Elmore County, just south of Idaho’s most populous county, Ada County, is currently one of the most affordable areas to build or buy a home near Boise. With recent population growth increasing home prices in and around Boise and suburbs to the west of the city, real estate investors and Treasure Valley residents are looking for more affordable options in areas that may not have previously been considered. One such location is Elmore County. 

For those looking to build a home, several build on your land developments in Mountain Home, the largest town in Elmore County, and elsewhere in the county, are making it easier to build a custom home in the Boise area at a more affordable price.

Here, we’ll review several new home communities in Mountain Home and Elmore County, offering the option to buy developed land to build on, why to consider buying a developed lot, and we’ll cover the appeal of living in Elmore County.

Developed Land Vs Raw Land When Building A Custom Home

Before we take a look at the build on your land developments in Elmore County, let’s discuss the benefits of buying a lot in a planned new home community versus buying raw, undeveloped land to build a home on.

Convenience

When you opt to buy a lot in a new home community in Elmore County, you’ll be purchasing developed land. This eliminates the need to go through much of the land purchase due diligence because the land has already been developed for residential construction. 

Similarly, buying developed land in a new home community also eliminates many of the pre-construction considerations, such as land preparation and utility hookups, because these have been taken care of already. These conveniences can shave weeks and months of time off your custom home build, getting you into your new home faster. 

Learn more about how long it takes to build a custom home in the Boise area.

Community Amenities & Infrastructure 

Buying a developed lot in a new home community also means access to all planned community amenities. Whether it’s a neighborhood park or a private airstrip, when you buy your lot, you’ll gain access without having to plan, develop, or finance your own amenities.

In a similar vein, your lot will already come with road access, something that can easily cost tens of thousands and take months to secure approvals on your own.

When you choose to purchase a developed lot in a new home community in Elmore County, it’s true that the initial cost of land will be higher than buying a similar piece of raw land; however, you get what you pay for rings true when it comes to developed land in a new home community. You’ll save time and energy on your custom home build, not to mention the potential savings should your undeveloped land come with any unexpected development costs. 

See Buying Undeveloped Land: Pros & Cons for more on the potential pitfalls of purchasing an undeveloped lot.

New Home Communities: Build On Your Land Developments In Mountain Home & Elmore County

There are several new home communities in Mountain Home and Elmore County to consider for your custom home build. Keep in mind that some communities have restrictions on the custom home builder you can work with, so be sure to understand your options as you determine where to buy and build your new home.

Ridgeview Estates

Ridgeview Estates is a build on your land development in Elmore County, located near Mayfield Springs, just south of the Ada County border. For those commuting to areas on Boise’s south end, like Micron employees, the commute times from Ridgeview Estates are much shorter than many of Boise’s more popular suburbs to the west.

This community has 21 lots with sizes ranging from 4 to 6 acres. With the larger lot sizes, Ridgeview Estates is ideal for any family that wants or needs additional space for farm animals, recreation, work, or other hobbies. You’ll be able to design and build a home and any additional building you may need, such as a barn, shop, ADU, ADU and shop and more.

When you build in Ridgeview Estates, you can choose your own custom home builder. All lots also have approved septic and water, as well as an electrical connection.

Learn more about Ridgeview Estates.

Night Sky View

Night Sky View is a new home community in Mountain Home with eleven one-acre lots. The subdivision is just a quick drive to the Mountain Home Air Force base and about 45 minutes from Boise via I-84. 

The lots in Night Sky View all come connected to electricity and have a well already drilled, a huge cost savings for property owners. (Learn more about the true cost to install a well on your land.)

Anyone purchasing a lot in Night Sky View can choose their own custom home builder. Our team at Pathway Builders has already built homes on four of the lots in Night Sky View as part of a real estate investment project in Mountain Home, so we are up to date on building requirements in this new home community.

Night Sky View is ideal for those looking for something more affordable, with plenty of space and a quieter lifestyle, still within easy reach of both Mountain Home and Boise’s amenities.

