Fort St. James

Back in 1806, Fort St. James was founded as a fur trading post by the North West Company, making it one of British Columbia’s oldest communities. Nestled on the shores of Stuart Lake, about 160 kilometers northwest of Prince George, this small town of just under 1,400 folks isn’t your typical real estate hotspot. But for mortgage brokers and borrowers looking for unique opportunities, it’s a place worth knowing about—especially with Tekamar Mortgage Fund in your corner. We’re not afraid to lend where others hesitate, and Fort St. James fits right into our niche of smaller BC towns.

What sets Fort St. James apart? For starters, it’s steeped in history and surrounded by raw, rugged beauty. The Fort St. James National Historic Site, a restored trading post, draws visitors who want a glimpse of life two centuries ago. Then there’s Stuart Lake itself, a massive body of water that’s a haven for fishing and outdoor enthusiasts. But let’s get real—most people aren’t buying property here for the tourist vibe. The appeal is in the affordability and the tight-knit community feel. With over 70% of homes being single-detached houses, there’s a sense of space and ownership that’s hard to find closer to urban centers.

From a lending perspective, Fort St. James presents both opportunity and caution. The median household income sits at a solid $91,000, which suggests some local buying power, but a higher-than-average unemployment rate means economic stability isn’t guaranteed. For mortgage brokers, this is where Tekamar’s expertise comes in. We cap our loan-to-value (LTV) ratio at 55% here, reflecting the need for a safe exit strategy in a remote market where property sales can take longer. Borrowers, if you’ve got equity in your home but don’t quite fit the mold for traditional bank loans, we’re happy to talk—our focus on equity lending means we look at the bigger picture, not just your credit score.

Here’s something brokers and borrowers should both keep in mind: Fort St. James leans heavily on industries like forestry and manufacturing. If those sectors take a hit, so does local demand for housing. That’s why we’re picky about the deals we take on. We want to see a clear path to refinance or repayment down the road. Brokers, if you’ve got a client with a solid property but a tricky financial situation, give us a call—we thrive on creative solutions outside the Vancouver bubble. And borrowers, know that we’re here to help with things like debt consolidation or credit repair, as long as the numbers make sense.

One last tidbit—winters here are no joke. With a Plant Hardiness Zone of 4a, it’s a tough climate that can impact property maintenance costs. Think burst pipes or extra heating bills. It’s a small detail, but one that can affect a borrower’s budget or a broker’s pitch to a lender like us.

At Tekamar, our tagline is “We’ll lend where other MICs won’t.” Fort St. James might not be Kelowna or Victoria, but with the right deal, we’re game. Whether you’re a broker hunting for a lender who gets small-town dynamics or a borrower needing a partner to see your vision, let’s chat. We’ve been at this for over 20 years, and we know how to make things work in places others overlook.