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Employment recovery fuels NoCo Real Estate Market
“How could the real estate market be so strong in the middle of a pandemic?”
That is a fair question and one we hear frequently from our clients.
There are several reasons for this but two stand out.
- Interest rates
- Jobs
Employment has bounced back much quicker than most people expected. When COVID first showed up, the expectation was that many industries would be hit hard for a prolonged period of time.
The reality is that only a few industries were severely impacted by COVID and the rest were able to get back to a near-normal level of business relatively fast.
Additionally, what we find along the Front Range is that our ‘job bounce’ is even better than the national average.
Here are the numbers…
The COVID-peak unemployment rate for the Front Range looked like this:
- Larimer County = 11.1%
- Weld County = 10.1%
- Metro Denver = 12.3%
Today it looks like this:
- Larimer County = 5.2%
- Weld County = 5.2%
- Metro Denver = 6.4%
Nationally, unemployment peaked at 14.8% and now stands at 6.7%.
So, a main reason why values are soaring right now is because jobs have bounced back, and that bounce combined with near all time low interest rates has increased demand while supply remains at a record low!
Economists Prediction on Interest Rates
Where are interest rates headed?
This question was one of many which were addressed during our annual Market Forecast yesterday.
Our Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, provided insight on rates, prices, inventory and many other fascinating topics.
Matthew’s prediction is for rates to creep up to 3.07% by the end of 2021. They are currently at 2.79%.
The image below shows how his prediction compares with predictions of his economist colleagues.
Please let me know if you have questions or if you would like a recording of the full presentation.
Troutman Park Mid-Year Real Estate Review
Now that we’ve made it through a very unique 1st half of 2020 it’s a good time to look back and see how Troutman Park’s Real Estate market has done compared to other recent years. Many felt like property values would decline like so many other investments did through all the Covid-19 adjustments. If you own a home in the Troutman Park area you’ll probably be happy to see that we’ve actually fared quite well though. Here are the numbers:
2020 Q1-Q2 29 homes sold for $11,357,425. They ranged from $325,000-$507,000 at an average of $391,635
2019 Q1-Q2 33 homes sold for $12,724,583. They ranged from $320,000-$477,000 at an average of $385,593
2018 Q1-Q2 24 homes sold for $8,813,900. They ranged from $290,000-$465,000 at an average of $367,245
2017 Q1-Q2 25 homes sold for $8,594,519. They ranged from $257,000-$443,000 at an average of $343,780
2016 Q1-Q2 27 homes sold for $8,645,100. They ranged from $205,000-$436,000 at an average of $320,188
A noteworthy sale from April this year was 731 Benthaven St which set the all time record high for our neighborhood at $507,000! So as you can see the 1st half of 2020 was actually quite impressive for property values here in Troutman Park, especially in light of everything we’ve all gone through recently.
If you have questions about Real Estate I’m always happy to share what I know. I grew up here in Fort Collins, I’ve worked in Real Estate since 2002 and live right here in Troutman Park so feel free to reach out if you ever have questions.
How to Get Started in Real Estate Investing
Investing in real estate is one of the world’s most venerable pathways to building wealth. When properly managed, income from renting or real estate investment trusts can provide you with the financial security to plan out the rest of your life. The conclusion is easy to envision, but knowing where to begin can be overwhelming, particularly for anyone who has never previously owned a home.
At Windermere our goal is always to improve and support our communities, so we’ve put together a few key things to keep in mind as you enter the world of real estate investment.
Know the right type of investment for you
Investing in real estate needn’t commit you to being a landlord. A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a low-maintenance way to get involved in real estate with next to none of the day-to-day monitoring required of direct property management. REITs are trusts that typically own multiple properties, and investors may purchase shares within the REIT. Typically, as the value of the property rises, so too do the values of your shares. If you’d like to dip a toe into real estate investing before diving in fully, a REIT is a great place to start.
Start with your own home
Owning the roof over your head is a basic step towards investing success. Even better, when you plan to live in the home you’re buying (rather than renting it out), you will likely benefit from lower mortgage rates and a cheaper down payment. The reasoning is straightforward – lenders see a loan to people purchasing the home they live in as an investment in people highly committed to the property.
Once you’ve owned your own house for a few years, you can look to purchase a new home to move into. By purchasing the new home with the intent to move in, you’ll be eligible to receive more favorable financing once again. After you’ve secured your new home, your first home is primed to be transformed into a rental property, and you can continue to see a return on your investment. If you’re seeking further support with buying a first, second, or third home, our website and our agents are full of information.
Cast a wide net
The best investment opportunity isn’t always going to be right underneath your nose. While there are logistical benefits to focusing locally with your investment, you may miss more profitable opportunities in another burgeoning market. Real estate is a long game, and patience tends to be rewarded. There’s no cause to rush a decision of this magnitude, so investigating other states and regions to find the property that best fits your situation is a process worth considering.
Quality Multi-Family Investment in Fort Collins!
Opportunities like this in Fort Collins are rare! 4 units each with attached two car garages, fireplaces, decks, and extensive upgrades. Just some of the updates include a new roof, updated kitchens and bathrooms, new decks, new blinds, new furnaces and water heaters in all units, new sliding doors, and Unit B has a recently finished basement. Close proximity to I-25, CSU, and Old Town make this property INCREDIBLY attractive to renters, quality investment property. Contact Brandon Bidwell at (970) 215-1573 for your private showing, more information or click the link below for more details.
https://bidwellrealestate.com/search/1600_Edora
