Is My House Worth Less Than It Was a Year Ago?

If you own a home, you may have wondered this lately:

“Is my house worth less than it was a year ago?”

With everything we hear about interest rates, affordability and changes in the real estate market, it’s a completely reasonable question.

And the answer may surprise you.

Your home could be worth more than it was a year ago. It could be worth about the same. Or, depending on your neighborhood and property, it could be worth less.

That’s because real estate values aren’t determined by national headlines or what happened to the house down the street.

They’re determined by what buyers are willing to pay for your particular home in today’s market.

After more than 29 years in real estate, I’ve learned that understanding the difference is incredibly important—especially if you’re thinking about selling.

What Is Happening With Denver Home Values?

Let’s start with the bigger picture.

The Denver Metro real estate market has been relatively stable compared with some of the dramatic price swings we’ve seen in the past.

According to the latest REcolorado market data, the median closed price in the Denver Metro area was $614,000 in June 2026, up about 1% from June 2025. Homes spent a median of 19 days in the MLS, the same as a year earlier.

So, at the metro-wide level, we’re not seeing a dramatic decline in home values.

But here’s the important part:

The median price doesn’t tell you what your house is worth.

Your Home Isn’t the “Average” Home

When someone asks me, “What are homes worth right now?” I always want to know more.

What neighborhood?

How many bedrooms and bathrooms?

How much square footage?

Is it updated?

How old are the kitchen and bathrooms?

What does the exterior look like?

How is the landscaping?

What are the competing homes currently listed for?

And perhaps most importantly:

What have similar homes actually sold for recently?

Two houses that look similar on paper can have very different values.

One may be beautifully updated and move-in ready.

The other may need a new roof, flooring, paint, windows and a kitchen remodel.

They’re both “three-bedroom homes,” but they’re not necessarily worth the same amount.

Why Your Home Might Be Worth More Than Last Year

There are several reasons your home’s value could have increased.

Maybe you’ve made improvements.

Maybe your neighborhood has become more desirable.

Maybe there aren’t many comparable homes available.

Maybe demand for your particular type of home remains strong.

Or perhaps prices in your neighborhood have simply continued to appreciate.

Even in a relatively balanced market, there are homes that perform extremely well.

In fact, Denver’s current market data shows that buyers are increasingly prioritizing move-in-ready homes. Homes that are updated, well-maintained and require less work can command a premium compared with properties that need significant improvements.

But Could My Home Actually Be Worth Less?

Yes.

And this is where homeowners need to be careful.

A home doesn’t automatically increase in value just because a year has passed.

If buyers have more choices, they’re going to compare your home with everything else that’s available.

If your home needs work and a similar home down the street has been completely updated, buyers may choose the updated property—even if yours is priced lower.

Your home’s condition matters.

Your competition matters.

Your location matters.

And your asking price matters.

That’s why I don’t like giving homeowners a value based on what the market was doing a year ago.

The market today is what matters.

Don’t Rely on Zillow to Tell You What Your Home Is Worth

Online home-value estimates can be fun to look at.

But they’re not a substitute for a professional analysis of your home.

An automated estimate doesn’t walk through your house.

It doesn’t see your remodeled kitchen.

It doesn’t know that your basement is unfinished.

It doesn’t know that the house next door has a brand-new roof.

It doesn’t know that buyers in your particular neighborhood are willing to pay a premium for certain features.

And it doesn’t know what your competition looks like today.

A professional market analysis takes those details into consideration.

What I Look At When Determining Your Home’s Value

When I’m helping a homeowner determine what their home could realistically sell for, I’m looking at much more than a computer-generated number.

I look at:

• Recent comparable sales
• Current competition
• Homes that are under contract
• How quickly similar homes are selling
• Price reductions
• Location and neighborhood
• Condition and updates
• Square footage and layout
• Lot size
• Features buyers are looking for
• Current buyer demand

Then I put all of that information together to determine a realistic pricing strategy.

Because there’s a big difference between what you hope your home is worth and what the market is actually willing to pay.

Pricing Is More Important Than Ever

This is one of the biggest things I want homeowners to understand about today’s market.

We’re not necessarily in the same market we were a few years ago when homes could receive multiple offers almost immediately simply because inventory was so limited.

Today’s buyers have more choices and are being more selective.

DMAR’s June 2026 report specifically noted that buyers are prioritizing updated, well-cared-for homes and are less willing to take on properties that require significant work.

That means pricing your home correctly from the beginning is extremely important.

Overpricing doesn’t create value.

It can actually make it harder for buyers to find your home online, schedule a showing and ultimately make an offer.

What If I Want to Sell?

If you’re thinking about selling, don’t start with the question:

“What was my house worth last year?”

Instead, ask:

“What is my house worth in today’s market?”

That’s a much more useful question.

And if your goal is to sell, the answer isn’t necessarily the highest number someone can imagine.

It’s the price that puts your home in the strongest position against today’s competition.

Your Home’s Value Is More Than a Zestimate

Your home is probably one of your biggest financial assets.

So if you’ve been wondering whether its value has gone up or down over the past year, don’t rely on a generic online estimate or a neighbor’s asking price.

Find out what the market is actually saying about your home today.

After more than 29 years of helping buyers and sellers, I’ve seen the market change in ways that nobody could have predicted.

That’s why I believe good real estate advice isn’t about guessing what the market will do next.

It’s about understanding what is happening now and using that information to make smart decisions.

Wondering What Your Home Is Worth?

If you’re curious about what your home could realistically sell for today, I’d be happy to take a look.

I’ll help you understand what comparable homes are selling for, how your home compares with the competition and what you could do—if anything—to maximize its value.

You don’t have to be ready to sell tomorrow.

Sometimes, knowing your home’s current value is simply good financial information to have.

Sue Monroe
RE/MAX Leaders
29+ Years of Real Estate Experience
303-717-7349
www.suemonroe.com

Wondering what your home is worth? Let’s take a look at the numbers.

Real estate values vary by property, neighborhood, condition and market conditions. Market statistics referenced in this article reflect the most recent Denver Metro data available at the time of publication.