Making The Colorado Springs Housing Market More Affordable
How savvy buyers are saving hundreds each month without lowering the price tag.
The Mystery of the Buyer’s Market
If you’ve been paying attention to the Colorado Springs housing market, you’ve probably noticed a bit of a contradiction: homes are still selling close to asking price, yet agents keep calling it a “buyer’s market.” How is that even possible?
The secret? It’s not about price reductions — it’s about concessions.
In this post, we’re pulling back the curtain on the real strategy buyers are using to make homeownership more affordable right now — even with high interest rates and strong list prices. If you’re thinking about moving to Colorado Springs or buying your first home here, this trick could save you hundreds every month.
What Is a Buyer’s Market — And Why It Doesn’t Mean Price Drops
Traditionally, a buyer’s market happens when inventory rises and buyers have more power to negotiate. Homes sit a little longer. Sellers get a little more flexible. But here’s the twist: in Colorado Springs, home values are holding steady — even climbing in some price brackets.
So how can it still be a buyer’s market?
Simple. Buyers are negotiating — but not the price.
They’re asking for concessions instead: seller-paid closing costs, home warranties, and most effectively… interest rate buydowns. And in this market, that can be way more powerful than a price cut.
Let’s Break It Down: The Mortgage Payment Math
To really understand how this strategy works, let’s run the numbers using a realistic Colorado Springs home price of $550,000 — right around our area’s average.
We’ll assume the buyer puts $25,000 down and compares three options:
🔹 Option A: Pay Full Price – $550,000 at 6.5%
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Monthly Mortgage Payment: $3,320
No negotiations. Just accept the price and current rate.
🔹 Option B: Negotiate $10,000 Off – $540,000 at 6.5%
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Monthly Mortgage Payment: $3,255
Congrats, you shaved about $65/month off your payment.
🔹 Option C: Full Price with $10,000 in Seller Concessions to Buy Down the Rate to 6%
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Monthly Mortgage Payment: $3,150
That’s a $170/month savings — nearly triple the savings compared to dropping the price!
💡 Takeaway: Using concessions to buy down the rate creates more monthly savings than asking for a lower purchase price.
Why Sellers In The Colorado Springs Housing Market May Actually Prefer Concessions
This isn’t just a buyer-friendly move. It works for sellers too.
Here’s why:
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Tax advantage: Sellers can often write off concessions at tax time. Price drops? Not so much.
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Home value stays strong: By accepting full price on paper, sellers preserve neighborhood comps.
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Deals close faster: When buyers feel like they’re “winning,” homes move more quickly — even in a slower season.
It’s truly a win-win.
How You Can Use This Trick in Your Home Search
If you’re shopping in today’s market, here’s how to make this work for you:
✅ 1. Understand Your Budget by Monthly Payment — Not Just Price
Use tools like Karl’s Mortgage Calculator to run scenarios. A $10K concession could make a bigger dent in your payment than $10K off the sales price.
✅ 2. Work With a Lender Who Can Model a Rate Buydown
Ask them:
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What would it cost to buy my rate down 0.5% or 1%?
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How much would I save monthly and over the life of the loan?
✅ 3. Craft Smart Offers
Ask your real estate agent to structure your offer to:
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Keep the price at full or near asking
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Request seller concessions toward rate buydown or closing costs
Don’t be afraid to get specific — sellers may be more open to concessions than lowering the price outright.
Colorado Springs Housing Market Snapshot
As of our most recent market update:
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Average sales price: ~$550,000
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Buyer interest: High in the under $600K range
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Days on market: Varies by neighborhood, but still healthy
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Concessions: Increasingly common, especially in listings over 30 days old
Neighborhoods like Banning Lewis Ranch, Wolf Ranch, and Dublin North are seeing more seller flexibility — but every listing is different.
If you’re moving to Colorado Springs, make sure your agent knows how to spot homes where concessions are more likely.
Real Talk: Why This Trick Isn’t Talked About Enough
This isn’t some shady loophole — it’s a strategic way to get the home you want with a payment that fits your life. But many buyers don’t even realize it’s an option.
Some agents don’t talk about it. Some lenders don’t suggest it. But the buyers who win in today’s market are the ones asking smarter questions — and understanding how to use today’s market conditions to their advantage.
Final Thoughts: You Can Afford More Than You Think
In a market like Colorado Springs where home prices aren’t dropping but buying power is top-of-mind, this strategy is one of the smartest ways to unlock affordability.
💬 Have questions? Want to model some payment options?
📅 Book a consultation at myfrontrangeliving.com or download our Free Relocation Guide to explore the best areas and neighborhoods.
Let’s make Colorado Springs feel like home — and help you do it with a payment that doesn’t break the bank.
About The Author
The team at My Front Range Living are a group of full time real estate experts serving Colorado Springs, El Paso County and the surrounding areas. Their knowledge of the local community and experience in the industry provide you incomparable value when buying or selling a home. With several years of experience in helping out of state buyers and sellers, they are the go-to team when it comes to relocating and helping Colorado feel like home. Click Here to book a consultation with us.
Even if you’re looking for an agent in another city or state, the My Front Range Living team has a network of experts that can connect you with the right professional.
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