Jeff Jennings--Idaho's Real Estate Expert

I am in contact with a lot of people looking to relocate to Idaho Falls, whether it be for retirement, job change, or a number of other reasons. I find working with these types to be very interesting and rewarding. It gives me a chance to an ambassador for our great area...sometimes I feel like a tour guide! However, when the conversation shifts back to matter of real estate, these folks seem to think that our market is in the same predicament as theirs back home. Contrary to what you hear in the press, the real estate market in Bonneville County is great. 2006 was our biggest year ever and in 2007 we were within 20 home sales of matching that volume. The average sales price of homes increased more than 10%, and inventory is still within normal ranges. Also, mortgage rates are nearing the low rates we had two years ago. Real Estate is still your best financial investment. Now is a great time to buy and sell real estate!

February 27, 2008: MSN Money Magazine, Idaho Falls ranks #9 of 291 cities across the nation in terms of appreciation rates. MSN Money Magazine released a housing market study detailing appreciation rates in 291 metro areas across the US. This study ranks the cities then details appreciation rates for the 4th quarter of 2007, the year of 2007 and then the total appreciate realized over the past 5 years for each of the ranked cities.

March 12, 2007: Sterling's Best Places, lists Idaho Falls #2 in a list of best Affordable Places to Live and Work.

February 10, 2007: Idaho Falls was ranked the top small city MSA's (Metropolitan Statistical Areas) for bioscience jobs per Battelle's Survey of 360 metropolitan areas.

January 26, 2007: Bonneville County ranked among the 100 Best Communities for Young People by America's Promise Alliance, a nation group that strives to improve the lives of youngsters.

January 4, 2007: CareerBuilders.com lists Idaho Falls as #6 is a list of "15 Great Cities for Job Seekers."

December 5, 2006: Bestplaces.net ranks Idaho Falls 10^th in their list of Most Secure U.S. Cities.

August 1, 2006: Forbes Magazine references Idaho Falls for, "Where the Best Paying High Tech Jobs Are."

May 2006: Inc. Magazine-"Boom Towns," based on employment growth, ranked Idaho Falls #10 for all metro areas in the U.S. and #8 in the small city category.

March/April 2006: Expansion Management Magazine ranks Idaho Falls #8 out of 170 Metro areas for Scientists/Engineers.

2006: Idaho Falls is recognized in Expansion Management Magazine of 5 star metros for quality of life.

December 23, 2005: The U.S. Census indicates that Idaho is the 3^rd fastest growing state (Currently at 4^th).

2005: Milken Institute ranks the state of Idaho as the 5^th lowest for cost of doing business.

2005: Milken Institute ranks Idaho Falls #11 for its ability to create and sustain jobs under their list of 2005 Best Performing Cities.

March 30, 2004: USA Today-Emerging Cities articles ranking Idaho Falls as #10 in their list of Best Places to Live.

March 26, 2004: USA Today-"10 Great Places to be lured into Fly Fishing"-features the Henry's Fork.