| Measure | Question it answers | What must be stated |
|---|---|---|
| Active inventory | What was available at the snapshot date? | Date, geography, property type and status rules. |
| Closed sales | How many transactions completed? | Reporting period, source and sample size. |
| Median sold price | What was the middle sale in the sample? | Sample boundaries and property mix. |
| Days on market | How long were properties exposed? | Field definition and handling of relistings. |
| Comparable sales | Which transactions help evaluate this property? | Why they are relevant and how they differ. |
Start with the right comparison
A valley-wide median cannot price a specific downtown condominium, Elkhorn townhome or acreage property. Begin with the homes a buyer would reasonably compare by location, ownership type, condition, size and utility. Explain important differences before drawing a pricing conclusion.
A median is the middle observation in a defined sample. It is not the average, and a change in the mix of homes sold can move it without demonstrating the same change in value for every home. Small samples need particular care.
Keep active listings and completed sales separate
Active inventory shows the alternatives a buyer can consider at a point in time. Closed sales show completed transactions within a period. Pending properties add context, but an asking price is not a confirmed final sale price.
For days on market, state the field used and whether it counts a single listing period or cumulative exposure. For sale-to-list comparisons, identify whether the starting point is the original list price or the final list price.
What a published monthly update needs
Each update should name its data source and extraction date, the geographic boundaries, the property types, the reporting period and the number of closed transactions. Definitions and exclusions should remain consistent when comparing periods.
Inventory should be labeled as a snapshot. Historical comparisons should use equivalent periods and disclose changes in coverage. Where the sample is too small or incomplete, the report should say so rather than offer a confident trend line.
Request an analysis for your decision
We have not published a current monthly statistical series on this site. Verified aggregate data and its publication permissions are still required; no live medians or inventory totals are represented here.
For a purchase or sale, call 208-720-6830 to discuss the property, relevant comparisons and the timing of your decision. An agent’s comparative market analysis is not a formal appraisal; ask which questions require a qualified appraiser or another specialist.
Questions buyers ask
Does a higher median mean every home appreciated?
No. Changes in the types and prices of properties that sold can move the median. Compare similar properties and review the sample before interpreting a change.