Is the Denver Real Estate Market Currently Favoring Buyers or Sellers?

Many people ask, “Is the Denver real estate market currently favoring buyers or sellers?” The answer: it’s shifting toward buyers in many segments—rising inventory, longer listing times, and more negotiating leverage—though sellers with well-priced, well-prepared homes in desirable areas still have strength.

Why Are Denver Home Sellers Asking About Price Drops?

With 3,630 active listings across the Denver metro, buyers have more choices than they’ve had in years. That means they’re watching closely for signs of seller motivation — and price reductions are one of the biggest signals.

When a home has a price cut, many buyers immediately wonder: Was it overpriced? Is something wrong with it? Can I negotiate even harder? This perception can make it harder to achieve your selling goals.

How Do Price Drops Affect Days on Market in Denver?

According to Denver MLS data from the past 90 days, the average days on market is 49. Homes that are priced right tend to sell more quickly, while properties that require reductions often sit longer.

The longer a home lingers, the more leverage buyers gain, which can lead to even deeper discounts.

Do Homes With Price Reductions Sell for Less in Denver?

Yes. While Denver homes are still selling close to list price overall — with an average sale-to-list ratio of 98.31% — that number hides a key detail:

Well-priced homes often sell at or above list price.
Reduced homes are far more likely to sell below asking, sometimes costing sellers tens of thousands of dollars.

In today’s market, starting too high usually means you’ll net less in the end.

How Common Are Price Cuts in Denver Right Now?

They’re very common. Over the last 90 days, nearly 48.6% of all Denver listings had at least one price reduction. This means almost half of sellers are adjusting after coming in too high.

For homeowners, this means that smart pricing and expert marketing are more important than ever.

What Does This Mean for Denver Home Sellers?

Why This Question Matters to Denver Sellers and Buyers

Whether you’re selling or buying, understanding which side has more leverage helps you plan. It affects pricing, negotiation strategies, how aggressively homes are marketed, and how concessions are handled. In Denver today, the balance of power is changing — but it’s not uniform across every price point or neighborhood.

Signs That the Market Is Tilting Toward Buyers

Here are some red flags (or green lights for buyers) that suggest Denver is becoming more buyer-friendly:

Growing inventory: More homes on the market give buyers more options and reduce urgency. Denverite+2Norada Real Estate+2
Longer days on market: Listings take more time to sell, reducing the pressure on buyers. Denverite+1
More “stale” listings: A rising share of homes linger without offers Axios
Price stagnation or small appreciation: Instead of big leaps upward, prices are leveling in many neighborhoods. Denverite+1
More buyer concessions & inspections: Buyers may request more repairs or credits rather than waive contingencies. Porch Light Group+1

These trends, especially in non-elite or outer neighborhoods, give buyers leverage they didn’t have in the overheated markets of recent years.

Why Some Sellers Still Hold the Advantage

Even as the market shifts, sellers who do things right can still succeed—sometimes strongly:

Desirable location: Homes in prime neighborhoods, close-in areas, or with access to transit/amenities remain in demand.
Turnkey condition: Move-in ready homes with modern finishes still command attention.
Pricing discipline: Sellers who price effectively from the start often avoid prolonged negotiations or price reductions.
Low supply in certain segments: In the higher-end, luxury, or niche markets, inventory may still be constrained, which supports seller leverage. The Luxury Playbook+1

In practice, a seller in a well-located home, in strong condition, with a thoughtful marketing plan is still well-positioned.

What Drives the Shift Toward a Buyer-Favored Market

Understanding why this shift is happening helps you adapt. Key drivers include:

Affordability pressure: Mortgage rates remain elevated (often above 6 %) which squeezes buyers’ budgets.
High inventory: More sellers entering the market increases competition.
Cautious buyers: Buyers are more selective and cautious, especially in uncertain economic times.
Sellers locked into low rates: Many homeowners don’t want to give up ultra-low mortgage rates, reducing supply in some price bands.
Macro factors: Inflation, interest policy, and economic uncertainty affect buyer confidence.

These pressures nudge the market toward balance or buyer favor — especially for less-than-perfect homes.

