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.
Stand by for upcoming questionable sale at $999k.
I drive by those houses every day on the way to work. I always wondered what was going on with them. I agree with you Jim the road noise would be aggravating during the day. But after 8pm it dies down dramatically. You *might* even be able to hear the ocean at night.
Here’s info another pair of vacant houses that I always wondered about in La Jolla.
http://sohosandiego.org/endangered/mel2009/redrest.htm
http://sohosandiego.org/reflections/2002april/redroost.htm
Jim… what street are those homes on?
Wouldn’t take those for free….the liability down the road is huge. There are too many ways to make money in this market which are much easier than fixing someone else’s disaster…
I have to agree with clearfund on this… Who knows what was left by the previous builder… if there were deficiencies/mistakes made. It’ll be hard for anyone to find a builder willing to pick up the project. I know this from personal experience – we had a contractor abandon a job – and most contractors wouldn’t touch our project. Whoever ends up with these properties may very well have to demo and start over.
Fantastic post heading. I think we have our first quadruple entendre from Jim. The gambling reference, the fact that both properties are down in value, the likelihood of them needing to be torn down lest they end up down the hill on Torrey Pines Rd. Well done Jim.
Where’s Mike Holmes when you need him?
“Some Assembly Required.”
Why are people talking about a tear-down? Are we that certain the work done so far is crud or unusable? If they were sinking 70-foot I-beams into the ground for foundation, that kind of limits your ability to re-design the site.
Shadash, I know everyone digs those cottages, but I think they are too far gone.
Street is Costebelle.
Thanks dacounselor! Always working those title entendres!
Thanks for posting this. I also drive by those houses at least once a week and had wondered about them. For the price, I don’t understand the appeal. Give up the view and you can get something walking distance to the same beaches you can only see from Costabelle.
Thanks for posting this Jim. I live right below those woodpiles from the apartment complex where you took the underneath shot. They aren’t looking any prettier after the nice rainy season we’ve been having.
This may be the best blog entry ever. Really cool houses…I can imagine all sorts of ways to make those shine.
Lots of risk though. It’s going to take a brave soul.