3 Mistakes to Avoid as a Denver Area Homebuyer In 2026

March 19^th, 2026

If you’ve been reading our Denver Market Update blogs, then it should be no surprise that Denver’s real estate market is slower and slower markets tend to give buyers an upper hand. However, this does not mean that buyers control the entire transaction. In fact, there’s several things many Denver area buyers are trying to do that end up backfiring when purchasing a Denver home. We’ll talk about a few of these things below.

1. Lowball Offers »

Values across Denver have been remaining softer, with some homes selling for less than they have in recent years. Many sellers are also making price reductions to help make their home more attractive to buyers. However, just because the market is soft, does not mean most sellers are open to accepting any offer. In fact, many sellers have decided to remove their home from the market versus selling it for less than they feel it’s worth. This, in my opinion, is part of why Denver values have stayed higher the last couple years even in a challenging market.

Buyers often feel they can offer whatever they want when a home has been on the market for a longer period of time. Then, they are surprised when their offer isn’t accepted. Don’t get me wrong—it’s very acceptable to submit an offer below list price and/or with seller concessions, but if you go too low, you will insult the seller and see them reject the offer versus negotiate a deal to sell their house to you. Working with a TK Homes agent can help you navigate the fine line of getting a fair price on your purchase without insulting the seller.

2. Asking for Too Much During Inspections »

One great thing about a softer market for buyers is the ability to ask the seller to address items that come up during an inspection. However, this does not mean that you should be asking for everything that comes up during your inspection. Unless you’re buying new a home, every home will have some ongoing maintenance items and have cosmetic items that a new owner will need to accept and address after closing. Submitting an Inspection Objection to the seller asking them to address everything or nearly everything in an inspection is a surefire way to cause a seller to shut down and force you to buy the home as-is or walk away. The best approach is to only include big-ticket items on the Inspection Objection like an issue with the HVAC, sewer line, roof, electrical and health safety issues. Focus on the items that matter and take care of the little things after closing. This approach is best on your wallet and will ensure you make it through inspections.

3. Waiting to Make an Offer »

It is true that generally homes are taking longer to sell right now, but that doesn’t mean there’s not another buyer with a scheduled showing ready to make an offer. We’ve seen it happen time and time again—both with our sellers and with our buyers—when a house has been sitting on the market for several weeks, and then, all of a sudden, we get two offers at the same time. Even though we shouldn’t be surprised at this point with how often it happens, it’s always a shock to both sellers and buyers. If you find a home you love and want to make an offer, do it right away. Don’t wait until there’s competition, and you lose some or all of your negotiating power.

It's no surprise that right now is a great time to buy a Denver area home—sales are steady, values appear to be protected and conditions favor buyers. However, even when the market is favoring the buyer, it’s easy for a buyer to self-sabotage and lose the home of their dreams.

Working with a well-qualified Denver area buyer’s agent—like a TK Homes agent—is a sure-fire way to ensure you get a great deal on a home, without being the reason you lose it during inspections! If you’re ready to take advantage of Denver’s current market conditions, contact a TK Homes agent today, let’s talk about your real estate goals and how to make them a reality this spring!

 

~ Written by CEO/REALTOR® Trevor Kohlhepp