Appreciation on Pause?

by Matt Thomas

Appreciation on Pause

Would you believe that home values have basically been climbing ever since 2011 in the Denver Metro Area? Well, until 2025, at least. In fact, 2025 was the first year, in the past fifteen, we haven't seen at least some appreciation year over year. Let's look at the numbers (REColorado):

2025 -0.2%
2024 3.1%
2023 0.1%
2022 11.6%
2021 17.2%
2020 8.2%
2019 2.8%
2018 8.2%
2017 8.0%
2016 9.2%
2015 12.1%
2014 6.5%
2013 9.2%
2012 10.3%
2011 -1.1%

Denver's had a pretty good run! And investing in real estate has been wildly profitable for many of you.

The Right Time to Sell

For most people, a home is first a shelter, a place to raise a family, build memories, and to facilitate life goals. In most cases, homes are purchased to accomodate lifestyles, not just as investments.

As for the investment side of a home, you always want to do what you can to protect and preserve your equity. That's certainly what we aim to do when we offer our assistance as real estate consultants.

To that end, I would never tell you that there is a one-size fits all perfect time to sell. It's always going to depend on your individual cicumstances. You can sell or buy a home at any time of the year.

Statistically speaking, however, for those who have the flexiblity of "timing the market," there are distinct seasonal trends that have played out for decades, that any potential homeseller should be aware of.

It just so happens that this is that time of the year where prices begin ramping up. This isn't hype, this is predictable seasonality. Every year (but 2020) for the past, oh, let's just say 50 years to be conservative, prices have peaked in June of each year.

In other words, while the trend year over year has generally been on an upwards trajectory (see Historic Sales Price Trend above), the annual highwater mark historically occurs in May or June of every year, not at the end of the year.

Is 2026 Your Year?

Without a crystall ball no one can say exactly what 2026 will bring, but if the first 34 days are any indication, we're going to see more home sales than we've seen in years and appreciation is on track (and predicted) to end what would be a very short-lived trend of slight depreciation like we saw in 2025.

The numbers for January 2026 aren't in yet, but anecdotally, we're seeing more people at open houses, by a lot. We're seeing stale listings garner offers and acceptable contracts, and we're seeing more new listings selling in fewer weeks (not days), than they had been at the end of last year.

Our Offer To You

If you're contemplating selling this year and would like to avoid the most common mistakes that homesellers make, we offer a guide specifically dedicated to doing just that.

Click Here to Obtain Your Copy of 5 Most Common Mistakes Sellers Make

If your plans include a home purchase (or home sale) this year but you're just not sure if you're ready, please just reach out. We are real estate consultants, not a cold, lifeless website. We're here to answer questions, guide you through the pitfalls and lead you to the opportunities of today's market.

GET MORE INFORMATION

Matt Thomas

Consultant | Broker Associate | FAFA100030130

info@altituderealestategroup.com

+1(303) 269-1617