Written by Steve Tobia
If you mention the name Mike Kobeissi anywhere near La Cañada Flintridge, you are likely to elicit thoughts of a top tier businessman and real estate agent, car enthusiast, and host of some of the area’s most stunning events.
Having established himself as the preeminent real estate professional in the area years ago with an intricate knowledge of the properties and expert deal-making skills, many are curious to learn more about the man selling the finest homes and estates in the area. Like all stories, Mike Kobeissi’s is one that was shaped over the long-term through grit and determination.
Arrival in California and Introduction to Real Estate
Kobeissi was raised in Lebanon. However, as the nation found itself gripped with the atrocities of war, his parents determined to send him to a safer place where he could build a future for himself. They chose California. At 18 years of age, he arrived in the Golden State to seek the American Dream. He found himself in La Cañada and got work at Ralph’s Grocery. Like many immigrants, he displayed a strong work ethic and drive to succeed. He also used his warm personality to make many connections.
One of those connections was that of Jim Dickson, who was a local realtor and broker. Dickson took a liking to Kobeissi and became a mentor, encouraging him to get into real estate. Kobeissi then transitioned to working with Dickson’s firm. He earned his real estate license and strengthened his knowledge of the business overall. Before long he became a top producer in the area.
Records Broken
Having lived and served La Cañada Flintridge and the surrounding areas now for over 30 years, Kobeissi’s deep knowledge of the market, combined with marketing prowess, has enabled him to sell hundreds of homes – most of them in the multi-million-dollar price range.
One recent highlight of his career was his 2018 sale of what is known as La Cañada Flintridge’s “Crown Jewel Estate.” The property, originally designed by famous architect Myron Hunt for Senator Frank Putnam Flint consists of a four-level, 16,000-plus square foot mansion accompanied by a 2,000-plus square foot guest house. It was sold for $11 million, making it the highest priced real estate transaction in the city’s history.
The Kobeissi Business Style
While many individuals comment that they run a business like a family, Kobeissi puts that standard into practice well. In fact, his wife Sandy and son Mikey both work within Kobeissi Properties. It is this familial style that Kobeissi extends to his clients. It can be seen in his friendly, genuine interactions with others and even in the aesthetics of his office.
Clients who step into the Kobeissi Properties office will be transported to what is akin to a Mediterranean oasis, complete with beautiful artwork, ornate wood furniture, and well-designed architecture. The office features displays of Kobeissi’s iconic exotic sports cars, a bar, and lounge seating in addition to the typical office space. The space has been designed to elicit a welcoming feel that is reminiscent of a Mediterranean café.
However, it is not just the aura that make Kobeissi Properties a family-like business. It is also the intensive details put into interacting with clients. He notes that many of the buyers currently interested in property in La Cañada Flintridge are from Korea, China, and the Middle East. Kobeissi himself is fluent in Arabic while agents under his brokerage speak Chinese and Korean. The result is a brokerage that is capable of operating with strong cross cultural skills, taking every effort to make the buying and selling process smooth for all clients.
Kobeissi notes, “Personal involvement with each client means that I give the best. When it comes down to client service, it’s meeting and exceeding the client’s expectations in personal service, knowledge, and expertise, and bringing them into the lifestyle that they’re seeking in the community.” He notes the importance of understanding the customer’s state of mind. Many people are seeking their American Dream just as Kobeissi himself did decades ago. La Cañada Flintridge is an exceedingly popular place for placing those roots. Thus, Kobeissi is in a unique position to leverage his talents to help others find their dream.
One of Kobeissi’s calling cards is his hobby of collecting exotic and rare vehicles. Here he is standing with his newly purchased Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan.
Kobeissi and the Community
However, Mike Kobeissi is well known throughout the La Cañada Flintridge community for much more than his business acumen. One of his calling cards is his hobby of collecting exotic vehicles. In fact, his love for cars has been a lifelong trend. When he first traveled to the United States, he carried with him a small model of a Renault race car. This passion for cars has led him to establish community events for other car enthusiasts. Perhaps most well-known is Cars & Coffee, an event that takes place at Kobeissi Properties on the first Saturday of every month where members of the community come out to showcase their autos, share stories, and look at some of Kobeissi’s iconic finds.
Kobeissi also utilizes his home and office as areas to host a number of community events such as mixers for the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce. His wife Sandy often serves as hostess for many of these events. Like his business interactions, Kobeissi handles personal events with the same style, flair, and goal of building relationships, which has led to him becoming an influential and well-liked member of the community.
In many ways, Kobeissi’s passions have also helped his business success. For those seeking to buy or sell in the beautiful La Cañada Flintridge area, there is no one better suited to be a guide than Mike Kobeissi.
Contact Mike Kobeissi at (818) 949-7575 or email mike@lacanada.com. Visit his website – www.lacanada.com.
