In the peak 2005-2006 era, there was only one house that sold under $1.5 million in Rancho Santa Fe’s Covenant.
Two Covenant houses have sold under $1.0 million in the last week – both on Via de la Valle.
Here’s a tour of one of them:
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Jim Klinge
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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
Here is the other sale, closed for $950,000:
http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100015127-92067
I like the one at 16905 a lot better because it is set further back off the street and fixing cosmetics is a lot easier than moving the house.
I’m starting to see more and more free rent deadbeats being foreclosed on. One of my coworkers at one time owned 3 houses. Today he’s lost them all and is in the final forclosure stages on the house he’s living in.
Bring on the inventory and raise interest rates through the roof. People like me that have savings and live debt free are tired of competing with debt lovers for assets.
Move out the deadbeats and bring on the inventory indeed! But interest rates ain’t goin nowhere for some time.
Besides, shadash, if you believe the hyperinflation meme, the best course is to buy as much hard asset as you can with fixed rate debt.
Sean, I never said I believe that interest rates are going to go up anytime soon. I just want them to go up to start rewarding the savers over the spenders. Also I don’t believe interest rates are directly tied to inflation. The federal reserve dictates interest rates and the federal reserve is just a bunch of elected representitives from different banks in different parts of the US. Inflation means nothing to the federal reserve when it comes to deciding interest rates. It all comes down to is what interest rate makes federal reserve banks the most amount of money.
case schiller numbers are in…
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100525/ap_on_bi_ge/us_home_prices
Honestly, I do not get who would pay $925k for that home which is ON Via De La Valle and under power lines for a sub par home?
So what if it is in the Covenant, I could never let my kids play in the front yard as a car is destined to come flying in one day.
The real estate fundamentals make zero sense to me. Guess I’m old fashioned.
I totally agree clearfund that is something even price can’t fix IMHO.
What’s the big deal, or perceived big deal, about being in the covenant as opposed to vanilla RSF?
clearfund,
That property came on the market a week after we moved in. For about 2 minutes, I thought, “uhoh”, but then I saw all the faults with the property. Sure, the land is all flat, and it’s under a mil, but like you said, you gotta make sure you stay safely on the property, burn rubber trying to get out of your driveway, and hope you don’t grow a third nut living underneath those power lines.
But for $925k maybe someone could live with that.
justme,
The benefit is 80% psychological. I’ve gotten the response of, “oh, RSF? But you don’t live in the *REAL* RSF (i.e. Covenant), do you?”
The other 20% benefits are real…like the public schools that are the closest to being private as possible, and being members of the country club, etc. Those benefits could be moot if you don’t take advantage of them. You want status? Covenant and FBR gives you status for those who care. For those who don’t, RSF in general is fine.
What the covenant provides is a painful HOA / art committee should you want to remodel.
Enjoy all that status and all the painful people it brings
Oh, also, this property doesn’t have any view AND isn’t secluded. Atleast one or the other is pretty much expected inside the Covenant.
Anon, yes, that could be a pain. Just don’t expect to get anything done quickly.
Jeeman, I am curious what is your opinion of 16905 Via De La Valle (the one that closed at 950k)?
Jeeman, I can see good schools and country clubbing a worthwhile benefit, assuming its a happening club.
pemeliza,
If I had a max of $1M to spend on a house, and had to decide between a 3k sqft Carmel Valley new home or that old 1970s ranch in the Covenant, I’d choose the latter. With $1.2M or more to spend, I’d hold out for a better location in the Covenant and finding a desperate buyer who has listed at $1.5M.
The power lines run over the property, although not over the house. If I only had $900k, then I would spring for that property. Eventually I would tear down and rebuild, but if it’s livable right now, I might have gone for it.
The problem with the listing is it has 3 pictures of the front of the house and 2 pictures of the bushes. Yeesh, they weren’t even trying to sell the house.
Covenant vs. Non covenant isn’t a big issue because to each his own.
its just very important to clarify when it comes to values as an appraiser will adjust comps appropriately (typically placing some level of premium on the covenant parcel vs non-covenant parcel).
Just like comparing in Carlsbad where you are in the Cbad schools or San Marcos schools which can happen in the same neighborhood (i.e. la costa greens).
ps: club is not ‘happening’ but very solid and historical for golf and tradition…would trade my nearby golf membership in a moment’s notice.
Speaking of golf, Jeeman, dusted off the clubs yet???
Shadash, I agree. Fed actions are a symptom, not a cause. We may get inflation, but it won’t be because of the Fed. Deflation is more likely IMHO. I also think think the Fed can’t hold rates down forever if LIBOR continues to rise.
A “Spanish style foreclosure”…. awesome
I have…hit golf balls 3 times now. Hopefully I can make it out to the driving range tomorrow with my buddy. I’m getting there, but it’s just so hard to find time to practice.