Friday Fun Facts – Colorado’s Single-Family Housing Shortage: A Positive Path Forward

/in , , , , , /by

Colorado’s growing need for single-family homes is a challenge, but it also represents an opportunity to build stronger, more resilient communities. With its stunning landscapes and thriving economy, the state is well-positioned to embrace innovative solutions to meet the demand for housing.

The factors contributing to this shortage are clear: population growth, rising costs, and zoning limitations. However, these challenges also pave the way for creative problem-solving and collaboration. By rethinking how housing is built and expanding opportunities for diverse development, Colorado can set an example for other states facing similar issues.

The benefits of addressing this housing shortage are far-reaching. Families will have greater access to homeownership, essential workers can live closer to their jobs, and communities can maintain their vibrancy. Rising to meet these needs isn’t just about building homes—it’s about creating lasting opportunities for current and future residents.

Communities across the state are already exploring solutions. Adjusting zoning regulations to allow for more housing types, encouraging affordable construction, and investing in infrastructure to support growth are just a few of the promising approaches. With input from policymakers, developers, and residents, Colorado can craft a balanced and sustainable path forward.

The housing shortage may be a challenge, but it’s also a chance to innovate and thrive. Together, Coloradans can create a future where housing is accessible, communities are strong, and opportunities are abundant for everyone who calls this beautiful state home.

The post Friday Fun Facts – Colorado’s Single-Family Housing Shortage: A Positive Path Forward appeared first on Windermere Real Estate - Northern Colorado.

Building for Multi-Generational living

/in , , , , , /by

The National Association of REALTORS® reports a significant increase in multi-generational home purchases, reaching 17% of all home purchases in the past year—the highest since 2013. This trend is driven by factors such as cost savings (36%), caring for aging parents (25%), adult children returning home (21%), and adult children who never left (20%).

Married couples constitute 58% of multi-generational home buyers, while single females account for 19%. The median age of these buyers is 57, with 77% aged 45 and above.

The “Sandwich Generation,” individuals balancing care for both aging parents and their own children, represents a significant portion of multi-generational home buyers. Among those purchasing for aging parent care, 29% also have children under 18 at home. Additionally, 17% of these buyers carry student loan debt, with a median balance of $30,000.

Multi-generational living arrangements offer financial and emotional support, fostering stronger family bonds and shared caregiving responsibilities. However, they also require careful management of privacy, space, and interpersonal dynamics.

Many builders in the Northern Colorado area are paying attention to this trend and are building homes that can cater to this type of living situation.

Source:  NAR

The post Building for Multi-Generational living appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Friday Fun Facts: Best Mountain Towns To Buy Property In The Next 5 Years

/in , , , , , , , /by

Fort Collins keeps landing on “best places to live” lists, proving it’s a top-tier city for anyone looking for an awesome hometown.  So it’s no surprise that it was recently named one of the four best mountain towns to buy a home in the next five years by GoMortageRates.com.

With an average home price of $554,755 and a modest 0.9% price change in the last 12 months, Fort Collins is experiencing steady growth. Located 60 miles north of Denver and home to Colorado State University, the city offers a family-friendly environment with excellent schools, a robust job market, a thriving arts community and outstanding outdoor recreation.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an unprecedented urban exodus, with remote work opportunities and health concerns driving Americans to less populated mountain regions, a migration that continues even years later.  Fort Collins and three other mountain towns offer promising real estate opportunities for those seeking a different pace of life.

Curious what other towns made the list?  Here they are:

Bend, Oregon

  • Average home price: $728,226
  • Strong rental demand from residents and tourists
  • Solid property appreciation potential
  • Attractive for diverse investment strategies

Blue Ridge, Georgia

  • Average home price: $491,808
  • Year-round tourism driving real estate market
  • Growing population with quality of life amenities
  • Robust short-term and long-term rental markets

Seattle, Washington

  • Average home price: $848,982
  • Home to 17 Fortune 500 companies
  • Unique mountain town with strong economic fundamentals
  • Expected population growth of 1 million by 2040
  • Challenging housing supply due to geographical constraints

Source: GoBankingRate.com

The post Friday Fun Facts: Best Mountain Towns To Buy Property In The Next 5 Years appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Friday Fun Facts: Best Mountain Towns To Buy Property In The Next 5 Years

/in , , , , , , , /by

Fort Collins keeps landing on “best places to live” lists, proving it’s a top-tier city for anyone looking for an awesome hometown.  So it’s no surprise that it was recently named one of the four best mountain towns to buy a home in the next five years by GoMortageRates.com.

