Kootenai County Real Estate Market Update: October 2026 Prices, Inventory and Trends

Last updated: October 6, 2026

Kootenai County Real Estate Market October 2026: Home Prices, Inventory, Mortgage Rates & Buyer Trends

The Kootenai County real estate market in October 2026 is entering the fall season with inventory essentially flat month over month, lower asking-price metrics, longer marketing times and considerably higher mortgage rates.

The newest public Realtor.com/FRED data for September 2026 shows 1,034 active listings in Kootenai County, only slightly higher than 1,030 in August and just below the 1,051 active listings recorded in September 2025.

At the same time, the countywide median listing price fell to $759,000, down from $795,000 in August and below the $780,238 median from September 2025. Median listing price per square foot also declined to $370, while median days on market increased from 51 days in August to 56 days in September.

That combination matters. Inventory is not surging, but buyers are seeing somewhat softer asking-price metrics and homes are taking longer to move. Sellers therefore need to pay close attention to price, condition, presentation and competition rather than assuming that relatively constrained inventory will automatically produce a fast sale.

Affordability has also become more challenging. Freddie Mac reported the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 7.28% as of October 1, 2026, up sharply from 7.03% one week earlier. The national average 15-year fixed rate was 6.60%.

For buyers, the result is a market with more negotiating possibilities in some segments but higher financing costs. For sellers, accurate pricing has become even more important because buyers are comparing not just purchase price, but total monthly payment.

If you are considering a move, compare this report with Kootenai County homes for sale, Coeur d’Alene homes for sale, Post Falls homes for sale, Hayden homes for sale and the Kootenai County cities and communities guide.

Ask About the October 2026 Kootenai County Market

October 2026 Kootenai County Market Quick Take

• Active listings: 1,034 in September 2026, compared with 1,030 in August and 1,051 in September 2025.
• Total listings: 1,580, down from 1,596 in August and 1,660 one year earlier.
• Median listing price: $759,000, down from $795,000 in August and $780,238 in September 2025.
• Median days on market: 56 days, up from 51 days in August but below 65 days one year earlier.
• Median listing price per square foot: $370, down from $378 in August but above $364 in September 2025.
• New listings: 318, down significantly from 428 in August.
• Pending listings: 550, down from 592 in August and 611 one year earlier.
• Price reductions: 374 listings recorded a price reduction during September, compared with 424 in August and 336 one year earlier.
• Mortgage-rate benchmark: Freddie Mac reported a 7.28% national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate on October 1.
• Buyer takeaway: Asking-price metrics have softened and marketing times increased, potentially creating negotiating opportunities in some segments, but financing costs are substantially higher.
• Seller takeaway: The market still has buyers, but accurate pricing and strong presentation are increasingly important.
• Overall market: Selective, payment-sensitive and highly dependent on price range, property type and location.

Current Public Housing Data for Kootenai County

The newest public county-level housing data available for this October update covers September 2026. Realtor.com inventory statistics distributed through the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis provide one of the most timely public views of listing supply, asking prices and days on market.

September produced an interesting combination: active listings were almost unchanged from August, yet the median asking price moved lower and median days on market increased.

The data does not show a flood of inventory. Active supply is very close to both August 2026 and September 2025.

What changed more noticeably was the pricing and activity mix. The median asking price declined, new listings slowed, pending listings decreased and marketing time increased.

That gives buyers more reason to examine price reductions and longer-market-time properties, while sellers need to recognize that buyers are becoming increasingly selective.

Latest Coeur d’Alene Regional REALTORS® Market Context

Public Realtor.com/FRED inventory statistics are useful, but they are not the same as local MLS sales data.

The most recent Kootenai County market snapshot currently published by Coeur d’Alene Regional REALTORS® is the August 2026 report.

For site-built homes on less than two acres, the association reports:

• 1,754 homes sold year to date through August 2026, approximately 7% above the comparable 2025 period.
• $569,945 median home price, approximately 4% above the prior-year comparison.
• 1,133 current active residential listings as of September 3, 2026.
• 81 days on market in the association’s published market statistics.

These local MLS statistics are not directly comparable with the Realtor.com/FRED countywide listing figures because the datasets use different property criteria, timing and methodology.

The local MLS numbers nevertheless reinforce an important point: market activity remained present through late summer even as buyers became more selective.

Inventory and Listing Trends Heading Into Fall 2026

One of the more important October developments is what did not happen: Kootenai County did not experience a major late-summer inventory surge.

Active listings increased only slightly from 1,030 in August to 1,034 in September.

Total listings actually declined from 1,596 to 1,580, while new listings fell from 428 to 318.

That suggests the fall market is beginning with fewer new properties entering the market rather than a rapidly expanding supply of homes.

The spring-to-summer inventory build has largely leveled off. Meanwhile, marketing time has gradually increased from 38 days in May to 56 days in September.

That creates an important distinction: buyers do not necessarily have dramatically more homes available than they did a month ago, but they may find more homes that have accumulated enough market time for sellers to become receptive to negotiation.

