Denver’s real estate conversation has become repetitive: high prices, low inventory, rising rent, and a market that feels increasingly out of reach. Most of the public discussion centers around developers, large-scale multifamily projects, or short-term market speculation. But what about the everyday homeowner?
There’s a gap in the middle of this conversation—one where average property owners could make a massive difference. Not just for their own financial wellbeing, but for the city itself.
I work with people all across Denver who aren’t looking to make a splash. They’re not trying to build an empire. They just want to know if the home they already own can generate consistent income and serve the community in a smarter way.
The answer is yes—but only if you stop thinking about real estate through the traditional lens.
The Myth of the One-Tenant Lease
For decades, the default model for owning a rental was simple: lease the whole house to one group or one family for a flat monthly fee. And for many years, that worked.
But today, in Denver’s economic environment, that model is outdated.
A one-lease model rarely satisfies all three.
What’s working now is creative property usage—restructuring homes internally to allow for multiple private residents with shared common space, longer stays, and cleaner agreements. When set up correctly, these homes provide better living conditions for residents, better income for owners, and better alignment with zoning and neighborhood character.
What This Looks Like on the Ground
In neighborhoods like Sloan’s Lake, Virginia Village, and Ruby Hill, there are thousands of homes with unused space. Spare bedrooms. Half-finished basements. Oversized living rooms. These aren’t investment properties—they’re primary homes or inherited family assets that just need a reframe.
Here’s a common scenario I’ve helped walk through: