By "investing in Boulder or nearby communities" I assume you mean buying real estate to occupy or rent. In either case, the answer is a qualified "yes."

Real estate is like any other investment. There is always a degree of risk and you should be prepared to accept that risk where your own money is involved.

That said, financial indicators suggest this might be a very good time to invest money in real estate. Based on recent trends, Boulder County might be one of the best areas to place your money.

Despite the recession, homes in Boulder County have retained value better than homes in many other areas. (See my blog entry complete with graphs. The link is in the "Web References" section below.)

Perhaps the first goal of a smart investor is finding opportunities with minimum downside potential. Since Boulder County has so far lost little ground during this recession, it appears to meet this criteria quite well.

However, making money is the real point of investing. Here, the indicators are a bit harder to interpret. Properties in Boulder County and especially Boulder City, went through a period of significant appreciation during the 1990s. While other areas caught up during the early to mid 2000s, Boulder prices stabilized. Whether this means we are ready for another jump after the recession remains to be seen.

One thing to keep in mind is that Boulder County remains a desirable location, location, location. A second factor to consider is that governments in Boulder City and Boulder County are making new construction and home additions harder to achieve. (Restraints vary in other cities.) These factors could help push up home prices in the area.

So, you will have to look at your personal goals, as well as your level of risk aversion, before making the decision. Feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions.

Kind regards,
Ron Rovtar
Real Estate of the Rockies