Every fall I notice the same shift with my clients. The summer rush quiets down, the conversations get more thoughtful, and people start asking a better question. Not "how fast can we do this?" but "what's the right move for us?"
September's numbers across the Denver metro reflect that same feeling. The market has settled into a steady, balanced rhythm. Single family values are holding up well compared to last year, the number of homes for sale has barely moved, and homes are actually selling a little faster than they did last September. At the same time, buyers have slowed their pace just enough to give themselves some breathing room.
I put together my thoughts on what this all means, whether you're thinking about selling this fall, searching for your next home, or simply curious about where your home's value stands. These figures cover the seven county Greater Metro Denver area, which includes Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, and Jefferson counties.
Home Values Are Holding Steady, and That's Good News
The average closed price for a single family home in September was $778,625. That's up 1.9% from $763,755 a year ago. It came in 3.2% below August's $804,629, which is exactly what I'd expect this time of year as the bigger summer closings wrap up and the fall market takes over.
The median single family price was $630,000, down 2.4% from $645,500 in August and just 0.8% below last September's $635,000. In other words, the typical home in the metro is selling within a few thousand dollars of where it sold a year ago.
I love sharing this one with clients because it takes so much of the anxiety out of the conversation. Homeowners can feel confident their value has held. Buyers can feel confident they aren't stepping into a market that's running away from them. Everyone gets to make decisions from a place of clarity instead of pressure.
Price per square foot tells a similar story. Single family homes averaged $281 per square foot, nearly identical to August's $282 and up 1.1% from $278 a year ago. To me, that says buyers are still placing real value on homes that are well cared for and beautifully presented. Condition and character continue to matter.
The Condo and Townhome Opportunity
Condos and townhomes are having a different kind of moment, and I think it's one of the most interesting parts of this report.
The average closed price for attached homes was $422,263, down 0.2% from $423,061 in August and 1.0% from $426,538 a year ago. The median came in at $365,000, a 1.3% dip from $369,950 last month and 5.2% below last September's $385,000. Price per square foot landed at $285, down 2.0% from $290 in August and 6.6% from $305 a year ago.
For buyers, this is a really welcoming window. I'm talking with first time buyers who want to stop renting and start building something of their own, empty nesters ready to trade yard work for a lock and leave lifestyle, and clients who want a place close to the restaurants, parks, and energy of the city without the upkeep of a larger home. A $365,000 median opens that door for a lot of people.
For condo and townhome sellers, it simply means pricing to today's market from the very beginning. Well kept homes in great locations are still selling. The key is meeting buyers where they are right now.
How Many Homes Are on the Market?
There's been a lot of national chatter about inventory piling up. Here in the Denver metro, that's just not what we're seeing.
Active listings totaled 12,447 in September, up 0.4% from 12,397 in August and down 0.3% from 12,483 a year ago. New listings came in at 4,619, up 0.3% from 4,603 last month and down 1.2% from 4,677 last September.
That kind of consistency is a healthy sign. Buyers have a good selection to choose from, but the market isn't flooded, which helps protect home values for everyone.
Buyers Are Taking Their Time
This is where fall really shows up in the numbers. New pending sales, which tell us how many buyers went under contract, totaled 2,714 in September. That's 7.3% below August's 2,929 and 13.3% below the 3,131 contracts written last September.
Closings followed the same pattern. Closed single family listings came in at 2,678, down 12.2% from 3,049 in August and 21.2% from 3,398 a year ago. Closed condo and townhome listings totaled 599, down 9.8% from 664 last month and 21.6% from 764 last September.
Months supply of inventory rose to 3.81, up 1.5% from 3.75 in August and 2.3% from 3.72 a year ago. That number estimates how long it would take to sell every home currently on the market at the recent pace, and it continues to sit in a nicely balanced range.
What I want my clients to take from this is simple. Fewer sales doesn't mean values are slipping. It means buyers are being more intentional. They're touring more carefully, comparing more thoughtfully, and committing when a home truly feels right.
