About Littleton
Littleton, Colorado is a city located south of the Denver metropolitan area. It is known for its charming neighborhoods and diverse housing options, ranging from historic homes to modern apartments.
This city is best known for its downtown area, which is characterized by a diverse array of restaurants, shops, bars, art galleries, and a performing arts center. Its prime location, just 12-miles outside of Denver, makes it ideal for those who commute to the city for work or play. Additionally, Littleton offers easy and efficient public transit options, including bus routes and a rail system.
Littleton Neighborhood Breakdown:
If you are considering buying a home in Littleton, it helps to have a general knowledge of the area. The city can be split up into three main regions:
North Littleton is the region just south of Englewood that extends down to Ketring Park. Central Littleton consists of the land below Ketring Park down to W Mineral Ave. South Littleton is the area south of W Mineral down to Roxborough State Park.
Each region offers its own set of unique characteristics. In this article, we will break down each section and what to expect during a home inspection.
North Littleton Neighborhoods
There is good amount of variety in North Littleton, with homes ranging over a span of many decades. If you make your way to the downtown area, you will find a number of historic houses, many of which were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These houses are characterized by their Victorian-style architecture, with ornate details, large porches, and steeply pitched roofs.
Conversely, you will find that downtown Littleton is also comprised of some newer, modern townhomes and condos, constructed in the late 2000s.
When buying old homes that date back to the late 1800s or early 1900s, there is no telling what potential issues could be present. It is always highly advisable to have a thorough inspection conducted on these types of homes.
With homes of this age, structural soundness is one of the primary concerns. We’ve come to find that even when updates have been made, many of these houses have their original foundations. So our inspectors will be paying close attention to the structural aspects of the residence.
Moisture related issues can also be a big concern. In addition to the standard visual inspection, we also offer mold inspection and mold testing services and infra-red scanning for a more in-depth moisture/mold evaluation.
In homes this old, it’s also a good idea to get a sewer scope inspection. We have certainly seen some 100-year-old builds with original drain lines. And, as you can imagine, they are commonly in pretty bad shape! So make sure to check out those sewer lines before you commit to a home.
If you make your way into the regions surrounding downtown, you will find a variety of homes built throughout the decades, namely the 50s – 70s. These neighborhoods are characterized by charming, tree-lined streets and feature a mix of ranch-style and two-story houses.
In these homes, our inspectors will be paying close to attention to plumbing and electrical to make sure that outdated, problematic systems, such as galvanized piping or Federal Pacific electrical panels, are not present. Also, we will make sure that combustion devices, like water heaters and furnaces, are up-to-date and functioning properly.
Central Littleton Neighborhoods
Moving down to Central Littleton, you will find a multitude of family-friendly neighborhoods, interspersed with beautiful, public parks. Compared to North Littleton, homes tend be newer in this area, ranging from the early 1980s to the late 2000s.
In this area, there is a decent mix of single-family houses, condos, and townhouses – all ranging between 2 – 4 bedrooms.
When it comes to homes from these eras, one of the biggest items we pay attention for is EIFS siding. This is a type of exterior material that has been known to yield moisture issues. If an inspector does note any potential concerns, they will most likely recommend further evaluation.
For many homes built in the 1990s or even early 2000s, certain major systems will be reaching the end of their lives. Most furnaces and roofs are made to last 20-30 years. So we are always keeping an eye out for these types of things. Our inspectors will call out for further evaluation or repair when necessary.
South Littleton Neighborhoods
South Littleton is a great place for those outdoor lovers. Whether you enjoy fishing, swimming, boating, golfing, cycling or hiking, you can do it all down here! This area boasts a multitude of parks (such as Chatfield State Park and Roxborough State Park), water features (such as the McLellen Reservoir and the South Platte River), hiking trails, golf courses etc.
This area is characterized by a lot of larger, multi-level, upscale homes situated in well-maintained, planned communities. There are primarily 80s, 90s, 00s and brand new builds (at the time of this article).
When finding a home in this area, you can bet that most, if not all, communities are governed by HOA rules. So be sure to familiarize yourself with any HOA guidelines and relay them to your home inspector.
Similar to the homes in Central Littleton, when inspecting 80s and 90s homes, we will be taking a close look at the major systems to make sure everything is up to date. We are always paying attention to original carpeting as it can be a prime source for moisture issues. Again, a specialized mold test might be something you’ll want to consider in these older homes.
Also, with such a close proximity to parks and open spaces, there will be an abundance of wildlife. And it is very common for critters to make their way into Colorado homes. Thus, our inspectors stay vigilant for potential pest intrusion. We even offer a specialized whole-house pest inspection service.
There are many up-and-coming, new neighborhoods in South Littleton. Neighborhoods such as Horizon at Solstice and Harmony at Solstice, are sought after for their top-notch amenities, community atmosphere, and proximity to beautiful nature.
Keep in mind that, even though many of these homes are brand new, and seemingly flawless, home inspections are still an important part of the home buying process. Sometimes mistakes are made and issues are overlooked. So be sure to book your home inspection to ensure that you are purchasing a home with the necessary knowledge and confidence.
Littleton Home Inspections
Littleton is certainly a great place to live. It offers a diverse array of housing options on the beautiful back drop of the Colorado front range. With a close proximity to Denver and plenty outdoor activities, it’s no wonder so many yearn to call this charming city home!
No matter what type of house or neighborhood you are looking for, Littleton has something to offer. Whether you prefer a historic home with vintage charm or a modern house with all the latest amenities, you can find it in Littleton.
If you are interested in purchasing a home in Littleton, we hope that you will consider Scott Home Inspection for your inspection needs. For more information contact us today!
