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.
Your story proves one thing, JtR. You’re simply the best! You have extraordinary phone and negotiating skills and always put your client’s best interest first.
Thank you Susie!
The sellers got what they wanted (quick sale, over listing), the buyers got what they wanted (a house they loved and not having to go into a bidding war). Win-win!
No nonsense. Honesty. Integrity.
Jim, Kayla and Donna are simply the best!
Why list with the rest? List with the best!
If people are making offers $50,000 to $60,000 over list price why aren’t agents listing the properties $30,000 to $50,000 higher?
If people are making offers $50,000 to $60,000 over list price why aren’t agents listing the properties $30,000 to $50,000…
It is literally easier to go up than down on price….but you have to know how to do it. To start with, the list price has to be attractive enough that buyers get excited right away.
Important facts we considered:
1. If we would have sold at list price ($1,199,000), it would have been the highest ever in the history of the complex.
2. The last model-match comp was $1,135,000 and it sold nine days before we hit the MLS.
3. This house appeared to help but at the time it was still a relatively-new listing with only 14 days on market when we listed. He has a flashy $200,000 in upgrades but 615sf smaller and darker:
http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-170023935-6999_Sweetwater_Carlsbad_CA_92011
It is still for sale, so there appears to be some resistance – not everything is selling.
4. We bet on the staging to make the difference. See video.
5. My recommended list price had been $1,099,000 as recently as March 29.
Sellers have enjoyed a brilliant 2017 spring selling season!
We could have listed for $1,250,000 and could have easily still been sitting around. It is the art of the deal.
I have been following your blog for a long time and own/live in Waters End. (Wish I would have known about you when I bought.) Happy that you sold fast and over listing although disappointed there was no open house as I planned on stopping by to introduce myself. I closely watch the houses for sale in my neighborhood (and in SW Carlsbad) and the services you provided for this seller (and your other clients) is amazing. Even though I do not plan on selling for a long time, I plan on using your services when I do.
By the way, your vendor recommendations are great. I have used them for flooring, screens, etc. Thank you.
Thanks AMM, I’m looking forward to the day!