Mile High Home Group – Welcome to Denver

What $800,000 gets you in Denver compared to Portland or Seattle really comes down to trade‑offs between space, lifestyle, and how each local market has evolved over the last few years. In today’s Colorado housing market, $800k often stretches further on size and finishes than it does in the core neighborhoods of Portland or Seattle, especially when you factor in Denver’s growing but still more balanced price trends and slightly softer appreciation recently. When I sit down with buyers relocating from the Pacific Northwest, we usually discover that the same $800,000 that buys a smaller, older home closer to the urban core in Portland or Seattle can secure a larger, more updated home with better outdoor living and mountain access in Denver and its suburbs.​

I want to walk you through what that looks like in real terms so you can make a smart, grounded decision.

How $800k Plays in Denver

In Denver real estate right now, $800,000 typically puts you right in the middle to upper end of the market, not the ultra‑luxury tier. The metro’s overall median sits closer to the high $500s to low $600s, with detached single‑family homes averaging higher, so $800k gives you options in many of the neighborhoods people actually want to live in.​

With that budget, here’s what I routinely help clients find:

• A 3–4 bedroom single‑family home in established parts of Denver with a finished basement, updated kitchen, and a usable yard.
• In suburbs like Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Castle Rock, or Lakewood, that same $800k can often stretch to 3,000+ square feet, three‑car garages, and access to highly rated schools and HOA amenities like pools and trail systems.
• In tighter central Denver spots, $800k may lean more toward a fully updated bungalow or townhome, but in the south and west suburbs, it’s very realistic to get space, finishes, and location dialed in at that price point.​

Over 15+ years working Denver, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, and the surrounding suburbs, I’ve seen how that $600k–$900k band has become the “sweet spot” where buyers get both quality and some negotiating power in our more balanced market. I don’t treat you like a transaction in that process; I’m combing through HOAs, school ratings, and long‑term value with you as if we’re picking a home for my own family.​

What the Same Budget Buys in Portland

When clients come to me from Portland, they’re often surprised that $800k doesn’t go quite as far on space in their old market as it does here. In many close‑in Portland neighborhoods, that budget is getting pushed toward older housing stock, smaller lots, and more compromise on parking or layout. At $800k near the urban core, buyers are frequently looking at:

• 3‑bedroom older homes with some updates but limited yard space and potential ongoing maintenance.
• Townhomes or attached product closer in, often with higher monthly HOA dues compared to many Denver suburbs.

By the time we compare that to an $800k home in Highlands Ranch real estate or Littleton real estate, the Denver‑area properties often offer more square footage, more modern layouts, and better integration with parks, trail systems, and community amenities. While Portland has strong lifestyle appeal and walkable pockets, I consistently see families feel like they get more day‑to‑day livability for the same money here once they factor in home size, yard usability, and school access.

How $800k Compares to Seattle

Seattle is usually the biggest shock. That market has seen strong appreciation over the last decade, and the closer you get to tech employment centers, the more compressed the value per square foot becomes. In many Seattle neighborhoods, $800k pushes you toward:

• Modest single‑family homes that may still need updating, especially kitchens, baths, or systems.
• Townhomes on small lots with limited outdoor space, often with more vertical living and tighter parking situations.

By contrast, in Denver’s current environment—where prices have plateaued and even dipped modestly from pandemic peaks—$800k sits in a range where buyers can actually be selective, compare options, and negotiate, especially in the suburbs. In practical terms, that often means:​

• Larger, more open floorplans that work better for work‑from‑home setups.
• Three‑car garages, finished basements, and dedicated hobby or gym spaces that are much tougher to come by at the same price in Seattle.

When I’m working with families out of Seattle, they typically feel an immediate sense of breathing room—literally and financially—once we start walking homes in places like Highlands Ranch, Centennial, or Castle Rock.

Where $800k Feels Strongest: Denver Suburbs vs Urban Cores

Inside Denver proper, $800,000 might still involve some trade‑offs: slightly older homes in the most coveted central neighborhoods, or more updated homes a bit farther from downtown. That’s where knowing the nuances of places like Englewood, Lakewood, and parts of Aurora really matters.

In the suburbs, though, $800k can be a very comfortable number if we’re strategic. I’ll usually focus with you on:

• HOAs that give real value: community centers, pools, trails, and well‑run reserves rather than just rules and fees.
• School districts with strong reputations—Douglas County, Littleton, Cherry Creek—where you’re not just buying a house, you’re buying into a long‑term education plan.
• Micro‑market cycles: some pockets still move fast at that price, others soften seasonally, and we can use that to time your offer and negotiation strategy.

Because the Denver housing market has shifted to a more balanced state—more inventory, slower appreciation—buyers with an $800k budget are in a better negotiating position than they were during the frenzy of a few years ago.​

How I Help You Use That $800k Wisely

After helping clients through thousands of transactions across Denver, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Arvada, Aurora, Centennial, Castle Rock, Golden, Lakewood, and Englewood, I know $800,000 is not Monopoly money—it’s a serious commitment. My job is to protect that for you.

Here’s how I approach it, hands‑on:

• I dig into HOAs and covenants with you so there are no surprises about rules, dues, or future assessments.
• We look beyond list price to total monthly cost: taxes, insurance, HOA, utilities, and realistic maintenance.
• I use current, hyper‑local data to steer you away from overpaying in overheated pockets and toward neighborhoods where your $800k still has room to grow with the Colorado housing market, not just keep up.

I treat you like a long‑term relationship, not a file number. Integrity, honesty, and transparency are non‑negotiables for me—whether that means advising you to stretch for the right home or to pump the brakes and wait for a better fit.

If you’re weighing what $800,000 should buy you in Denver compared to Portland or Seattle, I’d be glad to walk you through live examples and current listings so you can see the differences clearly. Visit www.MileHighHomeGroup.net or reach out to 720-401-2711, and we can talk through your numbers, your lifestyle goals, and whether Denver is the right move for you right now—no pressure, just honest guidance.