New listings in the Denver metro real estate market surged135% in January compared to December, while active listings increased 58% compared to last January.

According to the monthly report from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors, the average number of active listings for January from 1985 to 2004 was 12,032. The highest number was 24,550 in 2008, while the lowest was just 1,184 in 2022.

Historically, active listings tend to decline from December to January; however, this January saw a nearly 12% increase, from 6,888 in December to 7,688 in January, marking a record-high change for the month. Active listings surged 58% from 4,871 last January.

New listings skyrocketed 135% from 1,843 in December to 4,339 in January, a 32% increase from January 2024’s 3,289 new listings.

Susan Thayer, with the Thayer Group, said buyers and sellers emerged from hibernation last month.

“While December felt like trudging through mud, January started off with bang,” she said.

The largest inventory increase came in the $500,000 to $749,999 range for detached homes and under $500,000 for attached homes, price ranges that attract buyers who rely more on mortgage purchases than cash.

After a decline in mortgage applications through December, new buyer activity jumped 27 percent in early January and has remained steady.

The $1+ million market saw a significant increase in new listings, with new listings up 227% over last month and 45%over last January.

Market conditions

Market conditions last month were like those in the first month of last year, with higher mortgage rates still in place.

Amanda Snitker, chair of the DMAR Market Trends Committee, said that sentiment has stabilized, although market conditions remain unchanged.

“This is our market environment, and it’s likely here for the foreseeable future. In some ways, that brings stability— decisions become more complex when too many unknowns exist,” she said.

“We expect mortgage rates to remain steady while price growth has stabilized. Inventory remains a key factor we are monitoring, as the balance between supply and demand is the most significant variable influencing the market right now.”

Housing remains a winning investment

The median sale price in the Denver Metro market has increased significantly from $317,000 in January 2016 to $575,000 in January 2025, highlighting the value of real estate as a long-term investment.

“With increased inventory, less buyer competition and slow price growth, this is the moment buyers have been waiting for,”Snitker said.

“Now is the time for buyers to start thinking about how to make homeownership work instead of looking for reasons it won’t.”

Sara B. Hansen has been an editor and writer for more than 20 years. Her professional background includes editing positions at The Denver Post, The Des Moines Register,The Fort Collins Coloradoan, and At Home with Century 21. She’s also the founder and editor of DogsBestLife.com and the author of “The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels.”