The plan for the Big Daddy Caddy unraveled:
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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
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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!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We first found Jim through his blog at bubbleinfo.com, which really showcased his knowledge of SoCal real estate. Since then we've done three transactions with Jim and Donna, and they are an incredible full service agency, with Jim's deep market insight and Donna's deft contract and project management. We trust them implicitly in their analysis and strategy, which is based on years of experience. They're always available and on top of things, and we strongly recommend them to anyone.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Good The Klinge Realty Group operates like a finely tuned machine, with a very personal touch. We contacted them on a Sunday and they were talking to us about our family and our needs on our living room couch the following day. They carefully listened to us and worked with us to identify the best and quickest path to listing within 2 weeks to take advantage of the low inventory conditions in our South Carlsbad neighborhood. They knew our tract specifically and had many previous sales there over the years - they came prepared with a thorough analysis of comparative sales and recommended a pricing strategy that they felt confident would yield offers the first weekend on the market. The Great Over the next two weeks Donna coordinated a range of vendors who she knew from experience could get the preparation to list work we needed done on time and with high quality. Our light tune-up involved excellent experiences with their stagers, landscapers, contractors, electricians, and plumbers. Throughout this period Donna's daily communication was clear, concise, and responsive. Any time we had questions Donna picked up the phone or texted immediately - but almost always, she answered our questions before we even knew we had them. The Outstanding We had a tricky situation with a shared fence that could have delayed our escrow. Donna used superb mediation skills to negotiate the terms of replacement and was personally on site with the fence contractor to make sure everything went smoothly. The fence looks great and escrow closed on time. The Truly Exceptional Our house came on the market on a Wednesday and between then and Monday morning Jim was personally at all three open houses. He was in constant communication explaining potential buyer reaction and strength. As he predicted offers began to come in on Saturday and each one was incrementally higher than the last. At the end we had 5 offers, 4 of which were over list, and the final accepted offer was $100,000 over list. In addition to being over list it included rent back terms that met our needs. The Recommendation For all of these reasons we would strongly recommend The Klinge Team to anyone wanting to sell in North County Coastal San Diego. I had been reading Jim's bubbleinfo.com blog for 15 years and knew when the time came to sell that he would be our first call. Jim Klinge is not your standard realtor. He is keenly aware of market conditions and sales strategies. And, works his tail off - though not as hard as Donna . At this point he's gone from realtor to friend and I plan to have him over to grill and chill at our new place to talk real estate, but also just about life and raising kids in San Diego. He's more interested in relationships than his sales numbers - and that's why his sales numbers are so high. We have already recommended the Klinge's to some close friends and another successful sale is on deck right around the corner...Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently had the pleasure of working with Jim and Donna from Klinge Realty Group to sell our house, and we couldn't be more satisfied with the experience. From the initial meeting, they listened attentively to our needs and provided invaluable guidance on specific improvements to get our home market ready. Their responsiveness throughout the entire process was truly impressive. Anytime we had questions or concerns, they were quick to address them, ensuring we felt comfortable and informed every step of the way. What stood out the most was their team and extensive network of tradespeople, which made addressing any necessary repairs or updates seamless and stress-free. Thanks to their expertise and dedication, our house sold quickly and at a great price. We highly recommend Jim and Donna to anyone looking to buy or sell a home. They are a fantastic team who truly care about their clients and deliver exceptional results.Load more
Tricked out Hummer. Something like this one:
http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/cars/hummer/hummer_8.jpg
And you’re probably still in the doghouse with wifey for making the attempt….Now get a sky blue convertible caddy like Nolte’s in 48 hours.
My suggestion: Buick Enclave.
VW Bus with a JTR Vinyl Logo Wrap – it goes slow so you’d get even better video cruising the coast, and it can have a small fridge to keep cold beverages for your clients.
http://www.geekradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/vw_bus_updated2.jpg
It would be the Leucadia ride…your listings in that zip should skyrocket as everyone says they want to keep it ‘funky’….or do they only want the MBZ Realtor when the rubber meets the road?
Something that gets excellent gas mileage, low emmissions, hands free cellular, interior and exterior video mounts with on/off/toggle/zoom control built into the steering wheel, and comes standard with auto-pilot.
Oh, and – at built-in GPS with ice cream truck locator to within a 12 mile radius.
Thanks JP2 and welcome back. My first car was a 1965 Buick Skylark 4-door, my grandpa’s old car. I put glasspacks on it.
Why not an ice cream truck?
McLean, VA – Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.06 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending April 29, 2010, down slightly from last week when it averaged 5.07 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.78 percent.
Hey Jim, you made a right turn on a red light where it isn’t allowed! lol Right at the corner of Del Mar Heights and Seagrove Street there is a “no right turn on red” sign. I live just around the corner and I’m tempted to do it all the time….hahaha Most people don’t even notice the sign. Actually, wifey and I (my wifey that is, not yours) walked right by you with the dog when you were filming on Seagrove, I said to her, “hey I think that might be Jim the Realtor”, but wasn’t quite sure. Now that I know it was you, really wish I stopped to say hi!!!
*Giggle* Find an (empty) ice cream truck and trick it out like Sol in #5 suggests! The only problem is what tune you’d play, JtR, while driving around…
BMW has a new 5 series for 2011. You have to drive something with class to balance out that ol’ sanford and son truck you drive.
How about a Corvette? This smiling Realtor has one: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/4006664811_9dace0cbfe.jpg
The old name-badge-and-tennis-shoes look. At least he’s trying to hide his gut.
Jim – you need to get a custom plate like the “Deal Dunn” guy…class it up a bit!
Jim, the only car you should be looking at is the Wagon Queen Family Truckster.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagon_Queen_Family_Truckster
Dump the Caddy dream Jim, it’s time to upgrade to a reliable import. Consider a 1998-2003 Lexus GS. There are many for sale, so prices are very reasonable and have usually been owned by mature pro’s, so most have been well cared for. Your family and customers will thank you.
Audi Q7
Best car I ever have owned!
do the 3.6 or diesel
i just did engine mounts in our MBZ as well as water pump and brakes all around for 3k…welcome to the party Jim!
It is amazing to me that as bad as things are and may get again, there is no motivation to buy an american made car.
Assuming you need the bling realtor ride (i.e. no econoboxes, no beaters)…
Assuming you will buy new and it will be titled to the business, you probably want to lease for the 1st 3-4 years so something with a good residual value (Lexus, Acura)
Assuming you need four doors and reasonable space…Lexus GS/LS/ES or Acura TL
I say Lexus GS350 although you should be able to find a deal on the current style 5 series.
If you buy used I would go Lexus gs350/430 or Acura TL/MDX (old style)
If you’re a baller, get a Merc E55 AMG and be done
Cadillac CTS-V
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_CTS-V
Engine:
6.2 L S/C LSA V8 (556 hp)
Transmission(s):
6-speed 6L90 automatic
6-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual
swm,
Welcome to SoCal
If you are looking for new, I like the new Lincoln MKS.
I feel sorry for auto consumers who purchase an inferior car out of patriotism. It’s an egregious misallocation of capital. Make a crappy car, slap a flag on it, sell it for more than it’s worth. Rinse & Repeat. What do you get? GM, gov’t bailouts, fat & stupid unions, etc.
2005+ Jaguar XJ8 L (Long wheelbase)
Most bang for your buck used car available IMO. Contrary to popular belief, these cars are actually reliable and fairly fuel efficient to boot. This is a $100K car, with 18K miles, for 20K.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-Jaguar-Super-V8-Rear-Entertainment-Rare-Car-/130386692567?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1e5ba709d7
Just noticed the starting bid was 20k, my bad. I thought that was a bit cheap. But you can get the non-super LWBs in the low 20s with low miles.
I like the idea of a Lexus or Acura. Richard has a RSX-S and loves it. I have a Mazda Miata, er, MX-5, and also love it. Can’t go wrong with a Japanese car. And if you get one, Richard has found the most opinionated crazy mechanic dude who does great work on the cars while constantly rambling about how awful American cars are. He’s worth a video. 😉
-Erica
1982 Chevy El Camino, Black, 20 inch Iroc Rims. It’s a car….it’s a truck….car…..truck….
How about a red Corvette ZL1 top down and cruise that will get you through any security gate or a new 0% financing Yoda Cambry that will take you anywhere you go i have a 2008 and love it not concerted about out of control issues because i am out of control myself keep up the good work and videos, we have hit a bottom but the return will take a lot of time until the 12% unemployment rate goes down and consumer confidence returns and we all start shopping a Nordstroms aqain and not WalMarts
My ’91 Lexus with 275K miles looks like new when I clean it up. Only major repairs are to replace a/c and tranny, but not bad in that mileage. The mechanic says the new ones are junk compared to the old ones; plastic versus metal parts. Pick one up used less than $5K and expect $2,000 in service cost per year.
My entry:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bfs/1716535488.html
Very classy, and for SWM, it’s American made!
Hi Jim,
Go Green, Toyota Prius.
Aljanet – the greenest car is a used car as it spares the massive energy needed to create a new car…green or otherwise.
A used hummer is a greener choice than a new Prius!
Late 70’s/early 80s was not a banner year for GM vehicles. I’m amazed there’s still a ’79 Seville out there that’s running. Sort of.
I once drove an ’81 Fleetwood Brougham from Chicago to LA, as a “driveaway”. What a POS that thing was. Remember the 4-6-8? It was like driving a three-ton Chevette.
