In the end we’ll have a series of videos on what to look out for when buying a home – the focus in this segment is living near a school:
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Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group
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- 682 S. Coast Hwy 101, Suite #110
Encinitas, CA 92024 - (858) 997-3801 call or text
- klingerealty@gmail.com
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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
Jtr,
Great tip about the cell phone reception. I have recently rid myself of the extra bill for home phone. I am acutely aware of that with my customers, and it is so easy to check.
Loved seeing the Google Maps Car at the end. You will have to search that out and find yourself, wonder what the lapse is between taping and being on the map?
Stellar advice as always, Jim! What I admire the most about you (beyond your absolute integrity) is your role as a trusted adviser and not just a guy going for the quick commission in real estate land. Keep up the good work!
Um, has the Google Map Car replaced the ol’ ice cream truck?
Will we see any JtR crazy antics when the street view comes out?
something akin to this?
http://gizmodo.com/5468300/absurd-mysteries-scuba-divers-chase-google-street-view-car
At what cross streets did you drive by the Google car? We’ll look for you on the next Google map update.
The cell phone reception issue is interesting.Arent they constantly adding new towers in areas to make reception better?
Jim
Maybe Google Maps could have a cell phone reception overlay?
joe,
I live in Rose Canyon (NW Clairemont). There’s a cell phone antenna farm on the other side of the canyon on Soledad Mtn. My cell phone coverage sucks in my house. I get one bar with Verizon and no sevice with AT&T. No one plans to add any towers around me.
The cell phone companies are slowly coming out with femtocells. These are devices that plug into your home internet router and cover your house with cell phone reception. Verizon’s product is called the Network Extender and it works reasonably well. With these products available cell phone coverage isn’t such a big issue.
Good video Jim. Living near a school is a plus for me (but I’ll always take a 5% discount)! Carlsbad High looks like a beautiful schoool. I love the open space and the energy of the kids, fall football, band practice, etc. I never fail to be able to root through the trash and pick out a big gulp cup to rinse in the water fountain and give my dog a drink. And although I don’t really mind a busier street (as kids are grown now) the freeway is a dealbreaker.
Kingside,
Looks like DC *does* require formal recording of transfers…
MERS Catfight in DC: Parse This One Carefully
I used to live on Roan Rd. Coming home, I would always warn people that I would be disconnected. I thought it was just Sprint, but it was all the phone services.
Inside our house, we were doing better, since it was on top of the hill, but we still had disconnects because we were roughly equidistant between two towers. Our signal would hop between the two until an eventual disconnect.
Besides that, I liked Park Village. The houses were about 2100 sqft, basic layouts, and the neighbors kept to themselves. Alot of investment property there, as for rent signs continually popped up.
I live between a high school and a elementary school. The high school is a problem not due to parking, but mainly with trash thrown in my yard (and some graffiti, although that may not be directly high school related). The elementary school is a problem due to traffic issues-there’s a complete traffic jam at 8:30 in the morning when parents drop their kids off. Fortuantly, I’m already out of the house by that time, but if I needed to leave at that time, it would be extremely annoying. (The main car entrance to the high school is on another street, so that’s not a problem, although there is a little problem on nights with football games.)
My wife and I happened to buy a home close enough to easily walk to the elementary school (but not on the same street as the school so as to avoid traffic). Not having children at the time we bought, we didn’t know how convenient it would be for not only everyday school, but for after school activities as well (parent/teacher conferences, science night, PTA, movie night, Halloween parade, etc.)
Also many of the weekday sports practices and weekend games are scheduled at the nearby park, also at walking distance across from the school.
It’s been a huge bonus that I had no idea about when we first bought our home.
T.J,
I am always skeptical of AG’s who put out press releases about the law without citing the language of the law they are talking about. Press releases are not enforcement actions, and even if they begin an enforcement action, if they are disputed they are decided by judges, not AGs.
Do we happen to be in a political season? Naw, couldn’t be.
My son just finished CHS, yes the traffic there in the morning and afternoon is an absolute nightmare. It was a pain to drop him off pick him up from school.
Also, I heard from people who have housing facing canyons insurance is a big problem, since canyons attract fires.
Yes, it is getting increasingly difficult to buy house insurance living on a canyon.
Jim, what do you think of homes near a freeway but that don’t get the noise themselves. Thinking specifically of ones along the 56 freeway in CV (Palacio, off Carmel Country road). Would all the homes have a depressed price, since the comps include ones that get the noise and if so, would it be a good deal to buy one in that development if it doesn’t get the noise itself?