💫🎇2020: A year like no other🎇💫

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2020 was a year of extraordinary changes: masks, shelter in place, global deaths, marches for racial equality and justice, wildfires, an apocalypse, a really divisive election, the first female (and minority) VP, staycations, distance learning, and a second wave. We’ve lost loved ones, businesses have been wiped out, and homes have burned to the ground. It has been exhausting. And it's been a year that forced us to grow and change. In times like these, most people feel it is safer not to make any big decisions (such as buying a home), whilst others feel that it is exactly the time for total change or taking chances. Some people have decided to change their lives, whilst others are clinging to the hope that things will return to the old normal. 2020 was also a year of change for me.... The year reminded me what really matter and how important relationships are – family, health and making sacrifices for the greater good of society.  After witnessing the devastating effects of homelessness and drug abuse on my block, I’ve become more empathetic towards those outside my immediate circle and I’ve learned to band together with neighbors I’ve never met before.  I’ve learned that, although I am an introvert, I desperately need to see, talk and touch other people.  So, as the year comes to a close, here are some of the moments I celebrate.... Time with my family. I have spent more time with my family than probably the previous 16 years combined.  The outpouring of love and support from friends - after the sudden loss of our Ridgeback Rescue, Zimba, we received so many flowers, cards, and even a framed etching from friends’ teenage daughter. It reminded me just how people are going out of their way to help and how much we all need each other.  I could still help people buy and sell homes - despite the pandemic, no open houses and a slew of new rules. Teaching my 16-year old daughter to drive (a manual transmission nonetheless) - it takes courage and plenty of tears, but she'll thank me one day when she has to rent a car outside the USA. My feelings about SF are still the same as when I moved here 20 years ago - it is a wonderful place to live, work and play.  It has been 2 weeks since the first COVID vaccine was administered in the USA.....and a week since the shortest day of the year.....a clear path towards the beginning of the end. "No darkness lasts forever. And even there,  there are stars."  Ursula K. Le Guin Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Realtor DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com

Maggie's Market Minute: December 2020

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The luxury market usually takes a hit during recessions as the wealthy tighten their purse….. But this is 2020 and in this strange year, the one trend has bucked all trends…….. The demand for luxury homes. Quarantine and working from home has everyone looking for more space, home offices and big back yards.  Remote work + surging stock market + records low mortgage rates = surging demand for luxury homes. Nationally, high-end sales jumped 42% in the 3rd quarter from a year earlier. A handful of California metro areas fueled the surge in luxury home sales: Sacramento +86.1% Riverside +62.8%  Oakland +60.9% Lake Tahoe saw an incredible +187% increase in luxury home sales since May 2020 Neither smoke, nor fire can stop it. The most popular destinations for luxury homebuyers in the Bay Area since May have been Sonoma & Santa Cruz (despite the fires), and Monterey.  Click here for Campass' NorCal Luxury Home Market Report Luxury Home Prices Are Growing Faster Than Affordable-Home Prices Over the past five years, growth in prices of most affordable homes has consistently outpaced growth in prices of most expensive homes.  Along came 2020. Luxury home prices increased 6.5% YoY in the 3rd quarter outpacing the 2.9% growth in prices of the country's most affordable homes. If you're looking for a home in the Bay Area priced $5M+ These are the places where you will have the greatest choice of listings (and my services to guide you through it all!)  Just 6 days to the shortest day of the year .....10 days to Christmas......16 days to 2021.....  'Tis the Season! ENJOY! Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Realtor DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com

Happy Flying

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This week’s announcement of a historically high 33.1% 3rd quarter US GDP reflected growth that had seemed impossible. In the middle of a pandemic. In the middle of a recession. In the middle of 12.5 million unemployed people. What drove this phenomenal growth? In large part the growth was driven by exceptionally robust sales activity in the housing market....in sharp contrast to prior recessions.  Why has housing been so strong? Historically low interest rates. Supply in many areas shrunk notably.  Banks have been mostly tougher with their lending standards, driving lending to only those who can afford to borrow and pay. Most home buyers are wealthier and employed with higher paying jobs.  COVID allowed highly distracted and over-worked consumers to focus on their needs and wants in their homes. It also fueled the desire for second homes. Now all we have to do is survive the next few weeks..... Fasten your seatbelts and lots of deep breathing! With Halloween tomorrow, I don't imagine it will be any scarier than 2020 itself. Happy Flying! Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Realtor DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com

How did I put an extra $190K in my client's pocket?

