Kootenai County’s housing market in 2025 was similar to 2024. 

According to the Coeur d’Alene Regional Realtors, the median price of a single-family home in the county was $549,000, up 4.3% from the prior year. The number of homes sold, 2,484, rose 1.2% from 2024, while the average number of days on the market was 93, down 3.1%. 

Listings as of Jan. 6 totaled 668, down 7% from the same time a year ago, and down nearly 25% from last month. 

“The 2025 real estate year in North Idaho was notably steady, with no major market swings in either direction," wrote Jennifer Smock, co-owner, managing broker with Coeur d'Alene/Windermere Realty and president of Coeur d'Alene Regional Realtors. 

She said communities throughout Kootenai County — including Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden and surrounding areas — experienced relatively consistent activity. 

"Interest rates continued to be the dominant storyline, as buyers and sellers closely watched whether rates would rise, fall, or stabilize," Smock wrote. "Home values remained fairly level across most residential segments, with only modest appreciation in well-located and well-maintained properties."

According to bankrate.com, the current average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate on Friday was 6.16%. The average 30-year fixed refinance interest rate was 6.55%, while the average 15-year refinance interest rate was 5.87%.

Jared McFarland, real estate agent with Century 21 Beutler and Associates, said home prices were up because of increased buyer activity. Interest rates came down, which helped get some buyers off the fence. 

January through March tend to have less inventory compared to other months because of the winter season, he wrote.

"Buyers tend to have less options this time of year," McFarland wrote.

In Shoshone County, the median price of a single-family home was $288,500 in 2025, a 2.6% increase over the previous year. The number of homes sold was 172, a 3.6% increase from 2024, while the average number of days a home was on the market before selling was 100, a 13.6% increase. 

Residential listings as of Jan. 6 totaled 85, nearly the same as the same time last year when there were 84 listings. 

Smock said that looking ahead to 2026, she expects to see a bit more momentum in the North Idaho market. 

"With interest rates stabilizing and beginning to trend downward, buyer confidence is slowly rebuilding," she wrote. "Many buyers who paused their plans over the past year may now feel more comfortable re-entering the market, particularly those relocating to North Idaho for lifestyle, employment, or retirement reasons."

Smock said sellers who have been considering a move are also starting to see opportunity. Increased buyer activity, combined with builder and seller incentives — such as closing cost assistance or interest rate buydowns — is creating more workable transactions. 

"This is especially true in new construction and move-in-ready homes, which continue to perform well locally," she said.

Overall, 2026 is shaping up to be another stable year for North Idaho real estate, with slightly more inventory, increased transaction volume and a healthier balance between buyers and sellers, Smock said. 

"While we are not anticipating rapid price appreciation, the market remains solid, predictable and well-suited for those making thoughtful, well-timed real estate decisions," she said.