I reached out to my friend Josh Raymond, an outstanding Realtor in Denver, to ask him a few questions about their market since Grand Junction tends to trail behind. If you or anyone you know is looking in the Denver area, be sure to contact Josh!

What advice would you give to a buyer or seller in Mesa County that could benefit from understanding the dynamics of a larger market like Denver?

The key difference between Denver to Grand Junction is that there are A LOT of different neighborhoods and areas to choose from around Denver. Many buyers if new to the area need help understanding various areas and then backing into what is most important to them and using a process of elimination to narrow down the search. Denver has some amazing neighborhoods and suburbs that offer unique subcultures and experiences that I think a lot of people love.

Are there any market trends in Denver that you believe could eventually impact or influence the real estate market in Mesa County?

Our inventory has been rising this year and we are seeing buyers ask for a lot of deferred maintenance to be covered if they are going to pay full asking price. Nearly 35% of pending contracts are currently falling apart and not reaching the closing table, showing that buyers are not afraid to walk away. 

Denver has become very expensive and the high end of the market is experiencing a challenging time with many homes sitting on the market. Russell Wilson sold his Cherry Hills home at a loss when he sold this year for $21.5M after purchasing for $25M only 2 years ago. 

When you move closer to the median price point of the market demand is still very strong in good locations for single family homes. There are a lot of condos in Denver compared to Grand Junction and that segment of the market has struggled with higher HOAs and insurance on many buildings. This is a good time for a first time buyer to get into a starter condo.

How does the Denver real estate market differ from more rural areas like Mesa County in terms of buyer demand and pricing trends?

Overall Grand Junction and Denver are both great places to call home. Denver is a “mountain” city and is dealing with growing pains but with growth comes amazing business opportunities, entertainment, and an international airport for those that love travel. 

Three reasons I hear that people remain in Denver vs. Grand Junction are the high quality health care, family remaining in the area, and a deep sense of community they have built over the years. 

If you are looking to buy in Denver or Grand Junction I think history has shown and will prove again that both have a high quality of life and are a great investment!

In Mesa County

There are currently 620 active homes on the market in Mesa County. This is a 2.5% increase compared to a week ago.

The average sold price YTD is $452,367 and the median sold price YTD is $400,000.

Mortgage Rates Today

If you would like tickets to the Parade of Homes, please let me know and I will purchase them for you. Click on the photo below to go to their website and to find out more information.

Note: If you are receiving this unexpectedly it is because you have been placed on a limited distribution of friends and colleagues that I respect and believe will find this information useful