Moving to Denver Metro: A Relocation Guide for Home Buyers

Pick areas by what matters to your day

Start with three questions: where you work or fly from, what kind of home you want (single family, townhome, condo), and your monthly budget including taxes and HOA. Then compare areas on:

• Commute. Check drive times at rush hour and transit options. RTD runs light rail, commuter rail (including the A Line to Denver International Airport) and buses. [1]
• Taxes. Property taxes depend on the county and the specific taxing districts for an address. Look up any address on the county assessor and treasurer sites. [2] [3]
• HOAs and metro districts. Many newer communities have HOA dues and metro district taxes. Ask for both before you write an offer.
• Schools. If schools matter to you, look up the assigned schools for a specific address on the district's own site and visit them. Lewi does not rank or steer by schools or by who lives in an area.

Costs to plan for beyond the price

• Down payment and closing costs. The CFPB's home buying tools explain each closing cost line. [4]
• Property taxes (see the county sites above).
• HOA dues, metro district taxes, utilities, and water. Denver Water serves Denver and some nearby areas; other cities run their own utilities. Check the provider for a specific address. [5] [6]
• Radon testing. Colorado's health department has radon testing and real estate resources. Ask about a radon test during your inspection period. [7]

Timeline from out of state (every move varies)

• 8 to 12 weeks out: lender preapproval, area shortlist, budget including taxes and HOA.
• 4 to 8 weeks out: video tours, comps on the homes you like, plan an in-person trip.
• Trip week: tour the shortlist, write an offer.
• Under contract: inspection, appraisal, loan approval, title, and closing. Remote closing options depend on your lender and title company.
• After closing: utilities, Colorado driver license and vehicle registration. [8]

Touring remotely

Lewi tours homes on video and sends comps on the homes you like. In a client's words: "the thorough comps they put together via video within hours after we looked at homes we were interested in" (Jacob Schult, Google review, Jan 24, 2023).

Getting settled checklist

• Set up electric, gas, water, trash and internet before closing
• Colorado driver license and vehicle registration (check the DMV's current deadlines)
• Update voter registration
• Radon test results and mitigation, if needed
• Save your closing documents

Next step

Tell Lewi your work location, timing, home type, and monthly budget. He will send an area shortlist and a plan for your trip.