For those who are considering the latest in backyard improvements, here are some ideas:
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Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group
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- 682 S. Coast Hwy 101, Suite #110
Encinitas, CA 92024 - (858) 997-3801 call or text
- klingerealty@gmail.com
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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
Happy fathers day to all you dads.I’m going to hit the bbq today and hang with dad.Might watch the race from sonoma later.Going to drink some good wine too.
What?!? All those fishes, and NO POOL?!? Not even a hot tub? Or a pond? Just a lot of dry rocks and a fire pit? Who ever thought this would work?
Nope! Rejected! Next house please! 🙂
How silly. I wonder how much money that cost?
LAME. Someone spent a lot of money to devalue their house. Good call on the “no grass” observation, Jim. Since when is it cool to have no lawn and a massive jungle in the backyard? Probably the only defense to keep neighbors from looking in, I guess.
Jeez. Some of you people are way harsh and have zero imagination. Hell, I’d buy that house JUST FOR the stonework. Although, I do agree…no hot tub or pond?? WTF? And Blur, I’m in the process of ripping out all of the grass in my backyard and putting in jungle — why would adults need grass? What I want out of my backyard is additional living space (this is California, after all, and indoor/outdoor living is precisely why a lot of us are here.) I want seating, entertainment and great places to hang out. Lawns are for front curb appeal….
So anyone have any ideas of the cost to rip out all the fishes, remorter and stone the wall to clean it up, fill the hole with concrete and try and match the flagstone? Plus, how about demo’ing the fire pit and creating a more simplistic fireplace or demoing the bbq as well and relocating the bbq to the firpit area since the gas line is already there? The fish are bad, the firepit is rediculous and the bbq takes up way too much room. Any guesstimates?
Jim you missed the dog shite behind the firepit and the inside has been striped of all crown modling and baseboards ( i went through this friday). 499 is overpriced this with avg ppsqft oin comps in the 170-180 range.
Man oh man! I can just see some of you guys standing out front, waving your cane at the neighborhood kids and screaming “keep offen my lawn”! Heh. 🙂
OK it’s not to my personal taste but it’s interesting, different, and mostly nicely done. Let’s hear it for something different in a uniform sea of blandness.
Another JtR classic! Jim, I vote for you including this video in 2009’s Best at the end of the year.
Whooo,hooo! What’s wrong with a jaunty nautical theme?! Needs a mermaid to really make the faux-mosaic piscatine classic retro throwback work. Or, was this art therapy? So many homes, so little time. We splash onward . . .
oh boy. looks like the owner bought the place for $400k back in 2002.
Jim, is this a serial refi’er? looks like he really went down with his fishes.
The nice thing about stone is it doesn’t have to be watered, mowed, trimmed, pruned or fertilized. This guy must have wanted his yard to look like a Rosarito bar but some how he blew it because it looks like crap.
Refreshing!
“Lobbie?” No way. That’s a Squiddly Diddly. If I were a stone this is where I’d like to go when I die.
Seriously, the hardscaping is nice but out of scale. Balance balance balance.
Amazingly detailed work, which means somebody had the skills and way too much time on their hands. Wouldn’t mind hiring that kind of craftsmanship, properly directed of course.
I’m going to be the weirdo here. I actually LIKE the fish work. It’s eccentric and unique, but colorful, so it gets a thumbs-up from me. (Of note: My living room is decorated with Romero Britto paintings. http://britto.com/ )
Of course, I wouldn’t pay $499K for a tract home in SEH. But those fish things are cool.
-Erica
Art Eclectic,
In retrospect I guess yard vs. jungle is more of a personal taste thing. I just really like the idea of an open yard and space for dogs, kids, etc. The home I rent has a tiny “backyard” of patio and thick jungle that makes me feel cramped, so I’m probably jaded. No lawn seems pretty common these days so people must like it.
As for the fish . . . well, I gotta stand by my previous comments.
I don’t know who the guy who did it is, but he should check in here. Looks like he can do nice work. I would guess it’s more than a little expensive, and that he took it off his taxes because he could use it as a showroom for his work. :.
Only thing missing is Big Mouth Billy Bass singing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy!”
Erica,
We’re big Lassen & Wyland fans here — can’t get enough ocean / whales /dolphins, etc.
So, I guess now that you’re all inspired, Jim did a little upgradin’ this weekend? 😉
Actually, I’m with ArtEclectic& Dawg, the stone work itself is nicely done and there is definitely some great entertaining space, but man! balance is surely missing.
And the fish would be the first things to go for me.
I’m with Francois. No Pool? That stonework isn’t really my thing, but it wouldn’t be terrible if you had a nice pool complex in the back. All that build up with the fish to have no pool is Alamo disappointing.
TJ,
You’ll be interested to know we own museum print 46/50 of Wyland’s “Killer Whales (A-5 Pod)” 1987.
DWIP, How refreshing to hear a positive comment! Agree with you 100 percent.
Hey Jim and others,
Thanks for the Father’s Day wishes! Right back at ya. 🙂
Not every buyer has kids and a dog 😉
I look at that back area and can imagine a nice outdoor dining set, a couple bottles of good Shiraz, steaks coming off the grill, and the sun setting as a bunch of cool lighting comes on. Add in a water feature for ambient noise and a jacuzzi for two hidden in the back…heavenly. A perfect playground for grown-ups.
If it were me, instead of an awning I would have put in a pergola running all across the back and retractable sun shade on the underside.
Flood the back yard with 4″ of water and there is your ankle deep water feature. Drop in two beach chairs with a table in between for your drinks and you are good to go. Don’t forget the cocktail umbrella 😀
It’s nothing I would pay to have, but I’d definitely take that over dirt & dying grass & faded brokedown Big Wheels. I’ve seen far worse decorative stonework on multimillion dollar homes.
I pity people who are afraid to customize their house because it might affect resale value. I want to live in my home now, not in some theoretical house I might own in the future.
If this guy was a flipper who thought he’d make a mint with this kind of work, then we’d be justified in laughing. But this was somebody’s home.
The backyard is 20 feet deep from the house. And on the side of the house that Jim began the tour on is a Jacuzzi master control box, so it seems that hole was the pool or jacuzzi. I wish he showed the inside – almost every room had nice thick crown and baseboards and the residents ripped them out..
Corp owned – wonder if someone was fired, got pissed and drunk and ripped out the stuff he or she liked.