I represented the seller, a blog reader:
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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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Trustindex 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!!!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 ‘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. 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.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 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. 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.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 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 love those handscraped HW floors. Any thoughts on whether travertine is more “high class” than that wood?
I imagine the sellers owned the condo outright in order to provide the seller financing?I guess those situations are out there but it seems like most people have a mortgage on their house when they go to sell.
Are many existing loans out there assumable anymore?
seems like that interest number equated to about a 5.5% interest rate (i/o 5 yr balloon). Better than a CD and pretty generous/fair rate on a private note by the buyer.
Smart move on their part since they didn’t seem to need the liquid capital.
Are they the original owners? IF so, recall what the original price was in 96/97?
Jeeman – I think the distressed wood would work great with your particular home vs the travertine.
The pre-distressed engineered woods are exceptional these days. No need to get the old fashioned inch thick hardwood floors.
ps: Jeeman, in our RSF product we always considered the wood a higher end choice vs travertine.
Big money for a condo. Who would have ever guessed Canadians would buy up all our properties.
I agree about the wood preferred vs travertine.
Travertine has a more formal, museum-like look – where hardwoods can range from stately-looking to casual/friendly.
I’m going to visit my friends at: http://oceanside.abbeycarpet.com/default.aspx
and see if we can get some examples on video.
Are they the original owners? IF so, recall what the original price was in 96/97?
It sold for $206,500 in 1996.
Seller paid $384,000 in 2001. (+86%)
Buyers paid $640,000 in 2010. (+67%)
Nice return for them.I wonder what the place was worth at the height of market?
I went to my friend’s house in La Jolla…$4M on LJ Scenic Drive. It was all light colored hand-scraped wood floors. It’s also going to not get freezing cold either, which is a plus.
I think the hand-scraped is a must. I think we are leaning stately-looking wood.
We have travatino in the kitchen, family room, all bathrooms, the immediate entrance, the laundry room. We have cherry wood floors in my dads office, the living and dining room, the bedrooms…basically everywhere else. Our floors are lighter in apperance and not one shade….I think they’re pretty cool. The only carpet we babe is the upstairs loft and guest bedroom and that carpet is nice.
And the general rule of thumb is to never have more than 2 types of flooring in a house, correct? I saw that in a previous JtR video.
Agreed with you on #12…
Never want to SEE more than two types of flooring at a time.
A marble entry, hardwood main areas, and carpet in bedrooms works OK because they are spread apart.
I think my house is violating that rule. Tile and hardwood downstairs, but carpet on the stairs. I didn’t really want hard flooring for the stairs, and I wanted tile for the entryway and kitchen.
You don’t see the carpet anyway because nobody goes upstairs. But the stairs are wood also. Personally, I don’t like that type of wood. I like it smooth.
Well,
We have 5 in total, but it’s 3300 sq ft single story 60’s vintage. There is only one spot in the house where you can see more than 2 types, though; more or less.
I think it looks fine, and frankly, you have to exclude bathrooms when talking 2 in total for the house. I’m not putting wood in a bathroom, and not carpet… so…
chuck
Chuck