I still say a recent used Maserati Quattroporte. It has a Ferrari engine and can be bought for under $50K with only 30-40K miles.
You wanna stand out from the crowd? That’s your ride.
That Hummer in comment #1 is like a giant a**hole indicator light. People blocks away will see you coming and know what sort of person is behind the wheel.
I think you should get a CL550 or a CL63 AMG. Or a S550….classic!
Stay with the big Benzes….I’ve driven all of those and more and…in my opinion…they are some of the best cars (or ARE THE BEST) out there.
Or a Porsche Turbo or a Carrera S Cab.
Buy the Seville anyway, and then buy an LS drivetrain from a wrecked late model GTO, or new SS Camaro. Have a reputable shop do the transplant, which will result in a very fast and comfortable Seville pro touring car.
I say get your daughter a 1987 Yugo and keep driving the one you’re in now.
Like I said before, just get yourself a newer, lower-mile Benz of the same basic size — they’re practically giving them away these days.
p.s.: We’ve got *two* of the first generation MDXs — very hard to beat. Classy yet understated, powerful yet economic, reliable as a swiss watch.
Blissfull……I remember those 4-6-8 Caddy motors well. My dad (a realtor up in No. Cal.) bought one at the dealer auction I used to take him to back when I had a car lot. It was GM’s brilliant way to save gas by stopping the flow of fuel to pairs of cylinders when you didn’t need the power.
As I recall, GM’s official fix to this problematic motor was to just disable the system entirely and let it run on 8 cylinders all the time. Ha Ha…way to go GM, nice fix!
Jim, my wife has a Cadillac XLR that she’d sell ya cheap. It’s been back to the dealer for warranty work about a dozen times for various problems, so she’s got all the kinks worked out for ya. (Cadillac’s flagship car is a total lemon….no wonder they are going broke.)
Murf2222
I agree with Joe, you need either a long wheelbase Benz or Bimmer, especially that you drive clients in Del Mar and RSF. Long wheelbase so that the clients can be comfortable in the back seat.
My best buying experience has been to use a dealer to buy off a dealer’s auction. You get to pick and choose and dealers have no benefit in upselling you any particular car, since the cars there are sold by banks or manufacturers. In majority of cases those cars are just off lease. Banks don’t want to be sued by dealers who certainly have the means to do that, so they declare all real and imaginary issues with cars – which you read in a report.
3 year old cars drop in price the most – perhaps, because the usual lease is 3 years – so that’s your best bet.
Here are the prices that dealers pay at the auction in Riverside. 2007 CLS550C runs for ~35k, ditto for GL450 and 750LI. S550 runs for ~45k. So, if you know of any good dealer, use them – they should charge you their fee and you get a much better and safer deal than buying off a dealer’s lot. If you don’t know any, I can recommend.
Sorry for the long post – I spend so much time researching the subject when buying my cars, so wanted to share this as a small token of appreciation of what you share with us.
Not to threadjack but Arsen, I’m looking for an offlease deal on a Lexus. Can you email me with details?
Thanks
jjk34 at lycos dot com
Go for the classic car. Sure many top agents will drive a BMW, Mercedes, or Lexus, but if you want attention nothing seems to be as visually interesting as something like the Caddie you wanted.
When I drive my 1948 Chrysler New Yorker, it gets so many smiles and waves from everyone. Even more so than when driving an 80’s 911 Targa.
1948 Chrysler Video
I have seen Jim in the black Caddie phase when it was cool to flaunt success in SCA Bubble inflating period. Then the Acura SUV era prior to his daughter getting those keys and onto the S class MBZ maintenance program that almost requires a HELOC to finance! Jim has a knack for surprise so who knows whats next!!!!!
Very cool video, David. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
Where is that, BTW? It kinda looks like the Echo Park area…?
CA renter,
On my video, we started in Long Beach (near Naples) and drove up the 605 to the oldest surviving McDonald’s in Downey.
I got her up to 70 mph without a problem. Maybe next film I’ll see what the top end speed really is!!!
Glad you liked it.
P.S. Seriously a ’48 Chrysler or something like it would be a really cool Realtor car. It probably could seat 6. The only problem is you won’t want to put that many miles on it which doesn’t help Jim since he obviously drives all day long to bring us videos.
I second the Prius recommendation…i hear you can get to places really fast…and unexpectedly! But hey, all you need to do is shift to neutral, coast and then press the start button for 5 seconds, right?
As long as you’re asking…Bentley Continental GTC, Silverlake Blue exterior, Linen interior. Just so I can live vicariously through you. LOL
i 2nd shadash’s suggestion. the ’11 looks real nice.
i also really like the all-new ’11 porsche cayenne suv which will also for the first time have a hybrid version