Wells: Market resilience hides in plain sight

If you asked most people today whether home sales were up or down compared to last year, the majority would likely answer down. That assumption is understandable. More real estate signs are appearing in neighborhoods, news headlines highlight affordability challenges, and buyers and sellers alike can feel uncertain in the face of higher inventory. Yet the data for Northern Colorado tells a different story.
Across many of our key communities, sales are not declining, they are actually rising. Fort Collins is a prime example with closed single-family sales year-to-date up more than 10% compared to 2024. Windsor has experienced nearly a 20% increase in sales despite a decline in available homes for sale. Even Loveland, where inventory has grown by almost 50%, has managed to post an increase in sales. Among Northern Colorado communities, only Greeley shows a slight decrease year-over-year, and even there the drop is less than 1.5%.
The strength of the sales data highlights a market that is more resilient than many realize. While more homes are indeed coming to market, buyers are stepping in and continuing to transact at a healthy pace. This is an important signal for sellers who may assume that more competition automatically means buyers have pulled back. In reality, buyers are active and taking advantage of increased choice.
Pricing trends provide another layer of insight. In conversations, many sellers and even some agents talk about “all the price reductions.” While it is true that reductions are happening as homes are positioned competitively against growing inventory, the overall year-to-date median prices in most markets remain stable or even slightly higher than last year. Windsor’s median price is up just over 4%, Timnath has climbed nearly 8%, and Greeley and Loveland both show modest gains. Fort Collins is essentially flat with a small decrease of just over 1%. These numbers underscore that while sellers may reduce from an initial asking price, the market is still holding its value.
For buyers, this balance creates opportunity. More inventory means more choice and less urgency than during the hyper-competitive years. For sellers, the message is not to despair but to recognize that serious buyers are still writing contracts and closings are up. Homes priced appropriately are still selling, and the data shows that buyers are willing to meet the market when value is clear.
Finally, it is worth noting that Jerome Powell, chairman of the Federal Reserve, recently signaled that the Fed is on a trajectory to lower the federal funds rate. While mortgage rates are influenced by many factors, Powell’s comments offer optimism that the interest rate environment may improve going forward, providing yet another layer of support for the resilience we see in today’s market.
The market may feel uncertain to many, but the data tells a consistent story. Buyers are active, sales are up, and prices remain steady. Far from weakening, the residential resale market in Northern Colorado continues to show strength and adaptability in the face of change.
Brandon Wells is president of The Group Inc. He can be reached at [email protected] or 970-420-6550.

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