Boise’s back in the national real estate spotlight and, when I look around at how much we’ve grown in the past few years, I’m not sure Boise ever left center stage! Recent publications name Boise in the Top 10 Downtowns in the Country (US News), #12 Best Place to be a Real Estate Agent in the Country (NAR), and #5 Hottest Housing Markets for 2016 (Ted C. Jones). And with all this excitement, I have to take a moment to reflect on how Boise is keeping up with this growth and how we can expect to sustain it moving forward.
Space – Yes, it’s true, we have a lot of room to move in Idaho, and Boise is no exception. With some 137 parks at last count, approximately “2,400 acres of open space grace the City” according to the Boise City Office of Economic Development. And if you’ve ever visited Boise, it doesn’t feel congested. Land near the downtown area has been developed well and in a manner that does not detract from the natural beauty of the City. And if you really want to have all the open space to yourself, the Boise National Forest is just minutes away – That’s over 2.2 million acres of federally protected land for you to enjoy right out your back door!
Value – Even in light of the steady growth Boise has experienced, and despite the fact that there is a shortage of existing homes for sale at the moment, new construction is working hard to keep up with demand and the resulting efforts leave home buyers with plenty of options to select from. And I see it every day as I drive clients around on showings – There is a clear and evident effort here on the part of local home builders to provide the market with suitable options for home buyers. And they have the ability to build all types of homes, from entry level homes under $200K to custom and semi-custom options at moderate to higher price points. From any perspective, the Boise real estate market is working diligently to bring value and options to our local market.
Lifestyle – When it comes to finding the right place to call home, Boise real estate has something to offer everyone. Whether you enjoy quiet evenings on the back deck watching the sunset over the Owyhee Mountains, exploring the city on some of the 22 miles of greenbelt along the Boise River, or taking in dinner and a show in downtown Boise – There’s really something for everyone! Boise real estate provides easy access to the great outdoors, as well as being home to one of the best job markets in the nation. A recent article published by the Idaho Statesman ranked Boise No. 1 in the nation for job growth since March, 2015 – WOW! The community surrounding Boise real estate provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, plenty of arts & cultural events, fantastic schools, a variety of employment options, making it a perfect fit for many different lifestyle types. Boise really is the place to be!
Boise’s back, and for many of us who have called the area home for years – it never really left the spotlight in our eyes. We’d love to share this great area and all the opportunity with you, so reach out to us if you’d like to learn more by visiting www.SearchHomesIdaho.com today!
Ben Christensen is a real estate professional with Equity Idaho Real Estate specializing in buying and selling residential and residential-income properties.