Kelly and Will’s story on NBC!
Here’s the link to their story:
19 Comments
Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group
Are you looking for an experienced agent to help you buy or sell a home?
Contact Jim the Realtor!
- 682 S. Coast Hwy 101, Suite #110
Encinitas, CA 92024 - (858) 997-3801 call or text
- klingerealty@gmail.com
CA DRE #01527365, CA DRE #00873197
View More Interest Rates
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jim & Donna Klinge helped us sell our home of 30 years in Ocean Hills. We were very happy with their service and would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone looking for an Honest, Knowledgeable, Skilled, Informed Efficient realty team. Both Jim & Donna were so helpful in different ways and complemented each others skills. Please refer to a more detailed review that we wrote on YELP. Thank You Both for all your help!!!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A+ thank youTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Many years ago, we purchased a home in Carlsbad, using a realtor that was recommended to us - Jim Klinge. Fast forward to 2025, we recently had the privilege of selling 2 homes in Carlsbad, CA and didn't hesitate to reach out to Jim and Donna Klinge of Klinge Realty Group to guide us through the sales. The transactions were very different, each with its own unique situation, opportunities and challenges. From start to finish, Donna and Jim helped navigate the pre-sale preparation, the listing, showing of the house, buyer negotiations, the final close and all of the paperwork and decisions in between. What stands out with both transactions is the professionalism of Jim and Donna (and their team), wonderful communication (timely, relevant, concise), their deep understanding of market dynamics (setting realistic expectations), their access to top-notch contractors, and last, their ability to guide us across the finish line successfully. We wouldn't hesitate to use Jim and Donna in the future and highly recommend them for anyone looking to buy or sell a property in North San Diego County.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We sold a home with Jim and Donna and from beginning to end they were consummate professionals. Their initial walk through the property resulted in a list of items to be repaired or updated. They supplied a list of vendors and job quotes to do the repairs and updates. We originally wanted to sell ‘as is’ and just get it over with. They gave us a selling price for ‘as is’ and options for doing a few updates/repairs to doing it all with the selling price for each option. We agreed to do all they suggested and we sold for the exact price they predicted. For every dollar spent we got back more than $2 back in the selling price. And they got that price in a rising interest rate environment! Donna and Jim are extremely detailed and guide you through ever aspect of the sale. There were no surprises thanks to their guidance. We couldn’t be more pleased with their representation. Thank you Donna and Jim, Jerry and MaryTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have known Jim & Donna Klinge for over a dozen years, having met them in Carlsbad where our children went to the same school. As long time North County residents, it was a no- brainer for us to have the Klinges be our eyes and ears for San Diego real estate in general and North County in particular. As my military career caused our family to move all over the country and overseas to Asia, Europe and the Pacific, we trusted Jim and Donna to help keep our house in Carlsbad rented with reliable and respectful tenants for over 10 years. Naturally, when the time came to sell our beloved Carlsbad home to pursue a rural lifestyle in retirement out of California, we could think of no better team to represent us than Jim and Donna. They immediately went to work to update our house built in 2004 to current-day standards and trends — in 2 short months they transformed it into a literal modern-day masterpiece. We trusted their judgement implicitly and followed 100% of their recommended changes. When our house finally came on the market, there was a blizzard of serious interest, we had multiple offers by the third day and it sold in just 5 days after a frenzied bidding war for 20% above our asking price! The investment we made in upgrades recommended by Jim and Donna yielded a 4-fold return, in the process setting a new high water mark for a house sold in our community. In our view, there are no better real estate professionals in all of San Diego than Jim and Donna Klinge. Buying or selling, you must run and beg Jim and Donna Klinge to represent you! Our family will never forget Jim, Donna, and their whole team at Compass — we are forever grateful to them.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. WeI had the pleasure of working with Klinge Realty Group to sell our home in Carmel Valley, and I cannot recommend them highly enough! Jim and Donna demonstrated exceptional professionalism, offering expert guidance on market conditions and pricing strategy, which resulted in a quick and successful sale. Communication was prompt and we were well-informed throughout the entire process. For anyone looking for a dedicated and knowledgeable real estate team, look no further! ---Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Donna and Jim Klinge of Klinge Realty Group have our highest possible recommendation. From Donna and Jim’s first visit to our house through closing their advice and counsel was candid and honest in all dealings. They kept us fully informed throughout the process. The house sold less than three days after listing with a two-week closing. My wife and I have sold several houses during our lives. This was by far the best experience. Klinge Reality is a premium service realtor. You can’t make a better choice for someone to sell your home fast and for top dollar.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Donna and Jim provided exceptional support and professionalism throughout the entire process. We couldn't have been happier with their efforts. They made our house shine, and thanks to their expertise, it sold above the listing price in the very first weekend! Truly a fantastic experience from start to finish.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This year has been difficult on our family, mainly due to having to sell our home. Thankfully we knew God had a plan for us and working with the Klinge team was a key part of it. It was an obvious decision to work with them again after such an amazing experience when purchasing the same home we needed to sell. The challenge was, how will we do this in so little time with so much going on? Jim and Donna held our hand every step of the way. Whenever an unexpected issue arose they found and provided a solution. Never once did we feel pressured to make a decision and the Klinges were always reassuring after providing the information that the decision was ours to make. Despite the curve balls, they never panicked and exemplified the “can do” attitude, making us feel optimistic and taken care of. Their expertise and professionalism was superb. But of all the reasons to work with the Klinges, the most impactful and valuable is their compassion and genuine care for their clients. We pray that we can one day purchase our forever home and you better believe that Jim and Donna will be representing us - as long as they will have us of course. Thank you again Klinge team! Your execution, experience, and care are unmatched.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jim and Donna were fantastic! Jim understanding my needs, recommending potential places, pointing out the pros and cons of each property was invaluable. Then when the offer was accepted Donna’s organized guidance through the inspections, paperwork etc made the whole process seem effortless. So grateful that I had them on my side!Load more
Even if they had bought on the open market they’d still be underwater. And that woman with the sunglasses, 5 units? No, the pusher is not to blame for the junkies’ behavior.
