The following analysis of select counties of the Idaho real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact us. ECONOMIC OVERVIEW Following a trend that started last fall, job growth in Idaho continues to moderate. The addition of 15,700 new jobs year-over-year represents an annual growth rate of 2.1%. This is to be expected at this point in the economic cycle, though it’s worth adding that the current rate of job growth remains well above the national average of 1.4%. In August, the state unemployment rate was 2.9%, marginally higher than the 2.8% rate a year ago. It cannot be disputed that the state remains at full employment. It’s also interesting to note that the employment rate remained below 3% even as the labor force rose by 2.2%, suggesting that the economy remains very strong and new entrants to the labor force are finding jobs relatively easily.

❱ During the third quarter, 7,342 homes sold, representing a modest drop of 3.4% compared to the third quarter of 2018. ❱ In Northern Idaho, Shoshone County experienced a 17.9% increase in sales over the third quarter of 2018. There was a modest increase in Bonner County and a very slight contraction in Kootenai County. In Southern Idaho, sales jumped in Boise and Canyon counties. Blaine County also saw a slight increase, but sales activity was lower in the rest of the region. ❱ Year-over-year sales growth was positive in two Northern Idaho counties and three Southern Idaho counties. ❱ Pending sales rose in the third quarter, suggesting that closed sales in the final quarter of this year are likely to be an improvement over current figures.

HOME PRICES

❱ It took an average of 94 days to sell a home in Northern Idaho, and 54 days in the southern part of the state. ❱ The average number of days it took to sell a home in the region dropped ten days compared to the third quarter of 2018. It was also ten days lower than in the second quarter of this year.	❱ In Northern Idaho, days-on-market dropped across the board. In Southern Idaho, market time dropped in all counties except Ada and Canyon, though the rise in average market time was very modest. ❱ Homes sold the fastest in Gem, Canyon, and Ada counties.
		The speedometer reflects the state of the region’s housing market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors. Job growth continues to slow from the frenetic pace of the past few years but remains quite impressive. As is commonly known, economic/job growth leads to demand for homeownership and this continues to bode well for the Idaho market; however, home sales continue to be held back by a lack of inventory and this is leading to higher prices. As such, it remains a sellers’ market so I have moved the needle just a little more in their direction. ABOUT MATTHEW GARDNER As Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, Matthew Gardner is responsible for analyzing and interpreting economic data and its impact on the real estate market on both a local and national level. Matthew has over 30 years of professional experience both in the U.S. and U.K. Matthew also sits on the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors; chairs the Board of Trustees at the WA Center for Real Estate Research; and is an Advisory Board Member at the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington where he also lectures in real estate economics.

The following analysis of select counties of the Idaho real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

Following a trend that started last fall, job growth in Idaho continues to moderate. The addition of 18,400 new jobs year-over-year represents an annual growth rate of 2.5%. This is to be expected at this point in the economic cycle, but it’s worth noting that the current rate of job growth remains well above the national average of 1.6%.

In May, the state unemployment rate was 2.8%, marginally lower than the 2.9% rate of a year ago. The state remains at full employment, though it is interesting to note that the employment rate remained below 3% even as the labor force rose 2%, suggesting that the economy remains very robust as there are still job openings to accommodate new workers.

HOME SALES

• 6,936 homes were sold during the second quarter of 2019, representing a modest drop of 2.8% from the second quarter of 2018.
• In Northern Idaho, Shoshone County was the only county to experience sales growth, with sales up by 21.3% over the second quarter of 2018. There was a modest decline in sales in the other two counties. In Southern Idaho, Canyon and Payette counties had modest sales growth, but the rest of the region experienced lower sales activity.
• Year-over-year sales growth was positive in just one of the Northern Idaho counties. Sales rose in two Southern Idaho market areas relative to the same period a year ago.
• Pending sales rose in the quarter, suggesting that closed sales next quarter are likely to be an improvement over current figures.

HOME PRICES

• The average home price in the region rose 7.8% year-over-year to $358,406 and was 3.2% higher than the first quarter of this year.   Continue reading…..

