KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON: FOCO NAMED “MOST PEACEFUL” U.S. CITY
Mile high and low key.
That’s the lifestyle that Fort Collins represents, according to a ranking of the country’s “most peaceful” places to live.
In a recent edition of Travel + Leisure, the magazine touted Fort Collins for its placid surroundings, due in large part to low noise levels and access to recreational space. Based on metrics applied by Insider Monkey, a finance and lifestyle website, Fort Collins finished ahead of two other notable college towns – Boulder (No. 2) and Ann Arbor, Mich., (No. 3) – at the top of the list.
“A peaceful place for living offers a calm and serene environment to its residents,” the report reads. And what could be more calming than quiet. The average noise level in Fort Collins is 38.3 dBA (decibels recognized by the human ear), which the Hearing Health Foundation describes as equivalent to the “rustling leaves or the average room noise.”
Another indicator of peaceful, easy living in Fort Collins is the proximity to parks. As a benchmark, if half of a city’s population is within a 10-minute walk, it’s considered to be a serene destination. By comparison, 73% of Fort Collins residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park. Additionally, the report called out the presence of both county (Horsetooth Reservoir) and state (Lory) parks a short drive – or bike ride – away.
Of course, the quality of life in Northern Colorado is not news to those of us who live and work here. Communities in our area have frequently appeared at or near the top of similar “best places” lists. Here at The Group, we’re reminded why we’ve been privileged to be part of this community for nearly 50 years, and why we’re grateful to all – past and present – who have helped to make it such a desirable place to be.
WANT TO RETIRE? YOUR HOME EQUITY CAN BOOST YOUR INCOME
High on the priority list for most people approaching retirement age is making sure there’s enough money to make ends meet. For homeowners in Northern Colorado, home equity could hold the answer.
As home values have escalated in this area, local homeowners have seen their equity grow substantially. That’s an ideal scenario for retirees looking for extra income to help replace their paychecks.
With a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), owners can turn their equity into an income stream if they want to stay in their existing home. Or they can apply their equity toward the purchase of a different property in a way that avoids monthly mortgage payments – and puts a little extra cash in their pocket.
An HECM differs from the traditional reverse mortgage program, because interest rates on an HECM are comparable to standard mortgage rates. That’s because HECMs are backed by the FHA, which reduces the lender’s risk.
Basic eligibility requirements include:
• You are at least 62 years old
• Available only on a primary residence
• You meet the requirements of a financial assessment
Curious about how a Home Equity Conversion Loan can help you plan for retirement?
Contact our experts at The Group Mortgage to learn more about the HECM program and how it can apply to your real estate needs.
RETIREMENT REPORT CARD: COLORADO NEAR THE HEAD OF THE CLASS
Demographers tell us that the average age of Colorado’s population is gradually getting older. Currently, 1 in 6 residents is over 65, and that proportion is likely to reach 1 in 5 by 2050.
Fortunately, Colorado is also a good place to be older.
Travel + Leisure magazine recently highlighted a report that ranks Colorado as the No. 3 state for retirees in the U.S., following only Florida (No. 1) and Minnesota (No. 2).
The report, compiled by WalletHub, looked at 46 different metrics for determining a retirement-friendly environment. Colorado earned high marks for its “taxpayer-friendly conditions with no estate or inheritance taxes.” It also rates highly for geriatric health care, and the high percentage of seniors who live an active lifestyle. Among the 50 states, Colorado is ranked No. 3 in health care. Other notable characteristics include the volume of volunteer opportunities, scenery, and the number of theaters per capita.
YOUR SOURCE FOR ALL THINGS NORTHERN COLORADO
Looking for local tips, event highlights, or home inspiration?
In our blog, we share helpful updates on everything from practical home improvement ideas to local activities, all centered on life in Northern Colorado.
To help you plan your weekends, we publish a weekly post, What to Do This Weekend in NoCo , featuring upcoming events and activities happening across the region. It’s a quick and easy way to stay connected to what’s going on in your community.
We keep up with what’s happening throughout Northern Colorado, so you’ll always be in the know about seasonal activities, community events, and ways to make the most of where you live. Whether you’re exploring, renovating, or just enjoying your neighborhood, we’ve got you covered.
For details, visit: www.thegroupinc.com/blog
REAL ESTATE BY NUMBERS
100,000. Approximate square footage of a proposed six-story residential building targeting Colorado State University students. Developers want to build the project at 1000 W. Prospect Road, which requires removing an existing 95-year-old single-family home.
11. Where Colorado ranks among all states on CNBC’s list of Top States for Business in 2025. The report gives Colorado high marks for technology and innovation as well as the quality of its workforce.
$10.1 million. Price paid for the Safeway grocery store building, located at 2321 W. Eisenhower Blvd. (U.S. Highway 34) in Loveland. The building is approximately 50,000 square feet. The new owners are based in Nevada.
$17.75 million. Price that investors paid for the Fort Collins Marketplace shopping center – which includes a Safeway store — at 3657 S. College Ave. in Fort Collins. The new owners are based in California.
31,000. Approximate square footage of an industrial building proposed for the High Pointe Business Park, located near the interchange of Highway 257 and U.S. Highway 34 in west Greeley. The new building, dubbed Snow Owl 3, will occupy 2.2 acres in the 132acre development.
3 REASONS HOMEBUYERS CAN BENEFIT FROM TODAY’S RISING INVENTORY
One of the defining themes of the real estate market in 2025, both locally and nationally, is the growing inventory of homes for sale – following a years-long stretch of low availability.
If you’re a would-be homebuyer, here are three ways you can take advantage of the blossoming supply:
• Above all, there are simply more options to choose from, which means a greater chance of finding a home that fits your needs.
• Next, as sellers need to be more competitive, it’s more likely they will be willing to provide concessions. That’s especially welcome to first-time homebuyers looking for affordability.
• More choice means less stress. With tighter inventory, buyers often had to be ready to make an offer immediately after touring a home. In most cases today, you can take time to evaluate the neighborhood and make a measured decision.
$1.3 million. Price paid for The Forks building, located at 17685 N. U.S. Highway 287 in northern Larimer County. The landmark building, located at the corner of Highway 287 and Red Feather Lakes Road, includes a gas station and convenience store, a deli, a bar and a restaurant.
$111 million. What investors spent to acquire Aura Colliers Hill, a 329-unit garden-style apartment community in Erie. The property, which spans 13 acres, opened for tenants in 2024. The new ownership is based in Centennial.
$18 million. Amount that an Ohiobased investor paid for the former Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health LLC building, located at 4770 Larimer Parkway near Interstate 25. The previous occupants operated a 92bed health facility.
39,000. Approximate total of new single-family homes constructed by the build-to-rent industry in 2024 in the United States, an increase of 16% over 2023, according to data reported by Point2Homes.
1,568. The active inventory of newly constructed homes in the Fort CollinsLoveland areas as of May 2025, an increase of 57.9% over May of 2024, according to data from Realtor.com. Inventory for the Greeley area totaled 1,266, up 42.1% over May 2024.
$754 million. Amount of money that consumers reported losing to movingrelated scams in 2024, according to the Better Business Bureau.
$7 billion. What business travelers spent in Colorado in 2024, which ranks seventh among all states in the economic impact of business travel. The ranking was reported by the Global Business Travel Association.
