Zillow conducted a new poll of real estate blogs around the country, click here for link.
The San Diego results were as follows:
1. Team Aguilar Blog – 86.81%
2. The San Diego Home Blog – 9.89%
3. Bubbleinfo.com – 1.1%
I am glad to have been in the running, thank you Zillow!
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. 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!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.Load more
Hat tip to CVS for sending in the results!
Looks like Team Aguilar campaigned for votes. I would have voted for bubbleinfo if I knew about the contest.
Jim,
I’ll take quality over quantity. Keep up the good work.
Atlanta, Ga.
WTF is Team Aguilar Blog?
These online popularity contests are a joke.
Which blog has more traffic, more regular visitors, and more mentions from highly esteemed sites like Calculated Risk (not to mention lots of mentions in the Dirty MSM)?
Jim,
The smart money follows you. I live in Phoenix and read the Phoenix blogs, but even the best of them does not compare with you.
You also have – hands down – the best posters.
And then there is the added pleasure of an occasional beach video. (I still can’t believe I have to drive to the next state to go to the beach.)
I like yours the best:)
I never even heard of this Aguilar blog. JTR is the best!
let greenland finish melting, you will have your
beachfront property within 90 miles.
There’s no one else like JtR! His integrity, 25 years in real estate, his ability to give the unvarnished truth about properties in today’s real estate market and his videos are what sets him apart. I love that he really is the “anti-realtor”.
And hats off to the regular posters! Every time I come here, I always, always learn something.
*Chuckle* Yep, if Jim had groupies, I’d be one of ’em…
Thanks everyone, I’ll keep ’em coming!
Susie, how much notice would you need to be able to travel to SD for a bubbleinfo gathering? Although I’m not opposed to a mid-Cali beach get-together either. I’ve beeen to Cayucos and Santa Barbara before, and can hang with the mood.
Just looked at the other blogs for the first time. They’re nicely written but otherwise worthless to me (no offense.)
This blog is in a different league.
*Grin* Well, Jim, I’m involved in a real estate adventure at the moment. I was about to make an offer at the end of the week (just needed a few more questions answered) and the price was raised $15K. Obviously, the fact that it’s a serious buyer’s market where I’m looking hasn’t gotten through to the seller yet. It is August, right?
There’s more to the story, but too much drama for me! (Please don’t mention the city, Jim or “clearfund”). I highly doubt I’ll even make the offer now.
I’m in the middle of some exquisite red wine, so tomorrow morning I may ask you to delete this post. I’m off to bed; who knows what tomorrow will bring in real estate land.
Seriously, JtR, I don’t know how you’ve done this for over 25 years and kept your sanity…
Unrelated, but FYI…
http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/vulture-investors-are-back-and-making-a-bundle
A veteran real estate broker and investor, he has switched from buying mostly foreclosures and repossessions to short sales almost exclusively. That’s because the inventory of distressed properties available in Vegas is way down, to about a two-week supply.
“The banks make better profits with short sales, so they’re not foreclosing,” Plantone said. “They’ve switched staff to processing short sales and they’ve gotten faster at processing them.”
***
Since prices have fallen about 70% in some Vegas communities and rents have only declined by about 20%, it’s possible for his investors, who are cash buyers, to make money from the first month the homes are rented.
“We’re getting cash flow (net return on investment) of 12% to 14%,” he said.
***
It’s the income from rentals that’s paramount right now.
The beauty of cash flow, of course, is that even if the prices decline another 10% or 20%, the investors should be able to live with that.
“I tell them to plan on holding for five years,” he said. “With cash flow, there’s no need to worry about price drops.”
You do good work here, Jim. I went over to the TAB and scanned it. The picture of all the unlabeled lockboxes is great. I may have to add that to my list of “Ways to know your listing agent is costing you money.”
Ditto comment #5, except for the part about having to cross state lines to hit the beach. I come here as much for the expert comments as I do for the original posts.
And which of the other two blogs have regular readers in South Africa?
Your cynical sense of humor is unmatched, Jim! 🙂
This is the only Realtor’s blog I read. Thanks for keeping it up, Jim!
And what other REblog features ice-cream trucks? I rest my case.