Real Estate Investing in Estes Park, Colorado (80517)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Larimer County • Population: 10,093 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 80517 (Estes Park, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (38/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 30.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Estes Park, CO (80517)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $694,014
Avg Monthly Rent $2,573
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $84,484
% Renters 25.4%

Market Analysis: 80517 Estes Park

ZIP 80517 in Estes Park, CO carries a notable set of headwinds. Home values near $694K and rents of $2,573/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 80517 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

ZIP 80517's metrics run below Larimer County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

A notable renter share of 25% in 80517 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

The right play in 80517 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Estes Park:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.2× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,573/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Fort Collins, CO Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
58 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.9%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Fort Collins, CO metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 80517

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
2.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+6.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$239,541/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $337,081 $1,300 2.8% +6.2% $337,081
2BR $512,770 $1,530 2.1% +6.0% $256,385
3BR $745,099 $2,140 2.1% +5.6% $248,366
4BR $958,164 $2,280 1.7% +5.9% $239,541
5BR $1,220,245 +6.1% $244,049

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$745K$652K$559K$466K$373K$280KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,583$2,553$2,524$2,494$2,464$2,435May 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 80517 Compare?

Metric 80517 Estes Park Fort Collins, CO Colorado
Home Value $694,014 $694,014 N/A $535,778
5-Year CAGR 3.2% 3.2% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,573 $2,573 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 80517? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 80517 (Estes Park, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Larimer County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Armadillo Properties offers property management, rental listings, and sales services in Copperas Cove, Killeen, Harker Heights, and Kempner. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Dimensions Realty and Management is a full-service real estate company providing property management and brokerage services in Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Faith Pro LLC is a Northern Colorado Property Management Company. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.2%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Fort Collins, CO metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
47%
Days Pending
1/2
58 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $694,014
Monthly Rent $2,573
Price-to-Rent 22.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 6.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
30.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 80517

Population: 10,093

💰 Median Household Income
$84,484
This area
$84,484
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.4%
This area
25.4%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
52.9%
This area
52.9%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
56.4 years
This area
56.4 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
30.8%
This area
30.8%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.8%
Other/Mixed 8.3%
Hispanic/Latino 3.7%
Asian 1.3%
Black/African American 0.6%
👶 Under 18
10.6%
This area
10.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
35.6%
This area
35.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 80517

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.2:1 Avg Class Size
$16,129 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Estes Park K-5 School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
459 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,129 Per Student
A Very Good

Estes Park Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
189 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,129 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Estes Park High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
323 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,129 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What strategy should investors use in Estes Park, CO?

The best-fit strategy in Estes Park, CO is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Is the tenant base reliable in Estes Park, CO?

The tenant pool in Estes Park, CO is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $2,573/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Estes Park, CO?

The typical rental in Estes Park, CO commands about $2,573/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $694K purchase basis.

What is it like being a landlord in Estes Park, CO?

For rental operators, Estes Park, CO rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Is Estes Park, CO suited for a house hack?

House hacking in Estes Park, CO is a challenging. With home values around $694K and rents at $2,573/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

You know 80517 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 80517 ranks in Fort Collins, CO

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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