Denver home prices are flat and condo values are still sliding — here is your March 2026 Denver real estate market update. In Q1, homes across the metro held steady while condos dropped 6% year over year for the fourth consecutive quarter. As a result, that spread is creating two very different conversations for Colorado investors right now. Because the data tells such different stories depending on what you own, this episode breaks both of them down in detail.
Chris Lopez is joined by Brandon Scholten of Keyrenter Property Management and Troy Howell of Nova Home Loans for this month’s Denver real estate update. Brandon manages properties across the Front Range and, as a result, brings a ground-level read on where rents are moving. Meanwhile, Troy closes investment loans daily and tracks rate trends in real time — including a recent 3-plex deal that closed at 5.875% with $17,500 in seller credits. Since the buyer had a free-and-clear home to leverage, the deal was effectively 100% financed using a HELOC.
Beyond the price data, the March 2026 market update also covers stadium development along the Santa Fe corridor — the Broncos’ Burnham Yards, Denver Summit’s Santa Fe Yards, and Ball Arena’s 20-year mixed-use buildout. If those projects play out as planned, nearby property values could see a material impact. In addition, the episode includes a look at a distressed Aurora multi-family that sold for $12.4 million in 2019, yet currently carries a $10.5 million mortgage. Even though it was under contract at $6.4 million, the buyer still walked away after inspection.
In This Episode We Cover:- Q1 2026 Denver real estate price data — homes flat, condos down 6% and what each trend signals
- How Fannie and Freddie are loosening condo insurance requirements and whether it moves the needle
- The $865K Westminster fourplex from the monthly property walk, with projected $20K year two cash flow
- A creative 3-plex closing in Aurora — HELOC-funded, 5.875% rate, zero cash out of pocket
- Why the $12.4M distressed Aurora building couldn’t sell at $6.4M — and what it says about the broader Denver market
- Brandon’s take on whether the rental market’s worst softness is finally in the rearview
- And So Much More!
This March 2026 Denver real estate market update gives you the data, the deals, and the ground-level perspective to make a more informed decision on your next move. So whether you’re watching the Denver condo market or looking for your next rental property, this episode has something for you. Finally, make sure you subscribe to the Denver Real Estate Investing Podcast for new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday, and sign up for our deals list and property walk emails below.
Watch the Youtube Video Timestamps00:00 — Welcome and Panel Introductions — Brandon Scholten (Keyrenter Property Management) and Troy Howell (Nova Home Loans) join Chris for the Q1 2026 Denver market update
01:09 — Q1 2026 Denver Price Data — Homes up 2% year over year and generally flat; condos down 6% four quarters running, now flattening
03:07 — Colorado Springs Price Breakdown — More volatile quarter to quarter, similar overall trend with homes flat and condos negative
03:58 — Fannie and Freddie Loosen Condo Requirements — Insurance underwriting changes and what it may mean for the condo market
04:59 — Stadium Development Recap — Burnham Yards (Broncos), Santa Fe Yards (Denver Summit), and Ball Arena’s 20-year buildout plan
09:24 — What Record Attendance at Denver Summit Signals for the Area — And why Chris sees short-term rental and co-living opportunity near these corridors
11:41 — Property Walk Recap — $865K Westminster fourplex near 72nd and Tennyson, projected $8K year one and $20K year two cash flow with 25% down
18:24 — Aurora 3-Plex Closes at 5.875% — How a roofing contractor used a HELOC on a free-and-clear home to effectively 100% finance a $582K triplex
20:47— Distressed Deal Watch — Aurora multi-family bought at $12.4M in 2019, mortgage at $10.5M, under contract at $6.4M, buyer still walked
23:22 — Rate Outlook for 2026 — 52-week range of 5.98% to 6.89%, currently at 6.3%, and what employment data suggests about where rates head next
26:14— Rental Market Trends from Keyrenter — Why Brandon believes the worst of the softness is likely behind us, and where it lingered longest
Links in Podcast- Troy Howell: troy.howell@novahomeloans.com
- LinkedIn: Troy Howell
- Website: https://www.novahomeloans.com/loan-officer/troy-howell/
- Brandon Scholten: brandon@keyrenterdenver.com
- Website: https://keyrenterdenver.com/
The National Observer: Office conversions surge as workplace dynamics shift
Baby boomers have an emerging rival in the housing market
Aurora apartment complex at center of national controversy is for sale
View the Aurora 3-plex deal underwriting
Who is Keyrenter?Keyrenter Property Management Denver provides rental solutions for homeowners and real estate investors in the metro area who are interested in transforming their properties into passive income. It offers various services, from property marketing and thorough applicant screening to tenant placement and 24/7 maintenance services. Keyrenter Denver’s team of experts can take the clients’ burden of managing their rental off their hands so they can get back to what matters to them.
Who is Nova Home Loans?For over 40 years, we’ve been focused on helping homeowners find the perfect loan to fit their financial needs and personal goals. Working with NOVA is a personalized experience from initial application to final loan closing and beyond. We will be with you every step of the way toward successful homeownership. Start working with NOVA & Troy Howell today!
NOVA FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT CORPORATION, DBA NOVA HOME LOANS NMLS 3087/ EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY/8055 EAST TUFTS AVENUE, SUITE 101/DENVER, CO