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.
That is one of the most poorly laid out houses I have ever seen. Small rooms, odd angles, and most of the bedrooms in the basement. The decor is appalling, or should I say “taste specific.” I don’t think it will sell unless a big discount for a complete redo is baked in.
It’s ‘custom’.
They paid $3.6 in Jan, 2006.
I’m inclined to agree with “Another Investor.” The house looks a bit creepy, it will not be cheap to redo the kitchen so it’s less “custom” and the basement is just a deal-killer in that price point.
Plus, how long will that sliver of ocean view last? Someone could build something to block it, right?
The location is awesome, but for $2.5+ million, I think people expect more than just square footage.
I like the house and, I don’t think it would be too hard to remove the umm, unique decor choices of the previous owner.
Refinishing the kitchen cabinets is a straight forward process that, speaking from personal experience, even a novice do-it-yourselfer could handle.
As for the master bath wallpaper, well, changing that is tedious but, also strait forward.
I will give you that the price is pretty steep and, I would have recommended to the owner that changing the kitchen cabinet and master bath wallpaper to a more neutral finish would help sell the property.
The location is amazing! You can hear the waves! But that’s all I liked about it.
I don’t disagree with you often, JtR, but without a huge price drop, I don’t think it’s gonna sell. Let’s see who’s right on this particular home. I’m guessing it will go for $1.995 million…
But $2.5 million is starter-home entry level for this neighborhood.
P.S. The 5 br/6 ba 7,304 sf Del Mar Castle built in 1926 on 2 acres across the street was sold by Tony R in 1998 for $2,100,000. It was on the market for six months, on the value-range $2.5 to $3.4.