James Smith

8/6/25Joy Christie

Google Review

Jim Smith was introduced to me by my office manager with the instructions of, "Teach him to be a good realtor." I was a busy realtor myself, but I saw in Jim the number one quality for success --INTEGRITY. Jim worked with me and on his own with great dedication, that he was soon another high producer. Jim is the realtor that would always go beyond just selling houses. He has served on county boards, elevation the standard of service for that people received that lived in that county and at the state level also. Jim Smith is who I would recommend to help my children find their home. Integrity, plus loyalty, and dedication
are all qualities of Jim Smith. He is TOP IN THE FIELD!

7/31/25Mike Kazmi

Google Review

James Smith is a professional and thoughtful realtor. He truly goes above and beyond, taking the time to listen carefully to what I was looking for. He respected my preferences and worked within my budget, showing me options that aligned perfectly with my needs. His dedication and attention to detail made the entire process smooth and stress-free. I highly recommend working with James!

7/28/25Idalia Franco

Google Review

Great guy! Very knowledgeable and experienced service.

7/31/24Rene Apack

Google Review

James Smith of REMAX Showcase has been absolutely an asset to me when it comes any discussion about real estate in Lake County Illinois. He specifically helps thru his programs for veterans , Active military, Police Fireman, School teachers and Caregivers. Thank you Jim for your help. I know that all clients of yours will be very pleased by your impeccable service.

7/25/24Catherine Romasanta

Google Review

Had a positive experience with James. He is outstanding and professional & goes above and beyond for all your real estate needs. I recommend him 100%

10/6/23William Baker

Google Review

James is the best! He showed us over a dozen homes in one day. Then showed us 3 of those an additional time while we made our final decision. We closed in less than 3 weeks due to how dedicated he was and diligent in getting everything done quickly for us.

10/6/23Lety Bustos

Google Review

I had an exceptional experience working with James Smith at RE/Max. He is a true professional and an outstanding real estate agent. James went above and beyond to help me find the perfect home. His knowledge of the market and attention to detail were impressive. He was always available to answer my questions and guide me through the entire process. Thanks to James, I found my dream home, and I couldn't be happier. I highly recommend James Smith to anyone looking for a top-notch real estate agent. Five stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

9/28/23Luke Jian

Google Review

In the world of real estate, Jim stands out not only as an exceptional realtor but also as a pillar of the community. Working with him was always a pleasure; his knowledge, dedication, and genuine care were evident in every interaction. Beyond his professionalism, James's support for veterans showcases his commitment to giving back and making a difference. If you're looking for a realtor who truly understands both the market and the community's heartbeat., call Jim. Highly recommended!

8/26/23Matt Serdar

Google Review

I was looking for a new home and got in touch with Jim seeing that he already had good reviews. He was always available if you had a question or concern. He has a program for teachers and various other professions (military, firefighters, etc.) which reduces his commission for those who purchase a house through him and refunds part of his commission to the qualified purchaser. I highly recommend Jim if you are looking for a new place.

7/2/23Jerry Marin

Google Review

James was very encouraging through the whole process. He was in constant communication and also readily available anytime we had a question. He was very knowledgeable and helped us in making a good decision. Thanks James. You were great!

4/29/23Kathleen Curtin

Google Review

We interviewed 3 real estate agents that said they knew the area. Jim was the only agent who recognized the specific benefits of our house and also the benefits of our community. He also went beyond our expectations to assure the real estate transfer went through without any issue. He exceeded our expectations.

4/29/23dave curtin

Google Review

Jim knew a lot about our neighborhood and how the extra features in our house helped deliver a premium price. He went above and beyond our expectations. I would highly recommend him as an agent.

4/25/23Angie Craig

Google Review

Jim was a perfect realtor for me. Jim truly cares about people and that shines through in how he conducts his business. He wisely advised me on what to update prior to putting my home on the market. His being well established in the business for so long was a great advantage. He put me in contact with trustworthy contractors, and a wonderful lawyer and mortgage lender, all of whom he has worked with for many years. He was never pushy and allowed me to move at my own pace. Thanks to his help, my home sold in one day at much higher than the asking price. He was very patient as we went looking for a new property. He worked around my schedule to meet, search for and look at new properties. In this extremely competitive market, the personal touch he has with so many realtors helped me to procure just the right place to purchase. Now that I'm moved into my new home, he made sure I knew he would still be there to help me in any way he could. He still answers my calls and questions, and reaches out to see how I'm doing. Jim is truly a rare person that is always giving of himself to others.

10/23/22Jerome Weathersby

Google Review

My gratitude and heart felt thanks to james Smith, a great friend, who has been the greatest real estate agent I have seen a person who go over and beyond the next step. God bless your heart and keep up the good work. Jerome.

10/17/22S Dud

Google Review

I have worked with a lot of Realtors in my 20+ years in the business, James is the best of the best. He is someone you definitely want in your corner. He goes above and beyond to take extra care of his clients. James will do whatever it takes. I certainly hope that we work together again soon. THANK YOU for being a 10+. If I could give you more than 5 stars I would. The biggest compliment you can give someone is referrals and I would refer all of my buyers to use him. You are the BEST!

9/8/22Liliya Kulikovska

Google Review

Jim has been wonderful helping my husband and I sell our home. My daughter worked with him in the past when he helped her and my son-in-law sell their home. He was always responsive and helpful. I highly recommend Jim as your agent.

8/27/22A. S.

Google Review

We have worked with Jim more than once over the past ten years, and he has been extraordinarily helpful every time. He is always cheerful and friendly, and he knows the real estate business inside and out. I highly recommend him.

7/14/22Anna Gottfreid-Stouffer

Google Review

James was AMAZING!!! He took so much time to find us the PERFECT house, which was difficult with two dogs! We loved working with him and recommend him to anyone looking to rent or buy!

7/13/22Thomas M Gottfreid

Google Review

Update July 2022:
It required almost a year, but James helped my daughter land a 3 rental bedreoom home in Mundelein with a fenced yard for her dogs. Finding this needle in a haystack was time consuming and required immediate response in this rental market, rentals can let in hours. I admire James commitment more as there is no or little compensation to a Realtor from a Rental. James pays it forward in this many chartible and business relationships. When the time comes for any of my family to buy or sell, James is our trusted advisor.

