Kootenai County housing costs climb again

The cost of homes in Kootenai County is going up. 

According to the August report from the Coeur d'Alene Regional Realtors, the median price of a single-family home was $569,945, a 7.3% increase from one year ago and the highest on record. Five years ago, the median home price in Kootenai County was $475,000. 

Strong demand led to more sales. The number of Kootenai County homes sold, 1,754, was up 4.3% from August 2025. But that resulted in fewer homes on the market, with active residential listings at 1,133, down 4.8% from the same time last year. Deals were closing faster, with homes spending an average of 81 days on the market, down 11%. 

Jared McFarland, real estate agent with Century 21 Beutler and Associates, said the numbers reflect the continued housing strength of North Idaho. 

"Our market has remained busy, especially compared to much of the rest of the country," McFarland said. "We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful and desirable area that continues to attract people from around the country." 

In August, 20.4% of U.S. listings had a price cut, matching the rate recorded a year earlier, according to the latest Realtor.com housing report.  

“A price cut tells you the seller’s first number did not work. It does not tell you what the home is worth,” said Jeremy Olsher, a real estate professional and principal at Mizner Residential Group. “Some reductions create a legitimate opportunity. Others simply bring an unrealistic price closer to where it should have started.” 

McFarland said housing inventory normally dips closer to the holidays 

"If buyer demand remains steady or increases while the number of available homes continues to fall, we could continue to see upward pressure on prices," he said. 

Interest rates remain a factor. 

According to Bankrate, the average rate for 30-year, fixed-rate home loans rose to 6.78% this week. That’s up from 6.76% the previous week, and it’s the highest level since July 2025. Average rates on 15-year loans also edged up. 

"While buyers would certainly prefer lower rates, the market has adjusted and remains relatively stable and healthy," McFarland said. "If national housing prices continue to soften or economic conditions change, we could eventually see some downward movement in rates, but for now I expect the market to remain fairly steady." 

Other counties saw home prices rise in August. 

In Shoshone County, the median home price was $317,000, up 7.5% from a year ago. In Benewah County, it was $322,500, up 2.5%; Bonner County was at a median home price of $540,000, while Boundary was $400,000, a 1.3% increase. 

According to the Utah News Dispatch, Utah is among the nation’s top 10 most expensive states for single-family homes with a median price of $559,900. 

In Coeur d’Alene last month, a panel of politicians addressed affordable housing issues in North Idaho.

Sen. Ben Toews, R-Coeur d’Alene, said then he was a proponent of short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units and supported deregulating local control of certain housing requirements. 

McFarland said that over the next few months, he expects to see more homes and land come off the market, which creates opportunities for both buyers and sellers. 

"Overall, I see the North Idaho real estate market heading into fall in a healthy and relatively balanced position. Inventory is tightening, buyer demand remains present, and our area continues to perform well compared to many markets nationally," he said.