Trail’s End Land Co.

By Nancy Banister for The Three Rivers Edition - 02/19/2008

Trails End Land Company, LLC.

P.O Box 645

101 S. Main

Sheridan, MT 59749

Website: trailsendland.com

E-mail: jim@trailsendland.com

Motto: Unparalleled southwest Montana real estate opportunities

Owner: Jim Kaatz

Employee: Connie Ruyle

History

Jim has lived in the Ruby Valley all his life, a graduate from Sheridan High School.

“I went to MSU and also served in the Army.” Jim worked in construction in the Ruby Valley for 16 years after his discharge from the military.

In 1988, he received his real estate license and sold real estate part time for a few years. He went full time in 1991 and partnered with Mountain Realty for a few years until he obtained his Broker’s license in 1994 and bought out his partners. Growing up in the area has helped Jim become very knowledgeable about the valley for his clients. He is there for either the seller or purchaser, not only helping with all the issues needed for a transaction, like water rights, accounting, environmental facts, but he also know a lot of history too.

Services

Jim believes that selling and purchasing real estate is a process, and he is more like a consultant, helping a real estate buyer find the property that best fits their needs.

Trails End Land Co. lists commercial and residential area’s with a specialty in ranches. Connie is also a licensed realtor and property manager that is beneficial for their clients.

Jim’s philosophy, posted on his office wall, is that everyone is entitled to their own opinion but no one is entitled to their facts.

“I try hard to learn everything I need to know about properties I am representing,” said Jim. “That way I can give my clients the best, most up-to-date facts available to help them make the right choice.”

Challenge

Being able to make changes and diversify in an ever changing market like real estate, a broker like Jim needs staying power. When there is an economic downturn, and the national economic outlook directly affects the local real estate market, Jim feels at time he is on a roller coaster type ride.

Due to more and more state and federal regulations protecting the consumer, the sale of real estate has increased paperwork on all aspects of real estate. Since Jim has been in real estate for so many years, the amount of information needed for the transactions has increased exponentially.

Rewards

Jim feels the benefit of having a real estate office in the Ruby Valley far outweighs the costs.

“I had a strong desire to work for myself and to raise my kids in a small town setting,” said Jim. “To be able to survive in the Ruby Valley I had to create my own opportunities.”

Jim admits that everything he has worked for is to give his children all the opportunities possible.

He likes the idea of scheduling his work around school activities. His family is very important to him and he schedules his work about them. He also gives him a unique opportunity to meet all different kinds of people.

Jim was showing property along the Big Hole River during the spring and the couple’s dog fell in the swift current. Jim may not have gotten a sale that day, but he did make new friends when he jumped in to save their dog.

“I appreciate and love the place where I live. I respect the habitat, rich natural resources we have here, and the abundant wildlife in the valley,” said Jim. “This is a place I call home.”

Future

He is a member of the Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. He is an active member of the Sheridan High School Alumni. He feels that when he helps with the schools and school activities, he is helping future generations. “I will work until I can physically unable too. “