It is a buyer’s market in Colorado. Real estate agents say it has been more than a decade since buyers have had the kind of choices they have now. But overall economic uncertainty is keeping many people from buying. Although the latest Market Trends Housing Report from the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR) shows the inventory of active listings was down between 6 to 7 percent from July to August, listings are still up 11 to 13 percent from where they were a year ago.

For those who are buying, the report found buyers are prioritizing move-in-ready listings. Many sellers are also considering paying seller concessions to help offset closing costs. But high home prices and interest rates are still making it challenging for potential buyers and REALTORS® say conditions are not likely to change for the remainder of 2025.

If buying a home is one of your goals for next year, there are things you can be doing now to prepare your finances. Before the holidays is a good time to review your budget. Financial experts tell NerdWallet you should be paying attention to how much money you have coming in and what you plan to spend, especially on holiday shopping, so you can make necessary adjustments now. Financial experts also suggest checking your short-term savings to make sure you have money saved for unexpected expenses this time of year.

Open enrollment happens in November for many workplaces. It’s a good time to review your benefits and check if there’s any money you still need to use by the end of the year. For example, if you have a flexible spending account, you may need to spend the money in it by the end of the year or risk losing it.

Now is also a good time to review your finances to map out your savings goals for next year, which could include saving for a down payment for a house. You can get a better idea about the steps in the homebuying process through CHFA’s interactive Homebuyer’s Roadmap.

CHFA’s new partnership with Zogo, a gamified financial education app, is another way you can learn about preparing to become a homeowner and earn points toward gift cards for popular retailers in the process. In the Zogo app, there are bite-sized education modules which include real life scenarios on topics ranging from the costs of homeownership to making your homebuying budget. You can earn points by answering short post-lesson quizzes and playing the in-app trivia game. The Zogo app also has news articles which are updated daily featuring trending financial topics.

Start Playing Today

1. Visit chfainfo.com/zogo or scan the QR code to learn more about the partnership and download the app or visit the web-based version. Please note, rewards are only available through the Zogo app, not the web-based version.
2. Use the access code “ROADHOME” to start playing.

CHFA’s Zogo users have reported a 100 percent improvement in financial literacy! As you undertake the homebuying process, we want to support your continued success, and we believe financial education is key. Please note that Zogo does not replace CHFA’s homebuyer education requirement; it is meant to add to the financial education received.

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority

www.chfainfo.com