Update July 2022:

James has helped my daughter in her initial search for apartments and rental homes. As a young professional looking for flexible locations to allow for career changes, James recognized the specific challenges and responded with sound advice, including don't buy now... wait for some clarity on the direction of her career and her location. Covid has changed the commute for her, so a location near her office has become less important than the type of real estate that fits her family needs.

7/8/22Mason Stouffer

Google Review

Jim did a great job of helping my fiancée and I find a townhouse to rent! He. made this super easy and convenient and worked around both of our busy schedules. I won’t look anywhere else in the future

4/27/22Ruth Holst

Google Review

I purchased my Townhouse in 2007 and had a realtor that could not be available doing the hours I was not working so I went out looking on my own. Driving through some property, I saw a for sale sign and went to investigate and found Remax Agent, Jim Smith showing a townhouse. I did not choose the first townhouse he was showing but he was so accommodating to show me another one and one that was going to be showing later that same day. I did purchase the last one I looked at and lived in it until January, 2022. Jim not only became my Real Estate Agent to do the purchase in 2007, but he also became the agent to sell my townhouse in 2022. By the way, it happened to be in the subdivision where he lives. He and his wife are the best neighbors a person could wish to have. Jim not only goes the extra mile to be accommodating, honest and kind, he is the same person whether he is assisting you in selling, purchasing or just being a real down to earth friend. I am no longer living in Illinois but anyone that is living in that area, I would recommend them to give Jim a call, he goes the extra mile for his clients and he really cares what will work best for them.

4/9/22J M

Google Review

Jim has helped us with a couple of real estate transactions, but recently helped us with one of our most important ones. It came time to sell our family home – a home where my siblings and I grew up and went back to celebrate family milestones for decades.

We asked to keep a few meaningful items from the house which Jim helped negotiate and the buyer graciously agreed to.

Jim was so helpful and knowledgeable through the process and answered lots of questions. He aligned the steps of preparing the documents and photos for the listing, showings, the sale, and the coordination with the lawyer to finalize the papers.

Thanks, Jim, for all the help and time you spent helping us navigate through this. This was so much more than just a real estate transaction for us, and Jim really understood that.

If you are looking for a new home or selling your current residence you should reach out to Jim for his expert advice, guidance, and knowledge of the area.

3/19/22Don Ryan

Google Review

James is very organized and articulate listens to you and always available would highly recommend him

3/18/22Brent Ibata

Google Review

James D. Smith with RE/MAX helped my family to sell my WWII veteran grandfather's home in a 55+ community and we would enthusiastically recommend James to any seller or buyer. Not only does James specialize as a senior real estate specialist, he is also a military relocation professional and board member of Elderworks. If you are looking to buy or sell property in Lake County, Illinois I encourage you to give James a call - it is very likely he will personally answer the phone.

3/5/22Larry Mills

Google Review

Jim did an excellent job selling our property. We were not familiar with Illinois real estate laws. He took time to explain everything to us. He went overboard to insure everything was taken care of to make sure our real estate experience was positive and successful. You can’t go wrong with using Jim for all your real estate needs.

1/24/22Dr. Jong Lee

Google Review

Jim knows very well about the community where he is selling a property, and he is very quick and punctual. He will be always with you, like Him. The Best Realtor for me so far.

12/22/21Ash

Google Review

I have worked with James for over 8 years now. He has helped me buy, rent and sell a couple of properties in the Lake County, IL area.
I was out of town for sale of the properties and Jim managed all of it for me which was amazing service. He recommended reliable appliance stores, handy man and has a great network.
I was extremely happy with all the work that I have done with Jim and really appreciate how honest he is.
He has always had my best interest in mind and it has been a pleasure working with Jim.

10/21/21Rich Smith

Google Review

I have used Jim for eight real estate transactions over multiple years. He is truly a "customer first" person. Never pressure to purchase after a few home visits and follows up on everything detail when working a sale. My first move was a sticker shock scenario when moving to the Chicago area from downstate and he could not have been more understanding. Jim has always had and always will have my highest recommendation.

9/27/21Raju Patel

Google Review

Jim Smith helped sell my town home and it was a pleasure to work with him – knowledgeable, professional, and provided good advice. Special qualities I appreciated were he was responsive and resourceful (good handymen/attorney referrals). As a long-distance seller, he offered on several occasions to complete sale-related tasks that were beyond his responsibilities. He was not always business minded and routinely inquired about my family and health. A joy and pleasure to work with both professionally and personally, and someone who I would not hesitate to hire again.

9/22/21Xiaobing Zhang

Google Review

James did a great job selling my house. He helped me set the reasonable listing price with honest opinion, and suggested necessary works before listing. He followed up each step during the transaction with great attention. He even helped some maintenance works for me as I live out of state. I am very grateful. Highly recommended!

9/8/21jef ryan

Google Review

Jim has been an unbelievable help with selling and buying a home for me. His knowledge about the business was an amazing help for me to get my home ready to put on the market. He helped me through all the repair needs and was always available to answer any questions I had

8/10/21Terence W

Google Review

Jim was very responsive in dealing with situation with buyer and tenant. We were able to close the deal as scheduled. I would highly recommend Jim for real estate agent in the area.

6/21/21Michael Reed

Google Review

I have used James on several properties. He is a professional who is willing to go above and beyond for her clients. James is willing to arrange his schedule for me with little notice due to my business schedule. He has been in the field for many years so he had much experience and knows what to look for with regards to issues in a home. I highly recommend and will continue to use James.

5/25/21scot

Google Review

Working with Jim was a great experience. He worked extremely hard to help us find a property while we remained out of state. He was always available and would tour properties on a moments notice. He had a high quality video camera that allowed us to remotely find our new home. You would be hard pressed to find a better agent.

5/16/21Julie Orbank

Google Review

I have known Jim for over 20 years as a friend and colleague. He is very honest, trustworthy and knowledgeable in the real estate field. Jim prides himself with going the extra mile for his clients. You will be very happy to work with Jim finding your new home, rental or selling your present home.

