assaf avissar
Like many raised in Israel, Assaf Avissar began traveling immediately after completing his obligatory military service. Curious and passionate about understanding people from many backgrounds, he worked his way around the world, immersing himself in many cultures. Long stays in such places as Sydney, Costa Rica, Brazil, and New York helped shape Assaf's concept of where he would (and wouldn't) eventually want to settle down. Arriving in San Diego to visit a friend, Assaf quickly knew he had found home. "It was different than anywhere: beautiful, laid-back, diverse, surrounded by great surfing — a place where your community is your family. It felt like freedom. This is the good life!" said Assaf, now a San Diego local for over 20 years and a proud U.S. citizen.
And San Diego, it seemed, was ready for his international brand of hustle. Assaf quickly gained a reputation for his dedication to his clients' needs — putting himself in their shoes, understanding their needs and wants, and refusing to let them down. Based on past experience with his family's real estate business, Assaf chose to become an agent just when the market seemed at its worst, mentoring with Penny Nathan as she was founding Ascent Real Estate (now Coldwell Banker West). Where others saw hardship, they explored the opportunity to create win-win situations and help clients thrive in tough times. Assaf says, "We set out to prove that honesty was an asset, not a weakness; focusing on the client, not the commission, is the only way to provide true value." As a result, Assaf is always in demand.
Assaf specializes in Metro and coastal properties; with his wide professional network and supportive team, he serves all of San Diego County with a deep familiarity for the area's unique communities and market conditions. With his unique combination of empathy and hustle, Assaf helps buyers and sellers make the most of a home sale with the least amount of stress.
Assaf was recommended to us from a family friend and we could not be happier! He instantly built rapport with us and we felt we could truly trust him right off the bat. As first time home buyers...we knew nothing! Assaf took so much time breaking everything down and explaining every step of the way. I can confidently say Assaf had our best interest in mind and made sure we got exactly what we wanted. Once we entered escrow Stephanie was extremely helpful making a very stressful process go smoothly. She was very patient answering many questions from us and helping us get what we wanted from the seller. Overall, we are so happy and grateful for Assaf and Stephanie’s knowledge of the market, attention to detail, loyalty to their customer, and negotiation skills. We can’t wait to move in to our dream home!
- Carly
Assaf Helped me out to purchase my first home in San Diego and made my move from Seattle to San Diego as easy as it can be. I think that his responsiveness was one of the most important attribute that helped this deal to be successful. He was very knowledgeable about the neighborhood and area and knew what to match to my wants and needs.
- Jon
We worked with Assaf and his team to sell our property in San Diego while living in Kansas City (after working with him to buy it a few years ago). We are so pleased with how smooth the process went and also with the price we got for it. We completely trust Assaf to advise and represent us. With San Diego not being our primary residence, we rely on him to educate us on the different neighborhoods of San Diego. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the pros and cons of buying in different areas. We are currently using Assaf to help us find a new property. He keeps us informed of new and coming soon listings, is always available and immediately responsive. He has spent countless hours taking us to see new listings and has been very patient with us as we have taken our time and changed our minds a few times. I cannot recommend Assaf and his team more highly. There is no one else I'd want to work with when buying or selling in San Diego!
- Liz
HOMEGuiding You
ALPINE
865 MIDWAY DRIVE
4 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,053 ESF
$1,040,000
MLS# PTP2407619
BONITA
2857 VIA DEL ALLAZON
4 BR | 3 BA | 2,632 ESF
$1,885,000
MLS# PTP2405316
BONITA
3909 ALTA LOMA DRIVE
3 BR | 3 BA | 1,616 ESF
$1,275,000 - $1,325,000
MLS# PTP2407567
CARLSBAD
5421 REEF CIRCLE
5 BR | 5 BA | 4,181 ESF
$2,200,000 - $2,300,000
MLS# PTP2406444
CHULA VISTA
1912 CORTE ESCENA
4 BR | 3.5 BA | 3,083 ESF
$1,439,000 - $1,499,000
