This year Jim will give you 300.00 towards your legal fees or a weekend in Sun Peaks when you buy or sell
using Jim Knowles Remax Realty Kamloops as your broker.*

 

Home Buyers.. Please take a moment to read a bit
about Jim Knowles, your Kamloops realtor of choice!
I truly believe that you will find that my care and service meets all and more of your expectations.
Remax Realty Kamloops
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NEW LISTINGS clic

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More changes due on March/18/2011--- no 35 year amortization allowed!
Mortgage rules are a rising!
-Lowest Mortgage rates in years, don't be fooled, they are rising, faster
than they say, if the recovery continues as it has.
It is now tougher, as you must qualify at a five year close rate, to get accepted!
Call or e-mail me for a further more detailed explanation and a mortage broker that, if it
can be done, she will get you approved.

E-Mail Jim now for up to the minute listings from the Multiple Listing Service, market information,
Kamloops realestate foreclosures or any other realestate related question

I can show you any house that is listed on MLS, even if my name is not on the sign!

Don't call the sign, call Jim Knowles!
To be the first inside!

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Recent real-estate article...

While other economic sectors may have had a booming year-end, not so with real estate.

Statistics from the Kamloops and District Real Estate Association show unit sales were down 39 per cent in December 2010 compared to the same period a year earlier.

And overall, 2010 was a softer year than the year before with sales down nine per cent. Prices slipped a little as well, about five per cent overall.

All of that was not unexpected, said Dick Pemberton, president of the association, adding that overall, the Kamloops market remains solid.

"We don't see (the drop) as significant," he said. "It was the slow recovery of the economy. It was common through most of the markets in B.C., except for the Lower Mainland, which is a bit of an anomaly right now.

"We attribute that in great part to the general economy. The recovery nationwide has been slower than we hoped for."

Pemberton said people are still holding back on their biggest purchases, even though they appear to be more willing top spend money in other areas.

The outlook for this year looks good, he said. The market has stabilized and small increases in the three- to five-per-cent range are expected through this year.

"Traditionally we see increased activity in January and such is the case this year. We don't see any difference in the traditional trend," he said.

Continuing low interest rates will also help sales activity in the first part of 2011, as it's expected rates will rise through the latter half of the year.

"An increase of a point or two in the interest rates could have a significant impact on your mortgage payments," he said.

Pemberton said there us still a good supply of units for sale on the market, but the number is falling back toward more historic averages. Typically, there are about 1,200 houses for sale in Kamloops. Currently, there are about 2,100 residential units for sale, down from roughly 2,200 in November.

"The inventory has reduced a little from the late fall," he said. "But there is lots of selection. Everybody seems busy right now, we're looking forward to a more stable market."

Jim Knowles, another city realtor, said he believes house prices - or at least people's expectations of what prices should be - remain a little high.

Houses that are priced properly sell quickly, but many people still figure they can get 2007 and 2008 prices.

"It (people) want to sell their house, they have to be realistic. Realistic isn't what your house was worth in 2007," he said.

He said he's surprised to see this year's property tax assessments rise an average of five per cent in Kamloops.

"(Assessments) are high," he said. "(Market) prices are down 10 per cent for sure from 2007. Maybe 12 per cent."

Knowles said he does not expect prices will drop any more, making now a good time to buy.

Testimonials 2010

Hi Jim,
I just wanted to write and tell you how thankful I am for all you have done for me and my family.  Not only were you able to find us a beautiful a home that could accommodate my two house children who are in wheelchairs but you also helped us find an investor who was able to help us when the banks could not.  Your dedication and extra efforts are appreciated.
Best wishes and trust that we will recommend you to our friends and family.
Tammy and Gord Leary. Sept/2010

 

Hey Jim, Yeah we are here...lol, sorry we haven't been in touch latley we have just been busy here the last few days! What has happened though is we have bought a piece of property off of a friend of ours from 100 Milehouse. He owned it for several years, it is at Cherry Creek, he had plans to move here on day but has since decided not too. We talked with him about it a year or so ago and he now decided to sell it. We will be building a new post and beam home on the property, we are sorry to have wasted your time and really appreciate the work you did for us! We just figure that we can build a new home for the same price as we could buy some of the homes you showed us, I will do all of the building myself so it will save alot of extra dollars. Thanks again Jim, you have been excellent to work with and we will definatly refer you to others.
Shannon Fox. Apr/2010

I was asked the other day by a prospective client"What do I get with you, Jim"
Tough question... I had to sit back and think.. This is what you get when you work with Jim Remax Realty Kamloops..

1. Loyalty.. 100% old fashioned loyalty.. I live by it and expect the same in return
2. Wisdom ...I have lived many places around the world, I have traveled the world sometimes with money sometimes not, I can relate to all types of people on their level, I respect all people. I have learned from them all and continue to do so.
3. Youth.. yes youth... I am 52 but my thinking is young, my friends are young. I race Cross Country Mountain Bikes in Kamloops, Down Hill MTB at Sun Peaks, wake board on the South Thompson, hike in aberdeen, ski and sail to name a few. I am on top of technology (however odd this page is, I built it)
4. Friendliness.. although I have no time for petty or greedy people and will if I feel that I do not at least think somewhat like the prospective client, I will turn them down. I choose to work with you as much as you choose to work with me.
5. Honesty.. ask my references.. when it comes to house hunting... I am the toughest you will find. I do not want you to find a problem after we buy the house. Very rare does the home inspector find something that I have not already voiced my concerns over. I am not commission driven, I am driven by what you need and my goal is to make that work.
6. Compassion..My volunteer activities speak to this..Handidart driver, Adaptive Sports Sun Peaks, A Touch Of Home Care Home, Relay For life, Build a Roof Cuba, Level 2 Handicapped Ski Instructor for DSABC, Level 1
   CSCF Ski Coach.
   
7. Schooled.. English Major, published author(Wood Through Water), Master Mariner, numerous articles for many magazines including Yacht World, Second Home, REM, Kamloops This Week, Kamloops Daily News. I hated school.
8. Passionate.. My passion is for people and animals, I love working with all types and enjoy finding a home for folks the most rewarding. My kids are tops on the list followed by my shared dog, Sammy.
9. Business smarts.. Having owned and operated two very successful businesses in my life, having rarely worked for anyone but myself, I am thorough, thrifty, business smart, wise and one heck of a negotiator. I am not intimidated easily and will get the best deal that we can get, buy or sell. I reached ReMax Hall Of Fame in four years! I have been Platinum 3 out of 6 years... No one in this town has done better in the same period of being a realtor.
   

In a nut shell:

Jim Knowles = Wise old young guy with a passion for people, who has a real knack for negotiations.

Why would you hire anyone else?

Truly ...it is not about selling you a house!
It is about finding you a home, a home that works for investment, area and your family. Look at my off work activities... I am committed to helping people and that does cross over to my work.
If you think you can work with me then please call or e-mail I would love to meet you.. and even if we dont find a home ..heck we may go for a ride or a hike together anyway.
Remax Realty Kamloops

First of all, thank you for all that you did for us with the house, and me, particularly in helping me make the decision to keep this place. And yes, I have renters who are moving in on June 1st. And with that rent, my mortgage payments are almost minimal. I appreciated your time and concern and would most definitely recommend you to anyone I knew if they needed to buy/sell. You are a man of integrity.

Thanks again,

Kelly
May/2010