Buying an existing home or building new in North Idaho (Post Falls: for sale, home builders)

[DadDave]

My wife and I are looking to move from southern California (Inland Empire ) and relocate our family (twin boys age 10) to the Couer D Alene area. We are interested in hearing from others who have made the move and or are also doing research like us. What are the pros and cons of building vs buying an existing home?
Has anyone purchased a new home in a tract development with large lots ( 1/2 AC or more).
We have lots of questions looking for input from others who have gone through this. Thanks

[javatom]

I do the designs for new houses and additions to existing ones. The thing to consider on the new home idea is being realistic about what that costs. The average person is pretty behind the times about the price of building a home. The tract home builders are as busy as I have ever seen them. This demand has driven up the cost of existing homes as well.

[redwood66]

There are very few (if any) new developments with lot sizes of .5-1.0 acre in the surrounding area of CDA, Hayden, Post Falls, Rathdrum. Most are higher density in the cities or much larger lots of 5+ acres in the county. More money in higher density plus the control of lot splits by Kootenai County outside city limits. You will likely have to look at existing homes for lots of that size or build on an existing parcel that is not in a tract development. There may be a few lots left in the few large lot size developments and an agent can help you find them.

[volosong]

If you really want land close in, investigate Dalton Gardens. It is a small city nestled between CdA and Hayden. Almost all the parcels are one-acre lots and a lesser quantity are two acres. There will be the oddball here and there that are less or more, but for the most part, one acre.

You will find three types of housing on them. Fancy-dancy, fairly new McMansions that are quite pricy, tear-downs which are not so pricy, but still between $350k-$400k at the low end, a few less. And finally, vacant properties which go for between $250k-$300k. (Keep in mind, these prices were about a year ago when I was looking for a retirement home. Probably more expensive now.)

Another option is that there are some developments in Hayden with properties that haven't been fully built out yet. Might be worth a look.

[CAHntr]

From what I saw online, it looks like building permits wouldn't be that bad. There's a couple of knowledgeable realtors on here (& Javatom) who could probably give you more financial data on building new, renovating or whether you're likely to find something already built with features/amenities you're looking for in a house. It's a good question you asked and one that the wife and I will be figuring out in about 6-7 years when we flee Northern CA for Idaho.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

1/2 acre seems to be rather hard to find. There are new developments on the outskirts of Post Falls and Rathdrum with big houses on 5 acres. Priced over half a million.

Dalton Gardens has some older homes on what they call a "Dalton acre", which is just a hair under a full acre. Not much comes up for sale in Dalton Gardens and it is not a cheap area.

I know where there is a big nice house on a double lot in east coeur d'alene, close into town. The two lots are big ones. The house has been on the market for awhile because it is overpriced for the neighborhood. I have no idea if they are ready to talk.

My suggestion is that you contact Shaner here on CD. He's an agent who posts here often and he is knowledgeable about the area and he is easy to get along with.

[DadDave]

What about Rathdrum or Athol?

[DadDave]

Has anyone heard of Rolling meadows Ranch?

[volosong]

Not many larger lots in Rathdrum. It's very "suburban". Growing fast with lots of new tracts, not not much on larger lots unless you look northeast of town along State Highway 53. Athol, from what very little I know, would have more of what would interest you. But for me personally, it's just a tad too far from the circus, (i.e., CdA). Know nothing about Rolling Meadows Ranch.

[Shaner]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

1/2 acre seems to be rather hard to find. There are new developments on the outskirts of Post Falls and Rathdrum with big houses on 5 acres. Priced over half a million.

Dalton Gardens has some older homes on what they call a "Dalton acre", which is just a hair under a full acre. Not much comes up for sale in Dalton Gardens and it is not a cheap area.

I know where there is a big nice house on a double lot in east coeur d'alene, close into town. The two lots are big ones. The house has been on the market for awhile because it is overpriced for the neighborhood. I have no idea if they are ready to talk.

My suggestion is that you contact Shaner here on CD. He's an agent who posts here often and he is knowledgeable about the area and he is easy to get along with.

Thanks =)

So my number 1 question to people in your demographic is how important is internet too you? Internet can be spotty up here, and we have options, but if you want cable speeds, you need to stay closer to town. Dalton Gardens as said above would be a great area for you. Also the fringes of post falls.

What is your price range? Buying existing construction is currently cheaper than building. Most builders are between 5-8 months out on new construction as it has been super busy.

I would say it would come down to what creature comforts you want and what you want to do with your land. For example, my buddy wanted to be able to shoot on his land so we chose county and he has ok internet. 1 of my other clients wanted land, but only to not have neighbors so close.

I am always available to help, as I do a lot of relocation work for my clients. Hope this helps your search!