Military Move - Rent or Buy in Denver

[Stuart Grazier]

BP,

I just found out I could be moving to Denver, CO for my next set of military orders. I'd be stationed at Buckley AFB. I just started looking at houses and it looks as if prices are extremely high. I will only be there for two years, so I'm wondering if it's better just to rent and invest my money elsewhere in cheaper areas of the country, or look for a place to buy.  

If I was to purchase, I'd want to buy a house that I could hold on to and know that I would have positive cash flow as a rental after I move. Does anyone know of any areas of Denver where this would be possible? From a very quick look on the internet, it doesn't look like there is anything on the market right now that would pass the 1% rule.

Remember, I'd be living in it first with my family, so I don't want to look in the bad areas of town. I'd be open for a rehab, as I've done some fix and flips in Texas. And I'd be ok with a longer commute to work if the location was right.

Would love some recommendations from local Denver investors/realtors.

[Travis Sperr]

Originally posted by @Kerry Baird:

Castle Rock is a crazy long commute from Buckley!  And the pass between the two is often closed in the winter.  So, no to that.  Play around with the Trulia tools (used to be HotPads' heat map), which has crime, rental, best schools etc. overlaid on the housing demand map.  Trulia Heat Maps

As an aside, when the weather is snowy/icy, I'd rather not be driving into the sun...I-70 is wicked.  Denver's prices have had a big run-up; in-migration from wealthier areas has been strong.  Two headlines show economists expect prices to fall.  

 Just curious which pass that is that closes between Castle Rock and Aurora? :)