Windermere Powerhouse Group is proud to announce Bonnie Burry has accepted the position of Designated Broker. Bonnie brings a wealth of knowledge and a spirit of adventure and generosity to our brokerage. She shares our vision and passion of relationships before sales, strategic growth and impeccable service and ethical industry standards.  Bonnie is a Certified Residential Specialist, earned her Associate Broker designation nearly three decades ago and is a long-time member of the Top Producers club. She has mentored countless agents, served in leadership roles and is excited to take on the challenge of Designated Broker at Windermere Powerhouse Group, a flourishing new brokerage in Boise. And Windermere Powerhouse Group is excited to have Bonnie leading the team.

Get to Know Bonnie

We invite you to come by our office and take a tour, meet (or reconnect with) Bonnie, and learn more about Windermere Powerhouse Group. Please join us in welcoming our new Designate Broker Bonnie Burry at burrbs@windermere.com or 208-371-7144.

Please join Windermere Real Estate as we fund the Ready, Set, Go…..Backpack Drive. Our goal is providing 500 backpacks, stocked with school supplies, so  ALL students get to experience back to school EXCITEMENT!  We created a Go Fund Me page and are asking our friends to help. Let’s make the first day of school a GREAT DAY for EVERYONE! Thank you in advance for helping. Be sure to designate Community Schools in the drop down menu of the donation section and put Backpack Drive in the comments.

Ready, Set, Go…..Backpack Drive Donate Here!

So how did this partnership begin? 

It started back in 1984 when every Windermere closed its offices for one day to help make a positive difference in their local communities. Thirty-five years and more than one million hours of community service later, Windermere offices across the country continue this tradition.

In 2018 we were introduced to the Community Schools and last June the Windermere Powerhouse Group team along with our other local Windermere offices spent the day at Whitney Community Center, a member of the Boise Community Schools. We pulled weeds, cleaned up their garden and create a painted rock landscape to achieve the goal of a clean and bright school welcoming the students back in the fall. It was an amazing day painting rocks with students and getting to know the incredibly generous staff members. We knew we were going to continue working with them throughout the year.

What we learned

Like many of you, we weren’t familiar with the Boise District Community Schools and the services they provide. As real estate professionals, we are familiar with the differences of the current housing market compared to twenty years ago. However, many of us were shocked at the drastically different demographics of the school district over the last 20 years. We met some homeless students in June, happily painting rocks with us, excited that we wanted to help their school. We learned later that 600-800 children are homeless or unaccompanied, meaning they have no parent or guardian. And 49% of students qualify for the free or reduced lunch program.

Boise faces all the challenges of any growing urban area and The Community Schools is a unique program making a difference in addressing those challenges. It’s both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. It has an integrated focus on academics, health and social services. Youth and community development as well as family engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. They provide resources beyond what we typically think of in school including a food pantry, dental check-ups, coats & boots, weekly English classes, parental education, job seeking and resume services. It is essentially the community so many people are striving to be part of.

The Ready, Set, Go….Backpack Drive is the next urgent need. The goal is ensuring that all students get to go back to school on equal footing with their peers, with a new backpack full of supplies. Windermere real estate decided this is a great opportunity to help and we are encouraging you to help too! Let’s send 500 kids back to school with confidence and excitement to start the new year! 

******Donate to the Backpack Drive Here*****

Windermere Powerhouse Group knows how important it is to understand our real estate market and how curious everyone is to know what is going on in our community. So we’re sharing our monthly market snapshot and detailed reports of the Treasure Valley real estate market. Reports are available through the links below and our agents are always available to answer questions and provide information on specific areas you are interested in.

Ada Existing Homes June 2019

Ada New Construction 2019

Canyon Existing Homes June 2019

Canyon New Construction June 2019

Inside the walls of any Boise real estate office you will hear the words “growth” and “new” countless times. As one of the fastest growing cities in the country, we see evidence every time we step out our door. But Boise also has a rich history. At Windermere Powerhouse Group we remember that every day we walk into our office in the historic Powerhouse building. In the midst of this exciting growth, we strive to preserve memories and tradition; the foundation of our great city. 

