A note to our readers…
New Two-Phase Market Report Release Starting June 2025
To get you timely data and meaningful insights, BRR is introducing a new two-phase approach to our monthly Market Report releases:
- Phase 1: Snapshots & Graphs — Available earlier (typically between the 8th and 12th of each month), this first release includes high-level graphs and market snapshots. They’re ready for you to share in your newsletters, social media, or client conversations as soon as they drop.
- Phase 2: Market Stat Sheets — By the 16th of each month, we’ll follow up with the full Market Stat Sheets. This is where we dig deeper into the trends, provide key takeaways, and offer a broader interpretation of the data.
This two-phase release schedule is designed to get you what you need, when you need it: a quick look early on and a full picture shortly after.
Taxpayers, be warned: Your state tax refunds could be delayed this year. Early tax reporting has seen refunds average $2,290, up nearly 11% from the same time last year.
But depending on where you live in the county, you may run into issues getting your state tax refund back promptly. Four states, as well as Washington, DC, are experiencing delays—and all for very different reasons. The four states experiencing delays with tax refunds include New York, Idaho, Oregon, and South Carolina.
Additionally, Washington, DC, is currently in a high-stakes legal and political standoff with Congress over its local tax code. The dispute began after the federal government passed the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025, which introduced several federal tax cuts, including exemptions for tips and overtime wages.
Much like the IRS itself, the temporary tax-season workforce that is hired to handle returns in the state has been reduced, given budget cuts.
Lori Wolff, administrator in the state’s Division of Financial Management, warned that these cuts have slowed tax processing by 12 to 24 weeks and delayed taxpayer refunds by up to six weeks.
She suggested that these delays would cost taxpayers up to $7 million in increased refund‑interest payments.
Adding to the delay was Gov. Brad Little’s reluctance to sign the state’s bill to conform to the federal tax laws. He finally did on Feb. 11, well after the start of the IRS’ Jan. 26 tax season and more than 158,000 Idahoans had already filed their taxes.
Like in New York, Idaho residents must now update their tax software and get new forms to comply.
Source: https://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/2026-state-tax-refund-delays/
A growing number of states are moving to ease local zoning laws to encourage the construction of more starter homes.
Idaho, Connecticut, and Colorado lawmakers introduced bills aimed at statewide changes to local zoning laws, joining at least eight other states that are currently deliberating on similar bills.
The bills take aim at the kind of smaller, more affordable home that builders say has disappeared from many cities. This type of home can now run to seven figures in some states.
Each of the three states’ bills is slightly different, but with largely the same powers: Preventing local governments from crafting laws to restrict the construction of starter homes. In each case, the state is set to allow a smaller lot size and forbid rules like setbacks and lot size restrictions.
These rules, critics say, drive up the cost of building new homes.
Idaho’s Senate Bill 1279 would allow up to 12 units per acre in “starter home subdivisions.” It would reduce lot size requirements, forbid restrictive covenants, and penalize anyone who attempts to prohibit or unreasonably restrict the construction of such subdivisions after July 1.
Kuna was named to USA Today’s list of national boomtowns. The designation is based on rapid growth over the last two decades. Kuna ranked 11th on the list of 49 cities experiencing prosperity, economic diversity and successfully attracting individuals and families. It was estimated by Kuna’s economic development administrator that an average of 1,000 new residents move to Kuna annually, with an average growth rate of 5%.
Source: https://idahobusinessreview.com/2026/01/26/kuna-idaho-boomtown-growth/
Saint Alphonsus Health System, owned by Trinity Health, announced an estimated $450 million expansion impacting both Meridian and Nampa facilities. The expansion is an effort to ensure that most families are within 15 minutes of a Saint Alphonsus primary and specialty care location. The existing Nampa campus has been at capacity for years and will more than double its size, adding 254,000 square feet to its existing facility with 64 new beds and additional space for future growth. The Meridian addition will add 80,000 square feet consisting of offices for pediatrics, urgent care, cardiology and a variety of specialty care. The care provider estimates approximately 250-350 new staff will be hired in 2028 when construction is complete.
