About Golden
Golden, Colorado is a beautiful, vibrant city situated at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and just about 15 miles west of Denver. Similar to other CO cities such as Wheat Ridge and Castle Rock, this city saw its initial growth in the mid-19th century during the gold rush. And it began to expand as farmers discovered its nutrient-rich soil. It continued to see significant industrial growth throughout the subsequent decades.
Fast forward to today and Golden is a bustling city with a rich history, thriving businesses, and tons of outdoor activities. It is home to the prestigious Colorado School of Mines and sought after attractions like Clear Creek Whitewater Park and the Coors Brewery Tour.
It is certainly a great place to live, and it might just be the right pace for you!
Golden Neighborhood Breakdown:
Are you interested in moving to Golden and want to know more? Well, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve been conducting home inspections in this city for years. So it follows that we know quite a bit about the homes and what to expect during a home inspection. The city can be split into three sections.
Mesa Meadows/ Canyon Point is the northern-most region of Golden. This area extends from Highway 58 up to the North Table Mountain Trailhead. Downtown Golden is the central part of the city. This section runs along W 6th Ave until the junction of W 6th and CO-470. Finally, Lakota Hills/ Golden Ridge is the remaining portion of Golden located south of W 6th ave.
Each section has its own defining features that adds to Golden’s overall charm and character.
Mesa Meadows / Canyon Point
This is the northern-most section of Golden. It is characterized by hilly neighborhoods, tucked right alongside the foothills of the mountains. The majority of these homes are single-family and range from 3 to 6 bedrooms. You’ll find a plethora of homes built during the 60s – 70s along a with a number of pricier homes built in the early – mid 2000s.
If you like the great outdoors, there is no shortage of fun things to do! There are top notch hiking trails all around, including the Nightbird Gulch Trail, Mt Galbraith Loop Trail, Lichen Peak, North Table Mountain, and more.
When it comes to 60s and 70s builds, our inspectors know to look out for a few era-specific issues. Plumbing is a big ticket item for these houses. We are looking out for problematic, outdated piping materials, such as galvanized pipes. We also need to be on the lookout for leaks, damage, corrosion, etc.
During a standard inspection, our inspectors are unable to see much of the piping that runs behind walls and underground. That’s why it is always highly recommended to get a sewer scope inspection. Pipes from this era were commonly clay and cast iron, which can incur damage and corrosion over time. So make sure you hire a qualified sewer scope tech to take a look!
We also come across electrical problems in these type of homes. Electrical building standards were not as strict as they are today. As a result, you will find a lot of homes with ungrounded outlets and no GFCI outlets. Ungrounded outlets can be a potential fire hazard, and GFCI outlets are needed near water sources to prevent electric shock.
2000s homes will generally not have as many potential issues – especially if they have been well maintained. However, you never know! One of the main items we pay close attention to are the heating/cooling components. Most water heaters, boilers, furnaces, and AC units have approximately 20-year life spans. So (at the time of this writing), if we come across a house that was built in the early 00s, these types of systems might need to be replaced.
Downtown Golden
This is the busiest section of the city. You will find a wide array of establishments, such as restaurants, bars, retail shops, coffee shops, yoga and fitness studios, museums, art galleries, parks and the list goes on!
You can expect to see quite a mixed inventory of homes. There are a number of smaller, historic homes that originate all the way back to the 1890s and early 1900s. You can also expect to see many mid-century 40s and 50s builds. Homes in this area will generally have a higher price tag due to the prime location.
As you might expect, when we inspect houses that are 100+ years old, there are lots of items to look out for. We always take an extra good look at the foundation and structure, as decades of wear and tear can do quite a number on the structural integrity of a home. We will also keep an eye out for any outdated or hazardous electrical configurations, such as knob and tube wiring or aluminum wiring. It’s also super common to find insufficient insulation is these older homes. Energy efficiency codes were not developed until years later, so we will often find little to no insulation in attic spaces.
Other common problems found in 40s and 50s homes are grading related. With years and years of erosion occurring around the perimeter of the home, sometimes we see negative grading toward the foundation of the home. This, of course, should be corrected as it can be the cause of water related issues.
Another potential issue in mid-century homes is lead paint. Lead-based paint was commonly used in the residential setting until it was banned in 1978. It’s very toxic and can cause serious health threats if inhaled or consumed. So we stay extra vigilant in these pre-1978 homes!
Lakota Hills / Golden Ridge
We finally make our way south of W 6th ave to the Lakota Hills / Golden Ridge area. Similar to Downtown Golden, this section has homes from a variety of eras. However, a good majority of these houses are on the newer side – built in the 90s and 2000s.
Neighborhoods in this area are all generally HOA-regulated and well-maintained with a lots of beautiful foliage. There are also great options for recreation with parks, trails and rec centers galore! Residents in this area also right around the corner from the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater.
We already mentioned some of the inspection items associated with 90s/00s houses above. Our inspectors are always making sure to check heating/cooling systems for their age and overall condition.
We also want to take a good look at the roof. Our inspectors will always walk the roof (when accessible), looking out for signs of damage – especially from hail. Hail storms are prominent in this region, and they can really take a toll on roofing materials.
It is certainly a plus to have the the beauty of the Rocky Mountains right in your backyard. But keep in mind that, where there is nature, there are critters! Pests such as mice, rats, bats, raccoons, spiders and termites like to find their way into your warm home. This is why we offer our specialized pest inspections, to assess the property for any potential pest threats.
Golden Home Inspections
There’s no doubt about it, Golden is a wonderful place to live. It offers the best of both worlds – a vibrant, urban environment combined with the adventure and serenity of nature.
It’s certainly a perfect location for people of all ages! Not to mention, residents have easy access to Denver and world class ski mountains right around the corner.
If this sounds like the right place for you, contact your agent for housing options. And when you go under contract, choose Scott Home Inspection for all your inspection needs!
