If you are thinking about buying, selling, or downsizing in the Denver Metro area, you may have noticed that the market feels different than it did a few years ago.
Homes are not moving at the same frantic pace. Buyers have more opportunities to compare properties. Sellers need to pay closer attention to pricing and presentation. Condos, in particular, have experienced a meaningful shift.
I recently discussed these changes on Reverse Mortgage Radio with Alex Kishinevsky of Key Real Estate. Alex is a local Denver Metro realtor who has completed more than 350 transactions over 15 years. He is especially well known for working with condos in Southeast Denver and South Aurora.
Alex offered practical advice for buyers and sellers. We also discussed why a condominium may be an appealing option for an older homeowner who wants less maintenance and a simpler lifestyle.
What the Denver Metro market looks like in 2026
Alex described 2026 as a challenging, transitional year.
For detached single-family homes, the median close price was approximately $614,000, only about 1% higher than the previous year. In other words, the single-family market has been relatively flat.
The condo market has been more difficult for sellers. Depending on the association and location, Alex said condos may be down approximately 15% to 20%. He also noted that condos generally take longer to sell than single-family homes.
Here are some of the June market figures Alex discussed:
- Approximately 19 days on the market for single-family homes
- About 13 weeks of inventory
- Closed sales down approximately 1% year over year
- Pending listings up approximately 2%
- New listings down approximately 3%
These numbers do not tell you exactly what your home is worth. Your neighborhood, property condition, homeowners association, and local demand all matter. Still, they help explain why buyers and sellers may need more patience and preparation in 2026.
Alex’s three keys for Denver homebuyers
1. Look at at least 10 properties
Alex’s first suggestion was simple: do not rush into the first property you see.
He recommends looking at at least 10 homes before writing an offer. This gives you a better understanding of the market and helps you compare different conditions, locations, layouts, and prices.
You may find that the first home you like is not necessarily the best opportunity. By visiting several properties, you can become more confident about what you want and what you are willing to accept.
This approach may be especially helpful if you are considering a condo. You will want to compare not only the unit itself but also the association, monthly HOA dues, amenities, maintenance responsibilities, and what services the HOA covers.
2. Build a trusted team
Buying a home involves more than choosing a property. Alex recommends assembling a team of professionals you trust.
That team may include:
- A knowledgeable real estate professional
- A financing professional
- A qualified home inspector
- Other advisors who can help you understand the transaction
You should feel comfortable asking questions. You should also understand who will guide you through each step.
As I often tell my reverse mortgage clients, education matters. You should never feel pushed into a decision before you understand the costs, responsibilities, and alternatives.
3. Have the courage to buy when the home fits your goals
Alex’s third key was to have courage.
That does not mean buying carelessly or ignoring your budget. It means recognizing that no market will ever provide perfect certainty. If you find a home that fits your needs and your long-term plans, waiting indefinitely for the “perfect” moment may not make the decision easier.
Of course, you should review your finances carefully. You should understand your loan terms, monthly obligations, taxes, insurance, and other costs before making an offer.
For older homeowners, the right question may not be, “Is this the biggest or most valuable home I can buy?” It may be, “Will this home support the way I want to live?”
Alex’s three keys for sellers
1. Choose the right realtor and price the property correctly
Alex emphasized that pricing is especially important in a buyer-friendly or transitional market.
If a property is priced too high, it may receive fewer showings. Over time, it can lose the attention that comes with being a fresh listing. Alex compared this to a pond: if your listing does not attract attention quickly, it can sink lower and lower in buyers’ awareness.
A good realtor should help you understand current property values in your specific area. The right price should reflect the condition, location, competition, and type of property you are selling.
Your goal should not simply be to test the market at the highest possible price. Your goal should be to attract serious buyers while protecting the value of your home.
2. Prepare the property before listing
Buyers often want a home that feels ready for them. They may not want to take on a major project immediately after moving.