Homes Are Selling Faster Than Last Year
Here's a stat I was really happy to see. Homes averaged 51.15 days in MLS in September. That's longer than August's 45.27, which is normal for fall, but it's 1.4% faster than the 51.87 days we saw last September.
Sellers are also getting a little more of their asking price than they did a year ago. Homes closed at an average of 95.3% of their original list price, compared to 95.7% in August and 95.0% last September.
Put those two together and the message is clear. Homes that are priced right and presented beautifully are doing well. The homes that sit are almost always the ones that started too high.
If You're Thinking About Buying
Fall is one of my favorite seasons to help buyers, and this year feels especially good for it.
With 3.81 months of supply and fewer buyers competing for the same homes, you have room to slow down, see a few options, and really think about how a home fits your life. There's also room to negotiate. With homes closing at 95.3% of original list price on average, there's often space to talk about price, repairs, closing costs, or a move in date that works for you, especially on homes that have been on the market a little longer.
At the same time, the most beautiful homes in the most loved neighborhoods are still getting attention. When the right one comes along, being ready matters. That means having your financing lined up, knowing what you can't live without, and having someone in your corner who knows the neighborhoods well.
And there's something special about buying in the fall. Competition tends to quiet down as the holidays get closer, and the sellers who list in October and November usually have real reasons to make a move. Some of my favorite client wins have happened in exactly this season.
If You're Thinking About Selling
The market is in a healthy place for sellers who come in prepared. Single family values are up 1.9% on average from a year ago, homes are selling faster than last September, and sellers are capturing more of their list price than they did a year ago.
Because buyers are taking their time, presentation matters more than ever. Buyers are walking through homes and comparing them side by side, so the details make a difference. Fresh paint, thoughtful staging, beautiful photography, and taking care of small repairs before you list can completely change how your home is received.
Pricing is the other big piece. When a home is priced right from day one, it gets the attention and the showings it deserves in those first important weeks. When it starts too high, it can sit and lose momentum. My goal with every seller is to launch with confidence and protect your position from the very first day.
What's Happening at the Higher End
I always pay close attention to the gap between the average and median price, because it tells us a lot about the upper end of the market. In September, the single family average of $778,625 sat $148,625 above the median of $630,000. And while the median dipped 0.8% from a year ago, the average rose 1.9%.
That tells me buyers at higher price points are still active and still moving forward. These buyers tend to have more flexibility, and they're looking for homes with real character, thoughtful design, and a location that fits the way they want to live.
For sellers of high-end homes, that's encouraging. It also means the bar is high. Buyers at this level expect a home to feel special the moment they walk in, and they're willing to wait for the right one. Elevated marketing, refined presentation, and a thoughtful launch plan make all the difference.
For buyers shopping in this range, fall can be a wonderful time to find a great home and have a real conversation about terms, especially with sellers who have been on the market since summer.
What I'm Watching as We Head Into the Holidays
As we move through October and November, I'll be keeping a close eye on how new listings compare to buyer activity. In September, 4,619 homes came to market and 2,714 went under contract. New listings usually taper off as the weather cools, which can mean less competition for buyers who stay active this season.
I'm also watching months supply and that list price percentage. Those two numbers tell us more than almost anything else about whether the balance is shifting toward buyers or sellers, and right now they're both telling a story of a calm, steady market.
Every neighborhood moves a little differently, though. A home in a sought after pocket of the city will behave differently than a home in a newer community with lots of new construction nearby. That's why I always look at the data street by street for my clients.
Let's Talk About Your Next Move
Whether you're planning a new chapter, thinking about selling this fall, or just want to know what your home is worth in today's market, I would love to help. My approach is personal, thoughtful, and centered on what matters most to you, from the first conversation through closing day and beyond.
As part of Corken + Company Real Estate Group, I'm backed by a full service team with deep roots across the Denver metro, so you get a personal experience with the resources of an established brokerage behind it.
Reach out anytime. I'd love to hear what you're planning and help you make your next move with confidence.
Rachel Sartin | The Collection | Corken + Company Real Estate Group | www.collectioncolorado.com | 720-434-4319 | [email protected]
