About Lafayette
Lafayette, CO is a quaint city situated in the southeastern region of Boulder County. It was originally established in 1889 by Marie E. Miller. Soon after, the area saw significant growth due to a coal-mining rush. Having numerous rich deposits of the fossil fuel, this city eventually became the “epicenter of northern Colorado’s coal industry” for several decades. Even after the “coal boom” declined by the 1950s, the area continued to see growth due its beautiful geography, and opportunities in agricultural and manufacturing industries.
Fast forward to present day and Lafayette is a thriving city of over 31,000 inhabitants. It is known for its sprawling open spaces, trails and parks; as well as a charming downtown section, complete with art galleries, restaurants, breweries and more! Combine that with a close proximity to two major CO cities – Boulder and Denver – and it is no wonder lot’s of people are flocking to Lafayette!
Lafayette Neighborhood Breakdown:
If you are thinking about making Lafayette your new home, it’s a good idea to get yourself familiar with different types of homes and neighborhoods in the city. We’ve been conducting home inspections in the area for over 15 years. So we know a thing or two about Lafayette.
The city can be broken up into 3 main neighborhoods. North Lafayette is the upper section of the city, located north of Baseline Rd and extending up just past Arapahoe Rd. Central Lafayette is the area sandwiched between Baseline Rd and S Boulder Rd. If you travel south of S Boulder Rd, you will enter South Lafayette, which stretches down to Northwest Parkway.
Let’s have a look at each neighborhood!
North Lafayette Neighborhoods
North Lafayette consists of mostly HOA-maintained housing developments surrounded by beautiful parks, open spaces, recreation areas and golfing. Much of the growth in this area occurred from the late 90s to the present day. You will find that most of these homes are larger, single-family with 4-6 bedrooms and 2-4 car garages. This part of Lafayette draws similarities to newer towns such as Green Valley Ranch and Parker.
When inspecting buildings from the late 90s, there are a number items we know to look out for. Homes from this decade are now over 20 years 0ld, which means that major systems might be nearing the end of their life spans. We take a close look at items such as furnaces, water heaters and AC units. If our inspectors determine that any of these systems are defective or just too old, they will be sure to recommend further evaluation or replacement.
Roofing and exterior are another important aspect of the of the home, as they make up its protective armor. And after 20+ years, these elements have seen some serious wear and tear – especially because this region of the country is susceptible to hail storms. Our inspectors always walk the roof (when accessible) and scan the exterior carefully to make sure there are no significant signs of damage.
At the time of this writing, a lot of brand new developments have been popping up in north Lafayette. When it comes to new builds, you will certainly not see some of the same defects as in late 90s and early 00s homes. Regardless, you should still get a home inspection! Sometimes mistakes are made and things are overlooked. Having a professional evaluate the property before closing is highly recommended.
Believe it or not, it’s also a good idea to evaluate the sewer line. That’s right – even a brand new sewer line! We always suggest that our clients get a sewer scope inspection, just to make sure the drainage system is good to go.
Central Lafayette Neighborhoods
If you venture into the central Lafayette area, you will find a mixed bag of homes. This is where the city was established, and where initial expansion occurred, so you will come across quite a few homes built in the 1900s and 1910s. There was also a strong mid-century expansion, so there are a plethora of homes from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Houses range in sizes here – from single-family homes that have 3-5 bedrooms, to smaller townhomes that have 2-3 bedrooms. One of the defining features of this area is Old Town Lafayette, which has a great variety of retail stores, restaurants, breweries, and even museums! There are also plenty of parks nearby, including the beautiful Waneka Lake Park.
When inspecting homes that are 100+ years old, there are quite a few potential issues that we might come across. In many cases, we find that these old homes have been renovated or updated. But sometimes they will still have original features.
We’re going to be paying extra close attention to the foundation and overall structure of the building, making sure there are no cracks, damage or instability. Also, if there are outdated or hazardous electrical components – like knob and tube wiring – we will most certainly recommend evaluation/repair. We will also be taking a close look at the plumbing to ensure that there are no problematic materials (such as galvanized piping), corrosion, leaks or damage.
With mid-century homes, we are looking out for a very era-specific electrical issue – Federal Pacific Electrical Panels. These panels were discontinued because it turned out they were a serious fire hazard. So needless to say, we will call these panels out!
When it comes to 1950s-70s houses, our inspectors will always stay vigilant about asbestos. It was widely popular at this time and utilized due to its top-notch insulation qualities. But it proved to cause serious health issues. So let’s make sure that’s not in your home.
South Lafayette Neighborhoods
Finally, let’s make our way down to the southern-most portion of Lafayette. This area is characterized by suburban neighborhoods with larger single-family homes built in the 90s and early 2000s. You will also come across a good amount of townhomes and condos from the 70s-80s.
Like its northern neighbors, south Lafayette offers a nice variety of outdoor amenities for all ages such as the Coal Creek Trail, Rock Creek Open Space, and The Great Outdoors Waterpark.
One of the most common issues we find in 90s – 00s builds is EIFS siding. This was a type of stucco exterior that was widely utilized during that time period due to its desirable look and insulation capabilities. However, it eventually proved to be vulnerable to moisture issues. So now we make note of it whenever we see it, and will be sure to recommend further evaluation if necessary.
Sometimes we will find 70s and 80s homes with original carpeting. This will often raise concern because old carpeting could be a source of mold issues. Our inspectors can, of course, visually inspect carpets. But sometimes mold growth is not evident to the naked eye. For that reason, we also offer more specialized mold services – mold air sample testing and infrared analysis.
Another service we always recommend, no matter the age of the house, is radon testing. This dangerous, radioactive gas can occur naturally in homes throughout the the state. So whether your house is 100 years old or brand new, it is always a good idea to conduct a radon test!
Lafayette Home Inspections
We hope this article has given you a better idea of what to expect when getting a home inspection in Lafayette.
Lafayette is a city with a rich history and a bright future. Whether you are interested in a home with a charming mid-century vibe or a brand new modern home, Lafayette has got it! With family-friendly neighborhoods, and lots thing to do for all ages, it is the perfect place to raise a family. Also, its proximity to Denver and Boulder makes it an ideal location for those who commute for work.
If you are thinking about making this vibrant place home, we encourage you to consult with you agent. And when the time comes for a home inspection, we hope that you will consider Scott Home Inspection. For more information, visit us online or contact us to book your inspection today!
