A real estate transaction fell apart just one hour before closing after a shocking discovery involving an alleged squatter at the property.
The potential buyers, who had been under contract since March 1, chose to walk away from the deal after encountering a legal complication involving the seller’s adult daughter.
According to the prospective buyers in a post on Reddit this week, everything appeared to be in order until the final walk-through, which took place just before the scheduled closing.
During this walkthrough, they discovered the seller’s daughter had moved back into the property over the previous weekend. Her belongings and even her dog had been brought back to the home, despite the sellers’ intention to finalize the sale.
The potential buyers allege that local law enforcement, called to the property multiple times, confirmed the daughter’s claim of tenant rights.
The would-be buyers explained that there was no leasing agreement in place and her name was not on the deed. However, police officers apparently stated that they had visited the property four to five times in the past month and could do nothing as it was now considered a civil matter.
As a result, the buyers decided to cancel the transaction one hour before closing, citing concerns over the inability to evict the woman without a formal eviction process.
Jordan Marks, your San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk wants to help homeowners that are seniors learn how they can upgrade their lifestyle without increasing their property taxes.
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In this video, he’ll walk you through the eligibility requirements and how you can qualify for the senior exclusion from reassessment, along with some key tips to make sure you are getting the most out of this property tax saving opportunity. This is just another way we put you first with great customer service.
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Thanks to the N.A.R. revision of the Clear Cooperation Policy, there are now FOUR ways a home can be marketed to buyers:
Private Exclusive – Within the brokerage only. My buyers can be auto-notified.
Compass Coming Soon – Listings on the brokerage/agent websites only.
Coming Soon – MLS listings can start as a coming soon – no showings.
MLS input – Listings are dispersed to the search portals and available to all.
The new policy allows agents to toy around with new listings. There is the veiled hint of selling off-market, but it’s left to the participants to imagine the outcome.
If there was a concerted effort throughout the brokerage community to push off-market sales, it would hasten the dissolution of N.A.R. and help unwind the tradition of broker cooperation. But they will hang onto the old ways as long as possible because they make more money off the new and inexperienced agents.
I think it is inevitable that residential agents will sell homes the same way it’s done on the commercial side. The best properties are closely held and only available to each agent’s network, and the regular stuff gets exposed to the public.
Here we go! We had a fantastic time with our great friends Anneliese and Richard at the Padres game last week. It was there that Anneliese insisted that Donna and I start doing a podcast – mostly because we have such different views. Stay tuned! Her look at the end tells you everything!
But the unsolds continue to add up, and the standoff between sellers and buyers will likely get resolved by price – but who goes first?
Sellers are reluctant to lower. Instead, they’ll say, “Hey, just bring me an offer!”
How familiar are buyers and their agents with making a lower offer? It’s been a strong seller’s market for 12+ years now, does anyone remember how to make a lower offer and succeed at it?
The usual argument is for buyers to list all the necessary repairs and improvements needed in their mind, and it always comes off as insulting to the sellers. Especially if they think they have priced those in already!
Come up with something less offensive and more effective.
Local market conditions, other nearby listings that aren’t selling, average market time, faulty sold comps, Trump, or the Easter bunny – try to blame anything else besides necessary repairs and improvements for your low offer, and your chances of winning over the sellers will improve greatly.
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!!!
Jesse O'Hara
June 12, 2025
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A+ thank you
Lisa Tuomi
June 11, 2025
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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 Meyer
March 28, 2025
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 Mary
Heather Quejada
March 27, 2025
Trustindex 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 F
March 27, 2025
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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!
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William Sams
March 25, 2025
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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 Hernandez
December 29, 2024
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.
Jesus Adrian Sahagun
November 11, 2024
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.
SABIHA PASHA
July 23, 2024
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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!
