Home inspection in New Brighton.

What we see in New Brighton homes.

New Brighton was incorporated in 1891, but most of the housing came with the postwar boom: the population grew from 2,218 in 1950 to 19,507 by 1970. That means ramblers, split-levels and cape cods on modest lots across a city of about 7.08 square miles between Interstate 35W and Interstate 694. Long Lake, a glacial remnant, anchors the middle of town, and Rice Creek runs through the northern part. The Twin Cities Ordinance Plant operated here in the 1940s, so the city's industrial history sits right beside its neighborhoods.

A house from the 1950s or 60s gets a predictable checklist from us. The original sewer lateral, often cast iron or clay, is worth watching for root intrusion and sags. Small service panels and outdated wiring additions from decades of basement finishing are common concerns. Near Long Lake and along Rice Creek, grading, sump pumps, window wells and basement moisture deserve extra attention. Roof ventilation and attic insulation get a close look too. Ramsey County is EPA Radon Zone 1, and MDH recommends every Minnesota home be tested.

Local facts checked September 2026 against: Wikipedia, Minnesota Department of Health.