Real Estate in Colorado

[Cameron Fowler]

I am planning to potentially move to the state of Colorado for post-secondary schooling. What are the best places to live for Real Estate in Colorado? Where are the markets the highest? Lowest? I currently am looking into the Steamboat Springs, Denver, and Boulder areas, any advice on any of these markets?

[Danielle Jackson]

I think the more important question is where do you want to live? From there, identify markets that would make sense based on commute, pricing, growth, etc. 

[Teri Feeney Styers]

@Cameron Fowler well you named 3 very expensive areas... @Danielle Jackson is correct. In addition to school, what type of lifestyle are you seeking? What sort of real estate venture are you looking for? We are a large and diverse state... 

[Ben Rhodin]

Hey @Cameron Fowler! Welcome, and great to hear that you are considering our fantastic state. From your post I'm going to assume that you are trying to house hack? That would be my suggestion anywhere in Colorado if you are starting out in Real Estate, and especially if you are attending school at the same time. It will be your lowest barrier to entry, with the lowest risk, and the highest ROI.

I am primarily located in the Denver Metro Area and the Investing world is still bubbling out here. I work with investors everyday who house hack here and are able to live for free, and possibly cashflow some above their expenses. But we mostly stick to the surrounding Denver Metro Area and not Denver city itself. I have also done work in Boulder, having lived there for many years, it has most of the same issues as Denver, but even more inflated prices, and unfriendly regulations. I still have clients that invest there, or house hack but unless you have a ton of money to put down, or are ok with floating some of the mortgage the numbers just don't work very well.

As the other responders mentioned, it does depend on what you are trying to do with Real estate. Are you going after House hacking, and want to live for free? Is it more important for you to live close to downtown where are all the nightlife is? Do you need your own space, and don't want roommates? Or are you looking to not house hack and look for other ways into investing in Real Estate? Or working in Real Estate...

These are just some questions I would ask you, so that we can better help you out. Any market can work for Real Estate in some capacity, but not every strategy will work in every market... Happy to help out any way I can though!

[Steve K.]

@Cameron Fowler each of the 3 towns you mentioned are all great markets, but as someone said above also high barrier to entry because they’re expensive and competitive. Denver/Boulder (cities with diverse job markets) obviously very different from Steamboat (awesome mountain town mostly dependent on tourism). I’m assuming you’ll be working on your secondary degree remotely since you have flexibility where you live? If you want to chat about Denver/ Boulder feel free to reach out, that’s where I am living and investing. I know a great agent in Steamboat too if you need a contact in that market as well.

[Tanner Crawley]

Originally posted by @Cameron Fowler:

I am planning to potentially move to the state of Colorado for post-secondary schooling. What are the best places to live for Real Estate in Colorado? Where are the markets the highest? Lowest? I currently am looking into the Steamboat Springs, Denver, and Boulder areas, any advice on any of these markets?

Depending on your goals likely Denver. If you are working in RE and are focused on creating income through RE Denver is the clear winner:

• Highest Real Estate Brokerage Volume
  Most Development Activity

However, if your intention is to house hack you can likely get a higher return in other markets as Denver has a pretty low cap rate currently. CO Springs would be a good choice as there has been a flight to tertiary cities as remote work opportunities emerge. Some of the ski towns are interesting as well and will likely see huge appreciation as a lifestyle market. 

[Kerri Shaffer]

Hey, Cameron! That's exciting, all of the areas you mentioned have great perks! 

Mostly, I'd agree with what others have already stated. I personally love Denver because there is a lot of variety with real estate neighborhoods in the metro area. Steamboat is beautiful, but definitely touristy. Boulder is also great, probably more student-life friendly, but not as investor friendly. Colorado Springs would be an option too, still close to the fun things Colorado has to offer, but a bit more approachable cost. 

Feel free to reach out if you want to know more about specific neighborhoods in Denver! I do sales and property management throughout the area, so I would be more than happy to share what I know and give you neighborhoods to check out!