Market Data • Troutman Park • April 18, 2022

Troutman Park Quarterly Real Estate Update

by Brandon Bidwell

We’re officially 1/4 of the way through 2022 believe it or not. Every quarter I like to take a look at what’s happened with our neighborhood’s real estate sales.

So let’s take a look back to see how the Troutman Park Real Estate market has done through March 31 this year compared to the same time during other recent years. Here are the numbers:

2022 Q1 – 10 homes sold for $4,892,400. They ranged from $431,000 – $540,000 at an average of $489,240

2021 Q1 – 9 homes sold for $3,989,900. They ranged from $405,500 – $630,000 at an average of $433,322

2020 Q1 – 13 homes sold for $4,924,800. They ranged from $325,000-$420,000 at an average of $378,830

2019 Q1 – 12 homes sold for $4,439,400. They ranged from $325,000-$450,500 at an average of $369,950

2018 Q1 – 9 homes sold for $3,078,000. They ranged from $290,000-$394,000 at an average of $342,000

2017 Q1 – 7 homes sold for $2,377,200. They ranged from $257,500-$379,700 at an average of $339,600

2016 Q1 – 6 homes sold for $1,871,500. They ranged from $205,000-$400,000 at an average of $311,916

2015 Q1 – 15 homes sold for $4,004,175. They ranged from $218,325-$302,500 at an average of $266,945

What’s interesting about the start of 2022 is that the majority of homes that have sold in Troutman Park are on the small end of square footage for the neighborhood (right about 2,000 square feet or less with the exception of just one).

You can expect that the larger, updated homes in Troutman Park (around 2,400 square feet and bigger) will be selling in the mid $600,000’s to mid $700,000’s which is what comparable surrounding neighborhoods like Mountain Ridge Farm and The Gates at Woodridge have seen this year.

The reason for the continuation of rapid appreciation simply comes down to the current supply and demand. We have seen a few buyers start to head to the sidelines with rising interest rates that combined with escalating home values have priced some out of the market and created uncertainty with others. There do seem to be more stories of homes with only one offer in the 1st week which does bode well for active buyers.

The fact of the matter is that even with some buyers taking a break there still are not enough homes out there to supply the market’s appetite. To give you an idea the number of Sold Properties in Larimer County for the month of March 2022 was down -37% compared to last year at that time.

The end result means there is a lot of opportunity for sellers to take advantage of market conditions if they want to cash in on all the equity they have developed.

If you have questions about anything or if you’re curious about what your home might be worth, just let me know. I grew up right here in Fort Collins, I’ve worked in Real Estate since 2002, live right here in Troutman Park and I’m always happy to share.

Market Data • March 4, 2022

Townhome Construction

by Brandon Bidwell

Townhome construction has surged in the last 12 months. This is welcome news for first-time buyers who benefit from the lower prices that multi-family product tends to provide.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, townhome construction has jumped up 28% compared to the previous year.

Townhomes now represent 13% of all new residential construction starts.

Market Data • January 30, 2022

Current Inventory Status

by Brandon Bidwell

Despite the extraordinarily low amount of standing inventory, it is important to understand there is still a steady stream of new inventory hitting the market.

Inventory is low. That is a reality.

New inventory is coming on the market at essentially the same pace as compared to the last few years. That is also a reality.

Because demand is so high, the inventory doesn’t stay on the market very long. Residential listings go from ‘Active’ to ‘Pending’ very quickly (assuming they are priced correctly).

Over the course of 2021, there were 66,308 new residential listings that hit the market in Metro Denver. That is only 5% less than 2020.

Larimer County had 8,342 which is 7% less than 2020.

Weld County had 8,499 which is 5% less than 2020.

While standing inventory is near 50% lower than last year, the stream of new inventory is fairly consistent.

It is time to register for our annual Market Forecast with Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. This year the event will be hosted online on Thursday February 3rd from 11:00 to 12:00.

You can register at www.ColoradoForecast.com

Market Data • January 21, 2022

How low is Inventory?

by Brandon Bidwell

The standing inventory of residential properties currently for sale is staggeringly low.

The number of active properties for sale is almost 90% below the average for this time of year.

In Metro Denver, there are 1,144 residential properties for sale today.

In Larimer County, there are 136 and in Weld County there are 174.

Current inventory along the Front Range is essentially half of what it was one year ago.

The low standing inventory bolsters our belief that nothing resembling a decline in housing prices is on the horizon. The low supply will continue to put upward pressure on prices.

It is time to register for our annual Market Forecast with Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. This year the event will be hosted online on Thursday February 3rd from 11:00 to 12:00.

You can register at www.ColoradoForecast.com

Market Data • October 30, 2021

Average Home Price Increase

by Brandon Bidwell

It’s true, average prices have increased substantially over the last year.

Would you have guessed that Weld County has seen the largest increase along the Front Range?

The specific numbers are below.

As you look at the numbers, it is important to remember that average prices have increased because of appreciation and because there are more higher-end homes that are selling.

The increased volume of high-end transactions has played a big rule in increasing the average price.

Average Price of a Single-Family Home based on closings so far this month:

Metro Denver = $675,000
Larimer County = $624,000
Weld County = $514,000

Average Prices exactly one year ago:

Metro Denver = $614,000
Larimer County = $549,000
Weld County = $417,000

Market Data • September 15, 2021

Staggering Stat

by Brandon Bidwell

By definition, a real estate market is balanced when there is 4 to 6 months of inventory currently for sale.

