Wondering if you can get more space, a better layout, or a different home style without giving up everything you love about Highlands? You are not alone. Many homeowners reach a point where their current home no longer fits, but the idea of leaving behind favorite parks, restaurants, and daily routines feels like too much of a trade. The good news is that moving up within Highlands is possible, and with the right plan, you can make a smart move that keeps your lifestyle intact. Let’s dive in.

Why staying in Highlands appeals

Highlands has a long history, and that history shows up in the housing. The area traces back to the Town of Highlands in 1875 and later became part of Denver in 1896. Today, that mix of old and new helps explain why you can find historic homes, newer infill, and more urban-style options within a relatively close area.

For many buyers, the draw is not just the home itself. Highlands is also closely tied to a mix of neighborhood destinations and everyday conveniences. Visit Denver groups the broader area into places like Highland Square, LoHi, Berkeley, and Sunnyside, which reinforces why many move-up buyers want to stay nearby instead of starting over somewhere else.

What “moving up” can mean here

Moving up does not always mean the same thing. For you, it might mean more bedrooms, a yard, or a detached home. For someone else, it could mean newer construction, less maintenance, or a better setup for working from home and hosting guests.

In Highlands, that move-up path can look different depending on the pocket. Some areas lean more historic and detached, while others offer a stronger mix of modern attached homes and infill development. That gives you options, but it also means your budget and priorities need to be clear early.

Highlands price ladder by pocket

One of the most helpful ways to think about an in-neighborhood move is by price tier. As of May 2026, the local market data shows a fairly clear ladder across nearby pockets.

That means a move from Jefferson Park or the Town of Highland range into West Highland or Sunnyside may be a smaller jump than moving into Highland, LoHi, or Potter Highlands. If you already own in the area, your current equity may help bridge that gap, but the price difference can still be meaningful.

Why Highlands is not one market

It is easy to talk about Highlands like it is one single market, but the numbers tell a more nuanced story. As of May 2026, Highland is classified as a buyer’s market, West Highland as a seller’s market, and Sunnyside and Jefferson Park as balanced markets.

That matters if you are trying to sell one home and buy another nearby. A strategy that works in West Highland may not fit LoHi or Jefferson Park. Your timing, pricing, and negotiation approach should match the specific pocket you are selling in and the one you want to buy into.

Detached home or townhome?

For many move-up buyers, this is the biggest question. If you want more space and traditional neighborhood character, older pockets like Potter Highlands may be more likely to offer detached homes with larger lots and historic charm. If you want newer finishes, lower exterior upkeep, or a more urban feel, LoHi and similar areas may offer a better mix of attached and infill options.

That said, a townhome is not automatically the easy answer. Denver Metro Association of Realtors data from June 2026 shows the attached segment moving more slowly than detached homes, with median days in MLS at 34 for attached homes versus 14 for detached homes across the broader metro. DMAR also notes that attached homes are increasingly affected by deferred maintenance and rising HOA-related costs.

A townhome can absolutely be a smart compromise if your goal is to stay local without stretching to a larger detached home. You just want to weigh the full carrying cost, including HOA dues, repairs, property taxes, and insurance, instead of focusing only on the purchase price.

Historic character can come with limits

Some homeowners wonder whether they should expand their current home instead of moving. In Highlands, that can be worth exploring, but older properties may come with design restrictions that affect what you can do.

Denver notes that conservation overlays can regulate exterior remodels, additions, and new construction, while historic districts require design review for exterior changes. Potter Highlands has a conservation overlay, so if your move-up plan includes adding square footage instead of buying another home, this is an important local detail to check early.

Sell first or buy first?

For many Highlands homeowners, selling first is the safer default. If your next home will likely cost more than your current one, selling first can help you understand your true budget and reduce financial pressure.

Consumer guidance from CFPB notes that people who want to move often sell their current home before buying another one. It also points out the extra cash many households need for closing costs, moving expenses, furniture, repairs, and improvements. In a move-up scenario, those costs can add up quickly.

Buying before selling may be possible in some cases, especially if you have substantial equity. But equity-based tools like a HELOC come with added risk, and CFPB notes that falling behind on that type of loan can put your home at risk. If you are considering a buy-first path, it should be based on strong equity, lender approval, and a clear backup plan.

Timing matters more in this market

The broader Denver metro backdrop also affects your local move. DMAR’s June 2026 report says active inventory was near decade highs and buyers had real negotiating power. It also noted that new inventory and pending sales peaked in April, while close-price-to-list ratios stayed near 99 percent across nearly every segment.

For you, that means two things can be true at once. Buyers may have more choices and leverage than they did a few years ago, but well-kept homes can still sell close to asking when they are priced and presented well. Condition matters more now, especially if you are trying to maximize your sale before buying a more expensive home nearby.

A practical move-up plan for Highlands

If you want to move up without leaving the neighborhood, a disciplined plan can make the process feel much more manageable.

1. Define your version of “move up”

Start with what you actually need. More square footage, a fourth bedroom, a home office, a yard, a garage, or a lower-maintenance lifestyle can all point to different parts of Highlands.

2. Study the pocket-to-pocket budget gap

Look at the likely jump between where you are and where you want to go. Moving from a mid-$700,000 pocket into a high-$800,000 pocket is very different from stretching into Potter Highlands near the upper-$900,000 range.

3. Review your full monthly cost

Do not stop at the mortgage. Property taxes, insurance, repairs, and possible HOA dues all affect affordability, especially if you are comparing detached and attached homes.

4. Prepare your current home well

In a market with more inventory, presentation matters. A clean, well-maintained, well-priced home is more likely to attract serious buyers and protect your negotiating position.

5. Build your timeline around your risk tolerance

Some homeowners want the certainty of selling first. Others may explore more aggressive options if they have strong equity and a clear financing path. The right answer depends on your numbers, not just your wish list.

Why local guidance matters

A Highlands move-up is rarely just about finding a bigger house. It is about balancing lifestyle, budget, timing, and the realities of very different submarkets that sit close to each other.

That is where local, block-by-block knowledge matters. When you understand how Highland differs from West Highland, how LoHi compares to Sunnyside, and where attached versus detached options make the most sense, you can make a move that feels intentional instead of reactive.

If you are thinking about moving up in Highlands without leaving the neighborhood, Wayne Keith can help you map out the price gap, timing strategy, and best-fit pockets with a personalized, neighborhood-first approach.

FAQs

How much more expensive is moving up within Highlands?

• As of May 2026, nearby median listing prices range from about $667,000 in Jefferson Park to about $975,000 in Potter Highlands, with Sunnyside and West Highland in the mid-$700,000s and Highland and LoHi in the high-$800,000s.

Is a townhome a smart move-up option in Highlands?

• It can be, especially if you want to stay nearby at a lower price point than a larger detached home, but you should also account for HOA dues, maintenance needs, insurance, and taxes.

Are all Highlands areas moving at the same pace?

• No. Current data shows Highland as a buyer’s market, West Highland as a seller’s market, and Sunnyside and Jefferson Park as balanced markets, so strategy should be tailored by pocket.

Should you sell your Highlands home before buying another one?

• For many homeowners, selling first is the safer approach because it clarifies your budget and reduces risk, especially when the next home will cost more than your current one.

Can you add onto an older Highlands home instead of moving?

• Possibly, but some properties may be affected by conservation overlay or historic design review rules for exterior changes, so it is important to verify local restrictions early.