Q1 2025 Investor Briefing | Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Presented by MCM Collective | Sectors: Investment | Legacy | Luxury | Relocation

Executive Summary

While national housing markets cooled in Q1 2025 under the weight of elevated interest rates and affordability fatigue, Northern Colorado demonstrated strategic resilience. Inventory expanded, pricing remained stable to positive, while buyer activity showed selective strength.

This region has not paused—it has recalibrated.

For those investing in long-term real estate assets—whether for wealth generation, lifestyle transition, or legacy planning—Northern Colorado offers a rare intersection of value, optionality, and upward potential.

Northern Colorado, frequently recognized nationally as an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family, centers around Fort Collins and is near Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Longmont, Loveland, Timnath, Berthoud, and other communities. Located an hour north of the Denver Metro Area, the region generally experiences consistent home price appreciation and tends to avoid housing market downturns. The following trends offer insight into the Northern Colorado real estate market ending Q1 2025 as we look towards Q2. Sales Keep Pace: Across the region, home sales have kept the pace of that we experience Q1 2024: Fort Collins is up 6%, Berthoud up 25%, Longmont up 2%, Estes Park down 7%; Timnath, seeing less new construction this year versus last year saw a 4% decease in units sold. Despite news headlines, the market is on pace to be similar to last year in terms of number of units sold. Prices Increase: Also bucking headlines, we are seeing price increases across the region: Timnath is up 2% year over year in Q1,  Evergreen is up 11%, Loveland is up 5%. Inventory & Months of Supply Increasing: Buyers are seeing more choices on the market with inventory levels increasing: the number of homes for sale is up 71% in Estes Park, 17% in Fort Collins and 47% in Longmont; the market is generally absorbing the new inventory with months of supply well below a balanced mark of 6 months in most markets, the exception being Estes Park at 5.2 months of inventory; Fort Collins is 1.8 months for the quarter,, nearly matching where it was last year. Luxury Market Strength: Looking at the luxury markets, higher end sales continue to be a source of strength for the market. For instance, Timnath sold 67% more luxury homes this April than it did last year; it reduced months of supply versus last April by 45%. Similarly, the luxury market in Fort Collins (top 5% of the market) months of inventory declined by 9% and the average luxury home sales price increased by 13% to $1,624,400 in April 2025, with the highest closing price being $3,000,000. Loveland saw a regional record sale at $6,175,000 in April 2025. What we’re watching next: We’re watching a number of things currently: jobs numbers (our major regional employers haven’t seen job losses yet; we’re tracking it diligently, however) which have a direct impact on buyers who can afford to purchase, the potential permanency of any trade tariffs which impacts the price for home renovation and new construction, interest rate stability as stable or declining mortgage interest rates cause buyer demand, and stock market stability which can affect sentiment in other larger purchases like homes. From what we can assess today, the market across the region looks healthy and is a source of stability for our buyers and sellers. On another note, we’ve seen incredible success and market reaction to Compass 3 Phase Marketing Strategy, providing our sellers stability and a defined process to help them achieve their goals. Have a question about the region or a particular city, please reach out!

Market at a Glance (Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024)

Sector Insights

Investment

Where to Watch:

• Berthoud: +25% in sales, +36% inventory. 3.6 months of supply suggests stabilization with room for upside.

• Windsor: +33% in sales, +18% inventory. A younger market with expanding infrastructure.

• Loveland: Despite a -5% dip in sales, +71% inventory and +5% price appreciation signal potential for strategic entry.

Trend: Inventory expansion is creating acquisition windows—particularly in fast-growing edge markets. Appreciation is modest but consistent, and leverage is returning to the buyer’s side in several submarkets.

Tactic: Target underappreciated assets in Berthoud and Windsor with rental yield or future resale in mind. Watch Days on Market in Loveland for price softening opportunities.

Legacy Buyers & Sellers

Where to Watch:

• Fort Collins: +6% in sales, +2% price growth, and still tight inventory at 1.8 months. An ideal climate for those selling high-equity homes.

• Boulder: Price stability ($1.65M avg) with -10% in sales—legacy properties here still command prestige but are slower to move.

• Longmont: +1% in price, +47% inventory. Greater options for legacy buyers looking to downsize or gift assets.

Trend: Legacy transitions benefit from timing. Sellers are seeing values hold while the expanding inventory allows for more thoughtful repositioning.

Tactic: Prepare now for late-2025 or early-2026 transitions. Move-up and move-down buyers will find more parity in timing and selection this year.

Luxury Market

Where to Watch:

• Evergreen: +11% in home prices, +60% inventory. The lifestyle premium continues to rise.

• Estes Park: Stable pricing (~$903K) with 71% more inventory and 5.2 months of supply—an emerging buyer’s market.

• Boulder & Timnath: Slight dips in sales suggest recalibration; however, prices remain elevated.

Trend: The luxury market is bifurcating—trophy properties with architectural and lifestyle differentiation still perform, but less unique homes linger longer.

Tactic: Focus acquisitions on properties with design pedigree, natural viewsheds, or privacy. In Estes Park and Evergreen, negotiate from a position of strength.

Relocation Buyers

Where to Watch:

• Fort Collins: Consistent sales and pricing suggest a “safe bet” for quality of life relocators.

• Timnath & Berthoud: Inventory-rich, new-build-heavy, and family-friendly.

• Longmont: Expanding inventory, central location, and relatively stable pricing.

Trend: Relocators from higher-cost metros are arriving with cash but also patience. Inventory gives them options and room to negotiate.

Tactic: Guide buyers toward communities with strong schools, proximity to open space, and low HOA constraints. Position neighborhoods as lifestyle brands.

Strategic Takeaways

Conclusion

Q1 2025 is not a return to the fever pitch of 2021—but for the intelligent investor, legacy planner, or luxury buyer, that’s a good thing. The market now favors those who understand nuance, can read supply signals, and act while others hesitate.

This is not a slow market. It is a deliberate one.

And in deliberate markets, the most informed players win.