All builders are required by law to give a 10-year structural warranty on their new homes, which usually causes new-home buyers to let their guard down. While it is prudent to get quality representation when buying a new house – in these cases, it’s imperative:
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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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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! Anu KobergJuly 13, 2024Trustindex 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. Bjorn IsachsenJuly 10, 2024Trustindex 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... Chris SheaJune 21, 2024Trustindex 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
He’s been all over the City of Encinitas lately – we need more watch dogs!
http://www.theleucadiablog.com/2011/07/easy-to-please-simpleton-writes.html
W.C Varones is too:
http://encinitasundercover.blogspot.com/
The Coast News:
http://thecoastnews.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Is+City+Council+spinning+the+truth-%20&id=14875381
Call this guy and he can start gathering evidence for future litigation.
http://www.constructiondefects.com/Firm-Profile/Thomas-E-Miller.aspx
They did the same thing (7 feet under) at the Tustin Marine base, where they built “columbus grove/Tustin fields”. They actually have a rider in the contracts saying that buyers agree never to plant trees with edible fruit.
Didn’t appear to slow down sales (the $1M prices did that)
When we lived in Rockville, MD at the King Farms development, a condo (I think) burned during the construction process. The developers kept the old foundation and rebuilt on it. I really wondered about the wisdom of that at the time.
I’ll answer your question, Jim. My answer is a resounding No! My late husband died of cancer; I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. If surrounding neighbors already have gotten sick with the pesticides buried just 7 feet under, that trumps any
real estate agent’s sales pitch and/or promises that it’s safe.
It will be interesting to see how the Grand Opening goes…
That is just CRAZY. No way would I do it. Wow. How could anyone do it? Unbelievable. Might as well build a house on an old gas station lot, too, while you’re at it. NUTS!
Intersting trivia…Agent Orange is/was a pesticide.
Pesticide agents were very non-selective (meaning they didn’t distinguish between plant and animals very well)up until the 50’s or 60’s.
Pesticide use was also not regulated very well until around the 70’s.
I personally would treat that area as nuclear soil.
I would also add that the EPA didn’t exist until 1970. “The solution to pollution is dilution” was one of their early philosophies.
Does anyone know if this site was tested for eligibility as a Superfund site?
Shades of Love Canal. Of course part of a solution, but I am sure that would not be allowed is to pave the entire lot with concrete no soil exposed. One short stop, again I suspect not allowed would be no grass just various sized rocks laid down. If nothing is growing then the stuff will stay. Note on a superfund site near where I used to live in Houston, it was 20 feet of clay over top of the pesticides (it was a plant to make them), and then fence the area in.
If buyers never have pesky insects around… and the lot is raised 7′ for more ocean view….I’d say it’s a trade off.
My answer is no, I would never live on a toxic dump. Just as I would not live in the “freeway estates” off of poinsettia. The prevailing wind off the ocean blowing all the toxins and brake dust from the cars into your home from the 1000’s of cars each day would be a deal breaker, never mind the noise!
Where are the “freeway estates?”
Kudos on Lyle for pointing out Love Canal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Canal
The worst part about Love Canal is that the city of Niagara Falls still bought the land even after Hooker Chemicals (the company that used the site as a toxic waste dump) HAD WARNED the city of what was in the canal! All 21,000 tons of it!
The city still bought the now filled canal, and built houses on top. Later, heavy rainfalls and pressure from construction forced the chemicals out of the ground, making everyone sick.
It’s incredible how easily and how frequently history repeats itself.
To your point, Francois #13, “If we don’t learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it.”…
Thanks to DS for sending this in:
Fullerton Settles for $2.5 Million on McColl Dump
March 20, 1986 | JERRY HICKS, Times Staff Writer
The City of Fullerton has agreed to pay $2.5 million to the 141 families near the McColl hazardous waste dump who have claimed in numerous lawsuits that someone should have warned them that the landfill was not safe. The city is the first of the three major defendants in the McColl case to settle with the families. The other two are the developers that built the tracts: the J.F. Shea Co. and the William Lyon Co.
http://articles.latimes.com/1986-03-20/local/me-21620_1_fullerton-city-council
So how will they handle the sales? Two ideas:
#1 – Ignore the problem, and hope buyers don’t check the internet.
They have fixed the problem to city specs, and could say that it’s solved. If the buyers don’t question it much, and are in love with the values, then they’ll sell.
#2 – Pack the sales trailer with scientists, reports, other similar tracts, etc. Bring on the full look – thick glasses, calculators, pocket protectors, etc., and talk about it openly. If they sell a house to the president or other staffer it would help too; but of course we’ve seen those get foreclosed regularly after the fact.
And another example of toxic issues — going back nearly 30 years or so — the infamous Stringfellow Acit Pits in the lovely community of Glen Avon (near Riverside):
http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_W_whal29.2cc9879.html
The thing is that it’s not just this development. All of the developments (Nantucket, the newer ones on La Costa Ave & the big lot on Ashbury/Vulcan)….ALL were greenhouses at one time.
And somehow the first two all sold (well not the second Nantucket, but that’s not done yet).
I worked on both the McColl and Stringfellow cases in the 90’s. The insurance company paying the bills was named Stonewall Insurance. Always got a laugh at hearings.
Isn’t the builder obligated to put this sort of stuff in the disclosures?
Yes, seller will disclose.
It’ll be on page 42, paragraph 88.B1, in 8-point type size.
The more pages and the smaller the type size, the more important it is to read it!
Note to rookie wanna-be buyers: Read ALL seller disclosures no matter how many pages or how small the type size. Even more important, hire JtR to represent you…
Ditto that, susie.
@Profhoff:
Not sure if the poster had a specific development in mind, but you can google-map “Poinsettia Lane, Carlsbad, CA” and scroll out till you can see the I-5 on the map. You will see there are many “freeway estates” to choose from….