Moving to or from Colorado Springs can feel like a data puzzle, especially if you are juggling a PCS timeline or a tight work transfer. You want clear signals on price, inventory, and how fast homes move so you can plan with confidence. Coldwell Banker’s Move Meter gives you a quick side-by-side snapshot, but you still need local validation to make smart decisions. This guide shows you how to read Move Meter, pair it with MLS checks, and translate the data into a precise plan. Let’s dive in.
What Move Meter shows and how to read it
Move Meter compares two markets at a high level to help you see relative conditions. You will see headline metrics that indicate affordability, competition, and timing. Use these signals as a first pass, then verify with local data before you act.
Key metrics to watch:
- Median sale price to gauge overall price level.
- Price change or trend to see appreciation or cooling.
- Inventory and months of inventory to understand supply. Months of inventory equals active listings divided by average monthly sales.
- Days on market to measure market speed.
- Sale-to-list ratio or a market heat indicator to see how close sales land to asking price.
- Price per square foot to compare value across housing types.
Directional cues are simple. Warmer colors or upward arrows usually mean higher prices, lower inventory, and faster sales. Cooler colors or downward arrows point to more supply and slower movement. Remember, Move Meter is a city or metro snapshot, not a replacement for a neighborhood-level analysis.
A step-by-step workflow for Colorado Springs moves
Use Move Meter to frame the big picture. Then build a local plan that fits your timing and budget.
Step 1: Define locations and timeframe
Select the exact origin and destination markets you want to compare. If the tool offers date filters, start with the last 12 months for stability, then check the last 3 to 6 months for recent shifts. For military moves, also look at areas around Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, and Schriever Space Force Base.
Step 2: Read the headline outputs
Compare median price, inventory or months of inventory, days on market, and sale-to-list indicators between your two markets. Note which market is faster and which offers more supply. This frames your likely competition level and decision speed.
Step 3: Form initial hypotheses
Use the comparison to set expectations. For example:
- If Colorado Springs shows lower prices and higher inventory than your origin, you may have more negotiation space and time to evaluate options.
- If price levels are similar but Colorado Springs has fewer days on market and tighter inventory, plan for faster decisions and stronger offer terms.
These are starting points, not conclusions. Validate them next.
Step 4: Validate with MLS and on-the-ground checks
Pull active, pending, and recently sold listings for the neighborhoods and ZIP codes you would actually target. Compare median list and sold prices, days on market, and sale-to-list ratios. Calculate months of inventory in your price range by dividing active listings by average monthly sales. Check recent sold comps from the last 30 to 90 days in faster segments and up to the last 6 to 12 months if the segment is stable.
Step 5: Align with your timing and financing
Match the data to your real timeline. If you have a firm PCS date, build in contingency options like temporary housing or a rental while you search. Coordinate with your lender early if you plan to use VA financing, and understand local appraisal and underwriting timing.
Pairing Move Meter with Colorado Springs data
City-level snapshots mask micro-markets. Colorado Springs has distinct submarkets that behave differently. Layer neighborhood and price-band checks on top of Move Meter to avoid surprises.
MLS and CMA checks to run
- Pull 30, 90, 180, and 365-day windows for target ZIPs to see short- and medium-term trends.
- Track counts of active, pending, and sold listings by ZIP or neighborhood.
- Compare median list vs median sold price for the last 90 days.
- Review days on market, including how many homes go under contract in under 7, 14, and 30 days.
- Check sale-to-list ratio to see negotiation patterns.
- Review price per square foot trends by neighborhood.
- Calculate months of inventory. Divide active listings by average monthly sales.
- Study inventory by price band, for example entry tier, mid-market, and upper tier, to pinpoint where competition is tightest.
Micro-market considerations in Colorado Springs
- Areas near Fort Carson and the south side, including Fountain, often serve active-duty households. Expect seasonal demand around PCS cycles.
- North and northeast corridors, including Briargate and areas along the Powers corridor, offer a mix of newer suburban housing and varied community amenities.
- Central and west side, including Old Colorado City and the Broadmoor area, tend to have unique housing and limited inventory at certain price points.
Use Move Meter for context, then focus on the ZIPs that match your commute, housing style, and budget.
