Introducing Iron Vale: A New Kind of Blackwell Community in Post Falls
Custom Build or Buy Existing? Your questions answered.
For years, Blackwell Homes & Development has built custom luxury homes across the Coeur d'Alene area, one family and one floorplan at a time. Iron Vale is our next chapter, and it's something a little different.
A community, not just a collection of houses
Iron Vale is a new home community in Post Falls, Idaho, one of the fastest-growing areas in the region. Rather than fully custom builds, Iron Vale offers thoughtfully designed, modern rustic detached homes at an attainable price point. What doesn't change is the standard behind them: the same quality materials, efficient and livable floor plans, and finishes built to hold up to real North Idaho life that have defined Blackwell Homes from day one.
Why Post Falls
Post Falls sits between Coeur d'Alene and Spokane, which means residents get the best of both: North Idaho's lakes, trails, and outdoor lifestyle on one side, and city conveniences within easy driving distance on the other. It's a community that's growing for a reason, and Iron Vale is designed to grow with it.
The build is on
Ground has broken at Iron Vale, and the first homes are underway. Whether you're buying your first home, moving up, or adding to your investment portfolio, Iron Vale is designed to deliver lasting value in a place people genuinely want to live.
Want to be first in line?
Iron Vale's own website is on its way with floor plans, lot maps, and everything you'll need. In the meantime, reach out via our contact page or call (208) 661-5871 to learn more about Iron Vale, register your interest, and be among the first to hear when lots and homes become available.
Custom Build or Buy Existing? What Makes Sense in North Idaho
Custom Build or Buy Existing? Your questions answered.
f you're planning a move in the Coeur d'Alene area, you've probably weighed the same question as everyone else: buy an existing home, or build exactly what you want? There's no universal answer, but there are honest tradeoffs worth understanding before you decide.
The case for buying existing
Speed is the obvious one. If you need to be moved in by the start of the school year, resale wins. Existing homes also come with mature landscaping and established neighborhoods, and you can walk through the actual rooms before you commit.
The case for building custom
You're not inheriting anyone else's compromises. The layout works for how your family actually lives; the finishes are chosen once and right; and everything from the roof to the water heater starts its life brand-new, under warranty, and built to current codes. In a region like North Idaho, where lots range from wooded acreage to lake-view slopes, building also means choosing the setting first and designing the home to take advantage of it, rather than settling for whatever happens to be on the market that month.
The math is closer than people think
Resale homes in desirable Coeur d'Alene neighborhoods often need updates the moment you move in: kitchens, flooring, windows, sometimes bigger surprises. Those costs arrive without a plan. A custom build puts everything on the table upfront, and a transparent builder will design the floorplan around your budget rather than letting the budget be a surprise at the end.
Where people get burned is choosing the wrong builder, not choosing to build
Timelines and budgets go wrong when communication does. If you decide to build, spend your energy vetting the builder: visit finished homes, talk to past clients, and ask exactly how mid-build costs are handled. We wrote a full guide on that here.
Thinking about building?
We build custom homes throughout Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, and Post Falls, including in our own neighborhoods. Reach out through our contact page or call (208) 661-5871 and we'll talk honestly about whether building makes sense for your situation, timeline included.