Anything less than 4 to 6 months means a Sellers’ market, anything more means a Buyers’ market.

For example, if there are 1,000 closings per month in a market, the market would be balanced if 4,000 to 6,000 homes were available for sale.

Here is a staggering stat for you…

At the current pace of sales, the Front Range market would need 6 to 7 times more inventory for the market to be balanced.

This is why we don’t see any sort of significant market correction or anything resembling ‘the market crashing.’ Bottom line, the market is still undersupplied.

Here are the numbers:

• Larimer County has 441 properties for sale and would need 2,200 to be balanced.
• Weld County has 322 properties for sale and would need 2,000 to be balanced.
• Metro Denver has 3,023 properties for sale and would need 20,000 to be balanced.

Market Data • August 17, 2021

$100k, $90k & $60k

by Brandon Bidwell

As I’m sure you’ve probably noticed, housing prices have gone up quite a bit along Colorado’s Front Range.

Low interest rates, strong demand, lower supply, and a healthy local economy are all contributing to increased prices.

It may interest you to see exactly how much prices have increased since one year ago in the markets where we have the most activity.

Over the last year, Weld County has increased roughly $100,000, Metro Denver $90,000 and Larimer County $60,000.

Specifically, here are the average prices one year ago vs. today:

Weld County = $426,000 vs. $523,000
Metro Denver = $523,000 vs. $612,000
Larimer County = $532,000 vs. $592,000

With that being said Real Estate can still be hyper local, sometimes right down to the block. If you’re ever curious about what’s going on in your neighborhood just let me know. I’m always happy to share my insight.

Market Data • July 16, 2021

How Popular is Colorado?

by Brandon Bidwell

Here’s an interesting stat based on the most recent U.S. Census.

(although you probably won’t be surprised to hear this)

Since 1990, Colorado’s rate of population growth is double the Nation’s rate of population growth.

Here are the numbers since 1990:

30.3% growth in the U.S.
62.3% growth in Colorado

So, the Nation grows at roughly 1% per year and Colorado grows at roughly 2% per year.

It appears Colorado is twice as popular as compared to the Nation as a whole.

Market Data • Troutman Park • July 14, 2021

Troutman Park’s Real Estate Update Q2

by Brandon Bidwell

Now that we’re half way through 2021 we have all heard of what has been going on with Northern Colorado’s Real Estate Market. The fact of the matter is that Northern Colorado consists of many different hyper-local markets though. So with that in mind let’s take a look at how our very own local neighborhood right here in Troutman Park compares.

Take a look back through time to see how Troutman Park’s Real Estate market has done through the 1st half of 2021 and compare it to the same time during other recent years. Here are the numbers:

2021 Q1-Q2 – 31 homes sold for $14,614,420. They ranged from $371,000 – $630,000 at an average of $471,432

2020 Q1-Q2 – 30 homes sold for $11,727,425. They ranged from $325,000-$507,000 at an average of $390,914

2019 Q1-Q2 – 33 homes sold for $12,724,583. They ranged from $320,000-$477,900 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 $257,500-$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 $327,000

2015 Q1-Q2 – 36 homes sold for $10,185,745. They ranged from $218,325-$355,000 at an average of $282,937

Prior to this year the Troutman Park neighborhood had only seen 2 homes that sold for more than $500,000. Those properties sold at $505,000 and $507,000.

In the 1st half of 2021 there have already been 10 homes in our neighborhood that sold at $500,000 or more (3 of those were between $601,000 and $630,000).

This has pulled the average price in Troutman Park up 20.6% over the 1st half of last year’s average. For reference the city of Fort Collins has seen the average price increase from $494,400 to $580,046 which is an increase of 17.3%

The sale of 819 Marble at $630,000 passed the previous neighborhood all time high sales price of $507,000 by $123,000 which is an increase of 24.26%!

We’re seeing this in other areas throughout Fort Collins as well. The reason for such a significant jump in value is the inventory available for sale is down 50% in Larimer County compared to last year at the same time. With all time low interest rates available through Covid-19 lockdowns many decided to put off their search for a new home and refinance the mortgage they were currently in to either save money or add on and improve their current residence.

That combined with the fact that home builders are seeing increases in costs and lack of materials available (lumber, appliances, etc) means that there is a historic low in terms of what is available for buyers to choose from. At the same time there is a rise in demand because of the low interest rates and increasing desire for high quality suburban living.

The end result means there is a lot of opportunity for property owners if they’re looking to take advantage of these market conditions and cash in on all the equity they have developed.

If you have questions about anything or if you’re curious about what your home might be worth, just let me know. I grew up here in Fort Collins, I’ve worked in Real Estate since 2002, live right here in Troutman Park and I’m always happy to share.

Economic • July 9, 2021

News on Mortgage Forbearance

by Brandon Bidwell

For anyone worried that mortgage forbearance would eventually cause a flood of distressed properties to hit the market, there is good news this week.

The number of mortgages in forbearance continues to drop and hit its lowest point since April of 2020.

Loans in forbearance dropped 12% compared to one month ago.

It appears the growing economy is helping homeowners to exit forbearance and keep the market free of distressed properties.