5/14/21Thomas Hobbs

Google Review

5/14/21Sonya Wolk-Hobbs

Google Review

Jim took a very personal approach to a very difficult home sale. He took a tricky situation and made it happen, seemingly with ease, on our end. Jim contacted us with immediate updates and kept in close contact from the time our home was listed until after closing. I would highly recommended Jim to anyone selling, or purchasing a home! He is easy to work with, knowledgeable and very kind. 5+ stars!!!

4/29/21Molly Wuest

Google Review

Jim is amazing! My fiance, son, and I were having a very hard time finding a home that we really loved. We were in a pretty tough price range; plus we were looking for a home in a very strange time in general (during the pandemic).
Our friend referred us to Jim and everything fell into place. Jim not only helped us find a perfect home, but helped us every step single step of the way. He has the best referrals for everything; from mortgage lender to window installation. Him and his adorable cartoon ties made buying a house a walk in the park.
Thanks for all you've done for us Jim!
-Molly,Ruben,&Jesse

4/7/21Brian Martin

Google Review

Jim Smith is the real deal as a realtor. We've done business with Jim and his clients for mold remediation following home inspections, and Jim has been a terrific contact in making sure that his clients are getting what they need, and working with vendors to set services up. Jim is always prepared to deal with whatever might come up. I'd highly recommend Jim if you are looking to buy or sell in the Northern suburbs.

3/31/21Ed Gallagher

Google Review

Jim Smith is, hands down, the best agent to help you navigate a home purchase/sale this year (2021). He just helped me finish a 30 day close on the purchase of my new home for me and my partner.

From the beginning, Jim worked around the clock to help ensure I got into property’s within hours after they got posted. We found our perfect match and Jim went to bat for us in negations on the purchase price. He fought hard to get the best price on our forever home.

If you live in Lake County and need to buy or sell a home, please consider Jim! He has got to be the most connected, hardest working and most caring agent around.

Not to mention he has great referrals for lender and attorneys to help with everything else.

3/29/21Maggie Gallagher

Google Review

Jim has been such a great agent to work with. He has helped me sell my townhouse and helped my boyfriend and I purchase a new single family home together. He has been so fantastic every step of the way. My boyfriend unexpectedly lost his job when our house was first listed and Jim helped advise us how to proceed based on what was best for us and not him. When we re-listed our house almost a month later, Jim was still just as passionate about us getting what he thought we deserved for our townhouse. With the purchase of our new house, we went in with a low offer, against Jim’s advise, and he still fought tooth and nail for us to get the new house for a good, fair price. When a hiccup appeared two business days before closing and we were out of state, Jim handled the issue and had everything resolved by the end of the day. I would hire Jim again in a heartbeat and recommend him to everyone I know!

3/22/21Connie Hohner

Google Review

Over the years Jim found me 2 homes that I purchased & sold one for me. I stick with him because he is so responsive & helpful! And most important, extremely honest!! If you're willing to listen, he will point out the cons of a place as well as the pro.

1/20/21Anthony Rodriguez-Ruiz

Google Review

James was very responsive all the time and willing to go to great lengths to help my wife and I find a house and subsequent support. I highly recommend working with this man!

1/8/21Jenn Durham

Google Review

Amazing realtor! This was my first time buying a home and Jim made the process so easy. He was extremely flexible with my busy and unpredictable schedule. He made time to show houses on weekends and after work hours. When I got to the area he found me a place to live until I found a house I loved. After I found the place he was able to arrange for home inspection and all the prerequisites I needed for a VA loan. Would recommend to anyone looking to buy or sell in the area!

1/3/21Mark White

Google Review

You won’t find a realtor better or more responsive than Jim. He was very patient with me over the last 6 months and I greatly appreciated his easy going demeanor. He also serves us vets very well and does everything in his power to make sure you end up happy with your decisions. Top notch. Highly recommend.

12/8/20Ulysses Erving

Google Review

I googled military and real estate. That was the best search I have ever done. Jim was always responsive and knowledgeable. He worked diligently to find the perfect home for me and made the entire process easy. If you’re looking for an agent that will always show you that you are a priority, then look no further.

12/5/20David Hartnett

Google Review

Professional knowledge of the reality industry as well as contributing services available to buyers.
Great help with VA lending assistance and loan assistance.

Would highly recommend Jim for all your professional needs when it comes to selling or buying a home or business.
KUDO's Jim

11/25/20Christopher DuBach

Google Review

I first met Jim at a local networking event back in 2008. He had left me with a humbling and enthusiastic feeling as a great person. During our days in networking, Jim has always been focused on community and has brought many people together. With this lasting impression, there was no doubt when the day came to sell our house, we would call Jim first.

Our experience with Jim Smith was fantastic. Jim worked hard to market and sell our past house in Gurnee, and in his efforts, we had an offer within several days for our listing. He coached us through the offer process, which was very close to what we were asking for, and made the transaction of closing seem effortless. Jim suggested an extremely good real estate lawyer who worked with the title company on our behalf to finalize the closing. With Jim’s years in real estate and his professional knowledge working with State and Local Organizations, he has a great deal of expertise in providing exceptional service. We highly recommend his services to others in the community.

11/24/20Heidi DuBach

Google Review

I highly recommend Jim for your buying or selling needs. He is a pleasure to work with and is truly knowledgeable and an expert in his field. He gave us rock solid advice and was always available throughout the process of selling our home.

10/25/20Rebecca Skomurski

Google Review

My boyfriend and I just recently purchased our first home together with Jim's help. Because this was our first, we were unfamiliar with the entire process but Jim was there every step of the way to answer our questions. He would frequently follow up with us to ensure we were comfortable with each progressive step which was greatly appreciated. If you are in the market to buy a house, Jim is your guy!

10/13/20Kevin MaGee

Google Review

This was the first house I owned and it was time to move as my family was growing. I didn’t have any idea how complicated it would get, but I was very glad I had Jim on my side. After I started the process, the Pandemic struck. Jim helped me work through several issues and sold my house for my initial asking price. Jim has a hands on problem solving attitude you will not find with most Realtors. Jim is very rational, he returns phone calls promptly, he solves problems and he’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty. You can count on him to get the job done.