Tiny homes are being built by West Ada School District Career Technical Education students for veterans that are involved in a farm or ranching operation. The partnership between the Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce, the Associated General Contractors, career technical education and the West Ada School District has been a win-win for all. About 50 students have worked on the trailers gaining in-demand construction skills that could be applied to a career after high school. Meanwhile, veterans are the recipient of potential housing for themselves or for workforce. The tiny homes measure eight feet by 20 feet and are built on a trailer with the flexibility of moving the tiny home. They are built to have water and electrical utilities hooked up, therefore, are heated without any tanks. There is a kitchen, sleeping area and bathroom just like any home and the cost is estimated at $40,000. There have been 20 applications for the two homes that have been built with awards occurring this spring.
Source: Idaho Business Review
The Nampa City Council denied a 276-acre planned community development that would bring single-family homes, multi-family housing, duplexes and businesses to south Nampa supplanting farm acres. The build-out would take up to 20 years, according to the development team, still the council was not convinced that it was a good fit for the area while public comment brought up density, fire and water concerns. The council voted it down 4-2.
Source: Idaho Press
National lawmakers approved the appropriation of $6.4 million towards building a second elementary school at the Mountain Home Air Force Base. The money is sourced to a national Community Project Funding effort and was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Source: Mountain Home News
Housing data from Intermountain Multiple Listing Service for 2025 compared to 2024 shows Owyhee County sold 99 homes in 2025, a decrease of 7.5%. These homes were a shorter time on market — 52 days versus 59 in 2024. The median price sold decreased by 1.8% to $368,000.
The city of Meridian broke ground on a new community center estimated to cost approximately $21.4 million. The location is near Settlers Park baseball field complex and will house a reception area, a gym with a stage, fitness rooms, classrooms, meeting rooms and an outdoor patio. Meridian’s Parks and Recreation Department along with Meridian Fire Department’s outreach work will operate out of the 26,000 square foot building. It replaces a downtown structure that was built in the early ‘60’s when Meridian’s population was 2,000 people. It is not adequate for Meridian’s needs with a current population estimate of almost 140,000 people.
Source: Idaho Statesman
Other Real Estate News
- Real Estate News | Uptick in home sales could signal modest rebound
- Nar.realtor | Ai, Transparency and The Future of Real Estate
- Realtor.com | Senator Pitches American Dream Account To Help First-Time Homebuyers Save
- Bankrate | Mortgage rates rise on Iran news, still near three year low
Please note: Some news outlets may protect their content with paid subscriptions. While we try to refrain from sharing articles that may not be accessible to everyone, we may share them if important to the industry.
Additional information about trends within the Boise Region, by existing and new construction, are now available here: Ada County, Elmore County, Gem County, Four Rivers Region (coming soon), and Condos, Townhouses, and Mobile/Manufactured Homes Market Reports. Each includes an explanation of the metrics and notes on data sources and methodology.
Ada County
Canyon County
Elmore County
Gem County
Condos…
Download the latest (print quality) market snapshot graphics for Ada County, Ada County Existing/Resale, Ada County New Construction, Boise County, Elmore County, Gem County, Malheur County, Payette County, and Washington County.
Since Canyon County is not part of BRR’s jurisdiction, we don’t publicly report on Canyon County market trends. Members can access Canyon County snapshots and reports in the Market Report email, or login to our Market Statistics page. Our Owyhee County snapshot can also be accessed on our Market Statistics page.
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The data reported is based primarily on the public statistics provided by the Intermountain MLS (IMLS), a subsidiary of Boise Regional REALTORS® (BRR). These statistics are based upon information secured by the agent from the owner or their representative. The accuracy of this information, while deemed reliable, has not been verified and is not guaranteed. These statistics are not intended to represent the total number of properties sold in the counties or cities during the specified time period. The IMLS, Boise Regional REALTORS®, and Idaho Policy Institute provide these statistics for purposes of general market analysis but make no representations as to past or future performance. If you have questions about this report, please contact Boise Regional REALTORS® at 208-376-0363. For notes on data sources, methodology, and explanation of metrics, visit boirealtors.com/notes-on-data-sources-and-methodology.
If you are a consumer, please contact a REALTOR® to get the most current and accurate information specific to your situation.
Boise Regional REALTORS® (BRR), a 501(c)(6) trade association, represents real estate professionals throughout the Boise region. Established in 1920, BRR is the largest local REALTOR® association in the state of Idaho, helping members achieve real estate success through ethics, professionalism, and connections. BRR has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Intermountain MLS (IMLS) and the REALTORS® Community Foundation.
“REALTOR®” is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
