Recently the Idaho Housing and Finance department released an acticle discerning the Idaho Real Estate Market. It's content is as follows:

"Declining home prices in Idaho are not as straightforward as one might think. In fact, some reports actually show an increase in home prices for Idaho. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's recently released state profiles, Idaho's home price index for the second quarter of 2008 increased by 1.2%. In addition, some parts of Idaho are not showing declining home prices. The statistics  for various counties are: Kootenai (-2.71%), Nez Perce (+4.41%), Canyon (-11.51%), Ada (-10.94%), Twin Falls (-.68%), Bannock (-2.15%), Bonneville (+1.26%)." Cornerstones, Nov. 2008

All in all, the local real estate market is doing quite well. Of course it is conditioned on price range. The critical factor is the lending arena and the ability of a buyer to procure a loan with favorable terms. It is the opinion of this Broker that the success of entire housing market is subject to the "first time" buyer. Favorable lending conditions for that segment of the market will stimulate the process up the line. We have several home sellers who have already "picked out" their new home just waiting the that "first time" buyer to pull the trigger. We are hopeful that the "new administration" will implement a lending stimulus package for that "first time" buyer that makes sense for everyone.  JS