Valley

This area is the busiest part of the city. It is home to the Historic Olde Town District and the Arvada Center, boasting a multitude of bars, restaurants, shops, art and entertainment. It is a thriving, up-and-coming, and sought after part of the city.

Similar to the eastern neighborhoods, this area also has a multi-generational mix of homes ranging from older, single-family homes dating back to the ’50s and ’60s to brand new condos being built at the time of this writing.

Many of Central Arvada’s older homes were built during similar time periods to those in eastern Arvada. So during inspections, we keep an eye on the same potential defects. We want to make sure that all systems are up to date, and that any original in-home components are safe and secure.

It is always a good idea to schedule a home inspection, even if the home is new. Because even in the case of new builds, sometimes mistakes are made and corners are cut.

Condos and townhomes generally adhere to HOA guidelines and coverage. Thus, we always encourage prospective buyers to read up about HOA and relay any pertinent information to our inspectors prior to inspection.

Meadowglen – Lakecrest – Oak Park

This region is situated just south of the beautiful Standley Lake and shares a border with Westminster, CO. This area is primarily comprised of houses built in the ’70s to the ’90s.

In this neck of the woods, homes are generally 2 levels with 2-car garages. And the majority of neighborhoods in this area are governed by HOA rules. Due their proximity to well-maintained parks and lakes, neighborhoods in this region (such as Pomona Lakes and Landing at Standley Lake) are highly desirable.

When it comes to homes in the ’70s, we are always paying close attention to electrical panels, because a popular residential electrical panel for that time period was the Federal Pacific Electrical Panel. These panels are a known fire hazard and we will call them out when we see them.

With any homes close to water sources, such as the lakes in northern Arvada, our inspectors are going to pay extra attention for any moisture concerns on the premise. We will observe the grading around the perimeter of the home, making sure that it is sloping away from the foundation. For an even more extensive moisture inspection, we offer services such as our infra-red scanning and mold testing services.

It is possible that some of these homes built in the ’80s and ’90s may have EIFS exteriors. During inspections, we will look out for EIFS and any improper installation or design flaws, as it can cause detrimental moisture issues to a house’s exterior.

Furthermore, we will be looking at furnaces, air handlers, water heaters etc. because these systems generally have 20-30 year life spans. For homes built in the 90s, a lot of these systems will be reaching their expiration date. So we will be sure to inspect and call out, when necessary.

Wyndams – Meadows at Westwood – Candelas

This is the largest of the four regions, consisting of rolling hills, open spaces, public parks, reservoirs and lots of newer housing developments. This area has plenty of access to outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and more. It’s also still reasonably close to Denver and Boulder, making it an ideal location for those who want the best of both worlds.

Most of the homes in this region have been built in 2010s and onward. In popular neighborhoods, such as Candelas, you will generally find pricier single-family homes, usually 3,000 sq ft and up, with multi-car garages and multiple floors. These neighborhoods are generally regulated by HOA, so make sure to be aware of  all HOA requirements, fees etc.

Keep in mind that, even though a house is new, it is not perfect. There have been plenty of scenarios when our inspectors have observed issues with improper installation or defects that had been previously overlooked. And it’s never a bad idea to get a sewer scope inspection, as we have even discovered sewer issues in brand new homes!

Arvada Home Inspections

Arvada is a city full of rich history and beautiful scenery with plenty of growth and opportunity on the horizon.

With its wide variety of nice neighborhoods, its proximity to the Denver metro area, and so many things to do, Arvada is an attractive location for a broad demographic of individuals and families. Who knows – maybe Arvada has the perfect home for you. If you are in the market for a new home, we encourage you to consult with you agent about available options in the area.

If you are under contract or plan to purchase a home in Arvada, we hope that you consider using our home inspection services. For more information on the services we offer at Scott Home Inspection, follow the links below.

Highlands Ranch Neighborhood Breakdown:

When considering buying and scheduling a home inspection at a Highlands Ranch home, it helps to know the various features of its different neighborhoods. It can be broken down into three main neighborhoods.

Westridge is the territory that borders Chatfield State Park on its west side and extends eastward to South Broadway. Northridge is the area from S Broadway over to S Quebec St. Southridge is located south of Northridge. Its north border starts at Grand View Trail and it extends southward down to Daniels Park.

Westridge

If you make your way to Westridge, you will find a mix of townhomes, condos, and single-family homes ranging from the 90s to the brand new builds. This area is sought after for its safe communities and closeness to Chatfield State Park. It is an ideal spot for those who enjoy top-notch camping, boating, hiking and biking.

