The Denver real estate market has experienced steady growth in the last couple of years, but will it continue into the new year?
It appears so, according to an emerging trends report released by Urban Land Institute and PwC. The report ranked Denver in the top five real estate markets in the United States based on three broad categories of investment, development and homebuilding. Only three cities ranked higher than Denver—Houston, Austin and San Francisco. On account of the significant growth of the millennial population, industry exposure to the technology and energy industries and a strong overall economy, the report predicts that Denver will continue to be a sustainable real estate market.
Notwithstanding the optimistic predictions for 2015, Colorado seems to have some New Year’s resolutions in mind. Here are some things to watch:
- Despite the demand for owner‑occupied, multi‑family housing, condominium development in Colorado has been at a near standstill. This is largely due to fear of litigation under Colorado’s existing construction defect law. In 2015, a legislative bill will likely be introduced again to address the existing problems. Reform may encourage new condominium development in Colorado.
- In September 2014, the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act (“ILSA”) was amended to exempt condominium developments from certain ILSA requirements (for more detailed information, click here.) This amendment, which takes effect in March 2015, may also help jumpstart condominium development in Colorado.
- New legislation may be introduced regarding oil and gas drilling restrictions in Colorado this year. Governor John Hickenlooper has created a 19-member oil and gas task force to provide recommendations regarding local government control of oil and gas drilling. The recommendations are expected to be published by March 2015. Legislative responses to the task force’s findings may ultimately have an impact on the energy industry’s long‑term investment in Colorado.