Is 2026 a Good Time to Buy a Home in Fort Collins?

Watch: Is 2026 a good time to buy a home in Fort Collins? Jason Levi's honest market breakdown · Watch on YouTube →

What Changed: A Pause, Not a Frenzy

If you shopped between 2020 and 2022, you remember the chaos: prices climbing fast, tight inventory, rushed decisions and waived inspections. Jason describes 2026 as something buyers have not had in a while, a pause. Prices are not exploding and not collapsing, and that gives buyers control: you buy based on math, lifestyle and timing instead of fear of being priced out.

The latest data backs that up. According to Redfin, the Fort Collins median sale price was $549,738 in September 2026, up just 0.9% from a year earlier, and the Colorado Association of REALTORS reported a single-family median of $590,000, down 1.7%, with about 3.1 months of supply.

Why Buyers Have Leverage

Jason's main point is negotiating power. When homes sit, sellers become more open to price reductions, closing cost credits, rate buydowns and repairs. In Redfin's September 2026 Fort Collins data:

• The median home went under contract in 50 days, versus 55 a year earlier
• Homes sold for about 98.8% of list price on average
• Only 17.3% sold above list price
• 42.7% of homes had a price drop

As Jason puts it, sellers do not advertise flexibility; they show it during negotiation. In this market, you can ask for an inspection, repairs, a concession and a price adjustment in the same offer. That was hard to imagine in 2021.

What About Interest Rates?

Rates are the main reason buyers sit on the sidelines, and they have moved up. Freddie Mac's 30-year fixed rate averaged 7.24% on October 29, 2026, compared with 6.17% a year earlier. The 3% rates of 2020 and 2021 are not part of the picture.

Jason's advice is to manage the rate rather than wait on it:

For more, see our guide to new construction rate buydowns.

Why Fort Collins Holds Up Over Time

Jason is not only arguing about short-term conditions. Fort Collins has limited land to expand, Colorado State University anchoring the economy, major employers, a strong outdoor and craft beer culture, and steady demand from people moving in. Even in slower cycles, he notes, downturns here tend to look different than in many nearby markets. That is why timing here takes local insight, not national headlines.

There is also a cost to waiting. Rent builds no equity, and if rates fall meaningfully, competition returns and today's leverage can disappear quickly.

When Waiting Makes More Sense

Not everyone should buy right now, and Jason is clear about it. Wait if:

• Your income or job situation is uncertain
• You have not saved enough for a down payment plus emergency reserves
• You may move within two to three years, since transaction costs on both ends eat into any gain
• You are buying out of fear of missing out without doing the financial homework

And if you are trying to time the exact bottom, you will probably miss it. Smart buyers position themselves well inside the market instead.

Your Three Next Steps

Sources and Further Reading

• Redfin: Fort Collins housing market
• Colorado Association of REALTORS: September 2026 market report
• Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: buying a house

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 2026 a good time to buy a house in Fort Collins?

For buyers with stable finances who plan to stay at least several years, Jason Levi says yes, because sellers are negotiating and prices have been roughly flat. Redfin shows 42.7% of Fort Collins homes had a price drop in September 2026.

Are Fort Collins home prices going down?

They have been roughly flat. Redfin reports a September 2026 median sale price of $549,738, up 0.9% year over year, while the Colorado Association of REALTORS reports a single-family median of $590,000, down 1.7%.

What are mortgage rates right now?

Freddie Mac's 30-year fixed average was 7.24% on October 29, 2026, compared with 6.17% a year earlier. Your rate depends on your credit, down payment and lender.

How can I lower my mortgage rate when buying?

Jason suggests negotiating a seller-paid rate buydown, asking your lender about an adjustable-rate mortgage such as a 7/1 ARM, or comparing builder incentives on new construction.

When should I wait to buy a home?

Wait if your income is uncertain, you lack a down payment plus reserves, you may move within two to three years, or you are buying out of fear of missing out.

If you are on the fence, book a buyer strategy call and we will look at your budget, timeline and target areas and tell you whether now makes sense for you.