Buying a Home in Colorado: Your Mortgage Game Plan

Most Colorado buyers start by estimating their payment, checking for down payment help and learning how rate locks work — before talking to a lender. Here's each step.

  • 1 Estimate your payment
  • 2 Check down payment help
  • 3 Understand rate locks

    • The short answer

    To plan a Colorado mortgage: (1) estimate your full monthly payment including CO property tax and insurance, (2) check whether you qualify for state or local down payment assistance, and (3) decide when and how long to lock your rate once you're under contract. You can see your options with RealMortgage without an SSN or credit check.

    Three steps before you talk to a lender

    1. Estimate your payment

    See your full payment with CO property tax and insurance.

    2. Check down payment help

    State and local programs that help with down payment and closing costs.

    3. Understand rate locks

    Lock lengths, timing and float-downs explained.

    What's different about Colorado

  • Colorado's effective residential property tax rates are among the lowest in the country, often around 0.5%–0.6% of value, though metro districts in newer neighborhoods can add meaningfully to the bill.
  • Homeowners insurance in Colorado has risen with hail and wildfire risk, so it can be a bigger share of the payment than buyers expect.

    • Colorado questions

    How much do I need to put down to buy a house in Colorado?

    As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on FHA, and zero on VA for eligible borrowers. CHFA assistance can help with the down payment or closing costs.

    Can I see Colorado mortgage options without a credit check?

    Yes. You can get a quote from RealMortgage without an SSN or a credit check. A credit check happens only with your written permission when you apply.

    Next step

    Estimate your payment in Colorado

    Keep exploring

    First-time buyers in Colorado

    Programs, credit minimums and steps.

    Mortgage pre-approval guide

    What lenders verify and how long it takes.

    The home buying process

    All 8 steps from search to closing.

    Closing costs explained

    What you'll pay at closing and why.