I am now offering U-Tube Video tours
...a walkabout for buyers so that they may see first hand what your home has to offer! They then book to view, saving them time and us getting right down to buyers that want to purchase your home!
When I advertise Kamloops Real Estate for sale...
I advertise with your sale formost in my mind!
Jim Knowles gave away a 52,000$ boat in 2010 and a 32,000$ sports car two years ago..
People see this, people enter, clients see your home! You get your home sold!
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By ROBERT KOOPMANS
Daily News Staff Reporter
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.
The bottom line for you that are selling a home in Kamloops or thinking about selling in the Kamloops realestate market, is that there are 87% more listings out there now compared to this time last year, and climbing. To get a sale in this market, if you are really trying/NEEDING to get a sale, you must price to the Kamloops market value, not higher. The market is continuing to fall. If you do not price to the market today you will not sell. From an article I recently read "By suggesting a seller has an overpriced property, the real estate agent runs the risk of being the messenger that gets shot. Courageous agents tell the truth. Cowardly agents hope the overpriced property will generate sign or ad calls as the property sits with additional days on the market"
Please call me for an honest and realistic quote on what your Kamloops property is worth in today's market.
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
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.
Go with a name that will standby you now and in the future!Together we will go over the listings similar to yours that have recently sold and price your home to get you the value that you deserve.
Ask about my 2011 listing discount special!
>Daily online listing at Kamloops This Week
>Three webpages, hundreds of linked pages
working towards getting you a sale.
>No obligation listing service, cancel anytime you want!
>Daily advertising with up to nine pictures on MLS.CA
>Weekly open houses till sold, (at your discretion!)
>see Jim on Shaw cable with my boating safety program
>read Jim's weekly column in Kamloops this week
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My listing customers get extra attention as I personally search for their new home! I answer my phone.. not a secretary.. who does not know how to deal with prospective buyers.
Did you know that by law an assistant may not discuss your home with callers?
Call Jim Knowles Remax Real Estate Kamloops and get Jim Knowles... pretty much 24-7
E-Mail Jim now for up to the minute listings, market information,
Foreclosures or any other real estate related question
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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..
Loyalty.. 100% old fashioned loyalty.. I live by it and expect the same in return
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
8 No-Cost and Low-Cost Ways to Tweak Your Home
Here are some inexpensive ways to make your home shine. By Maggie Sieger |
Chances are the decor in that listing you just took is a lot like most people's wardrobes: There are a few items that went out of style a decade ago, but they're so comfortable that it's impossible to see them go. "We grow accustomed to our space, and we stop seeing it," says Melissa Birdsong, vice president of trend, design, and brand for Lowe's, the home improvement giant. "People tend to become blind to their own things."But everything needs updating eventually. Birdsong suggests home owners cast a fresh eye on their living space, pretending that they've just moved in and are assessing the previous occupant's design choices. Betsy Westman, a broker-owner with Westman Realty in Grand Rapids, Mich., says real estate professionals can have a big impact on updating a home's look by helping clients brainstorm new ideas and by being straightforward about outmoded design elements. The following tips can help get a home up-to-date without breaking the bank. 1. Move it. Simply rearranging the furniture can reenergize a room. Add and remove furniture, lamps, rugs, and accessories from other parts of the house to create a whole new look. Mirrors are particularly useful when it comes to updating a room. Try one out in different rooms to see where it fits best. Even just moving a mirror to a different wall can create a more welcoming feel. 2. Plant it.
Houseplants are a generally undervalued design component that can add texture, warmth, and color to any room. Just drop plants in their store containers into decorative planters. Small plants can be moved easily and regrouped to change a room's look, while larger ones make a statement on their own. Group plants of differing heights, fullness, and color for the most dramatic effect. Jettison the scraggly specimens, Westman says. "It's important to have plants that are well maintained and in tip-top condition." 3. Paint it.
Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a substantial change. Use dramatic colors in powder rooms and dining rooms, and more neutral colors in living spaces. When selecting colors, "be sure to ask, 'What am I trying to do? How do I want this to feel?'" Birdsong says. "And always, always do a test before you paint the whole room." 4. Organize it!
"Clutter just happens," Birdsong says. "So neaten up!" She advocates a variety of organizing tools to make a space feel polished while maintaining utility. Hooks and shelves inside the door give people a place to hang coats and keys, while canvas bins or natural baskets help contain magazines and mail. "Just a row of hooks preattached on a board is so easy to install," she says. "And shelves are a great way to neatly display collectibles." 5. Hide it. Have a banged-up wall? It may be easy to camouflage. Paintable wallpaper (available for as little as $16/roll from Creative Wallcovering) will smooth out an uneven wall or hide minor dents and dings. Adventurous home owners can even try a simple two-step painting process for a more complex finish. Birdsong suggests applying a solid base coat, then a glaze.
"These days, it's pretty user-friendly," she says. Caution: Your intent should never be to mislead buyers; be sure to disclose flaws that would affect home value. 6. Replace it.
Cabinet handles, switch plates, and other small pieces of housing hardware can update a home for just a few dollars a piece. Westman suggests scanning each room to see what looks worn or outdated and then replacing it. Inexpensive quick-connect faucets can make upgrading the look of your bathroom a snap. Just be sure to measure before you go to the hardware store. Some sinks are drilled for an eight-inch spread. Others require just four inches.
"And don't forget the toilet seat," adds Westman. "Fresh towels and a new toilet seat go a long way toward making a bathroom feel clean and new." 7. Light it.
Lighting can have a major impact on a home's look and feel. Whether a room seems dark or too bright and harsh, try "layering" the lighting by adding accent pendants and lamps. Make sure they have independent controls, so that you can turn them on and off at will.
"Light is such a mood setter," Westman says. "You can create a cozy feel just by turning down the lights." Add dimmers in the dining room, bathrooms, kitchen, and even the hallways for less than $4 each. Then adjust the lighting to create the mood you want. 8. Clean it. Turn a critical eye to the flooring to make sure it's up to snuff. Scrub grout and seal natural stone. Rub out scratches and nicks on wood floors with scratch cover. "Get down on your hands and knees and detail the floors," Birdsong says. "It takes a little elbow grease, but the results are well worth it." Vinyl flooring is a bit harder to spruce up but usually can be replaced easily and inexpensively.
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