The trustee sales have to provide some fruit someday, right?
The more you know about them, the more comfortable you might feel with pursuing a purchase there. Here is a good introduction to buying at the court house steps, done Foreclosureradar.com, and filmed at the SD County Court House:
Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group
Are you looking for an experienced agent to help you buy or sell a home?
Contact Jim the Realtor!
CA DRE #01527365, CA DRE #00873197
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
This is a pretty good intro. video to the process. I still have a few lingering questions/concerns that go beyond the basics; various other lien conditions, title circumstances, and property access issues after the fact.
It looks so 19th century to conduct business in a courtyard like this.
very educational.
so Jim, do you have a team in place to do the leg work or any plans in that regard?
I finally watched this. Really great instructions by Foreclosureradar.com. In fact I got some tips on how to make a good instructional vid by watching.
But who is in charge of the actual auction process? Our gub’ment? HOLYCOW, that is the worst process in terms of inefficiencies, risk, communication, effectiveness, that I have ever seen.
There must not be an organized interested party of people that can influence improvement.
The government plays no role. These are non-judicial foreclosures, purely creatures of contract. If lenders were smarter, they would work with trustees and auctioneers to maket the process more transparent and predictable, like putting opening bids out on the internet at least a few days or a week in advance and reducing the number of postponements, etc. But those inefficiences only hurt themselves, by reducing the pool of bidders and thus lowering prices at auction.
I was expecting to see a bunch of tuxedos!
Very accurate and representative….I like the craziness and intimidation factor as it keeps the crowds/bidders away.
One good point not mentioned, you must have a power of attorney, or signed letter authorizing your bidder to sign over checks that may not be in their name.
I know I don’t give checks in the name of anyone doing our bidding, but rather give them power of attorney to sign for us on these checks at the trustee auction only.
I didn’t know they made change. I thought you had to show up with a bunch of cashier’s checks in small denominations to get the exact price. Nice.
The Sean Connery looking fellow with the glasses on his forehead (sitting on the steps), he bids for Don Rady–used to buy 3-4 properties a week, bids at least a couple times per day and bids HIGH!!!!!
Justme…..”Courtyard” is actually a little too sterile and polite of a description of the scene down there.
In reality that courtyard is the main entrance to the courthouse, which offers up additional entertainment all day as degenerates file by on their way to court hearings. Then just a few feet away from the auctioneer is Broadway Street, complete with loud city busses that unload/reload waves of future cons. It’s the wild wild west down there baby!
I’ve been to a few of these in Orange County just to watch. It’s amazing to watch millions in real estate trade hands in an atmosphere that’s similar to people ordering burgers at Mcdonalds. I haven’t paid much attention as of late but when I was attending people were bidding way too close to retail.
Tuesday at the auction a homeless lady leaned over on her blanket and asked me what price that house just sold for..I told her $225k and she responds “thats a great price in that neighborhood…”
When the homeless are real estate value experts at the Trustee Auction I am positive it is a sign of a peak in pricing and we’re headed down.
Probably a former Countrywide loan officer…
LOL @ comment #12
I think clearfund wins for the best post of the week.
murf2222 – sounds like all of “god’s creatures” show up. kinda like fourth of july in DC.
Can you imagine if all videos (learning about a subject) could be this simple/clear and NOT A FRIGGIN SALES PITCH LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE OUT THERE!!?
I think maybe we heard the term foreclosureradar once in the entire piece. Nice!
Thanks for posting.
“When the homeless are real estate value experts at the Trustee Auction I am positive it is a sign of a peak in pricing and we’re headed down.”
Actually I was thinking that if she sleeps there all the time & is there for all the auctions, she probably knows the market better than anyone.
Great video. Straight to the point. As for the environment, I wouldn’t mind it as long as there’s only one auctioneer calling at a time. Having two of them go at it at once does lack professionalism, and could deny someone the opportunity to purchase a property.