🏔️ Grand County Real Estate Outlook — Winter 2025 to Spring 2026 Every fall, we take a moment to look ahead and share our thoughts on where the Grand County housing market is headed. We try to cut through the noise — the headlines, rate chatter, and “expert” forecasts — and instead focus on what we’re actually seeing on the ground with buyers, sellers, tenants, and homeowners across Winter Park, Fraser, Granby, and Grand Lake. In the Winter of 2024, we projected how the 2024–2025 season and following spring would unfold — and we ended up being pretty much spot on. So we’re taking another swing at it this year. The landscape is a bit different: no election cycle to cloud the horizon, but we’re in the first year of a new presidency, facing tariff adjustments, relatively stable (but still elevated) interest rates, and, as of this writing, three weeks into one of the longest government shutdowns in history with no end in sight. In short, there’s a lot of uncertainty. You could ask ten real estate professionals for their outlook and get fifteen different answers. So rather than pretending anyone has a crystal ball, here’s my personal take on where things seem to be heading for the upcoming winter and the spring of 2026: 🏔️ Winter 2025-26 (November 2025 – March/April 2026) Sales Market — Projection • Expect a soft to modestly improving market — more cautious stabilization than rebound. • Local data shows median home values nearly flat (−0.9% YOY) and longer days on market (~63 days to pending) as of September 2025. • Inventory remains high, tilting the balance of power toward buyers across Colorado’s mountain and resort communities. • With interest rates still elevated and cost pressures persistent, many buyers continue to tread carefully. What I Expect for Winter • Sellers who price realistically will still see offers — but often with modest concessions like rate buy-downs or closing-cost help. • Average sale prices will likely hold flat or dip slightly (0–3%), depending on property quality and location. • The luxury and second-home segment may experience softer demand due to oversupply, while well-located, turnkey homes should hold value better. • Overall: sellers need to price competitively and plan for longer marketing times through the winter months. 🏘️ Rental Market — Projection • The long-term and winter seasonal rental segments should stay stable to strong. • Example: in Winter Park, Fraser, Granby, average rent for a 2 bed / 2 bath sits around $2,133/month, showing only minor year-over-year shifts. • The STR market, on the other hand, continues to face oversaturation and tighter rules, although ski-season demand will still attract a solid base of travelers. What I Expect for Winter • Winter seasonal rentals (3–4 bed, furnished, near ski areas) will remain in strong demand, often outperforming short-term rentals in occupancy and returns. • Long-term rentals may see mild upward rent pressure if owners exit the STR market and shift inventory. • In short: quality units with good amenities will perform well, while lower-tier properties may need to adjust rates or accept higher vacancy. Snow Capped’s Take • Encourage homeowners to pivot toward “winter seasonal” models where appropriate — fewer regulatory headaches, steadier income. • Continue factoring in potential concessions or higher vacancy for lower-amenity rentals. • For new acquisitions, location, quality, and furnishing will continue to drive premium rent potential. 🌱 Spring 2026 (April / May 2026 and Beyond) Sales Market — Projection • As we enter spring, expect a cautious uptick — not a boom, but healthier momentum. • If interest rates ease slightly or consumer confidence rebounds, buyer activity should rise, especially among those who sat out the winter. • Inventory will still be above normal, but turnover should improve as listings refresh for the spring market. What I Expect for Spring • Prices could increase modestly (+2–5%) from winter levels in desirable areas. • Days on market may shorten slightly as buyer activity improves. • Sellers should still price realistically — this won’t be a return to the frenzy of 2020–2022. • Spring remains the best window to list, especially for well-prepared, well-marketed homes. 🏡 Rental Market — Projection • As ski season winds down, winter units transition to summer or long-term use. • Expect a dip in demand for ski-season properties, but a steady climb in long-term leases as locals and workforce renters secure housing for the next cycle. What I Expect for Spring • Long-term rents may rise modestly (+2–4%) if STR-to-LTR conversions tighten available inventory. • Owners should reassess post-winter performance to decide whether to keep renting, sell, or switch models. • For Snow Capped homeowners, this is the perfect time to re-evaluate your property strategy for the rest of 2026.