Investors
Denver real estate for investors
From your first rental to your tenth flip — a working guide to investing in Denver real estate. Strategies, rules, and the on-the-ground realities.
Denver's investment market has matured significantly from the 2015–2021 window when almost anything worked. Margins are tighter, regulations are more complex, and the easy money has largely been made. That said, smart investors are still finding opportunities — they're just more selective about strategy and underwriting.
Strategy Options
Long-Term Rentals
Buy, hold, rent. Denver's strong rental market and steady appreciation make traditional buy-and-hold a reasonable play. Look at Sunnyside, Wheat Ridge, and parts of Aurora for better entry points relative to rental income.
Short-Term Rentals (STRs)
Highly regulated in Denver — STRs within city limits must be a primary residence. More flexibility exists in nearby suburbs (Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Englewood). Regulations change frequently, and I track them closely.
Fix and Flip
Margins are thinner than 5 years ago, but selective flips still work. NW Denver, Wheat Ridge, and Englewood still have inventory worth flipping with the right renovation plan and conservative underwriting.
BRRRR
Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. Works in Denver but requires careful underwriting — appraisals are conservative and rates are higher than the BRRRR glory days. Deals need to pencil at current rates, not projected future rates.
Multi-Family
Duplexes and small multi-family in Denver are increasingly competitive. Better entry points are sometimes in adjacent suburbs — Edgewater, Wheat Ridge, parts of Lakewood.
Land and Development
Scrape-and-build lots, infill duplexes, and small multi-unit projects. I work with several developers and know the zoning landscape across NW Denver and the inner suburbs well.
The Numbers Right Now
Cap rates in Denver typically run 4.5–5.5% for single-family rentals — lower than many secondary markets, but with appreciation that has historically compensated. Cash-on-cash returns vary significantly by leverage and acquisition price.
For fix-and-flip, plan on 12–15% net margin as your minimum viable target. Anything tighter and you're largely working for the contractors and the lender.
For multi-family, underwrite at current rents and current rates. Pro-forma rent increases have a way of not materializing on schedule.
What I Bring to Investor Clients
I track off-market inventory across NW Denver and can run targeted campaigns for specific lot types or property profiles. For developers hunting a specific infill opportunity, I'll find it before it lists. I also work closely with contractors, architects, and zoning consultants across the metro if you're navigating a complex project.
Investor or Developer?
I work with both. Let's talk strategy.
Whether you're looking for your first rental or hunting a scrape-and-build lot, let's talk through the market and find what pencils.