Mile High Home Group – Welcome to Denver

More Denver buyers are choosing Aurora in 2026 because it offers a rare combination of relative affordability, expanded new construction, strong school and job access, and more negotiating power than they’ll find in many other parts of the Denver real estate market. When I sit down with buyers who started in Denver, Littleton, or Highlands Ranch, I keep seeing the same pattern: once we compare what their budget buys in Aurora against other suburbs, Aurora keeps winning on space, features, and commute options in this more balanced Colorado housing market.​

Let me walk you through why that shift is happening—and how to use it to your advantage.

Affordability Without “Cheap” Tradeoffs

Aurora’s biggest draw right now is that prices have softened a bit while the overall market remains stable. Median listing and sold prices in Aurora sit noticeably below many core Denver and west-side neighborhoods, even after years of appreciation. That gap matters when you’re staring down rates in the 6% range.​

When I compare options side by side:

• In many Denver neighborhoods, a buyer might be stretching for a smaller, older home needing work.
• In Aurora, that same buyer often steps into a newer, larger home or townhome with a two-car garage, finished basement, or better yard.

For families who want to stay near the city but can’t make central Denver numbers work, Aurora becomes the practical move—not the consolation prize.

A Market That’s Competitive but Balanced

Aurora’s 2025 data points to a “somewhat competitive yet balanced” market. Homes there typically see around two offers, with a sale‑to‑list price ratio near 99%. That tells me two important things:​

• Buyers still have to come in strong on well‑priced homes.
• But they also have room to negotiate—especially on properties that sit past that first two weeks.​

Meanwhile, the broader Colorado housing market has eased from the peak frenzy; concessions around $8,000 on average in Aurora are not unusual. In real terms, that might mean:​

• A closing cost credit.
• A rate buydown from the seller.
• Or repairs covered after inspection.

When I write offers in Aurora, I can often structure terms that actually help buyers manage monthly costs instead of just chasing list price.

New Construction Choices You Can’t Ignore

One of the biggest reasons more buyers are drifting east is the sheer amount of new construction in Aurora. Builders like Toll Brothers, Richmond American, and Oakwood have been busy, and that does a few things:​

• It gives buyers modern floor plans, energy efficiency, and smart‑home features that are hard to find in older Denver stock.​
• It introduces more inventory, which helps keep bidding wars in check.
• It creates micro‑neighborhoods with pools, trails, and HOAs that maintain common areas, which supports long‑term value.

In Highlands Ranch real estate, a lot of those amenities are already built out and priced in. In Aurora, some of those communities are just hitting their stride, and buyers like being early without feeling like pioneers in the middle of nowhere.

When I walk clients through these new Aurora neighborhoods, the usual reaction is, “I didn’t realize we could get this house for our budget.”

Jobs, Commutes, and Everyday Life

Aurora isn’t just a bedroom community anymore. Between Anschutz Medical Campus, DIA‑adjacent employers, Buckley Space Force Base, and tech workers who split time between downtown and the DTC, there’s real job gravity on the east side.​

From a lifestyle standpoint, that means:

• Shorter commutes for a lot of people who used to fight I‑25 from Highlands Ranch or Littleton.
• Easier access to the airport for frequent flyers.
• Growing retail, dining, and recreation options that would have been unthinkable in Aurora 10–15 years ago.

Buyers are doing the math: if they can cut 20–30 minutes off a daily commute and still stay in the Denver metro, Aurora starts to look very smart.

How Slower Metro Migration Actually Helps Aurora Buyers

Metro Denver’s net migration has slowed significantly compared to a decade ago, which has taken some heat out of prices and competition overall. That doesn’t mean people have stopped moving here—it just means we’re not in that runaway growth phase we saw around 2015.​

Aurora sits in a sweet spot in that environment:

• Prices have come off their peak (with median values down a few percentage points from highs in some reports), but long‑term fundamentals remain healthy.​
• Inventory has ticked up, giving buyers real choice without crashing values.​
• Appreciation forecasts in the 3–4% range feel sustainable, not speculative.​

When I talk with clients about risk, Aurora’s mix of affordability, job access, and steady—not explosive—growth is a big reason they feel comfortable committing there.

Practical Advice If You’re Considering Aurora

If you’re starting in Denver, Littleton, or Highlands Ranch and just now opening up to Aurora, here’s how I’d recommend approaching it:

• Start with lifestyle first.
  Decide how important schools, commute, and HOA amenities are to you, and rank them. Cherry Creek and other strong districts in Aurora are a major draw for families.​
• Compare actual monthly costs, not just list prices.
  Factor in HOA dues, taxes, and potential builder incentives or seller concessions. In many Aurora neighborhoods, what looks like a similar sticker price can translate to a more comfortable monthly payment once credits and efficiency are factored in.​
• Look at both resale and new construction.
  Resale homes may offer mature trees and established communities; new builds may give you warranties and less maintenance. I often show both on the same tour so you can feel the tradeoffs in real time.
• Use the balanced market to your advantage.
  In Aurora, we can still be assertive on inspection items and ask for reasonable credits, especially if a home has been on the market 20+ days. That’s simply not as easy in some tighter pockets closer to downtown.​

For me, concierge‑level service means walking you through those choices step by step—neighborhood by neighborhood, not just city by city. I want you to feel like you’re choosing a long‑term fit, not just chasing a deal.

If you’re curious whether Aurora makes sense for your next move, I’d be happy to sit down, pull specific numbers for your price range, and map out neighborhoods that actually match your lifestyle. You can always visit www.MileHighHomeGroup.net or reach out to 720-401-2711. I’m here for an honest, no‑pressure conversation—whether you’re thinking about buying now or just planning ahead for 2026.