With an average home price of $554,755 and a modest 0.9% price change in the last 12 months, Fort Collins is experiencing steady growth. Located 60 miles north of Denver and home to Colorado State University, the city offers a family-friendly environment with excellent schools, a robust job market, a thriving arts community and outstanding outdoor recreation.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an unprecedented urban exodus, with remote work opportunities and health concerns driving Americans to less populated mountain regions, a migration that continues even years later.  Fort Collins and three other mountain towns offer promising real estate opportunities for those seeking a different pace of life.

Curious what other towns made the list?  Here they are:

Bend, Oregon

  • Average home price: $728,226
  • Strong rental demand from residents and tourists
  • Solid property appreciation potential
  • Attractive for diverse investment strategies

Blue Ridge, Georgia

  • Average home price: $491,808
  • Year-round tourism driving real estate market
  • Growing population with quality of life amenities
  • Robust short-term and long-term rental markets

Seattle, Washington

  • Average home price: $848,982
  • Home to 17 Fortune 500 companies
  • Unique mountain town with strong economic fundamentals
  • Expected population growth of 1 million by 2040
  • Challenging housing supply due to geographical constraints

Source: GoBankingRate.com

The post Friday Fun Facts: Best Mountain Towns To Buy Property In The Next 5 Years appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Friday Fun Facts – What Remodeling Projects Are Best For Resale?

/in , , , , , , , /by

Thinking about remodeling your home?

In 2023, Americans spent approximately $363 billion upgrading and remodeling their homes.  Not all remodeling projects are created equal… so which investment gives the best return when it comes to resale value?

It might not be a surprise that the best money to spend upgrading your home is in the kitchen – it’s the place where most homeowners spend the majority of their waking hours.  According to research from the National Association of Realtors, it’s also where remodelers will see the biggest return on investment.

Here is the ranking of various projects in terms of the value they add to the home:

      1. Complete kitchen remodel
      2. Kitchen upgrade
      3. HVAC replacement
      4. Owner’s suite renovation
      5. Bathroom renovation
      6. Finishing a basement
      7. Adding a bathroom


Bottom line: Home upgrades are a smart play, and kitchens are where the real money is. These renovations aren’t just about looking good – they’re about boosting your home’s value and making your space work for you. So whether you’re dreaming of granite countertops or a sleek new stove, your kitchen remodel is likely to pay off when it’s time to sell.

The post Friday Fun Facts – What Remodeling Projects Are Best For Resale? appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Friday Fun Facts – What Remodeling Projects Are Best For Resale?

/in , , , , , , , /by

Thinking about remodeling your home?

In 2023, Americans spent approximately $363 billion upgrading and remodeling their homes.  Not all remodeling projects are created equal… so which investment gives the best return when it comes to resale value?

It might not be a surprise that the best money to spend upgrading your home is in the kitchen – it’s the place where most homeowners spend the majority of their waking hours.  According to research from the National Association of Realtors, it’s also where remodelers will see the biggest return on investment.

Here is the ranking of various projects in terms of the value they add to the home:

      1. Complete kitchen remodel
      2. Kitchen upgrade
      3. HVAC replacement
      4. Owner’s suite renovation
      5. Bathroom renovation
      6. Finishing a basement
      7. Adding a bathroom


Bottom line: Home upgrades are a smart play, and kitchens are where the real money is. These renovations aren’t just about looking good – they’re about boosting your home’s value and making your space work for you. So whether you’re dreaming of granite countertops or a sleek new stove, your kitchen remodel is likely to pay off when it’s time to sell.