MLS# PTP2407258
CHULA VISTA
2413 PASEO LOS GATOS
5 BR | 4 BA | 3,682 ESF
$1,300,000
MLS# PTP2407343
CHULA VISTA
1824 COBBLECREEK STREET
6 BR | 3.5 BA | 2,857 ESF
$1,250,000
MLS# PTP2407500
CHULA VISTA
708 SAN GABRIEL PLACE
3 BR | 2.5 BA | 1,523 ESF
$1,075,000
MLS# PTP2406540
CHULA VISTA
2890 SILVER MEDAL ROAD #5
4 BR | 2.5 BA | 1,465 ESF
$825,000
MLS# PTP2401180
CORONADO
3 THE POINT
7 BR | 8 FULL & 3 HALF BA | 11,715 ESF
$37,500,000
MLS# SW23197501
CORONADO
51 CATSPAW CAPE
2 BR | 2 BA | 1,500 ESF
$2,675,000
MLS# PTP2406710
ENCINITAS
1669 BURGUNDY ROAD
6 BR | 3 FULL & 2 HALF BA | 5,425 ESF
$4,200,000 MLS# NDP2410398
ESCONDIDO
2516 SHAMROCK WAY
4 BR | 3 BA | 2,440 ESF
$1,149,000
MLS# PTP2407518
ESCONDIDO
10138 SAGE HILL WAY
3 BR | 2 BA | 1,920 ESF
$999,000
MLS# NDP2410730
ESCONDIDO
26129 N CENTRE CITY PARKWAY
3 BR | 2 BA | 1,544 ESF
$875,000 - $950,000
MLS# 240022485
2321 CRESCENT DRIVE
Experience stunning panoramic views of the ocean, bay, and city in this exquisite Contemporary Craftsman home in North Mission Hills. Perched atop a hill above historic Heritage Park and overlooking the picturesque Presidio Canyon, this property boasts a spacious multi-level backyard and a charming viewing deck. The open-concept gourmet kitchen features stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, custom cherry cabinetry, and built-in breakfast seating that captures breathtaking vistas. Elegant fnishes throughout include slate and cypress hardwood fooring, as well as solidcore mahogany doors. Remodeled in 2008 to expand the square footage, the home also offers modern energyeffcient upgrades such as solar panels, dual-pane windows, a tankless water heater, and a water softener/ purifer. With a large family/media/game room, this residence is ideal for both entertaining and relaxation. The smart home system, controlled via an app, manages the lights, A/C, and window shades, while a surround sound speaker system enhances the atmosphere. Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to live in one of San Diego’s most coveted neighborhoods.
3 BR, 2 FULL BA, 1 HALF BA, 2,739 ESF | OFFERED AT $2,400,000
FALLBROOK
2328 VIA DEL AGUACATE
5 BR | 4.5 BA | 4,223 ESF
$1,870,000
MLS# PTP2406162
JAMUL
2340 MOUNT ELENA WAY
3 BR | 3 BA | 2,438 ESF
$1,250,000
MLS# PTP2403886
JULIAN
4641 LUNETA VIEW DRIVE
3 BR | 2 BA | 3,006 ESF
$945,000
MLS# 240025627
LA MESA
4620 PANCHOY DRIVE
4 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,171 ESF
$1,300,000
MLS# PTP2406126
LA MESA
8561 TIO DIEGO PLACE
4 BR | 2 BA | 1,715 ESF
$1,129,000
MLS# PTP2406842
LA MESA
3800 CARBO COURT
3 BR | 2 BA | 1,807 ESF
$1,099,000
MLS# 240026749
MISSION HILLS
2321 CRESCENT DRIVE
3 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,739 ESF
$2,400,000
MLS# PTP2405740
MURRIETA
37789 AVENIDA LA CRESTA
4 BR + 1 OPTIONAL | 3.5 BA | 3,985 ESF
$2,800,000
MLS# 240026374
MURRIETA
35132 INDIAN GRASS DRIVE
4 BR | 3 BA | 2,955 ESF
$745,000
MLS# PTP2404642
NORMAL HEIGHTS
4778 PANORAMA DRIVE
6 BR | 2 BA | 2,320 ESF
$2,199,900
MLS# PTP2406587
NORMAL HEIGHTS
4715 EDGEWARE ROAD
4 BR | 2 BA | 1,750 ESF
$1,349,900
MLS# PTP2407682
NORTH PARK
3735 31ST STREET
3 BR | 2.5 BA | 1,473 ESF
$1,199,999
MLS# 240024854
OCEANSIDE
500 N THE STRAND #57
2 BR | 2 BA | 1,250 ESF
$1,175,000
MLS# 240028704
OCEANSIDE
2848 TODD STREET
4 BR | 2 BA | 1,461 ESF
$1,069,000
MLS# PTP2406722
POINT LOMA
621 SAN ELIJO STREET
5 BR | 6 FULL & 2 HALF BA | 4,524 ESF
$6,995,000
MLS# NDP2409922
Elevate
Elevate your home
The demand for luxury never takes a breather, but the components of luxury residential environments are constantly in ux. Transitions in lifestyle preferences, technology, and demographics have challenged designers to express the quality of high-end home accessories in new, innovative ways. With the pandemic behind us but not forgotten, many of the most in-demand accessories are fueled by comfort, convenience, and wellness.
John Cialone, partner and vice president at Chicago-based Tom Stringer Design Partners — the rm’s portfolio features cosmopolitan penthouses and waterfront retreats across the country — reports, “Our clients have access to everything, so nding something truly unique, which nobody else has, can be challenging.” He adds, “People love things that are clever, but especially when they’re functional or solve design problems,” citing items like pop-up
By Roger Grody
TVs and secret doors. “We do a lot of hidden doors, usually so the aesthetics of a library or wall space aren’t interrupted,” says Cialone of this quintessential cloak-and-dagger feature.
