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So, You Want to Move to Idaho: How to Make Your Dream a Reality with First Federal Bank

01/08/2025

By: Lidija Jurovich

So, You Want to Move to Idaho: How to Make Your Dream a Reality with First Federal Bank

The Gem State

Idaho, or "The Gem State," boasts some of the country's greatest diversity of natural landscapes. ID offers a multitude of world-class ski resorts, over 10,000 miles of pristine rivers for fishing and swimming, and 4.8 million acres of public land for camping. These gems are what make Idaho a nature-lovers paradise. Depending on the season, you can fill your days hiking well-maintained trails, swimming in alpine lakes, skiing fresh powder, snowmobiling the country's largest terrain of trails, and more. Idaho also boasts a safe place to raise a family and an increasingly diverse wealth of resources and amenities like new restaurants, entertainment venues, and businesses.

Since 2020, Idaho has seen a significant influx of new residents from surrounding states and all over the country. These new Idahoans have sought access to natural beauty, better quality of life, and affordability, all with a home-like feel. "The Gem State" isn't just a clever name; it's the truth. Have you envisioned a future in Idaho and want to make your dream a reality through home ownership? As Idaho's trusted community bank of choice with 14 locations throughout Southern Idaho, First Federal Bank is proud to offer local, personable expertise.

Why First Fed

We are not only the 3rd largest community bank in the state but the only mutual bank in Idaho. Established in 1915 in Twin Falls, First Federal has made homeownership a reality for 110 years. We're excited to help you (and your family) make the big move.

Idaho's Economy

Idaho has an increasingly thriving economy. According to Zillow, median home values sit around $450,000. At the same time, according to USAFacts, the unemployment rate remains relatively low and steady at 3.3%, and in 2023, Idaho ranked 4th in the country for economic growth. With large tech companies building headquarters in Boise, there's an influx of new opportunities in the Treasure Valley (the state's largest metropolitan area). The Magic Valley has a robust and growing food industry with Clif Bar, Chobani, Glanbia, and more headquartered there. The rest of Idaho has many job openings for various skill levels, mainly in the tourism, agriculture, and food production industries.

First Fed is Here to Help

With flexible down-payment options, personalized mortgage loan programs, and our community expertise, we'll make buying your new home in Idaho simple. Get pre-approved with our online application here and calculate potential mortgage payment amounts here. Then, you can begin to start shopping for your dream property.

We're proud to have local underwriters, longstanding relationships with local title companies, 100s of programs for home loans, and competitive mortgage pricing. With affordable down-payment programs and local Mortgage Loan Professional expertise, we're here to help make the process affordable and possible. We also boast best-in-class technology solutions, making the process more efficient to save you time. You can go through the entire loan process virtually just from your phone or laptop.

Preparing For Your Big Move

It's best to visit beautiful Idaho to see what towns or cities fit your lifestyle. If you're looking for a bustling metropolitan, Boise and the surrounding areas like Nampa, Meridian, or Eagle may suit you. If you're looking for a picturesque small town tucked away in the mountains, check out McCall or Ketchum. Twin Falls may be the perfect medium if you want a combination of city amenities with a small-town feel. When selecting a new place to call home, it's important to consider the proximity to schools, work, and recreation activities.

Once you find your new town and dream property, you can complete a simple loan application. Find our loan application here and complete it in 15-20 minutes. You'll soon hear back from a regional Mortgage Loan Professional who will help you gather the necessary materials and find the best loan program for your needs.

We're looking forward to working with you!

All credit products are subject to approval.

Resources:

Loan Application

Mortgage Calculator

Mortgage Qualifier Calculator