Is Now the Right Time to Buy a Home on the Front Range?

I recently had a conversation with someone who said, “Matt, I’ve been wanting to move for a few years, and I just don’t feel like things are right.” And I asked them, “Well, what are you really waiting for?” They paused and didn’t really have an answer.

If that sounds like you right now, I want to walk through what I’m actually seeing out there, because the picture might be different from what you’d expect.

Here’s what’s happening right now across the Front Range. Boulder, Longmont, Denver, Fort Collins, it’s the same story everywhere. A lot of people want to make a move. They’ve been thinking about it for a while. But something keeps them on the sidelines, and most of the time, it’s interest rates. I get it. Nobody wants to feel like they’re making a big decision at the wrong time.

But let’s talk about it in a real way for a second. Rates right now are roughly in that 6% to 6.5% range. And yeah, that feels high compared to 2020 or 2021. But those were outlier years, not the norm. If you zoom out, historically, rates have averaged closer to the high 7% range. Where we are today is actually pretty normal.

And here’s the part a lot of people forget. Your rate is temporary, but the home you buy is not. If rates drop in the near future, you can refinance. But if you wait and prices keep creeping up, you’re buying the same house at a higher price and competing with more people to get it.

The market right now is actually pretty healthy. It’s not the chaos we saw a few years ago. You’re not fighting off 10 to 20 other offers or throwing out crazy escalation clauses just to have a shot. There’s more inventory, you’ve got more time to think, and you can actually make a decision that feels right for you and your family.

On the seller side, good homes that are priced right are still moving quickly, just without all the craziness, which, in my opinion, is a much better experience for everyone.

One thing I always like to remind people, especially here in Colorado: our market is very seasonal. Things typically start picking up around mid-February and stay active through the spring, usually peaking around June. Then, interestingly, things tend to slow down a bit in the summer. People are traveling, kids are out of school, and life just gets busy.

I think people don’t like their summer being messed with here in Colorado. We usually see another bump in September, and then things taper off into the winter.

But here’s the interesting part about winter: when someone lists their home during that time, it’s usually not just to test the market. They typically need to sell. I’ve had clients get some of their best deals during the winter months because of that.

So the timing takeaway is this: if you’re sitting on the sidelines right now, the spring window heading into June is a really strong time to be out there looking. But if it doesn’t happen now, don’t feel like you missed your shot. September can be another great opportunity, and even winter has its advantages.

But here’s the piece that doesn’t get talked about enough: the cost of waiting. If you’ve been thinking about moving for a year or two, that delay comes with a cost. Maybe it’s a longer commute. Maybe you’ve outgrown your space. Maybe your home just doesn’t fit your life anymore. Those things matter, even though they don’t show up on a spreadsheet. And there’s a timing piece too.

There are a lot of people on the sidelines right now. When things shift, even just a little, those buyers are all going to jump back in at the same time. More competition, fewer options, and less negotiating power. The people who tend to win are the ones who move before the crowd, not with it.

And if you need one more reason to love living on the Front Range, the music scene this summer is worth paying attention to. From big-name shows to hidden gems most people don’t know about, there’s something happening almost every weekend across Boulder, Denver, and Fort Collins. A lot of communities put on free outdoor shows throughout the summer, and if you’re tired of fighting bots for the bigger concerts, local presale lists and venue memberships are how people around here get in for a lot less.

It’s one of those things that doesn’t show up on a home search but makes a real difference in how much you enjoy being here.

If you’ve been going back and forth on this, I’d love to have a real conversation about your situation and what actually makes sense for you. Call or text me at 303-819-6494, email me at mjensen@wkre.com, or visit matthewjensen.wkre.com. I’m happy to help you think it through.