9/2/20Diane Schmidt

Google Review

OUTSTANDING JOB! James supports veterans through the HEROS HOME ADVANTAGE PROJECT. Was a pleasure to have as our Real Estate agent. A true Professional, great with communucation online and in person. Sold our home in record time. I would defientely recommend James to anyone looking to sell their property quickly. Answered all our questions and knew we were in good hands and no stress on our end.
Scott and Diane formerly of Round Lake Heights IL

8/18/20Yale Wolk

Google Review

I have known Jim for several years. During that time, I have been impressed with the way he takes the clients needs into account before pressing for a sale. Jim puts the clients needs and concerns before the sale of a properly. Jim especially likes working with the military personnel and public employees, such as firefighters and police officers. He is continuing to seek new knowledge and certifications that expands his ability to provide the best service he can for his clients., I would wholeheartedly recommend Jim Smith as your real estate broker.

8/18/20Mitch Inkpen

Google Review

I just wanted to thank james for all of his help finding me a place to live during the covid 19 pandemic. He went out of his way to find me a rental. I was living in florida and couldn't come to the great lakes area due to travel restrictions because of my active duty military status. He was able to find me and my family a house in an area we wanted to live close to the naval station. He was referred to me by a friend who was in the military and I will refer everyone I know who is looking for a house. Not only did he help me he was genuinely a nice person to deal with and communicated with me and my family. He really saved the day, thanks again.

7/31/20Nancy Cooper

Google Review

I am the owner of Northeast IL Radon Testing and have worked with James Smith and his clients for years. James' excellent communication skills, his professionalism and calm manner create a successful working relationship for our business dealings and for his clients. We highly recommend James Smith.

7/23/20Kwik Serv Plumbing Heating and Cooling

Google Review

We have been working with Jim on a couple of his properties and I'm amazed how much Jim does for his customers not only the over the top service but the rebates he gives his customers that are veterans. He is highly respected in the industry.

7/13/20Larry Meyer

Google Review

My career has taken me all over the world. I was fortunate enough to work with Jim Smith in relocating to the Chicago area on a couple of occurrences. His knowledge of the market and area allowed my family to buy and sell two homes through Jim in the northern suburbs. I would highly recommend Jim, particularly if you are new to Lake and McHenry counties.

6/26/20Estrella Rigodon

Google Review

James Smith is never too busy when I ask question regarding information for the sell of my property. He is experience reliable and trust worthy with good public relation.

6/21/20Pat Cherwa

Google Review

Jim kept us informed of the market status and provided feedback and guidance. He always responded in a reasonable time frame.

6/14/20Mary Williams

Google Review

Jim Smith helped me purchase a lovely townhouse. As I am on my own, he took his time to explain the process, acquaint me with the area, and patiently helped me work through the inspection process. I highly recommend Jim as a realtor for your next home buying (or selling) experience.

5/29/20Joshua Porbeni

Google Review

James experience was very evident in the way he spoke and conducted himself. He was very professional, transparent, knowledgeable and knows the area very well. He made himself available to us through out our short visit. He took us to every property we wanted to see. We would definitely use his service again and refer friends/family members to him

5/23/20tanny Vee

Google Review

Great respectable realtor.
Always put his clients first, very knowledgeable on lake country neighborhoods. Would recommend 100%.
-Tanya T.

5/14/20Dan Ryan

Google Review

Doesn't get any better than this folks. I've done business with Jim several times, and each time the service is outstanding. Jim finds me good renters for my rental property (and really helped me out while I was working out of state), plus was my realtor when buying a home in Lake County. I look forward to working with Jim in the years to come and highly recommend him for any Lake County real estate needs you have.

5/8/20Suheil Stoll

Google Review

First and foremost, I would like to say thank you!  Thank you to James for his professionalism, keen attention to detail, knowledge and will to go out of his way and beyond to help me with the rental of my home.  James provided the information and tips on exactly what to do and how to do it.  Needless to say, I had a suitable tenant within a week.  Again, thank you James.  You are the best!

4/8/20Erin Worthington

Google Review

Jim was wonderful in finding out our needs and quickly locating the ideal place for relocating our father. So knowledgeable and quickly found answers to our questions. Really knows the business. I highly recommend Jim.

4/1/20Paul Mlynarczyk

Google Review

Jim is by far the best real estate agent I have ever worked with. What sets him apart from other agents is his consistent effort and willingness to go above and beyond for every task related to completing a successful home sale. He made the recent closing of my Lindenhurst home a lot easier on me by contacting repair companies, following up on financing progress, checking buyer credit history, and various other tasks. I am grateful for Jim's hard work and dedication to my sale, and I look forward to doing business with him again.

12/5/19Tom Senkpeil

Google Review

James is very dedicated and thorough. Great to work with.

12/4/19Shai Lothan

Google Review

Jim is one of the best Real Estate brokers I have ever worked with . He helped make sure that the house was presented in the best possible light and when a neighbors house had issues affecting our sale he helped resolve that issue too .

9/9/19Roger Doshier

Google Review

My wife met Jim at another property and was impress with how he answered questions and added additional information he thought pertinent to the property. My dealings with Jim have been nothing but outstanding. He juggles his personal and professional life without missing a beat. Always available and ready to help. You can't go wrong with Jim as your realtor. He services the police and fire department personnel along with active and retired military.

Great Guy!!!

8/19/19Michelle Finch-Baker

Google Review

Jim helped my husband and I find a large fixer upper home that turned out to be a very challenging buy. There was nothing text book about this purchase. Jim helped us through the obstacles and by phoning in his connections to help smooth our the rough situations and we got through it. He was easy to work. Two thumbs up.

8/3/19Jerry Pech

Google Review

Jim listed our house and really got the word out. We had an accepted offer in just 4 days. Jim stayed in contact through the entire process. If you are a veteran you should really consider using Jim....he was great.

4/30/19Orion Whetstone

Google Review

I'm very glad I decided to go with Jim as a realtor! He helped me find amazing properties that fit my needs and budget perfectly. He was also very flexible working with my schedule and cleared out a ton of time to help me. I'd recommend him to anyone!!

