The fact that my mother was exceptional…..is not exceptional

My mother is a truly remarkable woman — and I know I wouldn’t be here today without her. She’s a loving, caring, compassionate, generous, and hardworking individual who carried our family through ups and downs. She was the implementer of my father’s visions. She is and was always there for us. As I’ve grown, I’ve learned that the fact that my mother was exceptional… is not exceptional. I have met so many mothers over the years who’ve amazed and inspired me that I’ve come to believe that all moms are extraordinary. Although I never imagined having a child, I feel like the greatest gift I ever got was my husband convincing me to have a child.  I’ve learned so much and been so impressed by all of the mothers in my world The mothers with grown children who share their kids’ struggles and triumphs with me. The mothers who’ve had young children at home during the pandemic and had to care for and teach them. The new mothers whose lives have been transformed. The mothers with a supportive partner at home, the mothers who have to do more than their fair share and the mothers who do it all on their own. The mothers who’ve given birth, who’ve adopted, who’ve step-mothered, who’ve foster-mothered and who’ve acted as mother figures to young people who needed it. The mothers who are just as entrepreneurial in their home lives as they are in their professional lives: taking a huge risk, believing in a better future, being solutions driven every day and bouncing back with passion. If your mom is still in your life, I encourage you to find a way to honor and celebrate her. And for everybody whose mother is no longer with us, or who has a more complicated relationship with their mother, or whose personal journey towards motherhood has been challenging, I want you to know that I see and celebrate you as well. Happy Mother's Day! Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Realtor DRE: 01925742 M: 415.793.3470 maggie@maggievisser.com marketingcenter-sfbayarea-sfcityproper

Sliding into Summer

If summer is your favorite time of the year, we have something in common.  T here is nothing like those long, lingering evening hours, al fresco dining, and that sense of slowing down...  ... but this summer, it's looking like that whole "slowing down" bit  is likely not to be when it comes to the market. Here's what I've seen and heard as we prepare to head into an exciting July! The COVID-19 pause this spring has created a surge of activity now. All signals point to a very busy summer as sellers play catch-up: Stagers are booked up through the end of July, and many agents have multiple listings scheduled to come on the market after July 4th. This is unusual – historically sellers hold back to sell in the fall – but makes perfect sense, as many sellers stalled their spring moving plans due to the pandemic. Wine country property values are bouncing back in a big way. In the past two years, wine country properties lost some of their desirability in the wake of devastating back-to-back fire seasons. Lo and behold, along came the pandemic and with it the desire for larger homes and bucolic outdoor space. Demand has returned, especially for second homes – I predict that wine country's second-home market will be VERY busy this summer.  The vacation rental market is as competitive (and lucrative) as ever.  COVID-19 spikes across the country are keeping more and more people closer to home this summer. As air travel has plummeted, the demand for summer rentals has sky-rocketed: A client of mine who owns a property in Sonoma has been renting it for $30K a month, and another colleague's clients were prepared to pay $70k for a wine country rental in July.  That, my friends, is QUITE the comeback from a few months ago! And now, something a little fun and summery... Almond Butter, Strawberry & Banana Overnight Oats Delicious strawberry and banana overnight oats made with chia seeds, greek yogurt and a drizzle of creamy almond butter. This protein-packed strawberry, banana and overnight oats recipe is an easy make-ahead breakfast that will keep you full and satisfied! Grilled Lamb Burgers with  Yogurt-Feta Sauce With summer heading our way, what better way to welcome the sun than to create this juicy yet decadent Lamb burger. Not only does this burger looks delicious, but one can only imagine how satisfying the taste would be too! Miso Buttercream Pecan Ice Cream Imagine a cross between butter pecan ice cream and salted caramel ice cream, except that the “salted” part comes from miso, which makes it less cloying and more complex. Red miso is going to give you the biggest punch, but yellow or white would also work—they’re just milder in flavor. Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Raltor DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com