💎 Hidden Gems: 3 Denver Metro Neighborhoods Poised for Single-Family Growth in 2026

Discover the Next Hot Spot: 3 Denver Metro Neighborhoods Poised for Single-Family Growth and Investment Value

Introduction: Where Smart Denver Investors Look Next

The secret is out on Highlands and Sloan's Lake—prices are peaking, and the upside is now tighter. For serious real estate investors in the Denver Metro area, success today means finding the next emerging market before institutional money floods in.

At Bergan & Co., we leverage our hyperlocal knowledge across the entire Denver region—from Lakewood to Aurora and Littleton—to identify neighborhoods exhibiting key indicators for accelerated single-family home (SFH) appreciation and rental demand over the next 18 to 36 months.

Here are three Denver Metro neighborhoods showing the strongest potential for SFH investment growth in 2026:

1. West Colfax (West Denver)

While West Colfax (West Colfax Avenue being the main artery) has been on the rise, the SFH pockets just north and south of the main corridor are still undervalued compared to neighbors like Sloan's Lake and Edgewater.

The Growth Indicators:

• Transit and Walkability: Excellent access to the Light Rail W Line, offering a fast commute to downtown Denver. New, mixed-use retail developments around the stations are driving foot traffic and desirability.

• Price Disparity: The median SFH price is often still significantly lower than homes just a mile east in Sloan's Lake, offering a clearer path to immediate equity capture.

• The Value-Add Play: The area is rich with older, mid-century ranch homes and bungalows perfect for "pop-top" or scrape-and-rebuild projects, allowing investors to maximize the price ceiling.

Bergan & Co. Insight: Tenants here are often young professionals who want urban proximity without the extreme price tag of LoHi or Wash Park, making demand for well-maintained SFH rentals high.

2. Aurora's Nine Mile Station Area (East Metro)

This suburb is often overlooked in favor of central Denver, but the area surrounding the Nine Mile Station is undergoing massive investment and infrastructure upgrades, creating excellent opportunities for SFR investors.

The Growth Indicators:

• Job Hub Access: Unbeatable access to the I-225 corridor, the Denver Tech Center (DTC), and the Anschutz Medical Campus (one of Colorado's largest employment centers). This ensures a massive, stable pool of high-income tenants (doctors, nurses, tech workers).

• Transportation Nexus: Being a primary transfer point for the Light Rail R Line offers easy access deep into the DTC and the north metro.

• Affordable Entry Point: SFH prices in this specific pocket of Aurora remain accessible compared to Greenwood Village or southeast Denver, offering the best blend of job access and price.

Bergan & Co. Insight: We are seeing strong demand here from family tenants looking for good schools and proximity to major suburban amenities, making this a reliable long-term hold for SFR investors.

3. Chaffee Park (Northwest Denver)

Wedged between the thriving areas of Sunnyside and Regis, Chaffee Park has long been quiet, but its location and lot sizes are making it an attractive target for renovation and development.

The Growth Indicators:

• Location, Location, Location: It’s one of the last affordable neighborhoods in the northwest quadrant of Denver with quick access to I-70 and I-25. It's essentially a commuter dream with downtown less than 15 minutes away.

• Development Spillover: As prices continue to soar in Sunnyside and Highlands, developers and owner-occupiers are naturally moving south and west into Chaffee Park for the larger lots.

• Retail Investment: Local businesses and boutique retail are beginning to appear, a classic early indicator of neighborhood transition and rising property values.

Bergan & Co. Insight: Focus on SFHs with alley access. The potential for adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Chaffee Park is a prime value-add strategy, allowing investors to double their rent income on a single parcel.

🔑 Your Next Step in the Denver Metro Market

The key to profiting in the Denver Metro area is moving capital into pockets poised for the next wave of appreciation. Waiting until a neighborhood is trending on national real estate blogs means you’ve already missed the window.

Whether you are looking to purchase your first rental in Lakewood, execute a 1031 Exchange into two SFHs in Aurora, or find a value-add opportunity in West Colfax, Bergan & Co. has the deep local insight to guide your investment strategy.

Ready to capitalize on Denver's next hidden gems? Contact Bergan & Co. today for a personalized investment consultation across the Denver Metro area!