Fanwood is a small Union County borough of approximately 7,500 residents with a genuine small-town character centered on its walkable downtown along South Avenue and the historic Fanwood Train Station on NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line. The borough shares its school district with neighboring Scotch Plains — the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District is anchored by Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, one of Union County’s well-regarded public high schools — giving Fanwood residents access to excellent educational infrastructure in a community that maintains a warm, small-scale character.

Fanwood’s residential streets contain an attractive collection of 1920s through 1950s Colonials and Cape Cods on modest lots within walking distance of the downtown and train station. The borough’s compact size — less than two square miles — and walkable character give it an appealing village feel that attracts buyers who value community identity alongside commuter rail access.

Key neighborhoods and areas: Key areas include the historic residential streets surrounding the downtown and Fanwood Station along South Avenue, the established neighborhoods throughout the borough’s compact residential grid, and the properties near the Scotch Plains border.

Community & market context: Fanwood is served by NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line at Fanwood Station, providing service to Newark Penn Station. Home prices typically range from $550,000 to $900,000 for single-family homes. Students attend the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District, with Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School serving grades 9-12.

Fanwood home inspections in the borough’s pre-war and early post-war housing stock reveal the standard concerns of this construction era. Oil tanks — underground in yards and aboveground in basements — are prevalent in the older homes built before natural gas was widely available. Knob-and-tube wiring is found in the borough’s oldest homes from the 1920s. Cast iron drain lines and galvanized supply piping require evaluation for root intrusion and corrosion in homes with mature street trees. Radon testing is recommended for all Fanwood purchases.

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

Fanwood is Union County’s smallest municipality — a compact, walkable borough on the Raritan Valley Line with a character defined by its pre-war and early post-war bungalows, Cape Cods, and small Colonials clustered around the train station. It shares a school district with Scotch Plains and offers buyers a tightly-knit community feel at price points that often represent value relative to neighboring communities. The housing is old, the lots are modest, and the inspection profile is consistent.

Electrical Systems

Fanwood’s pre-war and early post-war homes consistently present knob-and-tube wiring — either as the original system, partially updated, or concealed beneath blown-in attic insulation. In Fanwood’s small bungalows and Cape Cods, the scope of a knob-and-tube system may be more limited than in a large multi-story Colonial, but the fire hazard and insurance implications are the same. Missing GFCI protection is found throughout pre-1980 Fanwood homes.

Plumbing

Galvanized steel supply lines in pre-1970 Fanwood homes are at or approaching end of service life. In smaller homes, the replacement project is more contained than in large Colonials — but the urgency is the same when the signs of deterioration are present.

Your Inspector: Michael Del Greco, CMI

How long does a home inspection in Fanwood take?
Most Fanwood 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?
Absolutely — Michael strongly encourages all buyers to attend. 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 Fanwood 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.