“In every community, every county, there are certain buildings, certain neighborhoods, open spaces, which traditionally have had special meaning for local residents and which proclaim to all comers the unique character and heritage of that particular place.” Mavis Bryan, Zoning for Community Preservation

                    1939                                                 2019

A Historical Neighborhood

The North End is often the neighborhood that is most reminiscent of Boise’s early years. When Windermere Powerhouse Group listed the home at 1111 N. Harrison Blvd, a home on the National Register of Historical Places in Idaho, we were extra curious. We wondered, “If those walls could talk, what would the story be?”

First, we needed to discover what it means to be on the historical register. Among a number of standards, the most fitting for this one of a kind house is the significance it holds with its master craftsmanship, unique characteristics, artistic features and architecture of its era. It began in 1938 with Robert Newhouse submitting a building permit for what would become this iconic Tudor style home. Although unconfirmed, the house was likely designed by Jedd Jones, an architect who regularly socialized with the Newhouse family. Jones would later be responsible for many residential designs found throughout Boise. The steeply pitched asymmetrical gables, double stacked chimney and leaded glass windows are the quintessential architectural features of a Tudor Revival, a style which borrows design elements from English medieval houses.

The Newhouses, a family with deep Idaho roots and active in Boise society, moved in the summer of 1938. Shortly after, the home was featured in the Idaho Statesman. The reporter noted the majority of rooms were painted in various shades of blue to compliment the family’s antique collection. In a true moment of history repeating itself, the current dining room, a favorite of all who visit, is currently painted a beautiful shade of blue. The Idaho Statesman proclaimed it “one of the city’s most charming houses.” And over 80 years later, we couldn’t agree more!

Complete listing details of 1111 N Harrison Blvd. 

A Historical Workplace

At Windermere Powerhouse Group we often field inquiries about our iconic office building, which is on the National Historical Register. Built in 1913, the building originally housed the Beaver River Power Company, a competitive start-up that produced coal-fired electricity for downtown Boise and the Valley’s trolley system.  Over the years, hydroelectricity replaced steam turbines and the building became reclassified as a “non-performing asset.”  In 2000, the building was restored and transformed into a venue for weddings, proms and special events. More recently, we were blessed with the opportunity to locate our Windermere Powerhouse Group brokerage within these four walls.  Many of our friends and clients previously built fond memories here, and we feel honored to keep that tradition. When you walk through our doors you’ll instantly feel welcome, and see how we embrace our growing city while honoring the past that brought us here.

If you would like a tour of the Windermere Powerhouse Group office, our doors are open. Share a cup of coffee with beans we roast in house and see the beautiful remodel. And, of course, we are always here to help you with all of your real estate needs. 621 S 17th St. Boise, 208-920-5966, powerhousegroup@windermere.com

Today is Windermere Community Service Day. Staff and agents in Windermere offices across the country are spending the day volunteering in their communities and we’ve been at Whitney Elementary…..but more on that later! We still wanted to  post our monthly real estate statistics for Ada and Canyon County. In this real estate market with limited inventory, there are challenges and opportunities for buyers and sellers. Windermere Powerhouse Group agents are experts here to assist you with strategies to reach your real estate goals. Contact us if you’re interested in learning more.

For detailed information on Ada and Canyon County Existing and New Construction check out the reports below. 

Ada County Existing Homes May

Ada County New Construction May

Canyon County Existing Homes May

Canyon County New Construction May

The following analysis of select counties of the Idaho real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere agent.

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW 

Job growth in Idaho continues to moderate. The state added 19,400 new jobs over the past 12 months, representing an annual growth rate of 2.7%. That said,  the growth rate remains well above the national average of 1.7%. In March, Idaho’s unemployment rate was 2.9%, matching the level seen a year ago. The state remains at full employment, and it’s worth noting that the employment rate remained below 3% even as the labor force rose by 2%. This suggests the economy remains very strong as there are still job openings to accommodate new workers. Idaho continues to outperform the nation in terms of economic vitality and will continue to do so for the balance of the year.

