Meridian is Idaho's fastest-growing city; Star, Eagle on list, too
By Kathleen Kreller and Joe Estrella, Idaho Statesman
6/22/2006

With its boom of new construction and growing residential subdivisions, Meridian has overtaken Kuna as Idaho's fastest-growing city.

From mid-2004 to mid-2005, Meridian grew by 14.5 percent, the fastest rate by overall percentage and population increase in Idaho, according to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. Read More

I saw a chart recently that showed Boise inventory has started to come down as of June 1st.  The agent who sent it to me said:

Inventory is now decreasing, we should see some strong price increases throughout the rest of the summer.

Anybody "on the ground" noticing any upward trends in pricing or downward trend in inventory? Read More

New developments may help hold down housing costs-
As more houses are built over the next few years, home buyers may a slight edge when negotiating
Joe Estrella, Idaho Stateman
5-16-2006

Relief may be in sight for Treasure Valley consumers struggling to find affordable single-family housing in a market where a dwindling inventory has driven home costs to record levels.

Developers and officials with local industry-related Web sites say dozens of new housing developments in the area along with more than 30,000 building lots in the regulatory pipeline may help hold the line on runaway costs that are pricing potential home buyers of the market. Read More.

Investor interest in Valley homes slows-
Some industry leaders fear investors may flood market with homes for sale, undermining construction boom
Joe Estrella, Idaho Statesman
6-9-2006

Out-of-state investors have driven Treasure Valley single-family home sales to record levels. Soon they could be the market's undoing, some local housing-industry leaders say although a rental-property manager says that's unlikely.

Since 2004, California investors have poured millions into homes here, lured by affordable prices and annual double-digit home-appreciation rates. Their plan: rent out the properties until prices were high enough to resell the homes at a profit. Read More .