4/19/19Yashira Lopez

Google Review

We bought a second house in 2016 and had the opportunity to have James as our realtor and was a great person to work with. We again worked with James in the sell of our first house which closed today :) and he helped us by explaining what to expect through the process. Being a seller was extremely difficult and anxiety kicks in but he kept working with our constant change in numbers or the difficulties that come with being a seller. Thanks James from Pedro and Yashira.

4/1/19Ana Palomo

Google Review

Thanks to Jim, my fiancé and I were able to find our first home; a lot sooner than expected. Jim was always quick at responding to our texts and calls. Whenever we contacted him asking to view a home, Jim would get right on it and in most cases we would be looking at the home that same day. Jim was also very willing to work around our work schedules. His first responders program was a great bonus and something you don’t really see being offered by other realtors. Overall we had a great experience with Jim as our realtor. We will definitely be recommending him to our friends and family.

3/31/19Jose Rodriguez

Google Review

I dont even know where to begin. James (Jim) has been so very helpful with my entire home buying/selling process. I had a situation where I needed to stay in a hotel until i purchased my new home. Jim helped push the timing, he even offered up his home to store my car and some of my electronics until i closed on my new home. This type of service is not often found. Jim even offered to help me out on the purchase of my new home. The seller was not as flexible to work with as I would have hoped for but Jim helped made this painless. He even called for service to fix the garage because it was not closing properly. He paid out his pocket and stuck to his words 100%. He introduced me to his handy man Victor and today 4 weeks later Victor is still doing work on my home. I know consider both friends. I highly recommend Jim to help with your hine buying/selling process. I thank Jim not only for his kindness but also for his willingness to help me in time of need!

3/4/19Ron Yoyo

Google Review

What a pleasure to work with such an amazing guy! Jim was nothing but outstanding during the whole process of purchasing my first home. Was available all the time, always answered phone calls, never hesitant about anything. Will definitely recommend future business to this wonderful agent!

1/22/19Donte Bland

Google Review

James D. Smith is an extremely friendly and well respected member of the community. He was a tremendous help to my family and I; as we were a military family seeking to become first time homeowners. He was able to simplify a rather scary process and everything was smooth the entire way. I truly loved his program that really helps veterans, service members and first responders. He was there every step of the way, pre-approval, appraisal, inspection, etc; all the way to closing. Truly a pleasure to work with, will contact him immediately if I'm ever in the market again! I highly recommend, would give more than five stars if I could.

11/26/18Lisa Ramos

Google Review

Jim did a great job finding me the duplex of my dreams! He was extremely helpful and had lots of great recommendations from my inspector to help with remodeling! I hope to be in my place for a long time, but if I ever have any future home buying or selling needs I will definitely contact him!

5/24/18Daniel B

Google Review

Jim has been an outstanding agent to work with. My wife and I found Jim after scheduling our first home viewing. He has been courteous and professional during the entire process. Jim always made time to schedule a home tour despite the time of day or if he was at a far location. He never tried to push a sale on us, a factor that made us apprehensive in working with agents, but always answered our questions and offered the absolute facts. He truly was looking out for our interests in choosing a home. Jim has always gone the extra mile in working with our requests. I highly recommend choosing Jim as your realtor. He has made the home buying process easier for us and was always a phone call away.

5/9/18Martha Loster

Google Review

My husband and I were having problems in Florida after making an offer on a property. The agent was really great during the process until a contract was signed. She then did not respond to our texts, voicemails, and phone calls. She cut off communications with us and never sent us the completed, signed, contract. We did not know what to do and it was so far away. We explained this to our neighbor James Smith with RE/Max Showcase and he made phone calls to the agents broker in Florida for us.
After not getting the correct response, Jim contacted the listing agent for the property we had purchased and they were not aware of what was going on. They thought everything was okay.
We were able to cancel the first contract, because we were very concerned. Jim referred us to the listing agent who is with RE/Max in Florida. She was a big help and very responsive and trustworthy. We are now building our dream home for retirement in Florida. Without the help of Jim Smith we would not have known what to do. Jim is very knowledgeable and resourceful. Because he was involved and has connections in Florida we received the right answers to resolve our realty issues. When we move from this area Jim Smith will be our listing agent on our property. We would recommend him to anyone with their real estate needs.

Martha L.

4/2/18Alex Alcozer

Google Review

I had the privilege of having James work with me to sell my home.
I have met other realtors in my past that could not measure up to James' commitment, rock solid professionalism and amazing work ethic! His commitment to closing was outstanding! He made sure he was always available when needed and never faltered. I highly recommend James and am very grateful to have met him. Thank you so very much James.

3/22/18Sean Weppler

Google Review

As a real estate attorney I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of real estate agents. I've had the pleasure of working with Jim on countless transactions and he has worked extremely hard for his each and every one of his clients to serve their interests.

3/19/18O Montoya

Google Review

Very HELPFUL!

3/3/18Joe Owen

Google Review

RE: James Smith, Remax Realtor
Jim Smith has been our realtor for 4 sales events over the past years. Jim sold us our first home in the Gurnee area in 1990, then helped us sell it two years later during a company relocation to Tennessee. In each case, he was very respectful and professional in his approach with us and prospective clients. Jim is not a “pushy salesman” that so many of us dread; in fact, he is a gentle understanding person who makes the purchase or sale happen almost as an afterthought. Most of all, Jim is always reaching out and keeps in contact with us during and after the sales event. He was very instrumental in assisting an entire department of relocations by working with our HR department; this was not an easy task as many people were being uprooted by the company. But Jim made each family feel at ease with their relocation by taking the time to get to know them personally. I would highly recommend Jim in any move to or from the Lake county area. Speak with him and you’ll see why!!

