My buyers offered full price for this house on the first day, and we were fifth out of five offers. One buyer included the escalation clause, which meant he was willing to pay $1,000 over the highest bid.
It’s not a great way to determine the winner if you look at it logically – wouldn’t any buyer pay $1,000 over? Instead, the sellers decided to sign a $1,230,000 offer the first night, which was literally $51,000 over list price.
These sold in the high-$400,000s when new in 1998.
Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group
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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 âas isâ and just get it over with. They gave us a selling price for âas isâ 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 couldnât 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 â 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 â 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 Jimâs 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 canât 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 âcan doâ 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 Donnaâs organized guidance through the inspections, paperwork etc made the whole process seem effortless. So grateful that I had them on my side!Trustindex 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.Load more
And you still think this isn’t a bubble??
I haven’t changed my name, have I! đ
Every sale we’ve been involved with lately (last few years) have been with buyers who paid all-cash, or had big down payments. The 20% down-payment is in the minority. It makes you believe that no matter what happens, the buyers are long-termers, and expect to stay forever.
If we go back to the last boom, which was initially fueled by the new 2 out of 5 years tax-free benefit (which at the time was unheard of), all I did was help my own clients move up every two years. Today, no one does that.
There is a scarcity factor that needs to be inserted into the equation, and combine that with age, it creates a nasty cocktail. You can’t take it with you, and many well-to-do folks are willing to pay whatever it takes to get what they want. The value of money is dropping steadily, compared to quality housing.
Where’s all the cash coming from? Easy margin debt, investors/syndicators getting lines of credit, techies borrowing against options. My guess.
I can only comment on my own experience. None of the buyers involved in my sales are in those categories.
I do have a flip coming up shortly, but it was all hard-earned cash invested, not borrowed.
If you hang around guys like Tom who deal in the fast-paced flipper world, it probably has a sexy component to it that includes quick money/profits. But those are the minority – I am a retail realtor and can speak for the masses.
This is nothing compared to the action on Lily Pl in Spinnaker Hill (92011). 1700 sqft of total gut job, fixer-upper with Mold, ripped out drywalls and pre-historic appliances being sold As-is.
Listed for $1.25M and got more than 20+ offers. Several all cash and higher than list price. Its currently in pending status. Selling price is probably upwards of $750/sqft (before ripping out and rebuilding) … and this is in SW Carlsbad (92011) and not in La Jolla or DelMar.
Nothing? I think it was something.
There was one on Seacrest too that had 11 offers on it. There is no shortage of demand for the premium locations.
Khurana – you’re not still looking, are you? Haven’t you been in the hunt since 2007?
I meant “nothing” in a relative sense … Lily Pl is a total fixer upper gut job when compared to Windflower and Seacrest (Turnkey properties).
I agree no shortage of genuine demand for the premium locations.
Yes I have been looking since 2008 .. perfect example of what “Not-To-Do” … All this time I had been waiting for prices to comedown and bubble to pop … looking back it seems we have genuine demand and can easily sustain these “bubble” prices … especially on the coast.
Have you been working with a buyer’s agent all this time?
How close have you been to buying something?
Seems demand for quality housing is really really high right now just about everywhere in Southern California. Not enough people are willing to sell and cash out because of the property tax implications from Prop 13. Either that, or all the good locations are totally built out and the only places for new housing require infill development or building out in the subobtimal locations.
What level of new housing development what northern San Diego County need to fill the demand for housing there is right now? 5,000 units a year?
Until the stock market unloads, it’s “streets ahead” for the real estate market.
If our general economic strategy is as simple as kissing winner butt, and mocking losers, Trump seems to be making all the right moves to ensure a stable stock market for awhile. He danced with the Saudis, i.e. winnersâand mocked Merkel, and the weird little French guyâwho are leaders in losing.
Saudi’s, Russia, and Chinese can move our stock markets. The EU can hardly move their bowels without crossing their eyes first. If knowing what side our bread is buttered is generally all it takes, again, it’s “streets ahead”!
According to the CPI Inflation Calculator, $475k back in 1998 has the same buying power as $718,743.19 today.
Also, the average mortgage rate back in Jan. 1998 was about 7%, today it’s about 4%. So, lower interest rates could also be pushing up the price.