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Allendale is a small, affluent Bergen County borough of approximately 7,000 residents that has maintained its residential character and excellent school reputation for decades. Incorporated in 1894, Allendale developed primarily as a bedroom community for New York commuters served by the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad — now the NJ Transit Bergen County Line — with its station conveniently located in the heart of the borough’s walkable downtown. The majority of Allendale’s housing stock was built between 1950 and 1985, with a mix of Colonial, split-level, and ranch-style homes on quarter-acre to half-acre lots lining the borough’s quiet residential streets.

Allendale’s downtown village along West Crescent Avenue and Franklin Turnpike has a genuine small-town character, with independent shops, restaurants, and services within easy walking distance of the train station and the borough’s well-maintained parks. The Celery Farm Natural Area — a remarkable 107-acre freshwater wetland preserve — and the Crestwood Lake recreational area contribute to the borough’s strong community identity and high quality of life.

For home buyers, Allendale represents a stable, well-maintained suburban market where the primary inspection concerns are those common to well-built mid-century and later construction: aging oil heating systems transitioning to natural gas, underground storage tanks from pre-natural-gas-era homes, roof systems approaching end of service life on homes built in the 1960s and 1970s, and the gradual obsolescence of original plumbing and electrical systems.

Key neighborhoods and areas: Key residential areas include the neighborhoods surrounding Crestwood Lake, the streets adjacent to the Celery Farm Natural Area, the established neighborhoods along Cottage Place and West Allendale Avenue, and newer developments along the borough’s eastern border with Upper Saddle River.

Community & market context: Allendale is served by NJ Transit’s Bergen County Line at Allendale Station, providing direct service to Hoboken Terminal with connecting service to Manhattan. Home prices typically range from $650,000 to $1.1M for single-family homes, with the market driven by the highly regarded Allendale public school system — K-8 in Allendale, with students attending Northern Highlands Regional High School, consistently one of Bergen County’s top-ranked schools. The borough is approximately 25 miles from Midtown Manhattan, making it a popular choice for commuting families seeking a suburban environment with strong schools.

Allendale home inspections most commonly reveal aging oil heating systems — many homes in the borough were built before natural gas was available throughout the area and retain original oil-fired boilers or furnaces, sometimes with underground storage tanks that predate current environmental regulations. Michael carefully evaluates all oil heating equipment for operational safety, heat exchanger integrity, and tank condition, and recommends oil tank sweeps for any property where the tank location or condition is uncertain.

Roof systems on Allendale’s 1960s and 1970s Colonials and split-levels are frequently approaching or at end of service life — original asphalt shingle roofs typically last 20 to 25 years, and homes from this era may be on their second or even third roof covering, sometimes with improper layering that has created a substrate too heavy for the underlying structure. Radon is a consideration in northern Bergen County; Michael recommends radon testing for all Allendale purchases. The borough’s proximity to the Saddle River, while distant from the main channel, creates some low-lying areas where basement moisture and drainage should be carefully evaluated.

No matter what Michael finds, his job is to give you a complete, honest picture of your Allendale property — so you can negotiate from knowledge, not guesswork. Schedule your inspection today.

Your Inspector: Michael Del Greco, CMI

How long does a home inspection in Allendale take?
Most Allendale home inspections take 2.5 to 4 hours depending on the size, age, and condition of the property. Older pre-war homes and larger properties typically take longer. See our full FAQ.

Should I be present for the inspection?
Your presence is required at the inspection. Walking through the home with your inspector is one of the most valuable things you can do as a home buyer. Here are questions to ask during the inspection.

Do you offer radon testing and other add-on services?
Yes. In addition to a standard home inspection, we offer additional services such as radon testing, WDI inspection, septic inspection, oil tank search, lead paint testing, and sewer scope — all especially useful for Northern New Jersey properties. These can be added when you schedule, and results are processed by certified professionals and included with your inspection report.

How do I schedule a Allendale home inspection?
Call our office at (973) 812-5100 or use our contact form. Our office staff answers the phone and can typically schedule within 24–48 hours.