Your Options for Inherited Property in Denver
Inheriting a house in Denver comes with both opportunity and responsibility. As Colorado's largest city and a major metropolitan hub, Denver real estate holds significant value — but it also means ongoing costs and decisions that need to be made. Most heirs face three main options: keep the property, rent it out, or sell it.
The right choice depends on your personal situation, financial needs, where you live, and what other heirs want (if applicable). Let's examine each option in detail.
Option 1: Keep the Inherited Denver Home
Keeping the property makes sense if you want to live in Denver or use it as a second home. Denver offers excellent access to outdoor recreation, a strong job market, cultural amenities, and urban living with mountain access.
Pros of Keeping:
- Preserve family memories and connection to the property
- Benefit from Denver's long-term real estate appreciation
- No immediate capital gains tax (stepped-up basis applies)
- Access to one of Colorado's most desirable cities
- Potential rental income in the future if plans change
Cons of Keeping:
- Ongoing costs: taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities
- May need to buy out other heirs' shares
- Older Denver homes often need significant updates
- Ties up capital that could be used elsewhere
- Responsibility for property even if you live elsewhere
Best for: Heirs who want to relocate to Denver, can afford the ongoing costs, have strong emotional attachment, or see long-term investment value.
Option 2: Rent the Inherited Property
Denver has strong rental demand due to its growing population, job market, and desirability. Renting can provide monthly income while you decide what to do long-term or wait for market conditions to change.
Denver Rental Market Considerations:
- Average rent for 3BR homes: $2,000-$3,000/month depending on neighborhood
- Denver requires rental license registration
- City has habitability and inspection requirements
- Tenant protection laws affect eviction procedures
- Property management typically costs 8-10% of rent
Pros of Renting:
- Monthly income from the property
- Continue benefiting from property appreciation
- Time to decide without rushing a sale
- Tax benefits of rental property ownership
- Keep the property in the family
Cons of Renting:
- Landlord responsibilities (or property management costs)
- Risk of problem tenants, vacancies, property damage
- May need updates to meet rental standards
- Complicated if multiple heirs are involved
- Denver's regulations add compliance burden
- Still responsible for major repairs and maintenance
Best for: Heirs who don't need immediate cash, have a property in good condition, are comfortable being landlords (or hiring management), and all heirs agree to this approach.
Ongoing Costs of Keeping vs. Selling
| Cost Category | Monthly Estimate | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Property Taxes | $200-$500 | $2,400-$6,000 |
| Homeowner's Insurance | $100-$200 | $1,200-$2,400 |
| Utilities (if vacant) | $150-$300 | $1,800-$3,600 |
| Basic Maintenance | $100-$300 | $1,200-$3,600 |
| HOA (if applicable) | $0-$400 | $0-$4,800 |
| Total Carrying Cost | $550-$1,700 | $6,600-$20,400 |
The Cost of Waiting
While you decide what to do, the property costs money every month. On a typical Denver home, carrying costs of $800-$1,500/month add up quickly. Six months of indecision could cost $5,000-$9,000 in carrying costs alone — not counting any emergency repairs that might arise.