2/8/18Ashwin Shore

Google Review

I met James in one of an open house. James has been a great help to us. This was our first time buying a house and we didn’t know how things work, but James made the process so easy for us. James always went out of his way to help us and show us all the houses we were interested in. James never gave up and found a perfect house for us, he did his best and found us our dream house that we were searching for many years. We’ve been looking for a house for almost two years and we met several agents, but James is the best agent that you can ever work with. He was there for us from the day we started looking for a house, till the day we had our closing for the house. He did everything for us and even have contacts with house inspectors so that saved a lot of our time. He got us the best deal on the house that we could ever get. Not only that he’s a good agent, but he’s also a nice person. He gave us good advice like a friend. While working with us, his only goal was to find the perfect house for our family. It was such a pleasure working with James, I will recommend him to everyone out there who is looking for a house. Thank you so much James for helping our family find our dream house that we were looking for.

12/19/17Yinyin Blodgett

Google Review

Jim has been in the industry for a loooooooong time, hence He is extremely knowledgeable. We were blessed to have such a patient and helpful agent to guide us through the process for our first home purchase. Most importantly, he treated us like friends and wasn't pushy at all. I wish I could give him more than five stars.

11/12/17Anna Schaechter

Google Review

We've worked with Jim on buying and selling houses. Jim is very patient, extremely responsive and knowledgeable about real estate processes. We've spent few months and extensive amount of properties for sale but he helped us find The One! During the sell we could have count on his help even when we were out of the country.

8/4/17Lorrie Gasewind

Google Review

I met Jim 2 years ago to see if it was a good time to sell. It was not! Then last Fall I realized that it was time to move so I called Jim. He immediately connected me to people who staged my home and began to advise me about how to present it. He counseled me on important details and what to ignore. He was so kind when, at the start the second on the market, I entered the "why isn't anyone coming?" period which lasted only 5 days! The offer came 14 days after we went on the market! Jim is very ethical and uses his extensive knowledge and experience as a Realtor to further his clients' best interests! I highly recommend Jim Smith. (No, he isn't a relative, just a good friend!)

6/6/17Riaz Uddin

Google Review

James is very knowledgeable and provide great service. He is experienced and knows what he is talking about. He is eager to help and communicates well. i would definitely recommend James to my friends and family.

6/2/17aaron schmidgall

Google Review

If you want someone who is as dedicated to finding you a home as you are JAMES SMITH is the man you want to talk to! I was a first time home buyer and he was able to walk me through every step of the process. You can tell that he genuinely cares about the home you are buying. Also he has connections for everything you will be needing...ie great lenders, inspectors, and all of your remodeling needs.
Just a top notch guy! You wont be disappointed if you choose Jim.

2/24/17Venkataramana Tumuluri

Google Review

We have taken Jim's help to find us a suitable home in the Gurnee area as we were looking for a suitable accommodation to stay closer to my son's school, we have a budget in mind and certain specifications, Jim clearly understood our requirements and started showing the homes that would suit our requirements, he has been very patient through out the process and at the same time providing us with his valuable inputs for us to make our decision. We feel we have been taken care very well by Jim as we were also new to the area. His guidance, support through out the process are invaluable and I would recommend Jim to any one seeking for help in real estate area.

2/16/17Stuart Goodpasture

Google Review

We are pleased to recommend Jim’s expertise in residential real estate brokerage. With his guidance, we sold our three-bedroom, two-bath home, located in an affluent North Suburban community. Prior to listing the home, he suggested improvements that had the potential to make the property more marketable and maximize its selling price. Jim hosted several open house events in his effort to reach as wide an audience of buyers and brokers as possible, and was open in sharing feedback he received from potential buyers who saw our home. During the period it was under sales contract, Jim facilitated communication with a buyer who made efforts to reach closing a challenge. On closing date, all went smoothly as planned and there were no surprises. Jim is an advocate for his clients, bringing to them his knowledge of markets, trends, and strategies for successfully selling their homes.

1/16/17Anthony Kane

Google Review

Jim is an incredible resource! He is a wealth of knowledge and made the search for & purchasing of a new home a pleasant experience. I would never use a different realtor again. Thank you Jim! I plan on recommending you to everyone I can.

1/9/17Peter Goss

Google Review

Jim was wonderful. We recently bought a new home and had gone through many agents with no luck on finding someone who really cared and was willing to go above and beyond. Jim has great insight to the home market. He was able to get the ball rolling fast and took on so many of the hiccups of home buying. Jim was an advocate for us and was wonderful with us. Jim kept up with the whole process all the way through and was great. Jim will get the job done and be super helpful along the way. Give him a chance, you'll be picking a winner.

12/10/16Sean Hand

Google Review

If you are looking for the "Best of the Best" in a Real Estate Professional James Smith is the one that you want. He knows the industry, and area, inside and out. He simply will not rest until he knows that you have found the home that is just right for you. He is always in contact, to ensure that if there are any changes, in your home search, they are addressed right away. James is friendly, compassionate, and a total professional at all times. I cannot overstate how much he did to help me find the home that suited my specific needs. Coming from out of state I was not able to travel back and forth a lot, due to time and travel expense restraints. James made sure that I had more than enough information, about available homes, locations, pricing, etc. so that I could make the most informed decision possible before my arrival in Illinois. When I arrived, in my search area, of Lake County, we "hit the ground running" to see all of the home listings that I thought would suit my requirements. James was very sensitive to my specific needs and, because I am a disabled vet, he was also sensitive to my need to take an occasional break so as not to overtax myself physically and potentially cloud my judgment. He does exactly what it takes to make you feel comfortable about the entire search process. We looked at several homes and they just didn't seem "quite right", but James never gave up. We took a break, for me to rest a bit, and he went onto the computer to see if there were any new, last minute, updates to area listings. Sure enough there were a couple of homes which had just been listed that afternoon. We went out to look at them and one of them was exactly what I was looking for. We filled out the contracts and the sellers accepted our offer. He made sure that all of the bases were covered in the paperwork process so that I got the best deal possible. James didn't stop once the contracts were signed though. He was there for me every step of the way until I closed on the house. He also contacted me a few days after I had moved in to see if there was anything else that I required. He really knows the true meaning of customer service. I cannot say enough about his knowledge, work ethic, and the all encompassing service he provided me during the entire process. James is absolutely the best Real Estate Professional out there. If you utilize him, for your home search, I guarantee that you will be well taken care of throughout the entire process.

