About Arvada
Arvada, Colorado is a city located just several miles northwest of the Denver Metro Area. This expansive region takes up around 40 square miles and spans over two counties, Jefferson County and Adams County.
It’s known for its beautiful open spaces, its multitude of public parks, its popular performing arts center and its historic district of Olde Town Arvada.
Established in 1904, Arvada has a rich history of growth and expansion. It is now the 7th most populous city in Colorado with lots of diverse homes that range in era, style and price.
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 Homes in these ages ranges tend to have potential issues related to EIFS siding, aging roofs, and potentially outdated mechanical systems.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.
