The following chart provides an analysis of the Fort Collins area real estate activity for the last twelve months – ending May 31, 2009 compared to the previous twelve months ending May 31, 2008.

The information has been divided into three price categories. In round numbers, homes priced up to $300,000 account for almost 80% of the market, homes price from $300,000 to $500,000 total 15% and homes priced above $500,000 are just 5% of the total market.

It is interesting to note how the sales decrease of 17.9% is spread almost evenly over the three price ranges but that is about the only similarity. The days on market and months supply of inventory rise dramatically as we go up the price scale and the odds of selling drop from almost 50% in the lower price range to less than 20% above $500,000.

These three categories are just a summary and there are important differences in each $50,000 to $100,000 price range but generally speaking the chances of getting a $175,000 home sold are better than 50/50 while getting a home sold above $1,500,000 in this market  is about a one in twenty proposition.

Obviously, for sellers, there has to be a much different marketing strategy as you go up in price point and buyers can expect to be more aggressive in the higher price ranges.

If you would like detailed information on a more defined price category, please consult your professional Realtor or call or write us and we will be happy to provide you with it.

June 4, 2009 U.S. News & World Report in an article headlined “The Top 10 Housing Markets for the Next 10 Years” and quoting Moody’s Economy selected the Fort Collins / Loveland area as one of the TOP TEN with a projected 4.1% annual home price increase over the next ten years. Moody’s sifted through employment and population data and analyzed geographic and industry trends to generate 10-year home price projections for each of the nation’s 384 metropolitan statistical areas and using this data, U.S. News compiled a list of the top ten housing markets for the next ten years. In selecting the Fort Collins / Loveland area, this is what they had to say:

“Not far from Colorado’s breathtaking Rocky Mountain National Park are the neighboring cities of Fort Collins and Loveland. Thanks to university research, local support and private investment, this area of roughly 300,000 residents is evolving into a leading center for traditional and renewable energy”, says Brian Willms, the president and CEO of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. “We have this fantastic wind corridor to produce wind energy, over 300 days of sunshine a year – so it’s a great place for solar energy – and we have some of the most productive natural gas reserves in the country,” he says. “And with all of the research and development taking place here, it’s the perfect culmination for a new energy economy.” Fort Collin’s 2008 median home sale price was $212,000. Home prices in the area should rise an average of 4.1% annually over the next ten years, Moody’s Economy.com projects.

This is the #3 ranking out of all the 384 MSA’s researched.

WOW!