Transaction logistics and timing
Closing timelines can vary with market activity, inspection capacity, and contractor availability. Many transactions target 30 to 45 days to close, but actual timing depends on lender and inspection schedules. Build buffer time if you are moving during peak season.
Guidance for military and relocation clients
Military moves introduce fixed dates and benefits-driven budgets. Align your data checks with your PCS reality.
PCS timing and seasonality
Colorado Springs sees seasonal PCS spikes, often in late spring and summer. Higher demand can tighten inventory and shorten days on market. Plan early if you expect to move during these windows.
BAH, VA loans, and monthly costs
Basic Allowance for Housing varies by rank and ZIP code and shapes your monthly budget. Confirm current BAH tables with official sources so your price range is accurate. If you plan to use a VA loan, talk with your lender about appraisal timing and any property-type restrictions in target areas.
Commute and neighborhood fit
Commute times to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, and Schriever Space Force Base are common filters for housing searches. School district boundaries and community resources also shape demand in certain areas. Major districts include Colorado Springs School District 11 and Academy School District 20, among others. Use neutral, objective criteria like commute length, housing stock, and budget fit.
Reconciling conflicting data
Not all sources define or update metrics the same way. Keep your comparisons consistent.
- Timing differences: Local MLS data is often most current for sold and active inventory. Other sources can lag.
- Definition differences: Confirm how each source counts statuses like active, pending, or under contract before comparing.
- Price metrics: Use the same metric on both sides of a comparison, for example median sold price vs median sold price.
- Small-market distortion: If your origin market is much smaller, percentages can swing. Favor absolute numbers and recent comps in the specific neighborhoods you will target.
Limits, pitfalls, and best practices
Aggregation has limits. City averages can hide large differences across neighborhoods and price tiers. Move Meter is a starting point, not a final decision tool.
Common pitfalls:
- Treating a hot or cool label as universal across all price points.
- Assuming equal negotiation room across the market.
- Overlooking transaction costs like taxes, HOA fees, insurance, and moving logistics.
- Underestimating PCS timing constraints.
Best practices:
- Use Move Meter for a first-pass comparison on price, inventory, and speed.
- Immediately follow with MLS queries for your specific ZIPs and price band.
- For military moves, check BAH, base housing resources, and VA loan requirements early.
- Ask a local agent to run a neighborhood-level CMA and explain time-to-contract patterns.
- Re-check the data 30 to 60 days before your move. Markets change.
Quick CMA prep checklist
Gather these items after your Move Meter review to speed up analysis:
- Target ZIPs and neighborhoods, plus commute constraints to relevant bases or employment centers.
- Ten to fifteen recent sold comps within about a mile and the past 90 days, or up to 6 months in slower segments.
- Active and pending listings in your price range.
- Price per square foot trends and any lot-size or property-type considerations.
- Days on market distribution and sale-to-list ratios.
- Local property tax estimates and HOA fee ranges.
- Your BAH rate if applicable, and likely financing method, for example VA vs conventional.
Next steps with a precise local plan
Move Meter gives you a fast market snapshot. The win comes from validating those signals with Colorado Springs MLS data and translating them into a clear offer or listing strategy. If you want a disciplined plan that aligns timeline, budget, and negotiation levers, we can help. Contact Precision Spaces to build a precision market plan.
FAQs
Is Move Meter enough for a Colorado Springs decision?
- Use it for high-level comparisons, then confirm with neighborhood-level MLS comps and a local CMA before you buy or list.
How granular is Move Meter compared to MLS data?
- Move Meter is mostly city or metro level. ZIP and neighborhood conditions require MLS queries and a local agent’s analysis.
What should military buyers consider when using Move Meter?
- Combine the snapshot with BAH checks, base housing resources, and VA loan timelines. Build PCS contingencies like temporary housing if needed.
What local data should I check after Move Meter?
- Active, pending, and sold counts in target ZIPs, months of inventory by price band, recent sold comps, days on market distribution, and sale-to-list ratios.
If Colorado Springs looks hotter than my origin city, what changes for me?
- Expect faster listings turnover and possible multiple offers. Get pre-approved, tighten decision timelines, and use strong, clean terms where appropriate.
How do I align data with a firm PCS date?
- Start early, focus on ZIPs that fit your commute and budget, and hold a backup plan, such as short-term housing, to absorb timing shocks.
