Denver Home Loans

Denver’s growth story over the last decade has been driven by tech, outdoor lifestyle, and people leaving the coasts for a city that actually feels livable. The metro has attracted major employers — Google, Amazon, Oracle, Lockheed Martin — alongside a startup scene that keeps producing new companies. The result is a housing market where demand has consistently outpaced supply, pushing the median home price to around $580,000.

That price point puts Denver firmly in the category where a lot of buyers — especially self-employed tech workers, cannabis industry operators, and startup founders — need something other than a standard W-2 mortgage. The city’s independent workforce is large and growing, and tax returns for these borrowers rarely tell the real income story.

Denver’s neighborhoods span everything from renovated Victorians in Capitol Hill to new builds in Stapleton (Central Park), with LoDo lofts, Cherry Creek luxury homes, and family-friendly suburbs like Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock filling out the range. Boulder is close enough to pull buyers into the Denver lending market, and the foothills communities — Evergreen, Conifer, Golden — add a mountain-adjacent option that stays within commuting distance.

Loan Programs Available in Denver

• Conventional Loans — Fixed and adjustable rate options. The workhorse product for qualified Denver buyers
• Jumbo Loans — Cherry Creek, Washington Park, Hilltop, and much of central Denver exceed conforming limits. Jumbo is standard here
• Bank Statement Loans — Denver’s tech contractors, cannabis operators, startup founders, and freelancers need income documentation that matches how they actually earn
• DSCR Investment Loans — Rental demand is strong across the metro. Qualify on property income, not personal returns
• FHA Loans — 3.5% down, usable in Aurora, Thornton, Commerce City, and other areas where prices stay within FHA limits
• VA Loans — Zero down for veterans. Buckley Space Force Base and the Denver VA bring a significant military and veteran population

Denver Housing Market

Denver’s market has distinct zones that behave differently. Central Denver — LoDo, RiNo, Capitol Hill, Congress Park — runs hot on condos and walkable living. Young professionals and remote workers drive demand here, with prices from $350K for a condo to $800K+ for a single-family. Washington Park, Hilltop, and Cherry Creek are established luxury neighborhoods where $1M–$2M is normal for a family home.

The Highlands and Sloan’s Lake have become the “it” neighborhoods for the past several years — breweries, restaurants, and renovated bungalows that now sell for $700K–$1M. LoHi is adjacent and even pricier.

The suburbs split into two tiers. Arvada, Lakewood, and Westminster offer relative value in the $450K–$600K range and attract move-up buyers. Further out, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, and Parker are family-driven markets with newer construction in the $500K–$750K range.

Aurora is Denver’s affordability play — a large, diverse city with prices often $100K–$150K below comparable Denver neighborhoods. FHA and first-time buyer programs get the most traction here.

Cannabis industry borrowers face a unique challenge in Colorado. Despite being state-legal, most banks won’t lend to dispensary owners or cannabis-adjacent businesses through traditional channels. Bank statement loans solve this by qualifying on deposits rather than industry classification.

Why Buyers in Denver Choose 1st Nationwide

• Bank statement lending — Denver’s economy runs on independent workers. Tech contractors, cannabis industry operators, consultants, and startup founders all earn well but show reduced income on tax returns. We know how to structure these files.
• Jumbo capability — Central Denver and the near suburbs are jumbo territory. We work with multiple investors and handle high-balance loans daily.
• Investor programs — DSCR loans for rental properties across the metro. Strong rents in Denver, Aurora, and Lakewood make the math work for buy-and-hold investors.
• Closing speed — Denver’s inventory is tight. When you find the right place, you need a lender who can close on time. We don’t miss deadlines.

Get Started

Call us at (833) 350-9185 or apply online. We’ll review your situation and match you to the right program — conventional, jumbo, bank statement, DSCR, FHA, or VA.