New Listings Are Slowing

September recorded only 318 new listings, compared with 428 during August.

That is a decrease of roughly 26% month over month and is consistent with a normal transition away from peak summer listing activity.

If that trend continues, fall buyers could see fewer fresh properties entering the market even though existing inventory remains relatively substantial.

Pending Activity Also Slowed

Kootenai County recorded 550 pending listings during September, down from 592 in August and 611 in September 2025.

This is important because active inventory alone does not show how quickly buyers are absorbing available homes.

Lower pending activity combined with higher mortgage rates suggests buyers are exercising more caution.

Kootenai County Home Prices and Listing Strategy

One of the biggest changes in the October update is the countywide median listing price.

The public Realtor.com/FRED median listing price declined from $795,000 in August to $759,000 in September.

The September figure was also below the $780,238 median from September 2025.

However, this should not automatically be interpreted as every Kootenai County home losing value.

Listing Price Is Not the Same as Sale Price

A median listing price measures the midpoint of asking prices among properties being marketed. It can change because of:

• The number of luxury homes entering or leaving the market
• Waterfront inventory
• Acreage and rural-property inventory
• New-construction mix
• Seasonal changes in available listings
• The number of lower-priced homes entering the market
• Seller price reductions

This is why buyers and sellers should not use the $759,000 countywide median as a pricing formula for a specific property.

Price Reductions Remain Important

Realtor.com/FRED recorded 374 price-reduced listings in September.

That was fewer than the 424 price reductions recorded in August, but more than the 336 reductions recorded in September 2025.

The practical lesson is that buyers are still rejecting some asking prices. Sellers who begin substantially above the market may lose valuable early exposure and later have to chase buyer expectations downward.

What Sellers Should Compare

A strong pricing analysis should include:

• Recent closed sales in the correct neighborhood
• Active homes competing for the same buyers
• Pending sales when available
• Days on market for comparable properties
• Recent price reductions
• Lot size and location
• Home age and condition
• Renovation quality
• Views and privacy
• Garages, shops and outbuildings
• Acreage and utility setup
• Waterfront or water access
• Resale versus new-construction competition

October 2026 Mortgage Rate Snapshot

Mortgage rates have become one of the biggest variables in the October housing market.

Freddie Mac reported the national average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 7.28% on October 1, 2026.

That was up from 7.03% one week earlier and well above the 6.34% average from approximately one year earlier.

The national average 15-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.60%, compared with 6.42% one week earlier.

Mortgage-rate note: Freddie Mac PMMS rates are national averages based on mortgage applications and are not individual borrower quotes. Actual rates vary by lender, credit profile, loan program, down payment, property type, fees and points.

For a deeper look at financing options, review Comparing Home Loans in North Idaho.

Why Higher Rates Matter Even When Prices Move Lower

A lower purchase price does not necessarily produce a lower monthly payment if mortgage rates rise at the same time.

That is particularly important in October because the countywide median asking price moved lower while the national mortgage-rate benchmark moved substantially higher.

Buyers should therefore compare homes based on total monthly housing expense, including:

• Principal
• Interest
• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• Mortgage insurance when applicable
• HOA dues
• Utilities
• Maintenance

For additional ownership-cost planning, see Hidden Costs of Buying a Home in North Idaho and the Idaho Homeowners Insurance Guide.

Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum Market Context

Countywide statistics provide useful direction, but Kootenai County is not one uniform real estate market.

Coeur d’Alene Housing Market

Coeur d’Alene remains the best-known housing market in North Idaho and includes several distinct segments: downtown homes, lake-area properties, traditional subdivisions, condominiums, luxury homes, older resale properties and new construction.

Higher mortgage rates may have a particularly noticeable effect where buyers have discretionary alternatives or where multiple similar properties are available.

However, location continues to matter. Properties near downtown, Lake Coeur d’Alene, desirable recreation access or established neighborhoods may not follow the same pattern as the countywide median.

Explore the Coeur d’Alene Community Guide, Relocating to Coeur d’Alene, Coeur d’Alene Homes for Sale and Coeur d’Alene Waterfront Homes.

Post Falls Housing Market

Post Falls remains important for buyers who want convenient I-90 access, proximity to Coeur d’Alene and Spokane, newer neighborhoods and access to the Spokane River.

It can also offer more alternatives in newer construction, which means resale sellers need to compare their property not just against existing homes, but against builder inventory and builder incentives.

Explore the Post Falls Community Guide, Moving to Post Falls and Post Falls Homes for Sale.

Hayden Housing Market

Hayden continues to appeal to buyers looking for established neighborhoods, Hayden Lake access, golf, shopping, schools and proximity to Coeur d’Alene.

Hayden’s market can vary substantially between traditional residential neighborhoods, Hayden Lake-area homes, larger-lot properties and newer construction.

Explore Living in Hayden, Idaho and Hayden Homes for Sale.

