Hat tip to Mags for sending this in – an old story about this property, written in 1992:
http://articles.latimes.com/1992-08-27/news/vw-6593_1_canyon-homes
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Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group
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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. 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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. 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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 hate everything about these homes: location, design, build, materials, price.
This looks like 80’s modern combined with southern California environmentalist.
Houses like this that aren’t in places like Palm Springs or Sedona where it doesn’t rain that much seem like they’d be a pain to keep the windows clean.
I agree on the price.
Also something to think about… What are all the rest of the houses going to look like when they’re developed? It’s really hard to get multiple modern houses to maintain a type of flow.
1. I like the general Asian modern/Dwell look.
2. Thank goodness there’s an elevator.
3. Cinderblocks!!!
4. I’ve seen Norwegian prison cells that were cozier than that kid’s bedroom with cinderblock walls.
5. I like the views of interior courtyard landscaping. That’s nice.
6. No privacy! And if you cover the windows, you lose the whole point of this kind of modern, lots-of-windows look.
7. The wood floors warm it up. The carpeted and tiled areas are depressing and claustrophobic.
8. It’s in good condition, but very few people would want to live in it as-is, which makes the price problematic.
9. Agreed about the problem of the vacant lots that could turn into anything, the cheap finishes, bizarre vertical floorplan and the family unfriendliness of this set-up. This is more a 1980s super villain’s lair (for super villains who don’t care about privacy).
To sum up, interesting, but the price and the verticality of this property would make more sense if it were ocean-view. There’s no particular reason to live in this house at this location.
Jim, I emailed you about these over two years ago, but they were MLS-listed at the time so you didn’t want to cover them on the blog. Glad to finally see the inside. Was wondering how they could justify the price ($3.5M per house back then). Answer is they couldn’t, and nobody bit.
What’s so strange is that these are in a neighborhood of houses in the 600s and 700s. And those houses directly behind these (up the hill) that you pointed to look like they have better lots. I would think it would be hard to sell a million dollar house in this neighborhood, no matter how fancy they house itself is.
Overpriced Ikeapalooza.
Jim, thanks for answering the age old question of why the jailhouse look never took off.
Back in 2003 (maybe 2004) we put an offer on the house across the street–1st one in from the gate. It was designed by Rob Quigly Wellington, who has designed many high profile public projects around town-Solana Beach Transit center/Downtown Children’s Museum/New Downtown Library/Etc… http://www.robquigley.com. The house was on the market for around 90 days when we ran across in on the MLS. The day we put our offer in it went into escrow–sold for mid $900’s. I think was a steal at that price, of course we love the Dwell modern look.
Like others here, the first thing to popped in to my head was that place reminds me of a prison cell. Way overpriced.
The military jets are a big negative as well.
I like modern, but don’t find this attractive at all. Interior bathrooms with no natural light or ventilation? No go for me— at any price!
Crazy pricing…how much do you think the owner/builder has sunk into the houses, considering the land was basically free? I guess vertical living costs more.
I’d buy that for 900k.
Owing to the elegant dorm room motif, i’d say it looks like a house originally intended for twenty-something twits with significant stock options from Qualcomm.
On the other hand, this would make a perfect dorm for a few Qualcomm interns, just pack 1-4 to each room with bunk beds and computer desks …IF the price was right 🙂 Cinderblocks rule!
Glad to finally see the interior of one of these 🙂