Alex recommended decluttering and preparing the property to make a strong first impression. Staging, professional photography, and video can help buyers understand the home’s best features before they schedule a showing.
Preparation does not necessarily mean completing every possible renovation. It means taking a thoughtful look at what may distract buyers or make the home feel harder to maintain.
A clean, organized, well-presented home can make it easier for buyers to picture themselves living there.
3. Ask your realtor about open houses
Alex also considers open houses an important selling tool.
He explained that some buyers are directed to open houses by their buyer’s agents. This can help bring additional traffic to a property, particularly during a slower period.
An open house is not a guarantee of a sale. However, it gives potential buyers a convenient way to visit the home. It can also create an opportunity for your listing to receive attention from people who may not have scheduled a private showing.
Why a condo may make sense when you are downsizing
Many older homeowners tell me they are tired of maintaining a large property.
The yard, roof, exterior repairs, insurance, snow removal, and unexpected maintenance can become more difficult over time. You may want to remain independent, but you may also want fewer responsibilities around the home.
A condominium may help address some of those concerns.
Depending on the association, HOA dues may cover services such as:
- Exterior maintenance
- Landscaping
- Roof-related responsibilities
- Water
- Heat
- Trash
- Property taxes in certain communities
- Access to community amenities
You must always review the association documents and confirm exactly what your HOA covers. Services and fees vary from one community to another.
Still, condo living may provide a combination of convenience and community. Some communities offer clubhouses, fitness facilities, pools, security, golf, or other amenities.
For someone who wants to simplify, the value may not be only in the purchase price. It may also be in the time and energy you no longer need to spend maintaining a larger home.
A HECM for Purchase can help some older buyers downsize
One of the most important parts of my conversation with Alex involved buying a new home with a reverse mortgage.
A HECM for Purchase is an FHA-insured reverse mortgage designed to help eligible homeowners age 62 and older purchase a primary residence. Instead of taking out a traditional forward mortgage with required monthly principal and interest payments, the buyer makes a larger down payment and uses the reverse mortgage to finance the remaining portion.
In the podcast, Alex discussed a remodeled condominium in Windsor Gardens listed at approximately $199,000. Windsor Gardens is a 55-plus community in Denver with amenities and services that may appeal to older homeowners.
We discussed an illustration in which a 70-year-old buyer might bring approximately $131,000 and use a reverse mortgage for the difference. The buyer would still need to meet all program requirements and remain responsible for obligations such as property charges, insurance, and maintaining the home as a primary residence.
The exact amount required from you would depend on several factors, including your age, the property, interest rates, loan costs, and financial assessment. The $131,000 example is not a quote or guarantee.
You can learn more about the broader concept in my article, The Right-Sizing Secret: How to Buy Your Next Colorado Home Without a Mortgage Payment.
What downsizing could look like for you
Perhaps you want to sell a large home and move closer to family. Perhaps you want a smaller property near healthcare, shopping, or public transportation. Or perhaps you simply want to spend less time worrying about repairs.
A downsizing plan may involve several steps:
- Determine what your current home may realistically sell for.
- Estimate the costs of selling and moving.
- Compare smaller homes, condos, and 55-plus communities.
- Review HOA dues and exactly what they include.
- Decide how much cash you want to use for the purchase.
- Explore whether traditional financing or a HECM for Purchase may fit your situation.
- Discuss the decision with your family and trusted financial or tax professionals.
I am personally committed to helping you understand your options before you make a decision. A reverse mortgage is not right for everyone. My role is to explain how it works, what it costs, what responsibilities remain, and what alternatives you may want to consider.
If you are thinking about moving but do not want another required monthly mortgage payment, I invite you to explore your reverse mortgage options without pressure. You can also review the consumer protections built into a HECM reverse mortgage.
Take your time. Ask questions. Together, we can determine whether downsizing: and possibly using a HECM for Purchase: supports your goals for the next chapter of your life.