The post Friday Fun Facts – What Remodeling Projects Are Best For Resale? appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Friday Fun Facts – The Average American Moves 12 Times in Their Life

/in , , , /by

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American moves approximately 11.7 times throughout their lifetime. However, this number varies widely depending on factors such as age, income, and marital status.

Young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 move much more frequently than older adults. Folks between 18 and 34 have an average of 3.3 moves under their belts. In contrast, adults aged 65 and over move much less frequently, with an average of 2.4 moves throughout their lifetime.

Times have changed. While Americans used to move for job opportunities, most people nowadays choose to move for personal reasons. Being closer to families and seeking a better quality of life have become major driving forces behind American relocations.

Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on American mobility. Many people took the chance to re-evaluate their living situations in light of remote work and other changes in the workplace. After all, if you’re going to work from home, why not make your home someplace nice?

 

Sources:  U.S. Census Bureau and MovingFeedback.com

The post Friday Fun Facts – The Average American Moves 12 Times in Their Life appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Friday Fun Facts – Have We Reached a Balanced Market?

/in , , , , , , , , , , /by

Windermere Principal Economist Jeff Tucker analyzes the National Association of REALTORS’ September U.S. home sales report, what the findings say about the current housing market, and why mortgage rates have been rising in recent weeks.

 

 

 

 

The post Friday Fun Facts – Have We Reached a Balanced Market? appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Friday Fun Facts – 3-D Printed Homes

/in , , , , , /by

Single-family house 3d printing concept. Symbolic house building using modern technologies. 3d illustration.

Last week, over 300 people gathered in Greeley, Colorado, to witness the groundbreaking of the largest Habitat for Humanity project in the state, which will feature 3D-printed homes. Alquist 3D, a concrete printing company, showcased its technology, using a robotic arm to layer concrete for walls instead of traditional materials like lumber.

Alquist, founded by Zachary Mannheimer, relocated its headquarters to Greeley due to local partnerships, including with Habitat for Humanity and Aims Community College. The company aims to make 3D-printed homes cheaper and more disaster-resistant than traditional houses. Currently, Alquist is working to match the cost of lumber-built homes but anticipates that large-scale production could reduce costs by 20-30%.

The Hope Springs project will consist of 174 Habitat homes and 320 apartments. Alquist’s initial task is to build two duplex homes, while 12 lumber-built homes will begin construction soon. Habitat’s local CEO, Cheri Witt-Brown, supports the technology but seeks to ensure it meets budget and family preferences before committing to further expansion.

Hope Springs will feature various community amenities and could serve as a model for addressing Colorado’s housing crisis. The project aims to combine nonprofit, private, and public efforts to create affordable housing options.

 

Source:  Colorado Public Radio

 

The post Friday Fun Facts – 3-D Printed Homes appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Friday Fun Facts – 3-D Printed Homes

/in , , , , , /by

Single-family house 3d printing concept. Symbolic house building using modern technologies. 3d illustration.

Last week, over 300 people gathered in Greeley, Colorado, to witness the groundbreaking of the largest Habitat for Humanity project in the state, which will feature 3D-printed homes. Alquist 3D, a concrete printing company, showcased its technology, using a robotic arm to layer concrete for walls instead of traditional materials like lumber.

Alquist, founded by Zachary Mannheimer, relocated its headquarters to Greeley due to local partnerships, including with Habitat for Humanity and Aims Community College. The company aims to make 3D-printed homes cheaper and more disaster-resistant than traditional houses. Currently, Alquist is working to match the cost of lumber-built homes but anticipates that large-scale production could reduce costs by 20-30%.

The Hope Springs project will consist of 174 Habitat homes and 320 apartments. Alquist’s initial task is to build two duplex homes, while 12 lumber-built homes will begin construction soon. Habitat’s local CEO, Cheri Witt-Brown, supports the technology but seeks to ensure it meets budget and family preferences before committing to further expansion.

Hope Springs will feature various community amenities and could serve as a model for addressing Colorado’s housing crisis. The project aims to combine nonprofit, private, and public efforts to create affordable housing options.

 

Source:  Colorado Public Radio

 

The post Friday Fun Facts – 3-D Printed Homes appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.