Rathdrum Housing Market

Rathdrum remains attractive to buyers looking for newer homes, more space, larger lots, shops and rural-property options while staying within reasonable reach of Coeur d’Alene, Hayden and Post Falls.

Acreage and rural properties require additional analysis because wells, septic systems, private roads, winter access, outbuildings and land usability can significantly affect value.

Explore Living in Rathdrum, Idaho, Rathdrum Homes for Sale and Buying a Home With Acreage in North Idaho.

What the October 2026 Market Means for Buyers

October is producing a mixed environment for buyers.

On one side of the equation, asking-price metrics softened during September and median days on market increased. More properties may therefore have accumulated enough market time to create room for negotiation.

On the other side, mortgage rates above 7% increase the monthly cost of financing and can offset part or all of the benefit from a lower negotiated purchase price.

A strong October buyer strategy should include:

• Request updated lender numbers before making an offer.
• Compare monthly payment at several purchase prices.
• Watch for homes with extended days on market.
• Track recent price reductions.
• Compare the listing against recent closed sales.
• Determine whether competing properties provide better value.
• Compare resale properties with new construction.
• Review property-tax costs.
• Obtain realistic homeowners-insurance estimates.
• Review HOA costs when applicable.
• Understand well, septic and private-road considerations for rural homes.
• Keep inspection risk in mind before deciding how aggressive to be.

Buyer resources include First-Time Homebuyer Tips in Kootenai County, Hidden Costs of Buying a Home in North Idaho and the North Idaho Home Inspection Checklist.

Where Buyers May Find More Leverage

Negotiating leverage may be stronger when:

• The home has been on the market longer than competing properties.
• The seller has already reduced the price.
• Several similar properties are available.
• The home needs cosmetic or mechanical updates.
• The property has a less conventional floor plan.
• The listing competes directly with new construction.
• Seasonal factors reduce buyer traffic.
• The home has carrying costs that narrow its buyer pool.

Leverage may remain limited for highly desirable, correctly priced homes with strong locations and little comparable competition.

What the October 2026 Market Means for Sellers

The current market is not a market in which sellers should assume that a buyer will eventually pay an aspirational asking price.

September recorded more price reductions than the same month one year earlier, median days on market increased, pending activity slowed and financing costs moved higher.

That makes the first several weeks of a listing particularly important.

A strong seller strategy includes:

• Price from recent closed sales rather than online estimates alone.
• Review current competing homes before choosing the initial price.
• Look at pending listings when available.
• Understand price reductions among comparable properties.
• Identify new-construction competition.
• Complete obvious repairs before listing.
• Improve presentation and curb appeal.
• Use professional photography.
• Make online listing information complete and accurate.
• Pay close attention to showing activity during the first two weeks.
• Respond to repeated buyer feedback.
• Reevaluate pricing quickly if the listing receives little meaningful activity.

Don’t Confuse Active Asking Prices With Market Value

One common seller mistake is pricing a home based on the highest-priced active competitor.

An active listing tells you what another seller is asking. It does not tell you what a buyer is willing to pay.

A stronger analysis uses active listings to understand competition but relies heavily on relevant recent sales, pending activity, market time, property differences and buyer response.

What You Should Read Next

Kootenai County Homes for Sale

Move from countywide market statistics to current real estate opportunities throughout Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum and the surrounding North Idaho market.

Explore Kootenai County homes →

Kootenai County Cities, Communities & Home Prices

Compare Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum and other North Idaho communities by housing, location, amenities and lifestyle.

Compare Kootenai County communities →

Relocating to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

If the market update is part of a larger relocation decision, use the complete Coeur d’Alene relocation guide to compare housing, neighborhoods, costs and day-to-day life in North Idaho.

Read the relocation guide →

Final Thoughts on the October 2026 Kootenai County Real Estate Market

The October market is giving buyers and sellers mixed signals, which is exactly why a single headline number does not tell the whole story.

Active inventory barely changed between August and September and remains slightly below last year’s level. That means Kootenai County is not experiencing an overwhelming increase in available homes.

At the same time, the median asking price moved lower, new listings decreased, pending activity slowed and median days on market increased.

Those trends suggest buyers are becoming more selective.

Mortgage rates add another layer. With the national average 30-year fixed rate at 7.28% as of October 1, buyers are increasingly focused on total monthly payment rather than purchase price alone.

For sellers, that increases the importance of accurate initial pricing. Buyers may still respond strongly to homes that offer good value, desirable locations and strong condition, but overpriced listings can quickly accumulate market time.

For buyers, the market may provide additional negotiating opportunities, particularly on homes with longer market time or prior price reductions. However, those opportunities should always be weighed against financing costs and long-term ownership expenses.

Most importantly, Kootenai County is not one housing market. Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, acreage properties, waterfront homes, new construction, luxury properties and lower-price homes can behave very differently.

Countywide statistics are a starting point. The strongest buying or selling decisions still come from analyzing the individual property, neighborhood, competition and price range.