Acknowledging that lighting has a profound impact on a space, Cialone admires the toptier products of Los Angeles-based Alison Berger Glassworks, which offers handblown, custom lighting commissions. More accessible is South Carolina’s Urban Electric Co., which is adept at mixing different nishes per the requirements of some Tom Stringer Design Partners projects. For someone who has everything, Cialone suggests constellationthemed tableware from German porcelain maker Nymphenburg, whose hand-painted “My Private Sky” plates present the night sky as it appeared at any time and place signi cant to the homeowner.
“I have a great appreciation for ne-quality textiles,” notes Cialone, adding, “Everybody knows Hermès, but Sandra Jordan produces alpaca textiles that are not quite cashmere but are extremely luxurious.” The sustainable product is used for throws and pillows or for upholstering furniture. A unique accessory, applicable for both entertaining and décor, is a Scrabble set with exquisite leather-wrapped
tiles from London-based Asprey, priced at more than $15,000. Game rooms continue to evolve, with billiard table designs that complement any architectural style. Cialone recently commissioned New York’s Blatt Billiards for a custom vintage-style table, and for contemporary aesthetics, designers look to Impatia, located outside Milan, whose billiard and ping-pong tables have the sleek
styling of Italian sports cars. Art and music are perennial interests among luxury homeowners, and Sondra Ganz, founder and principal designer at Studio Ganz in San Francisco, incorporates both into her projects. “Clients are less interested in super-expensive art and are gravitating toward pieces by emerging and local artists,” she says. “Many of my clients are involved in playing music or collecting instruments, and whenever possible, I like to incorporate those into the décor,” she adds. Ganz notes that serious audiophiles are now
acquiring reel-to-reel music players, which are said to deliver better sound quality than vinyl. “They can be quite expensive, and because they have more of a physical presence than turntables, they create an element of surprise in a room.”
Ganz reports another pandemic in uence (one that is here to stay) is the incorporation of greenery into the home, and she works with horticulturalists specializing in bespoke interior planting. She receives frequent requests for Zip Water faucets in the kitchen, which Cialone also reports are in demand by his clients. This
multifunctional faucet, which dispenses ltered boiling, chilled, and sparkling water, appeals to health- and eco-conscious homeowners while eliminating the need for teapots or SodaStream machines.
The home gym has always been an essential space in ultra-luxury residences, but the pandemic made it an even greater priority. For a more artistic version of the stationary bike, high-income workout enthusiasts opt for the Ciclotte Bike. Priced at almost $20,000, the traditional frame is replaced by an ethereal glass disk, making the crystalline unicycle almost entirely transparent — a truly seductive piece of gym equipment. In San Francisco, where square footage is often scarce, Ganz reports that many of her clients seek to combine an of ce with space for cycling or yoga.
Another interior design priority reinforced during the pandemic — but proving to be
enduring — is the ever-increasing value of the kitchen, no longer hidden behind closed doors but now a showcase for sophisticated design and a prime venue for entertainment. While cutting-edge technology is encouraged, tradition can be equally compelling, demonstrated by classically styled La Cornue ranges handcrafted in France. A myriad of options and custom colors are available, and with all the bells and whistles, a La Cornue appliance can cost as much as a Ferrari.
Steven Cooper, principal designer at Cooper Paci c Kitchens — the company has showrooms in Los Angeles and Big Sky, Montana — reports that La Cornue ranges are serious cooking machines that double as pieces of art. “It’s the ‘original’ French range made one at a time, so it’s fully customizable to your lifestyle and whatever you like to cook,” says Cooper. “In the American market, it’s known rst for its aesthetics and the allure of French styling, but it’s also beloved by serious chefs,” he adds. Cooper notes that students at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school learn their craft on La Cornue ranges. This article originally appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of Homes & Estates.
