Kootenai County’s commercial real estate sector is posting stronger dollar figures even as transaction counts dip, according to mid-year data from Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty in Coeur d’Alene. The numbers suggest North Idaho’s commercial market is maturing, with larger individual deals pushing total volume well past last year’s pace and national retail brands continuing to stake claims across the region.
Sales Volume Climbs Even as Deal Count Falls
Through June 4, closed commercial sales in Kootenai County dropped from 38 transactions to 30 compared to the same period last year — yet total sales volume jumped from $27.6 million to $33.4 million over that same stretch. The average sold price climbed sharply, rising from $725,000 to $1.11 million, while the median sold price moved more modestly from $367,500 to $379,000.
The divergence between the falling deal count and rising volume signals that buyers and sellers are transacting at substantially higher price points, a trend Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller leadership attributes to the sustained appeal of North Idaho as a destination for businesses as much as for residents.
Gary Schneidmiller, the firm’s founder and broker, said the region’s draw goes beyond simple economic calculations. “North Idaho has always been a market that draws people and businesses because of the community, the lifestyle, and the environment rather than just chasing baseline employment trends,” he said.
As of early June, 18 commercial listings were pending in Kootenai County, representing $19.9 million in total list volume. Those pending properties span a wide range, from listings priced under $100,000 to a top listing at $7.2 million — an indicator that both small operators and larger investors are active in the market simultaneously.
Major Projects Taking Shape Across the County
Several significant developments are reshaping the commercial landscape from Post Falls to Rathdrum. In Post Falls, the Millworx mixed-use district continues to expand, anchored by a 151-room Hyatt Place Hotel that adds hospitality capacity to one of the area’s fastest-growing corridors along the I-90 business hub.
Silo Block North is another project drawing attention. The development will deliver 13,500 square feet of commercial space divided among six suites, along with 16 residential units and 25 below-grade parking stalls. Barrel 33 has already been announced as the first tenant at the site, signaling that retail and dining operators are comfortable committing to new North Idaho addresses well before construction wraps.
In Rathdrum, the Westwood Pines Commercial Park is bringing seven C-2 zoned commercial pads to market, ranging from 0.7 to 3.6 acres each. The broader Westwood Pines and Hadley Meadows area also includes 191 apartment units currently under construction and 164 single-family homes, reflecting the kind of mixed residential-commercial growth pattern that has defined Kootenai County development in recent years.
National Brands Validate North Idaho’s Growth Story
One of the clearest signals of the market’s maturity is the accelerating arrival of national retail and restaurant chains. Over the past several years, brands including Habit Burger, Raising Cane’s, 7-Eleven, Circle K, Five Guys, Popeye’s, and Trader Joe’s have all expanded into North Idaho — a roster that would have been unusual for a market this size a decade ago. National tenants typically conduct rigorous demographic and traffic analysis before committing to new markets, so their presence reflects confidence in the region’s population base and purchasing power.
The firm noted that the largest individual commercial transactions in Kootenai County over the past five years have ranged from $5 million to $15 million, a bracket that places the market squarely in the range attracting regional and institutional investors alongside local operators. This positive momentum in commercial development complements broader residential trends across the county — Hayden Lake recently surpassed a $1 million typical home value, underscoring how elevated property values are affecting both residential and commercial segments.
What Comes Next for Kootenai County Commercial Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller’s leadership, which includes CEO and President Mark Johnson alongside COO and Vice-President Robert Brickett, expects the growth trajectory to continue through the remainder of 2026. Pending transactions totaling nearly $20 million are already in the pipeline, and projects like Silo Block North and Westwood Pines Commercial Park will add new inventory to a market where available supply has consistently struggled to keep pace with demand.
Businesses and investors tracking North Idaho’s commercial sector can monitor new listings and market reports through local brokerage offices in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls. For broader Idaho economic context, additional coverage is available at Idaho News.