I could not feel more certain about this conclusion:
Here’s What’s Coming
11 Comments

Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group
Are you looking for an experienced agent to help you buy or sell a home?
Contact Jim the Realtor!
- 682 S. Coast Hwy 101, Suite #110
Encinitas, CA 92024 - (858) 997-3801 call or text
- klingerealty@gmail.com
CA DRE #01527365, CA DRE #00873197
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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
If you want to consider one fact to back it up, know that the El Camino Creek Elementary School in La Costa Valley had 4-6 kindergarten classes at the peak.
In Fall 2023, there will be one class of 31 kindergarten students out of 1,073 houses.
Could ther be a surge of inventory – YES, and it would be very exciting. If 2-3 more houses hit the open market in La Costa Valley it will be very entertaining. Two are known and there wil be more.
I have one coming, and a Plan 4 in the Davidson tract will be listing for $2.7-ish. Buckle up.
Here’s another angle. If you own the house + even if you don’t but have a small mortgage it makes more sense to rent it out + move somewhere else cheaper + let someone else pay it off for you and/or create an income stream.
Instead of kids on bikes, La Costa Valley streets will be overrun by seniors on scooters. Won’t be long before they turn the soon-to-be-abandoned elementary school into medical offices. That’s where you catch up with your neighbors to discuss your latest medical procedure and how your last Zoom call with the kids and grandkids went, who live 1,000 miles away because they can’t afford San Diego.
Wow I just kind of depressed myself there.
Your analysis makes sense, but what I don’t understand is what caused the acceleration in the past 2 years.
I get it, empty nesters will sit tight for the next 5-10 years, but this kind of behavior was there also in the past 5-10 years. Furthermore, if they downsize they are looking for smaller/cheaper units. The fact that they don’t move should remove pressure from the entry market, but your weekly stats show that there is basically no <1.5M inventory.
Yes, the inventory was in a downtrend trajectory in the past 10y, but it has been dramatic in the past 2y. I really don't understand other factors at play here.
Investors? For sure, but house flippers seems almost out of the game in 2023 and the latest news point to large investors being net sellers of SFH.
I really have a hard time to explain the number we see
Between the population outflows, asset-rich boomers paying nothing in property taxes, and loss of tax revenue from commercial real estate, CitiBank predicts CA state income tax will rise from 17.5% by 2026 / middle bracket (115k) to 13.75%.
You might be able to get 2k a month from an ADU now, but 10 years from now?
Yes, the inventory was in a downtrend trajectory in the past 10y, but it has been dramatic in the past 2y. I really don’t understand other factors at play here.
The allure of the big payday was real for many. Maybe their numbers have been winding down, and virtually all of them have all left by now?
The scarcity itself likely discourages potential sellers.
Once you’re gone, you can never come back. Hey hey, my my.
Spot-on Jim. Every owner has refi’d to an ultra low rate, is enjoying a low tax basis via Prop 13, gets everything delivered to home, scared of COVID and its future iterations. Extreme weather around the country sours the pallet for moving out-of-state. Coastal SD is end game and everyone knows it. If you’ve lived or have moved from the Bay Area, you know this area is still undervalued.
Jim, who has been buying houses here over the past 3 years? Bay Area transplants? VPs and Directors? Doctors & Lawyers? Rich out-of-state retirees?
The buyers of the LCV home closing tomorrow are both doctors, and Bay Area transplants and rich retirees make up the rest.
The only hope regular people have is if parents or grandparents give them a huge down payment to make the mortgage payments more reasonable. But any coastal house has a minimum $1500 per month in property tax so the money is flowing. Hope you don’t have to make many repairs!