Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group
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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
I’m still trying to figure out how many of these super rich folks are out there.
Certainly there are plenty of upper income professionals that should be able to handle a million dollar price tag on homes. But another $1000 per month on fees is something else entirely. These would have to be either business types or duel income physicians, income would have to be around $500k.
Aw Jim, you’ve officially gone to the dogs with these last few videos. Nice work.
Those Davidsons were beautiful, and more what I’d be looking for in a new home – rid of the useless formal rooms, in favor of one grand living space. The only negative is the overall square footage, more than I’d want to care for. The economic downturn killed this small business owner, that makes these beyond the scope.
Based on Davidson’s recent remarks, I’ll have to settle for our current digs, or look else where for a downsized dream.
Arista has been opened for three weeks, and sold 10 of 13 – with the leftovers being the most inferior locations.
My guess? One-third will be second-home (or third-home, etc.) buyers.
Makes sense. Big shot from LA adding a vacation home in SD for the weekend golfing escape.
@Ocrenter
I have wondered for a long time now how deep the buyer pool is/was for the high end properties and clearly it looks deep. I suspect the down payments are very large (>30%??) which would offset the high HOAs and MRs.
For those that are buying these as their 2nd or 3rd homes, then it is safe to assume that the first house is probably paid off.
I think it would be safe to say we are looking at the ultra high end, instead of high end. In that scenario, you include the LA/OC pool of that group and suddenly the pool of buyers get a lot bigger. And judging by LA/OC standards, 3000 sqft home in most exclusive neighborhood of a vacation destination like SD for less than a million is a bargain.
Ocrenter,
I’m curious about your numbers. For a million dollar home, you say the typical buyers should have an income of around $500K.
Let’s say someone puts down 20%, the loan would be $800K. At around 5% interest, that’s a $4K monthly payment. Seems to me that annual income of 250K would be adequate. $300K would definitely be enough, right?
I know a fair number of dual income families making 250-300K.
250k to 300k would be fine for homes in the $1 million range.
It is the high fees that separate this group from the next leg up, the half million annual income club.
Marginal tax rate above the 250k level is at 43-45%. Lets say someone pulls in 350k, that extra 100k ends up being just 55k after tax. Would someone in that position really be willing to give up 20% of that post tax dollar to 12k of fees that contribute absolutely nothing to tax deduction?
People in this group would rather get a higher priced home, aka 1.25 million, since the extra $1000 in mortgage at least can go toward tax deduction, which is vital when the marginal rate at this level is so high.
So you have to go higher on the income group. You have to get to a point where spending $1000 per month of non-deductible post tax dollar really doesn’t matter that much. And that is the level around the half million income group.
Put it to you this way, the $1k MR/HOA is the elite’s way of keeping these $250-300k dual income riffraffs out. 🙂
Ocrenter,
OK, I think you are saying that some people in the 250-300K income group would not want to spend $1K monthly on MR/HOA.
But people in that group could afford the $1K monthly fees. I know of several people in that income group that live in Santaluz, Crosby, and the Lakes.
I’m looking at combination of $1 million and $1k monthly. Which is a stretch for this 250-300k group. People in this group do live in Santaluz, Crosby, and the Lakes. I know them personally as well. And they are stretched thin. One guy I know is always doing extra work to keep up with the bills. Except because of the marginal rate at this level, they end up having to do a lot more extra work to earn the same post tax return.
At this income category, you would think some of these guys would know better.
@ OCrenter#9
Damnit! Now you’ve let the secret out!