HOME SALES

• 4,440 homes were sold during the first quarter of 2019, representing a drop of 4.3% compared to the first quarter of 2018.
• In Northern Idaho, Shoshone County was alone in experiencing sales growth, with an increase of 12% over the first quarter of 2018. There was a substantial drop of more than 15% in Bonner County, but this is a small area, making it prone to significant swings. In Southern Idaho, we saw modest sales growth in Payette County, modest declines in Canyon and Ada counties, and significantly lower sales in the small area of Boise County.
• Year-over-year sales growth was positive in just one Northern Idaho market, and only one of the Southern Idaho markets saw sales rise relative to the same period a year ago.
• When compared to the first quarter of 2018, the number of homes for sale was lower across the board in Northern Idaho and in most Southern Idaho market areas. It’s likely that this contributed to the decline in sales.

Continue Reading

The 2019 Ada County Parade of Homes is wrapping up this weekend.  Since 1956 this annual event puts new home construction trends to the forefront. From decor to architecture style, visitors on the Parade take notice and compare to previous trends. This time of year we get the most questions about new home construction in the Treasure Valley. With Idaho’s population increase of 2.1 % in 2018, one of the second fastest growing states, and Boise is showing up on a Top Ten list at least once a month, we are getting more questions than ever. This growth means an abundance of new residential construction and we wanted to share more information with you.

Below are maps and an accompanying report for new construction home sales in Ada County broken down by subdivision and price. Click on the thumbnail to see a full size map and report.  Be sure to ask our agents for supplementary detail if desire more than a snapshot.  They’re equipped to share detailed information within each submarket, by price point or size of home, so that you can make the best buying or selling decision for you.

                            NE Boise & SE Boise       N & NW Boise/Garden City     W & SW Boise/Boise Bench

            Eagle & Star                       SE & SW Meridian                      NE & NW Meridian

Don’t forget to check out the Canyon County Parade of Homes June 7-June 23, 2019 and or get detailed information on Canyon County broken down by subdivision and price. 

Full market statistics reports on Ada and Canyon County

April 2019 Ada Existing Homes Sales
April 2019 Ada New Construction Sales
April 2019 Canyon Existing Sales
April 2019 Canyon New Construction Sales

“How’s the market?” is the one question that Windermere Agents get asked most. It is the same question we ask when we meet an agent from another state. It’s a simple question with a very complex answer. Windermere Powerhouse Group knows how important it is to understand our real estate market and how curious everyone is to know what is going on in our community. So we created a market snapshot and a detailed report for every area of the Treasure Valley that will be posted monthly here on our Blog. This month we are featuring Ada County Existing Home Sales (i.e., greater than 1 year old). Links for other areas and detailed reports are below.

1. Spring and summer are historically the seasons when market activity increases. More homes are available for sale, and under the current market dynamics, demand immediately follows. Total Year-to-Date (YTD) 2019 transactions are down from 2018, and the shortage of supply is a major contributor. As you’ll see below, overall prices continue to increase yet days-on-market remain at historically low levels. If you are interested in buying or selling your house now is the perfect time to take action.

2. Existing home prices have risen every year since 2011 and have taken a substantial increase in the last several years.   Average prices for Ada County existing homes have continued to climb in 2019, currently up 3.6%.   Windermere Real Estate’s in-house economist, Matthew Gardner, forecasts 2019 Home Price growth to be 4.5% nationally, 8.9% in Ada County and 8.1% in Canyon County.  So it’s actually a safe time to buy or sell a home too.  Gardner forecasts the number of Ada County households to increase by 11.1% over five years, while Canyon County by 13.3% growth.

3.  Last March, nearly half the existing Ada County homes that sold closed “At” or “Above” the original asking price. However, that trend varies greatly throughout the Treasure Valley. The graphs above show a snapshot of the Ada County averages compared to the North End and Boise Bench. There are numerous factors affecting a home’s price, and it’s evident that overpriced houses cost their sellers 2-3 mortgage payments last month. Specific neighborhoods have their own unique characteristics, and the REALTORS® at Windermere Powerhouse Group each possess the expertise and data to lead your next real estate transaction.

If you’d like more detailed information, have interest in learning more or would like a thorough valuation of your current home, we’d love to hear from you. 

Specialized Areas and Construction Types

Ada County Existing Sales March 2019
Ada County New Construction March 2019
Canyon County Existing Sales March 2019
Canyon County New Construction March 2019
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