You can spend $30,000 on an open house, but the price still has to be right:
Read the full article here:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-open-house-goes-over-the-top-1424969962
You can spend $30,000 on an open house, but the price still has to be right:
Read the full article here:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-open-house-goes-over-the-top-1424969962
Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group
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CA DRE #01527365, CA DRE #00873197
Karen PhillipsJune 13, 2025Trustindex 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!!! Jesse O'HaraJune 12, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A+ thank you Lisa TuomiJune 11, 2025Trustindex 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. 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!Load more
I’m on the fence about this kind of thing. Does spending this kind of money on a party really bring in buyers? Who’s trying to impress? The owner? The agent?
Maybe I’d do it if this was the kind of culture the area had, house parties and such.
I’ve never had the kind of money that buys 30k house parties just for people to mingle. Maybe at that level it actually makers sense.
If the price is attractive, buyers will come anyway.
The auction with no reserve is even more attractive, as gimmicks go.
This morning on twitter I see that the RSF auction yesterday was live-streamed. Did anyone see the outcome?
Wish I had seen the livestreamed RSF auction yesterday, Jim. I came over to bubbleinfo to see if it sold and for what price…
It’s pending in the MLS so they have a winner. We may have to wait until it closes (if…) to find out the price.
$30,000 to motivate agents to promote the house to get the commission.
Does it take that much $$ to motivate agents?
Reminds me of what one agent (we didn’t use) said to us a long time ago: “I’m not going to sell your home, the mls is going to sell it.”
What happened to (location + quality of home + price) = commission for agent?
In my limited experience, the best agents looked at each home as a real opportunity based on those variables.
It would also be interesting to see what type of buyer this party approach attracts. Investors or buyers interested in living in the home?
All of these events are for one purpose – they are used by the listing agents to get other listings.
We call it, “Buying the Business”.
Rather than tell the truth and educate about the importance of sharp pricing, agents resort to showy marketing pieces to impress sellers. It started out with putting you in Dream Home Magazine, and now look what it’s turned into – a very expensive mess.
Now it’s just a beauty show, and whichever agent has the shiniest schtick gets the listing.
$30,000!? I really doubt this would bring in enough to justify how expensive of a party that was.
“All of these events are for one purpose – they are used by the listing agents to get other listings.” -JtR
You’re so right, Jim! It’s like the reverse of regular open houses where an agent is there for the sole purpose of finding prospective buyers.
If I was selling a multi-million dollar home, I’d want my agent to forget the 3-ring circus of a huge open house party and give me research, comps, knowledge, etc. to help me get a listing price that would get prospective buyers in the door and get the transaction closed. I’d also want a realtor (ie Jim) who has top-notch negotiation skills in closing the deal.
When would we have a party? When that baby is sold…