Colorado Housing Market Turns in Strong Performance in 2017

Colorado's housing market had its challenges in 2017, including low inventory of homes for sale, rising prices that challenged would-be buyers, and political uncertainty with the presidential election. But despite the headwinds, this turned out to be a good year overall for our local housing market.

Many home sellers once again enjoyed strong gains in sale prices. The median sale price for single-family homes in the Denver Metro Area in October (the latest data available) reached $395,000, up 12.6 percent from the same month a year ago, according to local MLS data analyzed by Coldwell Banker. The median sale price of a condo in the region gained 4 percent between October 2016 and October 2017.

Meanwhile, the average sale price of all homes in the Denver Metro Area – single-family and condos – year to date through October was $398,000, up 14 percent from the same 10 months in 2016.

Strong buyer demand, a healthy local economy, including growth in the technology sector, and a continuing decline in the inventory of homes on the market all combined to make 2018 a seller's market in the Denver Metro Area and elsewhere in Colorado.

The year also saw a continuation of mortgage rates that remained near historic lows much of the year, helping make home purchases more affordable. But in recent weeks, key lending rates began to tick higher, which could present challenges to the market if that continues into the new year.

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year fixed rate mortgages in the U.S. averaged 3.94 percent in the week ended Nov. 17, up 40 basis points from its 2016 low. However, average rates are essentially flat from a year ago and below historical averages. During the height of the housing market in 2007, for example, the rate surpassed 6 percent.

Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sean Becketti in analyzing the recent bump in mortgage rates stated, "If rates stick at these levels, expect a final burst of home sales and refinances as 'fence sitters' try to beat further increases, then a marked slowdown in housing activity."

One of the biggest challenges for the housing market in 2017 was insufficient listings to meet buyer demand.

Although inventory has gradually improved in some areas, overall the number of homes for sale in October was down 14.1 percent in the Denver Metro Area in October from the year before. In Boulder, inventory fell 11.4 percent, and in the northern area it was off 3 percent.

The shortage of homes for sale, especially in the Denver and Boulder areas, continued to result in multiple offers for some properties, which resulted in sales for certain homes at above-list price.

Limited inventory for buyers to choose from may have also been one important reason why overall home sales in the Denver Metro Area were fairly flat year over year. As of October, sales year to date totaled 43,212, down 1.8 percent from the 44,005 sales during the same period in 2016.

Sales were down even more significantly in Boulder County where year to date closed sales through October were 3,668, down 12.6 percent from the same period last year. In the northern counties, sales were down 2.6 percent.

As 2017 draws to a close and we look ahead to 2018, there are reasons to be encouraged about the outlook for the Colorado housing market. The greater Denver Metro Area's growth in high-tech jobs and solid economy should continue to create demand for housing in our area.

If you've been thinking about selling your home, now may be a good time to make your move. Mortgage rates are still low by historical standards, although that could change in the coming year if rates continue to rise. And for now, we're still enjoying a seller's market in many of our communities.

If you have questions about making a move, including what your home might be worth and what the market looks like in your neighborhood, I'd be happy to help. Please give me a call or e-mail me and we'll get started today!