The population of El Paso County has increased slightly from last year, and a smaller number of homes are selling at a faster rate and a higher price than last year.According to the most recent United States Census data, the population of El Paso County increased 1.14% from an estimated 2020 population of 728,717 to an estimated 737,031 in 2021.The Colorado Association of Realtors reported the following statistics. In March 2020, single family houses were on the market for an average of 26 days. In March this year the average time on the market was 12 days. During that same time period the average price of a single-family dwelling in El Paso County rose from $394,907 to $469,834, an increase of 19%. In March 2020, the total new listings of single family homes was 1,567. In March 2021, the number of new listings for single family homes had dropped to 1,331, a decrease of 15.1%.Dave Ahrens with Sellstate Alliance Realty said that many new homebuyers are coming from California, and some are moving in from midwestern states. Ahrens said he wondered where they would all be employed. However, he said that with the advent of COVID-19, many people are now working from home; without the commute, they can live anywhere.Jody Heffner of the Platinum Group had a different opinion.ìItís a lot of local people,î Heffner said. The homebuyers are not coming from any particular place, with about 10% coming from Denver, he said. The statistics bear out Heffnerís statement that the supply of houses for sale is limited. Heffner added that with lower interest rates, home buying is more attractive to many people. Because of the scarcity of houses for sale, when someone local buys a new house and moves into it, their old house sells quickly, he said.Dwight Mulberry of Campbell Homes added that in his experience new homebuyers are not from a specific area but are ìall over the board.î
