The value of Kootenai County homes is going up.  

According to the June report from the Coeur d'Alene Regional Realtors, the median price of a single-family home in the county rose to a record-high, $565,000, a 3.9% increase from one year ago, and 25% increase from five years ago. 

"The numbers continue to look very strong in our local real estate market," said Jared McFarland with Century 21 Beutler and Associates. "Now that summer is here, activity has picked up across the board." 

The rising prices aren't slowing sales. Through June, 1,246 single-family homes were sold in Kootenai County, a 6.6% increase from the same time last year. Fewer homes are on the market, with 1,082 active residential listings as of July 6, down 10% from last year. Homes are selling faster, spending an average of 82 days on the market, down 13% from one year ago. 

McFarland said the average price increase in the past year represents "healthy and sustainable growth. 

“Overall, these are all positive signs of a strong and balanced market,” he said. 

He said vacant land has remained comparatively slow to sell, while affordable homes continue to see strong demand. Homes in certain neighborhoods and areas with limited inventory are also moving quickly. 

“Overall, the market feels busy. Agents have active buyers, and new listings continue to come on the market regularly,” McFarland said. “My expectation is that we'll continue to see steady activity and moderate price growth throughout the summer.” 

Shoshone County home prices have also climbed. 

According to Coeur d’Alene Regional Realtors, the median home price in Shoshone County in June was $317,000, up $12% from a year ago, and up 41% from five years ago. The number of homes sold through June was 86, up 10%. 

But rising prices can make it tougher for those looking to get into home ownership.

"Every increase in Kootenai County's median home price pushes working families further from homeownership — and, too often, out of our community," said Maggie Lyons with the Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance. "This isn't a future concern. It's happening today. We cannot subsidize our way out of this problem." 

Lyons said the answer is partnership. Let builders build. Cities can reduce development costs by allowing smaller lots to be authorized under Idaho's starter home law and providing other cost-saving incentives. 

"These savings lower the home's selling price, and PAHA preserves them forever through a resale formula ensuring the initial cost savings benefit not just the first homeowner, but every homeowner who follows," she wrote. 

PAHA's Miracle on Britton proves this model works, she said. All 28 homes in the project on Britton Road, just north of Greensferry Elementary, have sold and are on target to be completed by the end of summer. 

It is a fee-simple, shared-equity neighborhood built through a Fannie Mae-certified deed restriction management program. This model keeps the land and the home attainable over time. 

Ninety percent of Britton's buyers are dual-income families that earn between $79,000 and $120,000 annually, with an average household income of $97,000. They are overwhelmingly local; 95% were raised in Kootenai County. Most are between the ages of 22 and 34. 

"Our homeowners include nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers, electricians, welders, physical therapists, and many other working families," Lyons wrote. "Most grew up in Kootenai County. Most had given up hope of ever owning a home. Today they're raising their children here, and there are a lot of little ones growing up in Britton." 

Housing is where the jobs live, Lyons wrote.  

"When local workers can't afford to live here, our entire community pays the price. Affordable housing isn't just about homes — it's about preserving the workforce that keeps our community healthy," she wrote. 

Lyon said that as a resort destination, Kootenai County home prices will continue to rise.

"We can wait until we're facing the same workforce housing crisis as Sun Valley, or we can act now. We've already proven there is a scalable, replicable solution," she wrote. "The question is whether we'll choose to build enough of it before more of our children and grandchildren are forced to build their futures somewhere else." 

Mortgage rates have remained above 6%. 

The average rate for 30-year, fixed-rate home loans rose to 6.54% this week, according to Bankrate's national survey of lenders. That was up from 6.52% the previous week. The average rates on 15-year loans and jumbo mortgages also rose slightly. 

McFarland said there are loan programs at just under 6%.

    Lyons