9/22/16Dr. Michael Reed

Google Review

Jim is very professional as well as personable. He truly listens to what type of purchase you need and want. He is willing to spend much time with you to view properties as well as sit and answer any and all questions you might have. I would highly recommend Jim to anyone looking to purchase as well as speak with him if you have any questions regarding purchasing in the future.

9/6/16Gopi Menon

Google Review

Jim doesn't "sell" you real estate, but gives thorough guidance and help to the customer to make the decision to buy. He also gives the customer access to a wide range of support personnel to do modification/enhancemnt post sale, I have known him for 2 decades. Jim is at the top of my list when it comes to real estate matters.

7/27/16Rick Rogers

Google Review

James takes great care of my clients and always does the right thing even when it means he won't make a commission. I trust James and appreciate his compassionate service to my sometimes distressed clients.

7/13/16Alan “MrAlf” Fr

Google Review

Jim showed extreme professionalism during the entire sales process. We were selling our long time family and home and he kept with us for several years from the point of his first consultation to our final decision to move. He presented us with many options over the years and showed us patience and empathy during this emotional time.

6/30/16hannah

Google Review

as first time buyers, we knew nothing about home buying nor did we know anything about the area we were gonna move to. we found jim by chance on a property listed on zillow and scheduled a walkthrough. he's the probably the most talkative agent we'll ever meet and that's a good thing. he'll tell you a lot about himself first and then a lot about the area where the property is and then a lot about other comparable properties in the area. he'll give you a ton of recommendations based on your needs so be sure to tell details about what you really want for a permanent home. the people he works with that helps you with the mortgage application process are also the best. we actually just closed on our first home today and it went as smooth as it could ever be. we're thankful to work with jim throughout the whole thing.

6/23/16Rebecca Libersher

Google Review

My husband and I are so pleased with the dedication and drive Jim Smith had in helping us find our first home. He went above and beyond in everything he did for us. He located properties for us to look at. He also worked around both of our crazy work schedules when setting up times to look at different properties. Jim always answered his phone or promptly got back to us if we had questions for him. Jim Smith did an amazing job in helping us find our first home by making the process very easy for us! We would absolutely recommend him to anyone!

6/21/16Brian Nick

Google Review

Having worked with multiple realtors, I will tell you Jim Smith is a rare find in today's workforce. He is exceptionally dedicated and selfless. I cannot exaggerate the amount of work he did and the stress relief he provided for me and my wife. Even three years after selling a home through Jim, I still call him for assistance and facts in the real estate business due to the level of trust I have with him. I promise Jim is the professional you need.

6/12/16Rachel

Google Review

I highly recommend Jim Smith to anyone looking for a new home!!! I really cannot stress enough how pleased I was with my experience with Jim.

I was in the market for a rental property. Jim was very responsive to my needs, a great communicator, and very considerate of my time. He bent over backwards to get me what I wanted and helped me find and get into the perfect rental.

Once I was approved and signed the lease my job laid a bomb one me; they are moving my job and me out of state. Oh no, I just signed a one year lease!!!! I immediately contacted Jim and he acted quickly to verify that the property owners had not signed and returned the lease back to us. As a result the contract was not completed and he was able to get me out of my new lease. I would never have know this would allow me to get out of my predicament.

Thank you Jim for all of your hard work and knowledge. You really did save me from a tough situation when I needed it the most. Thanks for being in my corner!

6/2/16Alfonso Toledo

Google Review

Patience, Patience, Patience.... Jim will find the home that YOU want, not the one he wants to sell you. Very knowledgeable about the areas we were looking at and we found our home sweet home. I would give 3 thumbs up if I had 3 thumbs!

5/15/16Ron Oesterlein

Google Review

Jim is a very knowledgeable and detailed and big time follow through guy. Great to work with and has great referrals for house related projects.

4/29/16Tory Eide

Google Review

Jim Smith is top-notch - he is HIGHLY knowledge in many areas of real estate and has assisted my family with multiple home purchases in Lake County IL for more than 25 years. You won't be disappointed with choosing Jim. He is no pressure and delivers results.

2/17/16Peter Wirtz

Google Review

Jim does a great job from start to finish in selling real estate. Either Jim or his wife are there at all of the open houses, along with hand holding seniors. I have known Jim for over 30 years and have reffered him to many friends.

1/23/16Tom Kurcz

Google Review

James Smith was essential to helping my family and me sell our old home and buy a new home. His years of experience and expertise helped us to sell our old home very quickly for a good price. And, his knowledge of new inventory and the associated neighborhoods helped us to find a beautiful home near excellent schools and wonderful neighbors. If you are looking to sell your house or buy a new one, you should consider asking James Smith to help you!

1/7/16Mari Key

Google Review

James Smith was recommended by a family member.And I'm so glad we worked together to find my new home .Jim is a very knowledgeable real estate agent. He knew the area very well. He kept the listings in my price range. From the very beginning he made me feel relaxed and not pressured to make a quick decision. We made several offers on property. The first being a condo, which was overpriced. Jim did the comps and we made an offer. He informed me that he didn't think the condo would appraise out at the price the seller was asking. He didn't want me to pay for an inspection if I wasn't going to get the property. Next, was a short sale. I had 8 months before my lease was up, so I figured why not. The short sale needed work done, possibly more than I could afford. Jim continued to assist me in my search for "the perfect home for me", in his words. He recommended businesses in the area who could help do work on the short sale. He even made some of those calls. He was always a gentleman, always looking for something that would benefit me. He continued to contact me, my lender and my attorney, frequently, during the wait on the short sale. He never hesitated to answer my "dumb" questions.( I'd never been through this process before.) He was such a big help. I did find the perfect home! Jim walked me through the process. Jim was right there with me at the closing, which he drove to after picking me up. Normally I would have been nervous, but I wasn't and I know Jim was the reason. I have to say, aside from the birth of my 2 children, buying this home has been my most wonderful experience. Jim played a large part in that . He went above and beyond what I expected from a real estate agent. He even drove me to the Village Hall of the community I bought in, right after closing, because it was close to closing time and he wanted to make sure I'd have my water on the next day when I moved in. He gave me a list of all the utilities numbers in my city. So thoughtful and wanting to make things easier for me. He went by my soon to be house during the really cold weather to check on the water and heat. I'm so thankful for Jim and all his expertise. I would highly recommend him!

