What’s The Tea with 4D? 🍵

Hello friend, I hope this message finds you well!

I don’t know about you, but all of this glorious sunshine has got me thinking about the summer. Now I realize we are somewhere deep into false spring at the moment, but I think there is a pretty good chance that our heavy snow days may be behind us. (Did you notice all my tentative language there? Idaho is a tricky one.)

As a home gardener, spring is also a much beloved season. Bulbs and plants start making their debut. Grass gets greener and longer. Flowering trees and bushes start getting showy. I must say, it’s a pretty magical time of the year!

But there’s something extra special about Idaho summers. Maybe it’s the long summer nights that truly inspire. When I first moved to Boise in 1992 (ahem, at such a young age, of course, LOL), the first night when it didn’t really get dark until 10 pm blew my mind! I thought it must be some old Idaho witchcraft! 🪄

But no, I came to learn about geography, time zones, and how they impact the movement of the sun in the sky, which subsequently prolongs our bright nights.

If you're curious to delve deeper into this fascinating phenomenon, check out this article from Boise State University. 

I’m curious, what do you absolutely love about Idaho summers?

Is it the camping season? We have so many great spots within just a few hours of the Treasure Valley. Or perhaps the natural hot springs? We boast some of the best hot spring options in the country. Maybe it's the fireworks display every July 4th? Or could it be the First Thursday Nights downtown, filled with great shopping and local music? Whether you enjoy the great outdoors or prefer to keep things more urban, there’s truly something for everyone here.

I would LOVE it if you could share some of your favorite summertime activities with me! I've lived here forever and a day, but there are likely some best-kept secret activities that only you can tell me more about. And don't worry, your secret spots are safe with me! 😎

Is It Easier To Find a Home To Buy Now?

One of the biggest hurdles buyers have faced over the past few years has been a lack of homes available for sale. But that’s starting to change, slowly but surely.

The graph below uses the latest data from Realtor.com to show there are more homes on the market in 2024 than there have been in any of the past several years (2021-2023):

Does That Mean Finding a Home Is Easier?

The answer is yes, and no. As an article from Realtor.com says:

“There were nearly 15% more homes for sale in February than a year earlier . . . That alone could jolt the housing market a bit if more “For Sale” signs continue to appear. However, the nation is still suffering from a housing shortage even with all of that new inventory.”

Context is important. On the one hand, inventory is up over the past few years. That means you’ll likely have more options to choose from as you search for your next home.

But, at the same time, the graph above also shows there are still significantly fewer homes for sale than there would usually be in a more normal, pre-pandemic market. And that deficit isn’t going to be reversed overnight.

What Does This Mean for You?

You might find a few more choices now than in recent years, but you shouldn’t expect a significant increase in options just yet.

To help you explore the growing list of choices you have now, let’s team up! That way, you’ll be up to date on everything that could affect your move, including how many homes are for sale right now.

Let's chat over coffee to discuss more details and address any questions you may have about the current market. And your first cup is on me! ☕️

Click below to book a date and time that works best for your schedule. After booking, I'll reach out to confirm the location. I look forward to connecting with you soon. 😊