Truth in advertising: One Realtor’s strategy to sell foreclosed homes


SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – April 21, 2009 – Jim Klinge, a 25-year real estate veteran based in Southern California, uses video tours and a lot of honesty to attract homebuyers. The foreclosure specialist is almost brutal in his assessments of properties up for sale, pointing out small backyards, possible contaminants and gaudy decor.

“I think my goal is to give an accurate perception of what’s there without being glitzy or glamorous,” says Klinge. “The unvarnished truth is what sells. ... They want to just see it the way it is, and if you just give them that, that alone is a draw.”

He started pointing out the downsides of foreclosure properties when the market began to weaken, and he uses YouTube to showcase the entire home in a walk-through tour.

When working with sellers, Klinge says that he is honest in telling them that they must lower their asking prices by 5 percent until offers start coming in.

So far, telling the whole truth has paid off for Klinge, who completed 43 transactions in 2008.

Source: ABC News (04/16/09) Mabrey, Vicki; Stuart, Matt

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