1/3/16robbert hayhurst

Google Review

Jim stopped by my home I’ve known him for many years. I am veterans that served in Vietnam and now living on disability. I told Jim about my real estate taxes how high they were. He went and did some research and printed up information of homes that sold in the area that I live in. Then he also helped me fill out the forms and explained to go to the local assessor’s office and give them the information. The assessor had reduced my real estate taxes around $2500 a year. This was a huge help for me living on a fixed a income.
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12/17/15Frank Hosticka

Google Review

I have known Jim for close to 7 years. In that time I have seen Jim all over Lake and McHenry county at various networking and / or Chamber of Commerce events. I know Jim loves his work. Whenever I see Jim he tells stories of people he has helped. From Seniors to military veterans to first time home buyers or people facing foreclosure. Jim has helped them all. Dozens of them in the past year. Hundreds over his career. Jim is always giving advice and suggestions. I have called him on numerous occasions to seek his assistance. Jim has provided me with referrals to Home Inspectors and Appraisers. He is a great sources of experience and information. I would highly recommend you talked to James Smith when you consider buying or selling a home.

12/15/15Nancy-Roger Swanson

Google Review

Jim Smith has been our realtor for renting and selling our home. Since we are living now in South Carolina we have trusted Jim to be our "eyes on the ground " to oversee our property both for finding trustworthy renters and keeping a check on the house during freezing weather and dealing with repair issues.
Jim even went and shoveled the sidewalk and adjusted the thermostat when the house was empty one winter. And he has kept us informed frequently, so we were assured all was well with our property. I can always reach Jim every time I call him, about big or small issues.

In addition, Jim is one of the most honest and fair persons I have ever met in real estate. I completely trust him to advise me of what is best for me - even when it may not be to his benefit financially. We will always stick with Jim Smith for our realtor !

12/8/15Jerry Dvoracek

Google Review

Jim is a true professional in every sense of the word. He is current in home valuations and comp listings. He is prompt in answering phone calls, emails and texts. He gives you true feedback even if it may not be what you want to hear. He provides referrals you may need. He showed up on a Sunday afternoon when the buyers realtor was not properly credentialed to access the key box so the buyers could view my home. He is patient, not pressuring me into accepting an unacceptable offer for the sake of closing a sale. He was tolerant and respectful of my feelings. I would refer Jim to anyone in the housing market

12/3/15Jay Cash

Google Review

So, not only do you get an incredibly knowledgeable Realtor when you work with Jim, you get a conscientious community leader that actually GIVES back and pays it forward. I have known Jim for many years now and appreciate the way he works with clients and keeps up with today's real estate market trends.

12/1/15Joe R

Google Review

I have used Jim as an agent to purchase 3 homes and sell 3 homes over the past 25 years. Jim has always there to help guide me through each transaction as well as overcome some difficult issues that have occurred. I highly recommend using Jim to either buy or sell your home.

11/23/15Jim Heckenbach

Google Review

We have bought and sold several properties using Jim as our agent. He has shown us more houses than we can count times, We keep coming back and haven't hired any other agent since we met him back to 1994. He has always been honest and he never pushes a sale (or a purchase.) We have referred him to others multiple times.

11/7/15David Brdecka

Google Review

Jim was wonderful. He has helped us buy two houses now. This is the thank you note we sent him one year after closing which I think says it all:

Dear Jim,
This is long overdue which we apologize for, but we’re hoping better late than never. We wanted to express our sincere gratitude in helping us buy our house on Redwood. You were absolutely instrumental in the negotiations, especially when it seemed like all hope was lost. You stuck with us through it all and made this all possible. Fast forward one year and Jack is exceedingly happy in his school and with his neighborhood friends, and we are so happy with our decision. I hope you realize just how important of a role you play in the lives of so many families and just how appreciative we are for the role you have played in ours. Please accept this as a small token our our gratitude for your patience, diligence and support through it all!!
Fondly, Drs. Lara and David Brdecka

10/7/15Zachary Leff

Google Review

Jim does not just offer you his services, but he makes sure you are getting exactly what YOU want. From day one Jim was honest and upfront with me. He showed me a level of professionalism that no other Realtor had prior to him had displayed. I never felt that Jim was working for me, but rather with me. He helped guide me to the right property for me, and did not try to get me to commit me to just any property. Jim followed up with my lender and the seller as soon as he had any updates. I would highly recommend Jim to anyone looking to buy or rent a home.

9/9/15Brad Wiley

Google Review

Fantastic person to deal with, straight forward, intelligent, impeccable honesty. A pleasure to know him.

9/5/15Karen Hostetler

Google Review

I first met Jim in 1998 when we needed to buy a home in Gurnee, Il. After spending many hours showing us a variety of homes we found one that both of us loved. When we decided to sell that home in 2010, we did not consider calling anyone but Jim. We knew he would work diligently to get it sold. It only took a couple months. We consider Jim a friend. He stops to see us in Ohio when he's passing thru.

My husband was so impressed that he referred many of his associates to Jim. They were equally impressed with Jim's respect for their wishes and work ethic.

I know that Jim has achieved add'l certifications since that time & am proud to tell you that he works very closely with military families & senior citizens.

If I were still in the Gurnee area and needed a realtor, I would only call Jim.

9/3/15Steve Pritt

Google Review

I bought my house over 17 years ago and I could not of found a better agent/friend. Over the years he has helped me with questions about property taxes, refinancing, home value, whatever I needed James was always quick to respond and was more then generous with his time. I could not ask for a better experience over the years and when asked if I know a good agent I am more then happy to refer James to both family and friends knowing that he will exceed their expectations and build a life long relationship with someone who truly cares and will be there long after the sale.

8/28/15Ahmad Farooq

Google Review

James is a down-to-earth, highly competent real estate expert, who truly, tirelessly and selflessly works hard toward achieving what's in his client's best interest. Unlike most other folks in his position, he will never force an issue on his clients, instead helps them with their decision making. He is one of the few professionals in this industry that I have found to be extremely honest with their clinets. I will utilize his services without thinking twice if need be in future.