Learn more about Night Sky View.

Red Baron Estates

Red Baron Estates is another build on your land development in Mountain Home, Idaho. Located just 30 minutes from Boise and with easy access to the Mountain Home Air Force base, this neighborhood offers the unique opportunity to own a property where you can fly in and out directly from your home. The neighborhood has its own active runway, and residents have the option to have their own hangar.

Most lots in Red Baron Estates are over one acre, offering space and privacy, along with mountain views, and you’ll have the option to choose your own custom home builder when you build a home in Red Baron Estates.

This new home community is ideal for those looking for the ultimate convenience of being able to fly in and out of their home. 

Learn more about Red Baron Estates. 

Blue Sage

The Blue Sage subdivision is another custom home community in Mountain Home, Idaho just 40 minutes south of Boise. All lots in Blue Sage are one acre with plenty of room for spacious house plans, RV bays, and 3+ car garages. 

This community allows for a variety of custom home builders and has both spec homes available for sale and the option to buy a developed lot to build a custom home on. 

Similar to Night Sky View, this new home community is another ideal location for a more affordable custom home build than other popular Boise suburbs offering ample space and a quieter lifestyle. As with all the new home communities in Mountain Home these lots are within easy reach of both Mountain Home and Boise’s amenities as well as all of the popular outdoor recreation areas that are part of the area’s appeal.

Learn more about Blue Sage in Mountain Home.

Why Live In Elmore County

There are many great communities and suburbs to consider in the Boise area, so why are more people considering living in Elmore County?

Location: Proximity to Boise

Elmore County is Ada County’s southern neighbor and provides quick access to Boise via I-84 for those residents commuting into Boise or looking for quick access to the amenities Boise has to offer. From the county seat and most populous town in Elmore County, Mountain Home, travel time to Boise is just 45 minutes. Because this route goes through less populated areas traffic is typically lighter than it is when traveling on I-84 west from Boise. Another benefit of living in Elmore County.

Affordability

According to Redfin data, the median sale price of homes in Mountain Home was $335,990 in December 2025. Compared with the $500,000 median sale price in Boise in the same period. This means, on average, a home in Mountain Home is over 30% less than a home in Boise. This affordability can’t be ignored for those looking for value and lower real estate prices. It’s also one of the reasons we recently highlighted Mountain Home as an opportunity for savvy real estate investors.

One of the key reasons for the affordability in Elmore County is the lower cost of land. With land costs typically between 25-35% of the overall cost to build on your land in Treasure Valley, those looking to build a custom home on their land will also find greater affordability when building in Elmore County.

[Highlight box]: Looking to build a custom home in Elmore County? Use our instant quote tool to get an instant estimate of the cost to build any of our customizable house plans in Elmore County.

Larger Lots

Many towns in Treasure Valley, Boise, and the suburbs have seen explosive population growth in recent years. This growth has increased residential real estate prices and, at the same time, put pressure on available land. While you can still get acreage in Boise’s western suburbs, these opportunities are becoming more scarce and are often located further from Boise’s amenities.

Elmore County, with a current population of around 15,000 residents, still offers affordable acreage within close proximity to Boise compared to other cities and suburbs within the same distance to Boise. 

Quieter Lifestyle

Elmore County, with its lower population and larger lots, offers residents a quieter lifestyle and is still within close proximity to all the recreation opportunities and amenities of other Boise suburbs. 

This is particularly appealing for long-time Treasure Valley residents who want to continue the quieter lifestyle that Boise used to offer before its recent population growth and popularity.

If you are looking to build a custom home at a more affordable price, Elmore County should be one of your top areas of consideration. Whether you are looking for the convenience of building on a developed lot in one of Elmore County’s new home communities or you are considering purchasing raw land, we’d love to help you build your dream home. 

Contact us today for a free consultation and to learn more about working with us to build a custom home in Elmore County.