POINT LOMA
2434 ALCOTT COURT
5 BR | 4 FULL & 2 HALF BA | 7,247 ESF
$3,999,000
MLS# 240019036
POINT LOMA
3648 KINGSLEY STREET
4 BR | 3 BA | 2,978 ESF
$2,050,000
MLS# 240020447
POWAY
12738 MONTE VISTA ROAD
7 BR | 7.5 BA | 3,454 ESF
$2,350,000
MLS# 240018972
RAMONA
16310 OAK SPRINGS DRIVE
3 BR | 2 BA | 1,840 ESF
$899,000
MLS# 240027963
RANCHO SANTA FE
6841 POCO LAGO
5 BR | 6.5 BA | 7,916 ESF
$5,150,000 - $5,650,000
MLS# 240027418
RANCHO SANTA FE
6159 PASEO ARBOLADO
4 BR | 4 BA | 3,028 ESF
$4,150,000
MLS# NDP2410068
SAN MARCOS
1445 MISTY SEA WAY
6 BR | 5.5 BA | 4,362 ESF
$2,250,000 - $2,350,000
MLS# NDP2409112
SCRIPPS RANCH
15236 TERREBONNE COURT
4 BR + 1 OPTIONAL | 3.5 BA | 3,846 ESF
$2,698,000
MLS# 240024975
SPRING VALLEY
3049 MILLAR RANCH ROAD
5 BR | 3 BA | 4,019 ESF
$1,494,000 - $1,554,000
MLS# PTP2404933
SPRING VALLEY
2191 N SLOPE TERRACE
4 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,043 ESF
$949,000 - $989,000
MLS# PTP2406599
VALLEY CENTER
31001 PAUMA HEIGHTS ROAD
2 BR | 3 BA | 2,678 ESF
$1,250,000
MLS# NDP2406884
AROUNDTHE WORLD
Saint B arthélemy
Exploring the Exclusive Caribbean Enclave with French Heritage and Island Lifestyle.
Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, Saint Barthélemy is a true paradise for those seeking a blend of luxury and natural beauty. And now it is home to one of our newest Coldwell Banker of ces, Coldwell Banker Saint Barth. Broker/Owner Gabriel Montigny, who has also opened an of ce in the French Riviera, took the time to share the unique lifestyle on the island, which combines the tranquility of pristine beaches with the sophistication of gourmet dining and high-end shopping. Whether savoring a leisurely lunch on the beach or taking a relaxing walk along the coast, every moment on this island is a celebration of the ner things in life, and luxury travelers have been ocking to Saint Barth for years during the holidays and high season.
As shared by Gabriel, the perfect weekend in Saint Barthélemy is a seamless blend of relaxation and indulgence. One can picture savoring a delicious lunch on the beach, followed by a leisurely afternoon soaking up
the sun on the soft, white sands. As the day winds down, a sumptuous dinner awaits, offering a taste of the island’s renowned culinary scene with French in uences. He states, “Saint Barthélemy is much more than just a destination; it is a place where elegance meets serenity. Its charm lies in the pristine beauty of its landscapes, the exclusivity of its atmosphere, and the warmth of its culture.” One of the key elements, of course, is the tranquility the island offers for its more discerning guests. As Monsieur Montigny shares, “it is a true haven of peace where every moment becomes an unforgettable experience.” Given the island’s remote location, getting there is an adventure, with travelers often connecting through regional airports in the Caribbean or taking a scenic ferry ride from SaintMartin, and perhaps lends to the air of mystique around the island. This journey, much like the island itself, is a testament to the exclusivity and charm that de ne Saint Barthélemy.
History: An Island at the Crossroads of Cultures. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and named in honor of his brother Bartolomeo, Saint Barthélemy boasts a rich and complex history. Colonized by the French in the 17th century, it was ceded to Sweden in 1784 before returning to French rule in 1878. This Swedish legacy has left a lasting mark, evident in the name of the capital, Gustavia, and in certain local traditions. The island subsisted on shing and agriculture for centuries before transforming in the 1970s into a sought-after destination renowned for its exclusivity and breathtaking natural beauty.
Geography: A Gem of the Lesser Antilles. With an area of 25 km2, Saint Barthélemy is nestled in the Lesser Antilles, surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The island stands out for its lush green hills, sheltered coves, and some of
the most stunning beaches in the world. Each district offers its own unique charm: Gustavia with its picturesque harbor, Colombier for its unspoiled nature, and Saint Jean for its lively atmosphere. Its tropical climate, moderated by trade winds, ensures pleasant temperatures year-round.
Economy: Luxury and Exclusivity at the Forefront. Saint Barth’s economy is primarily driven by high-end tourism, attracting an international clientele seeking luxury and tranquility. The island is famed for its prestigious villas, ve-star hotels, and gourmet restaurants. Local commerce, centered on luxury goods and international brands, complements this dynamic. Thanks to its status as an overseas collectivity, Saint Barth enjoys scal autonomy, which enhances its economic appeal and helps preserve its unique lifestyle.
https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/coldwell-banker-around-the-world-december-2024/
KEY FACTS
POPULATION: approx11,000
LANGUAGE(S) SPOKEN: French and English
CLIMATE: Tropical
CURRENCY: Euros
INDUSTRY FACTS
TYPES OF ARCHITECTURE: Elegant Creole style, blending French and Caribbean in uences.
AVERAGE SALE PRICE:
€8,500,000. However, listings range from €900,000 to several tens of millions.
AVERAGE YEARS IN HOUSE/APT:
Luxury properties are generally held for the long term, often between 10 and 20 years. For investors or international buyers, the duration may be shorter, typically around 5 to 10 years.