Yeah, this is indicative of a healthy market.
The funny part is representative of Jim McConville said Jim is trying to find way to start paying those mortgages. Dude pocketed over 12.5M of proceed and still having difficulty paying some mortgages? Those ladies are freakin idiots for not having terms and conditions in writing…words don’t mean jack!
What a sign of the times. Kelly, Rich and Jim becoming Media darlings. A few years ago no one wanted to listen to any of them, now they are the “experts”.
Contrats to all 3 for sticking to your guns and not running with the herd.
It’s time for renters to stop paying rent and start squatting. I hope the straw buyers have recourse loans so folks like “5-unit Vicki” have to sell their million dollar OC mansions to pay off lenders. It’s time to start making fraudsters take responsibility for their actions. All cash economy here we come.
No one would say they knew it was fraud in front of camera. I would have said that I totally believe him so I can be a victum, and be on the same side with DA in the court. And of course, I am trying to repair my credit scores (after pocketing $50K)….. I am such a fool…blah blah blah…
“You can’t cheat an honest man. He has to have larceny in his heart in the first place.”
They got too greedy!!!!!!!!!!!!
It just needed The Entertainer playing in the background.
Jim,
Thanks for posting this. Several thoughts:
1) again, where was the mainstream press when all this was happening (and still is)? Newspapers are dead; next, local tv stations. Watch for more voice of san diego type operations popping up all around the country. I wish newspapers would survive but management seems to be doing everything they can to kill the business.
2) Here in metro Atlanta, there are whole subdivisions that are now sitting half empty (one little number-there are 150,000 empty, brand new homes in the metro area), 90 to 100% of the “owners” were investors. It seems we had subdivisions being built and marketed mainly to “investors”. Now we find most of those were fraud schemes like the one depicted in this story.
Do the fraudsters enroll in classes on how to do this stuff? Maybe there are seminars and college credit for criminals.
3) Greed is just part of the story. I’m sorry. Those women who became the straw buyers are criminals. Stupid, yes. Criminal, yes. The story of our time is about how we have become a lawless nation. How is this any different than those pirates who bumped your story from Nightline the other night? The scary part is that almost no one has gone to jail for this stuff. The biggest criminals, like BOA Ken Lewis and A. Mozillo, are still out here.
4) Have we reached the bottom? From Atlanta, we can’t see, hear or touch the bottom!
Those OC “investors” need to stick to ventures that they have a proven track record in. Things like Gold Digging and MegaShopping! In all honesty, this clip looks like a low budget parody. The OC bee-sting lip “investors”, the villain with a “criminal record”, the “investigative reporters” and the “”victim” renter look to have come from central casting at a highschool film project!
Will, your right about those lips on those OC housewives. I think BRAVO has the new show set for next year The Screwed Housewives of Orange County.
And they both happen to be blond.
I bet they drove up in their new Mercedes Benz. They should NOT BE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR DEAD CREDIT!
They may be going to jail.
They should have to liquidate all their assets.
HOW FREAKIN’ STUPID DOES ONE HAVE TO BE TO FALL PREY TO THIS?
OMG! So this guy paid people $10k to user their identities? That’s the dumbest thing I have ever heard! For a few thousand more, he could probably have had full power of attorney and shared custody of their first born.
Escondido condos for everyone!
Wow, the housing bubble has descended from national tragedy to lowbrow farce. I was just waiting for some guy dressed as a Viking to walk onto camera and slap those bee-sting blondes with a dead fish.
Consultant said: “Do the fraudsters enroll in classes on how to do this stuff? Maybe there are seminars and college credit for criminals.”
Read this, if you have the stomach for it:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/06/magazines/fsb/real_estate.fsb/index.htm
From Dwip’s link:
Given those grim stats, why would anyone want to invest in real estate? Nouveau Riche borrows heavily from the investment philosophy popularized over the past several years by real estate guru Robert Kiyosaki, who wrote the bestselling advice book Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Like Kiyosaki, Nouveau Riche teaches that working for a salary is a fool’s game; the road to riches requires leveraging debt to amass a portfolio of income-generating properties.
—————-
IMHO, this is because American workers have seen their purchasing power fall through the floor, while the “rich get richer” via financial “innovation.”
It’s no wonder we see so much fraud these days. People who actually produce things (union workers and other blue-collar employees) are being called parasites, while the banking class makes multiples more just by gambling with other people’s money.
These so called “victims” should be indicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for criminal stupidity. We need a Mortgage Fraud Tea Party to demand action be taken by federal and state law enforcement agencies to prosecute these criminals now – and stop dragging their feet.