Real Estate Investing in Fort Collins, Colorado (80524)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 80524 (Fort Collins, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Fort Collins, CO (80524)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 80524 Fort Collins
Not every below-median market is a bargain. Fort Collins's 80524 ZIP stands at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $590K pricing implies.
The investment case in 80524 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $590K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Nearby ZIPs in Fort Collins have seen price recovery that 80524 has not matched. Larimer County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
The 80524 ZIP's population of 39,111 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reflects the need for careful underwriting.
Strategy in 80524 is an operator game, not a passive one. Meanwhile, entry prices of $590K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Fort Collins:
Property Strategy for 80524
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $384,642 | $1,440 | 2.7% | +4.0% | $384,642 |
| 2BR | $447,795 | $1,630 | 2.6% | +4.2% | $223,898 |
| 3BR | $545,877 | $2,250 | 3.0% | +4.9% | $181,959 |
| 4BR | $697,924 | $2,400 | 2.5% | +5.2% | $174,481 |
| 5BR | $908,129 | — | — | +6.3% | $181,626 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 80524 Compare?
| Metric | 80524 | Fort Collins | Fort Collins, CO | Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $589,726 | $577,037 | N/A | $535,778 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.6% | 3.0% | N/A | 4.9% |
| Avg Rent | $2,034 | $1,995 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.7% | 2.7% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 80524 (Fort Collins, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 80524 (Fort Collins, CO)?
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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
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
Faith Pro LLC is a Northern Colorado Property Management Company. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $589,726 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,034 |
| Price-to-Rent | 24.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.1% |
| Cap Rate | 2.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +0.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.6% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.5% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +4.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.4% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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.
Demographics in 80524
Population: 39,111
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 80524
Schools in This ZIP Code
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.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 770 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home value in Fort Collins, CO?
Expect median prices around $590K in Fort Collins, CO. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been even-keeled.
What approach is best for Fort Collins, CO real estate?
The best-fit strategy in Fort Collins, CO is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
How deep is the rental pool in Fort Collins, CO?
Expect a solid tenant pool in Fort Collins, CO. The rental market absorbs $2,034/mo rents without meaningful friction.
Can I house hack in Fort Collins, CO?
Fort Collins, CO is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $590K price point reasonable to enter.
How strong is Fort Collins, CO for real estate investors?
Fort Collins, CO scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $590K and rents near $2,034/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
You know 80524 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 80524 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 80524 ranks in Fort Collins, CO
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