Northern Colorado Residential Market Analysis

With June 20th marking the start of summer, here’s our perspective: the June 2025 real estate market presents a unique opportunity for both buyers and sellers in Northern Colorado.

Inventory is significantly up year-over-year across the region, providing buyers with more choices. On the flip side, sellers need a strategic approach to ensure their property stands out in a competitive market.

Let’s dive into the key trends shaping our local real estate landscape:

• Inventory Growth: Estes Park leads with an 82% increase, followed by Fort Collins (+27%), Longmont (+33%), and Denver Metro (+46%). This surge in listings offers buyers a broader selection and more bargaining power.

• Sales Trends: Sales figures show mixed results. Fort Collins sees a modest +6% increase, and Loveland a +12% increase. Estes Park boasts a +62% surge, indicating strong absorption of new homes. Denver reports a -7% decrease.

• Average Sales Prices: Prices are generally flat or trending slightly downward. Fort Collins' average single-family price decreased -1% to $709,382. Loveland rose +3%, and Timnath posted a +12% jump to $941,136.

• Luxury Market Expansion: The luxury market (top 5% of sales) is expanding, driven by move-up purchases and increased inventory. Luxury sales are up in Berthoud (+33% sales volume, +72% in volume), Loveland (+17%), and Boulder (+25%). Fort Collins is an exception, down -11%. Notably, luxury prices varied widely — Fort Collins luxury ASP down -27% to $1.43M, while Estes Park luxury ASP surged +27% to $2.03M.

• Key Factors We’re Watching:

  • Economic stability: jobs numbers, stock market, interest rates.

  • Tariff policy: impact on remodeling/construction costs.

  • Buyer demand: mortgage application rates, showing activity.

• Current Market Advice: This market presents a unique window for capable buyers to secure favorable terms. Sellers must embrace strategic preparation and competitive pricing — consider our 3 Phase Market Strategy for success.

Northern Colorado in the National Context

While much of the country is navigating a fragile recalibration, Northern Colorado’s market is displaying a resilience and nuance distinct from the national story.

Inventory Trends

Nationally, inventory rose ~16% YoY in May (NAR), a significant but measured climb from pandemic-era lows.

Northern Colorado sharply outpaces this:
+34% regionally, and even higher in key cities:

• Estes Park +82%

• Fort Collins +27%

• Longmont +33%

• Denver Metro +46%

What this signals:
The region is now transitioning to a more balanced market well ahead of the national curve — particularly in luxury and second-home segments (Boulder Valley, Estes Park). This sharp inventory build gives buyers leverage but also tests sellers’ marketing strategies.

Sales Volume

Nationally, existing home sales rose just +1.9% YoY — a fragile rebound.

Northern Colorado posted far stronger gains:

• +12% regionally

• Estes Park +62%

• Loveland +12%

• Fort Collins +6%

• Denver -7%

Key nuance:
Our region’s demand profile remains robust due to:

• Migration appeal (Boulder/Fort Collins attract high-wage remote and in-person talent)

• Luxury lifestyle pull (Estes Park’s second-home market booming)

• Investor return to secondary markets with better yield profiles

This demand strength explains why Northern Colorado is absorbing new inventory more effectively than many national peers.

Months of Inventory

National MOI sits at ~3.4 months — similar to Northern Colorado’s 3.45 months.

But the story here is more layered:

• Fort Collins: 2.7 months — seller-favorable

• Loveland: 3.2 months — near balance

• Boulder Valley: 4.4 months — luxury market normalizing

• Estes Park: 7.9 months — luxury buyers firmly in control

Implication:
Unlike national averages which mask regional variation, Northern Colorado’s MOI shows a clear bifurcation between core family housing markets (tight, competitive) and luxury/second-home markets (looser, buyer-advantaged).

Luxury clients will find real negotiating power here — a rare dynamic nationally.

Average Sale Prices

National median home prices rose +5.6% YoY — partially driven by lack of quality supply in many metros.

In contrast, Northern Colorado is showing measured price stability:

• Single Family: +1.9% regionally

• Attached: +0.6% regionally

City detail:

• Fort Collins: -1%

• Loveland: +3%

• Timnath: +12%

Luxury segment:

• Estes Park: +27% to $2.03M

• Fort Collins: -27% to $1.43M

Insight:
Northern Colorado is not experiencing the speculative inflation still seen in certain national "boom-bust" markets (Phoenix, Austin, parts of Florida). Prices here are rising where justified by quality, and softening where inventory pressure exists — a healthy dynamic for long-term market stability.

Luxury Market Dynamics

Nationally, luxury market absorption is sluggish, with many markets seeing luxury MOI above 5-6 months.

Northern Colorado diverges:

• Inventory has surged (Estes Park, Boulder Valley), but luxury buyers are absorbing selectively.

• Move-up buyers and wealth migration are driving new luxury sales:

  • Berthoud +33% sales, +72% volume

  • Loveland +17%

  • Boulder +25%

  • Fort Collins -11% but adjusting via pricing corrections

This reflects an intelligent luxury market — price-sensitive, value-conscious, and lifestyle-driven — rather than speculative.

Summary: A Distinctly Disciplined Market

Key Takeaways for Clients

Luxury Buyers:
You will find unprecedented leverage in Boulder Valley and Estes Park. Move strategically now, while inventory is high and absorption remains buyer-favorable.

Investor Clients:
Northern Colorado offers better long-term fundamentals than most national metros: measured price growth, high rental demand, and relative liquidity in mid-tier markets like Loveland and Weld.

Legacy Clients:
Now is a window to thoughtfully position long-held properties while migration demand remains strong. However, be prepared: luxury buyers today are discerning and value-focused.

Relocation Clients:
You now face the best inventory environment in years. Northern Colorado offers a rare combination: expanded choice, stable prices, and strong lifestyle pull. This region is outperforming national peers on nearly every metric that matters to relocating families and professionals.

Final Thought

As the U.S. housing market transitions to a higher-rate, slower-growth world, Northern Colorado stands apart:

A market of intelligent inventory growth, measured pricing, and lifestyle durability — a perfect setting for buyers and sellers who approach with perspective and strategy.