It may feel like months have passed since Idaho Governor Brad Little issued a March 25 statewide “stay at home” order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, in our state. While we safely weather out the pandemic in relative seclusion, many potential buyers and sellers are wondering: what impact will this have on the Boise real estate market?

The short answer is: it’s too soon to tell, but we can look at history to get an idea of how stable the market will perform in the coming months and years. The important thing to keep in mind is that homes are still being listed, they’re still pending, and most importantly, they’re still selling – even in this new era of video-chat home tours and social distancing.

What the Treasure Valley

The Treasure Valley fulfilled national expectations of being the hottest real estate market in the country – in March, at least.

Both Ada and Canyon counties boasted record-high sales prices last month, just as coronavirus concerns began to impact local housing markets.

In Ada County, the median single-family home sold for a record-setting of $365,645 in March. Compare it to a median price of $336,110 during the same period in 2019 and you’ll see an 8% growth in prices. Not surprising given the healthy market forecasts for the Treasure Valley.

New record-setting prices were helped by a few factors: mortgage interest rates fell to all-time lows in February, which helped buyers funds go further. Yet there were fewer homes than ever on the

For first-time and seasoned homeowners alike, Idaho property taxes can be confusing. For instance, what’s the difference between a home’s market value and assessed value – and which one is used to calculate property taxes? And why can two very similar houses in the same neighborhood have drastically different property taxes?

If you have a home mortgage, chances are your property tax payments are rolled into your mortgage payment each month. But it’s still helpful to know what you’re paying as a homeowner and why. Below, we break down how rates are set, how you can estimate your property tax rate, and how to appeal if you believe your property taxes are too high.

What Are Idaho Property Taxing Districts and Why Do They Matter?

Property taxes

Boise home price increases lead the nation; mortgage costs plummet.

It's official. When compared to the top 100 U.S. metro areas, Boise was the fastest appreciating city in the nation in the fourth quarter of 2019. According to the same report from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Idaho was also the fastest appreciating state in the county. What's more, both Boise and the state have held these titles for three consecutive quarters now.

It's no surprise that we're seeing housing records shattered throughout the Treasure Valley. In February, Canyon County home prices hit a new record, as did prices in Nampa, Eagle and Boise.

The median price of a house sold in Canyon County in February was $264,990, which is up 16.74 percent or close to

Every city worth its salt has a music festival, and lucky for us, Boise is no different.

Each spring, Boise hosts Treefort Music Fest, a five-day, all-ages festival featuring more than 400 local, national and international bands playing at venues small and large throughout downtown.

But Treefort 2020 is much more than just a music festival. Since its inception in 2012, the grassroots festival has grown in size, popularity and scope to include a number of other “forts,” each with diverse programming, including Yogafort, Foodfort, Alefort, Comedyfort, Hackfort (the festival’s tech-themed fort), Storyfort and Filmfort, to name a few.

With the Treefort schedule running almost around the clock at bars, churches, restaurants, even the local

You know what they say about March: in like a lion, out like a lamb. In Boise weather terms, this is surprisingly accurate. Treasure Valley locals are likely to get their first taste of spring weather with plenty of half-hearted last jabs from old man winter thrown in. The average temperatures begin to reach the mid-50s in March and there are plenty of spring-themed events to do around town over the next few weeks. There are so many festivals, events, and performances to attend in March, we’re not even sure how to fit them all in! Add these events to your calendar and enjoy all that Boise has to offer.

After Hours: Mars Rover Edition | Discovery Center of Idaho

March 2

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has long worked with NASA to fuel and test

Boise is well known for its below-average crime rate when compared to cities of similar size – it’s one important reason factoring into people’s decisions to move here. In fact, the crime rate in Boise has been steadily declining for 25 years.

Yet when moving to a new neighborhood, it’s natural to worry about the unknowns, and one of those unknowns is safety. What is the crime rate in Boise? How does it compare to nearby cities, like Eagle and Meridian? Where do you even begin finding that information? And how do you know if the data is current and reliable?

Below, we’ll give you the resources to help you do your due diligence and ensure that your next neighborhood is everything you want it to be, including safe.

Ada County Crime Map

If

Boise’s skyline seems to get an update every few months as the city continues to boom. Some of the most impressive buildings have been around for decades, while others are new to the downtown city view. Boise’s tallest buildings include icons from the 20s and 30s with some stunning newcomers on the scene.

1. Eighth & Main

In 1987, a devastating fire destroyed the Eastman Building that had sat at 8th and Main Streets in Downtown Boise for 82 years. After decades of disuse, the lot became known as “the hole” to locals, gaining even more notoriety as a failed construction project

If January is any indicator, 2020 will not be the year of the Treasure Valley home buyer.

With five new price records, 2019 marked the eighth consecutive year home prices have risen in the Boise Metro area. The first month of 2020 is showing a continuation of that trend with upward appreciation entering its ninth year.

The median single-family home price finished the month of January at $354,900 in Boise, up 20.31 percent from the year prior.

Over the last 12 months, house prices in Ada County rose 15.33 percent to a record $363,000. In 2011, the median home price was just $145,000.

For Treasure Valley home shoppers, there is little to choose from. The total supply of homes for sale in Boise dropped to an anemic 0.73 months. At 1.17 and

The weather may still be frigid outside in February in Boise, but there’s plenty going on to keep you busy until spring. The month of love has a whole slew of events lined up to fill your calendar, whether you’re looking for a steamy date night or a warm evening away from the winter cold. Check out these things to do in Boise this month!

Boise State Basketball Home Games | Taco Bell Arena

All Month

March Madness isn’t far away, so head over to Taco Bell Arena and catch a Bronco’s basketball game. Throughout the month of February, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have home games you can catch. Men’s games schedule | Women’s games schedule.

Idaho Steelheads | CenturyLink Arena

February 1, 7, 8, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29

It’s