We know it’s the wild, wild west, and that short sales are tough to navigate because each listing agent determines their own rules. As a result, more trends are developing along the way:
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Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group
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Karen PhillipsJune 13, 2025Trustindex 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!!! Jesse O'HaraJune 12, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A+ thank you Lisa TuomiJune 11, 2025Trustindex 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. Jerry MeyerMarch 28, 2025Trustindex 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 Mary Heather QuejadaMarch 27, 2025Trustindex 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. Lou FMarch 27, 2025Trustindex 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! --- William SamsMarch 25, 2025Trustindex 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. Emily HernandezDecember 29, 2024Trustindex 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. Jesus Adrian SahagunNovember 11, 2024Trustindex 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. SABIHA PASHAJuly 23, 2024Trustindex 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
the loft doesn’t violate a bedroom designation? the living room has a hallway closet so does that count as a bedroom too? flag ’em.
It says 2 bedrooms on the tax rolls, so it’s not a problem technically, but the buyers are set up for disappointment. As a listing agent you should minimize those moments if you can.
JTR – A trend it is…I’m circling a higher end deal where the listing price is just below $2mm and the listing agent says the short sale is approved about 15% higher.
That just motivates me to write an offer 15% below the asking price, just for balance.
I’ll repeat what I said earlier: In my mind, a bedroom has to have a window (for a secondary exit in case of fire as well as for natural light), a closet, be self contained on all sides, and must be accessable via some means other than another bedroom (that is, via a hallway or the main part of the house-you can’t daisy chain bedrooms). Lofts aren’t really bedrooms, even if they say so on the tax rolls-there’s a lack of privacy there that is needed in a bedroom, IMHO.
I beleive by law a bedroom has to have a window for a fire escape and be heated/cooled.The window has to have direct access to the exterior.
If the short sale is listed as approved and at 279k any reasonable person would feel the short sale has been approved by the bank for 279, not 319.That is very deceptive advertising.
How in the world did a building inspector clear that as 2bR?Maybe it originally was a 2br and then somone decided to open up the place.
Some states have laws defining what a bedroom is. I do not believe California is such a state.
In any case, it is not unusual for the tax rolls to not match reality. Either due to errors (like permitted additions not being added to the tax rolls, or simple math errors, or who knows what), or due to unpermitted additions (which are illegal and the tax people wouldn’t know about). Bedroom counts in particular are frequently inaccurate (both high and low), even if the total square footage is correct.
I don’t think cooling is part of the requirement, but I have heard that it can not have a door leading to the garage.
“Maybe it originally was a 2br and then somone decided to open up the place.”
All that railing and staircase is original, nothing has been changed upstairs from what I can see in the video. We purchased, gutted & updated a condo (not this complex or location) same vintage in Carlsbad, same basic style and look as this one. Nothing says 70’s like those popcorn ceilings.
How can it be a bedroom when it doesn’t have a door that closes? San Diego (not sure about Carlsbad) addresses this in their code:
http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter11/Ch11Art03Division01.pdf
Bedroom means an enclosed space within a dwelling unit that is designed or could be used for sleeping and has a permanent door permitting complete closure and separation from all kitchen, living room, and hallway areas. A room or other enclosed space is not considered a bedroom if it is the sole access to another bedroom.
In other words – you need walls (not rails) and a door. That loft didn’t qualify.
Same thing happened when I bought last year. The house popped up on the MLS at $270K (short sale), but when my agent called they said it was approved at $290, but that they would contribute 3% towards closing, making the effective final price $281.
I thought that was weird, but I went along with it and closed in a month, which I hear is great for short sale.
That’s it! Craigslist officially has more protection than the MLS. In Craigslist, I’d flag it.
Gotta go…someone from a Craigslist ad is coming over to buy some furniture from me. Add consignment stores to the list of places going down.
Here’s to Craig and all the money he enabled me to make off my worthless junk. I’m very sorry you aren’t getting a dime of it Craig because you do deserve a cut.
I’m one of those discouraged buyers. I just flat up gave up after putting in offer after offer at or slightly above. I just rented a luxury condo downtown among thousands. The pricing is what killed it for me, it was just a huge waste of my time to run all over North County looking at stuff that had no intention of selling anywhere near what it listed for.
Keep the house.
Well, if we were to buy a condo, it would definitely be a place like this one. For a couple without kids, it’s a pretty nice place. The newer condos just have walls staring you down as you look out your windows…yuck!
I have a hard time believing the agent has a bid at their super-secret approved price, but I’m cynical that way.
Please, please, please…can we get all these fraudsters and game-players OUT of the market so we can all go back to buying and selling **homes** to live in?