America's hottest housing market is a lakeside town in Idaho


A lakeside city in Idaho where the median sales price for a home rose by 47 per cent to $476,000 over the last year has been ranked No. 1 on a new emerging housing market index.  

The Idaho city of Coeur d’Alene sits on the shores of the 30-mile Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Coeur d’Alene is known for its vibrant downtown and abundant recreational activities including outdoor trails, golfing and water activities.  

The city’s attractive lifestyle and amenities are likely what caused it to claim the top spot on the Wall Street Journal/realtor.com Emerging Housing Markets Index’s list. 

The lakeside city of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where the median sales price for a home rose by 47 per cent to $476,000 over the last year has been ranked No. 1 on a new emerging housing market index

The lakeside city of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where the median sales price for a home rose by 47 per cent to $476,000 over the last year has been ranked No. 1 on a new emerging housing market index

The Idaho city of Coeur d’Alene sits on the shores of the 30-mile Lake Coeur d’Alene (pictured)

The Idaho city of Coeur d’Alene sits on the shores of the 30-mile Lake Coeur d’Alene (pictured) 

A total of 67 homes were sold for $1million or more in the first two months of this year

That number represents a significant increase in sales compared to just 12 homes purchased around the same time in 2020

A total of 67 homes (two pictured) were sold for $1million or more in the first two months of this year. That number represents a significant increase in sales compared to just 12 homes purchased around the same time in 2020

America’s Top 10 Housing Markets  

1. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

2. Austin and Round Rock, Texas

3. Springfield, Ohio 

4. Billings, Montana 

5. Spokane and Spokane Valley, Washington

6. Lafayette and West Lafayette, Indiana 

7. Reno, Nevada 

8. Concord, New Hampshire 

9. Manchester and Nashua, New Hampshire

10. Santa Cruz and Watsonville, California

The inaugural ranking included data for the 300 largest metropolitan areas in the US. 

After Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Austin and Round Rock, Texas tied for the No. 2 spot. 

Springfield, Ohio, came in third, Billings, Montana, was fourth, and Spokane and Spokane Valley, Washington, rounded out the top five. 

According to the Journal, the influx of buyers to Coeur d’Alene are coming from other western states like Washington and California, where home ownership can be more expensive. 

And since several companies have offered the option to work from home, finding a residence in Coeur d’Alene has become challenging, as many seek to relocate.  

According to the Journal, 67 homes were sold for $1million or more in the first two months of this year. 

That number represents a significant increase in sales compared to just 12 homes purchased around the same time in 2020.   

The picturesque city, which has a population of about 166,000, has an inventory of just 337 homes for sale. 

‘That’s not enough to go around—therefore, every listing gets 30 offers,” Kristen Johnson, a real-estate agent at Century 21 Beutler & Associates in Coeur d’Alene told the Journal. 

‘Since the pandemic, our market has been crazy,’ she added. 

The Journal also reported that the median sales in Coeur d’Alene rose in March to $476,900, up 47 per cent increase from last year. 

The city has a small-town feel while also serving as a tourist area with its access to outdoor activities, such as skiing and water sports. 

According to the market index, the top 10 housing markets have seen home prices  appreciate by 27 per cent on average in the last year, compared to an average of 14 per cent across all markets. 

The data shows that the next top 10 housing markets to watch are Burlington, NC; Akron, OH; Eureka, Arcata, Fortuna, CA; Appleton, WI; Modesto, CA; Prescott, AZ; Columbus, OH; Sacramento, Roseville, Arden, Arcade, CA; Madison, WI and Columbia, MO.  

Coeur d’Alene has a small-town feel while also serving as a tourist area with its access to outdoor activities, such as skiing and water sports

Coeur d’Alene has a small-town feel while also serving as a tourist area with its access to outdoor activities, such as skiing and water sports

Coeur d’Alene is known for its vibrant downtown and abundant recreational activities including outdoor trails, golfing and water activities

Coeur d’Alene is known for its vibrant downtown and abundant recreational activities including outdoor trails, golfing and water activities

Motorcycles parked outside the Iron Horse Bar and Grill on Sherman Ave in Coeur d'Alene in Idaho

Motorcycles parked outside the Iron Horse Bar and Grill on Sherman Ave in Coeur d’Alene in Idaho 

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