As published in DMAR Market Trends, June 2026

Buyer activity slowed somewhat compared to earlier this spring. Showings are taking longer to generate and agents are following up more frequently to obtain feedback after appointments. Sellers currently on the market should have realistic expectations heading into the July 4 holiday weekend, which historically brings a temporary dip in buyer traffic as families travel and focus on summer plans. Activity is expected to pick back up in July as back-to-school buyers re-engage, particularly those hoping to secure a home and get settled before the school year begins in mid-August.

Sellers need to be prepared for reduced showing traffic in today’s market. According to lnfoSparks, Denver Metro listings averaged 14.2 showings per month in May 2021. By May 2026, that number had dropped to just 4.7, with activity declining by nearly two-thirds in just five years. Realtors® should set seller expectations accordingly.

The first 14 days a new listing is on the market continue to be the most important. If pricing and presentation don’t hit the mark, a home is more likely to sit on the market longer, which can ultimately result in a lower net sales price for the seller.

According to a Zillow analysis, Colorado now has three municipalities where the typical starter home costs more than $1 million: Cherry Hills Village ($2.2 million), Bow Mar ($1.64 million) and Columbine Valley ($1.2 million). Across Denver Metro, the average starter home costs about $405,573. Nationwide, the number of cities with million-dollar starter homes has surged from 80 before the pandemic to 242 today, reflecting the dramatic rise in home prices over the past several years.

Colorado climbed nine spots to No. 18 in Realtor.com’s 2026 Housing Report Card, driven by strong homebuilding activity. However, affordability remains a challenge, with a typical home requiring 41.4% of household income.

Denver ranked No. 2 on Zillow’s list of the best markets for recent college graduates in 2026, combining strong entry-level incomes with the nation’s highest share of rental concessions. This gives new graduates more negotiating power and affordability than many competing job markets.

Denver is investing $930,000 in grants of up to $2,500 per person to train heat pump, solar, EV and other climate-focused technicians needed to meet the city’s clean energy, emissions reduction, and climate resilience goals.

The University of Colorado is betting on downtown Denver’s revival, agreeing to purchase a full-block office tower on the newly renovated 16th Street corridor for $30 million and convert it into a centralized hub for university operations.

The former Edge at Lowry apartment complex in Aurora, which gained national attention before being shut down in 2025, has been sold. Five of the property’s six buildings, totaling 60 units, were purchased by the East Colfax Community Collective’s mixed-income neighborhood trust for $4.5 million. The nonprofit, which focuses on preventing displacement in the East Colfax area of Denver and Aurora, has been acquiring apartment properties since 2024. The seller, an affiliate of CBZ Management, originally purchased the buildings for $6.9 million in 2019.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a landmark bipartisan housing package backed by the National Association of Realtors®, passed Congress with over-whelming bipartisan support. While President Trump has delayed signing the legislation, the bill could still become law if no action is taken within the constitutional deadline.

In June, Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies concluded that the United States faces an “interlocking housing crisis” driven by a decline in affordable housing, slowing demand as immigration declines and a mismatch between weak demand and constrained supply.

Bank of America’s Homebuying Insights Report found that 53% of respondents believe it is better to own a home right now than to rent or move in with family or friends. However, that sentiment has not yet translated into increased home sales.

A recent survey found that outdoor living spaces, such as patios, porches and balconies, are among the most requested features by today’s buyers, with 71% saying exterior spaces that extend living areas are among the features most likely to make them fall in love with a home.

A fresh coat of paint can add real value, but Zillow’s latest research found that warm, nature-inspired colors like chocolate brown and sage green attract higher offers, while trendy ochre yellow can reduce a home’s value by as much as $18,000.

The LGBTO+ Alliance Report, released in June, found that fewer than one in five LGBTO+ respondents said they “definitely” believe homeownership will remain part of the “American Dream” for LGBTO+ individuals. The report suggests that a lack of family support may be one of the leading factors contributing to this sentiment.

MORTGAGE NEWS

Industry forecasts continue to call for mortgage rates to remain in the mid-six percent range through the rest of 2026. While economists expect some gradual improvement if inflation continues to cool, most do not anticipate a return to the historically low rates seen during the pandemic.