The first Altos Research and Housing Wire market update of 2025 is here, and the data paints an interesting picture of real estate trends across the country. In this week’s newsletter, I’m diving into the numbers to show how Garfield County stands out compared to national and state trends.

While nationwide sales are starting slow and price growth is minimal, our local market is bucking the trend: sales are up 26%, average prices have risen 6%, and inventory remains steady.

This newsletter is a little more numbers-oriented than usual, but if you’re curious about what’s happening in real estate both nationally and in our valley, you’ll find plenty of valuable insights inside.

Let’s dive into how Garfield County looks at the end of the first month of 2025! 

National Snapshot The national market is signaling several key trends:

• Inventory Growth: Nationwide, there are 25% more single-family homes on the market compared to a year ago. This increase offers more options for buyers but also reflects slower sales activity.

• Price Stabilization: Median sales prices are holding steady at $375,000, just 0.5% higher than last year. While this stability may seem positive, it also reflects caution among buyers.

• Price Cuts Rising: Over 33% of listed homes are undergoing price reductions, a sharp increase from pandemic-era lows when less than 20% of listings were reduced.

Garfield County vs. Colorado and the Nation Our local market in Garfield County is bucking some national and state trends:

• Rising Sales: Year-to-date sales from Carbondale to Rifle are up by 26% compared to last year, showcasing strong local demand.

• Price Growth: The average price has increased by 6%, highlighting the valley’s unique appeal.

• Stable Single-Family Inventory: Active single-family home listings rose slightly to 144 this year, compared to 140 last year—a modest 2.9% increase.

• Condos Becoming Scarce: There are only 25 condos available, down from 35 a year ago—a significant 28.6% drop in supply.

Across Colorado, inventory is growing faster, especially in metro areas like Denver:

• Condos in Denver: 1,036 available now, a 46% increase from 709 last year.

• Single-family homes in Denver: 947 currently listed, up 44.6% from 655 a year ago. These figures show a notable loosening of inventory compared to Garfield County, where supply remains more constrained. 

What This Means for Garfield County

Garfield County’s real estate market continues to follow its own path, characterized by limited inventory and steady demand. Unlike broader state and national trends where supply is growing more rapidly and prices are flattening, our local market remains highly competitive.

For buyers, this means acting decisively in a tight market. For sellers, it’s an opportunity to take advantage of steady price growth and rising sales activity. 

Curious about how these trends impact your plans? Whether you're buying, selling, or simply exploring your options, understanding the latest market data is essential. Reach out for a conversation tailored to your goals.

Also, if you’d like a detailed breakdown of specific neighborhoods from Carbondale to Rifle, let me know—I’d be happy to share the insights.

Let’s make 2025 a year of informed decisions and smart moves in real estate!