In the northern section of Westridge, you will come across lots of brand new up-and-coming neighborhoods such as “Hunting Hill” and “Verona” (pictured above). These areas are populated with new, 2-4 bedroom townhomes.

Most, if not all, of these types of communities will be HOA run. Before conducting home inspections, we always recommend that our clients get familiar with the HOA rules of the community. This not only helps you as the potential home buyer, but it also helps us to know how to best approach the inspection.

These homes may be brand new, and seemingly flawless – but a home inspection is still highly recommended. Mistakes can still be made and things can sometimes be overlooked.

Moving more southward, we start to see some bigger, pricier single-family homes. These will generally be multi-level, 4-6 bedroom, with two-car garages.

For 90s homes, our inspectors know to keep an eye out for certain specific items. One such item is EIFS siding. This is a type of stucco siding that was especially popular in the 80s and 90s, and has proven to cause potential moisture issues. During standard inspections, we keep a close eye on the exterior for any EIFS-related issues.

We will also be paying close attention to the major systems (furnaces, water heaters, roofs etc.) of these homes, as they will be approaching the end of their lifespans. These types of systems generally have life spans of 20-30 years. So depending on when the home was built, we may start to see the need for replacements or updates.

Northridge

If you make you way eastward from Westridge, you will find yourself in Northridge. This place has no shortage of beautiful, family-friendly parks such as Northridge Park and Sand Creek Park. It is also home to the famous and historic Highlands Ranch Mansion. Additionally, Northridge is a short distance to the Denver Tech Center, making it a great location for those who commute to the city for work.

You will mainly find single-family homes sprinkled throughout quaint neighborhoods. The majority of houses in Northridge were built from the 80s to the 00s.

During inspections, the items mentioned in the Westridge section above will generally apply to Northridge, as well. However, with a lot more homes from the 1980s, Northridge homes may have potential issues uniques to that era.

For instance, our inspectors will be putting the microscope on the electrical configuration in these homes. This is because Federal Pacific Electrical Panels were commonly used during the 80s. These panels turned out to be fire hazards. As a result, our inspectors will always call these panels out for replacement.

Plumbing is also a key item for homes of this era. Our inspectors will be observing the supply and drain lines (where visible), making note of any potential concerns. It’s also never a bad idea to take a look inside the pipes. We offer sewer scope inspections, which involves running a camera through the sewer line to inspect from the home to main city line (or septic tank). We always recommend this service, as you never know what’s going on with that underground piping – especially in older homes!

Southridge

If we move south from Northridge, below the scenic Grand View Trail, we end up in Southridge. Much like its bordering neighborhoods, this region also offers access to plenty of family-friendly parks, open spaces, playgrounds, and recreational areas.

You will find a lot of bigger 4-6 bedroom, single-family homes in Southridge neighborhoods. Many of these homes were constructed in the early to mid 2000s.

During inspections, we will be paying attention for era-specific features such as EIFS siding (similar to Northridge and Westridge). For some of these early 2000s homes, major systems such as furnaces, water heaters, boilers etc. could be reaching the end of their lives, as well.

There are also some potential issues that are specific to Front Range region of CO, where Highlands Ranch is located. For instance, radon gas is very prevalent throughout Colorado. And if you are interested in buying a home in this area, we recommend testing for radon levels.

The beautiful open spaces of South Ridge (and the rest of Highlands Ranch) also happen to be in a region that is particularly susceptible to hail storms. This is why our inspectors always thoroughly inspect the roofs, even on new builds!

With such close proximity to nature, houses in the Southridge region are also at risk of pest infestations. This is why we offer our specialized pest inspection service. During this inspection, a certified pest inspector puts a fine-toothed comb on the entire property, in search of any signs of pest-related concerns. This is definitely one service to consider if you are moving to Highlands Ranch.

Highlands Ranch Home Inspections

With its well-planned neighborhoods and breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, it’s no surprise that Highlands Ranch consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Colorado.

If you are someone who likes the best of both worlds – access to amazing outdoor activities, paired with an easy commute to the big city – Highlands Ranch could be the ideal spot for you!

If you are going under contract and in need of an inspection in the Highlands Ranch area, we have got you covered! Here at Scott Home Inspection, a division of Scott Home Services, LLC, it is our priority to help families live in safe, healthy, and comfortable homes. 

With 15+ years of experience and expertise in the industry, and a fine-tuned customer support system, we are prepared to help you with all your inspection needs! For more information, feel free to visit us online or contact us.