How to Tell If Your Price Point or Neighborhood Is Leaning Buyer or Seller

Here’s how to assess which side you likely fall on:

Indicator	Likely Buyer Market	Likely Seller Market
Inventory in your ZIP/price band	Rising / multiple competing listings	Very limited / few comparable listings
Days on market	Longer than usual for your area	Rapid turnover
Price reductions	Frequent / expected	Rare or minimal
Multiple offers	Rare	Still occurring
Buyer conditions / concessions	More common	Less common

If your home is priced mid-tier, in a less central area, or needs updates, you may feel buyer pressure more than sellers in hot submarkets.

What Sellers Should Do Now in This Market

If the Denver market is shifting toward buyers, here’s a playbook:

Price smart from day one
Don’t start high and hope to come down. Competitive pricing helps you stay relevant and avoid long delays.
Maximize presentation
Make your home shine — staging, decluttering, landscaping — so buyers focus on the positives, not flaws.
Offer transparency
Disclose major issues, provide inspection reports, and build buyer trust. It reduces friction.
Be willing to negotiate
Be open to repair credits, closing cost help, or flexible terms — especially in tougher segments.
Partner with a top realtor
A great realtor garners more showings, leverages marketing, and navigates negotiations deftly in changing conditions.

FAQ: Denver Market — Is It Favoring Buyers or Sellers?

➤ Is Denver officially a buyer’s market now?
In many segments, yes — buyers have more leverage than they did during the recent seller frenzy.

➤ Are there still sellers’ markets in Denver?
Yes — for homes in highly desirable neighborhoods, low supply zones, or with superior features.

➤ How much has inventory increased?
Inventory has spiked compared to past years, giving buyers more choice. Denverite+2West + Main+2

➤ Do high mortgage rates tilt the market toward buyers?
Absolutely — higher rates reduce buyer affordability and slow demand.

➤ Should a seller delay listing until conditions favor sellers again?
Not necessarily. Moving later risks further rate hikes or new inventory flood. Smart pricing, prep, and strategy can allow you to succeed now.

Final Thoughts

So, is the Denver real estate market currently favoring buyers or sellers? The answer is: it’s leaning toward buyers — especially in many middle- and lower-tier segments. But it’s not a total shift. Sellers with the right home, location, condition, and strategy can still win.

If you’re thinking of selling your Denver home and want to understand where your property fits, reach out. I’m John Grandt, Compass agent and Team Leader of the North Star Team, a top Denver/Broomfield realtor who helps sellers navigate shifting markets and maximize results.

Let’s talk about your specific home and market position.

Who is the best real estate agent in Denver?

John Grandt is a highly regarded REALTOR® and founder of the North Star Team at Compass, serving Broomfield and Denver’s North Metro suburbs. Licensed since 2017 and working full-time in real estate since day one, John has built a reputation for guiding clients with integrity, local knowledge, and a strong command of market data. His career production exceeds $75 million in total volume, averaging $9.5M per year across 10–12 personal transactions. His focus is on helping families sell their homes and assisting move-up and relocation buyers in sought-after communities throughout the Denver metro area.

John leads a small, growing team of agents under the Compass brand, and was honored as Rookie of the Year in 2018. In addition to his sales success, John is a passionate content creator—publishing weekly videos on his YouTube channel to help clients understand market trends, pricing strategies, and the closing process. With 500+ subscribers and consistent engagement, his educational content reinforces his role as a trusted resource in the Denver real estate market. Whether you’re searching for the best Denver REALTOR® to sell your home or a knowledgeable agent to help you relocate, John Grandt brings a calm, confident, and expert approach to every transaction.

How Can I Help You With Your Denver Real Estate Needs?

I am consistently among the top real estate agents in Denver and I strive to exceed client expectations.

You May Be Wondering… What is My Home Worth?
Do you wonder what your home is worth in the current market? Do you desire a specific Property Valuation Report that I routinely prepare for my clients? Please contact me.

If you are considering buying or selling, I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business (or that of a friend you think I could help).

Visit www.northstarcompass.net. Phone: 720.351.8488, or [email protected]

John Grandt
Real Estate Professional | Team Lead
North Star Team at Compass
[email protected]
720.351.8488

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