About Aurora
Aurora, Colorado is a city located just east of the Denver Metro area. Straddling 3 different counties – Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas – and boasting over 386,000 residents, Aurora is the 3rd most populous city in the state.
Originally incorporated in 1891, the city has been growing and developing ever since. With plenty of access to beautiful parks, hiking trails, reservoirs, golf courses etc. and with close proximity to Denver, Aurora has proven to be a great location for those who like the best of both worlds.
Aurora Neighborhood Breakdown:
If you are interested in purchasing a home in Aurora, it’s a good idea to get familiar with the different varieties of houses in the area. Aurora’s growth and development has spanned over decades. So naturally, you will find homes from a number of eras. The city can be broken up into three main sections:
North Aurora is the area north of East Colfax and just south of the Denver International Airport. Central Aurora is south of E Colfax and north of E Hampden Ave. South Aurora is the area below E Hampden Ave bordering the Cherry Creek Reservoir.
North Aurora Neighborhoods
North Aurora is an area characterized by lots of open spaces and new, up-and-coming neighborhoods. Its proximity to the Denver International Airport and public transportation makes it ideal for an easy commute to Denver or for easy travel by air.
The homes in this region were mainly built in the mid to late 2000s, with many being brand new builds (at the time this article was written). There is a fairly even mix of townhomes and single-family houses. Most of these dwellings consist of 3 – 4 bed/baths with two-car garages.
Being that most homes in this region have been built in new neighborhoods, you can bet that the majority of the neighborhoods will be regulated by the HOA. We always recommend getting familiar with the HOA rules of your community. Knowing what aspects of the home are covered by the HOA helps us to make our home inspections as informed and thorough as possible.
For earlier 2000s homes, our inspectors will be paying attention for EIFS exteriors. This is a type of material that has proven to have design flaws and potential moisture issues.
You will find that North Aurora neighborhoods are surrounded by the beautiful rolling plains of east Colorado. But keep in mind that where there’s nature, there’s pests. It’s very common for critters, such as mice, rats, and insects, to set up camp in Colorado homes. That’s why we offer our professional pest inspections to observe and report any potential pest concerns.
As stated above, there are a lot of brand new homes coming into this area. Sought after developments like Painted Prairie have trails, parks, playgrounds, picnic areas etc, making it a welcoming, family-friendly environment. But keep in mind, even in brand new builds, mistakes are still made or certain items can be overlooked. So its always a good idea to get a home inspection just to be sure.
Central Aurora Neighborhoods
Central Aurora is the most densely populated region of the city. This is where you’ll find the City Center and popular neighborhoods, such as Aurora Hills and Aurora Highlands.
This area has a variety of homes ranging from the 1960s all the way through the 2000s. The majority of these residences are single-family and have 2-4 bedrooms with 2-car garages. But you will also come across some condos and townhomes, as well.
When inspecting older homes, our inspectors always keep in mind that any original components could have potential defects. We’re keeping a close eye on all aspects such as structure, roofing, plumbing, electrical and so on.
Electrical is especially a concern when it comes to 70s and 80s homes. During that era, Federal Pacific electrical panels were commonly used in residences nationwide. These types of panels turned out to have potential fire safety issues, so we always recommend full replacement when found during an inspection.
We will also pay attention for any original interior carpeting. Old carpeting has been know to create moisture concerns and promote mold growth. In fact, if you are looking to buy an older home that still has its original carpets, it is often advisable to have a professional conduct a mold test.
As in any older residence, our inspectors will be making sure that all the major systems (i.e. furnaces, A/C, water heaters etc.) are up-to-date and well maintained. Inspectors will also be closely examining the plumbing systems, making sure supply and drain lines are intact and functioning properly.
South Aurora Neighborhoods
Finally we make our way to the southern-most section of Aurora. Similar to North Aurora, this region is comprised of charming neighborhoods dispersed amongst open spaces, parks, and recreational facilities. Some notable landmarks include the Aurora Reservoir, Saddle Rock Golf Club, and Quincy Reservoir.
Most of the homes in this area were built in the 2000s. However, there are some exceptions, with a number of homes from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. A good portion of South Aurora homes will be on the pricier side, and they range from 3 – 6 bedroom.
Exterior inspections will be an important part of inspections in this area. Just like in North Aurora, our inspectors will be keeping a close watch for potentially problematic EIFS siding. Also, because this region is vulnerable to the severe hail storms, we are going to be paying close attention for any exterior hail damage.
When inspecting homes from the ’90s and early ’00s, we are going to be looking carefully at the heating and cooling systems. Generally, these major systems have life spans ranging from 20 to 30 years. Consequently, a lot of systems in homes built during these eras will be reaching the end of their lives. Any appliance observed to be past its recommended life span will be noted for further evaluation and repair.
There are certain components of a home that an inspector cannot observe during a general inspection – namely the sewer lines. Even in new builds, its impossible the guarantee the condition of a sewer line without actually looking at it. This is why it’s never a bad idea to get a sewer scope inspection, in order to observe the drainage lines for any potential damage or drainage concerns.
Aurora Home Inspections
Aurora, CO is a city that has so much to offer – from recreation to retail, from restaurants to reservoirs. Not to mention, its just a short commute to the Denver Metro area. Its vibrant, suburban flair is the perfect complement to its beautiful nature preserves. There is no doubt that Aurora is a great place to be!
Who knows, Aurora just might be the place you find your dream home. If you plan to buy a home in the Aurora area, please feel free to reach out to learn more about our inspection services or to book your inspection today!
