What’s The Tea with 4D? 🍵

Hi Tea time friends! Have you ever considered buying your own little slice of Idaho? Idaho has become one of the most desirable places in the U.S. for buying land—whether you're dreaming of building a homestead, investing in future development, or just want your own piece of rural paradise. With wide open spaces, mountain views, and no shortage of outdoor lifestyle perks, the Gem State has plenty to offer.

But before you dive in, here are a few key things to know:

🌲 1. Know Your Purpose

Ask yourself:
👉 Are you planning to build a home?
👉 Farm or raise animals?
👉 Invest in future development?
👉 Use it for recreation or camping?

Your intended use will impact zoning, road access, and the kind of utilities you’ll need.

📜 2. Zoning and Restrictions

Not all land is created equal. Always research:

• Zoning codes (residential, agricultural, commercial)

• HOA or deed restrictions

• Water rights – these don’t always come with the land!

Knowing this upfront will save you time and money.

💡 3. Utilities and Access

Rural land in Idaho can be stunning—but often off-grid. Ask:

• Is power available nearby?

• Will you need to drill a well or install septic?

• Is the road maintained year-round?

These answers will affect your overall costs and timelines.

💵 4. Financing Land

Buying land isn't like buying a house. Banks often require:

• 20–50% down

• Shorter loan terms

• Higher interest rates

🔑 Pro tip: Look for seller financing—a common option in rural Idaho.

📍 5. Where to Look

Some popular regions to explore:

• Treasure Valley (Boise, Kuna, Middleton) – Growth & convenience

• Magic Valley (Twin Falls area) – Agriculture & affordability

• North Idaho (Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene) – Forested & scenic

• Eastern Idaho (Rexburg, Idaho Falls) – Remote & peaceful

Each region has different zoning rules, access points, and price points.

🔍 Final Thoughts

Buying land in Idaho can be a great move—but only if you’re well prepared.

✅ Partner with a local land-savvy agent
✅ Visit the property in person
✅ Research utilities, zoning, and road access
✅ Get a land survey if boundaries aren’t clear

Ready to stake your claim in the Gem State?
Whether you're dreaming of wide open skies or building your next investment, Idaho has room to grow.

Thinking about your next steps in real estate? Let’s meet for coffee or tea to discuss your plans—my treat! 🧡

Whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring possibilities, I’m here to offer clear guidance and help you feel confident moving forward.

Use the button below to pick a date and time that works for you. Once booked, I’ll reach out directly to confirm the details, and we’ll go from there.

Now is the time to focus on your real estate plans and turn them into reality. Let’s make it happen together! 🏘️

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte announced July 8 that the government-sponsored enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, will begin accepting VantageScore 4.0 for mortgage underwriting, either alongside or in place of traditional FICO credit scores. This change, effective immediately, provides potential homebuyers with an extra boost that can either qualify them for a mortgage or reduce the cost of the loan.

VantageScore 4.0 is a newer model developed by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) that analyzes changes in credit data over time and includes additional data points, such as rental, utility and telecom payments, in the credit report, rewarding borrowers for making timely payments. These data points have traditionally been excluded from credit reports.

The National Association of REALTORS® praises the FHFA decision as a win for real estate professionals and consumers. The modernization of the credit scoring system will help borrowers, especially those with limited credit, to gain access to a competitive housing market. In 2023, NAR sent a letterpdf, along with other industry partners, encouraging the adoption of VantageScore 4.0.

“NAR has long called for modernizing the credit scoring system to better reflect how today’s consumers manage their finances. We applaud the announcement from FHFA Director Bill Pulte that the GSEs will soon begin accepting VantageScore in addition to other credit scoring models,” says NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn.

“This is a major step toward a more accurate and equitable mortgage underwriting process, one that considers timely rent, utility and telecom payments as indicators of creditworthiness,” McGahn says. “These are real-world factors that show how people pay their bills and should count when determining if someone qualifies for a mortgage.”

Expanding the number of acceptable credit scoring models also fosters competition in credit reporting, which will lower costs, increase accuracy and help more qualified Americans achieve homeownership.

NAR will continue to work with the FHFA and Congress to bring further updates to credit scoring, giving more qualified borrowers the opportunity to buy a home.

Content by: Michael Rauber, manager of advocacy communications at the National Association of REALTORS®.