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San Francisco has some of the most valuable real estate in the world.  With so much money at stake, it is critically  important to select an agent that can negotiate effectively. How did I put and EXTRA $190K into my client's pocket? Good negotiating skills and knowledge of property values. Here's how.... The 965 sqft house was initially listed at $1.395M. After 2 days on the market and only 1 showing, we dropped the price to $1,095M. 4 Days later, a buyer submitted an pre-emptive offer for $1,401,127.  I suggested that my client not accept the offer.  Based on the level of interest, I suggested that my client set an offer date, hoping to receive multiple offers that can be played against each other.  The seller received 3 offers on the offer date.  After a couple rounds of negotiating, my client settled for a final sale price of $1,591,127 - that is $190,000 (14%) over the initial offer price. At $1,649/sqft, that's not too shabby for a little house with a brick foundation during Covid! Just Listed! 49-51 Barcelona Avenue Vacant 2-Unit with Unparalleled City Views $2,9M Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Realtor DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com

Records continue to fall

Seven months after the pandemic struck, the dynamics of the SF house and condo markets have significantly diverged.  Records continue to fall There are currently more inventory than other other time during the past 15 years - even more than the economic downturn in 2009.  This is especially evident in the condo market where the inventory of condo listings has been soaring, making up 75% of all listings. Overall, increases in supply continue to outpace demand and price reductions are heavily concentrated in the condo market (2/3 of all listings and 80% of all condos are experiencing a price reduction). SoMA, Mission Bay and South Beach are the hardest hit neighborhoods. Dominated by very large high-rise condo buildings, these buildings have lost their appeal now that the amenities offered are closed.  Despite the rise in inventory and the price reductions... Median condo sales prices have only declined by about 5% - much less compared to the 2008 downturn. There's not much of a decline in median sales prices Year-over-year, the number of 2-bedroom condos sold in Q3 went up by +100 sales, while studio and 1-bedroom sales were flat. That extra 100 2-bedroom condo sales - more expensive than studios and 1 bedroom units - means a much larger percentage of 2-bedroom to total sales, and this pulled up the overall Q3 combined median sales price. And yes we are still selling homes, lots of them More listings went into contract in September than in any month in the last 2 years.  Summarizing this very strange selling season More listings + more buyers + more price reductions =  more transactions happening (+ Crazy real estate!) Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Agents DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity. marketingcenter-sfbayarea-sfcityproper

The great unlocking of 2020

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The Great Unlocking Of 2020 Over the past several years, the desire for more efficiently scaled homes and urban living drove many empty nesters to the city - leading to a soft suburban real estate market. Similarly, back to back massive fire devastation resulted in a stagnant real estate market in Napa and Sonoma in 2019. Along came Covid-19 And all of a sudden a new buyer pool opened for larger homes in wine country and outer Bay Area counties. What until early 2020 seemed like a 'dying' market sector roared back to life. A Compass colleague in Napa is having a record year with sales up by a booming 23% compared to 2019.  In January 2018, horrific mudslides devastated parts of Montecito following devastating wildfires. Then Prince Harry and Meghan Markle bought a massive house in the area, leading to extremely robust buying activity in recent months that has consumed much of the inventory that had stagnated for many months. What to some seemed hopeless at one point, is now thriving again. What do these two things have in common? Time. It has the capacity to unlock that which may seem impossible or even hopeless. Time heals most things. Time allows us to forget. No real estate market is immune from some form of adversity. And it is usually time that restores things back to 'normal'. Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Realtor DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com

Whoever said diamonds are a girl's best friend......never owned a dog

Whoever said that diamond are a girls best friend........ never owned a dog. We recently lost our dog, Zimba. It was very sudden and very unexpected. Eight years of everyday routines - runs, walks, meals, treats, daytime sleeping, evening jollification - came to an abrupt end.  I was extremely close to him and was left utterly heartbroken.  T he constancy of his presence vanished and I  feel his absence acutely.  You probably think it’s all a bit of an overreaction; after all, he was “just a dog" - but to us he was a member of the family. My daily schedule revolved around his needs. I was his lawyer (yes there is such a thing as dog court in SF), dietitian, personal trainer, nurse, groomer and caretaker, In return, he was my therapist, protector, but most of all, he gave me unconditional love.  Tears still come unannounced, but I find comfort knowing that all dogs go to heaven. As we continue to adjust to a world of coronavirus, I will also adapt to a life without Zimba. It may never be the same, but someday it will be OK. Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Agents DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity. marketingcenter-sfbayarea-sfcityproper

Do you remember the last time you did something that really scared you?

Do you remember the last time you did something that really scared you? For me it happened just last week. Let me explain…. Day 3 into a backing trip in the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon, after crossing many snow fields, enduring endless mosquito bites, and reaching 9000 feet in altitude, I found myself on top of the mountain - paralyzed with fear.  I’ve always been afraid of heights. This time, I could not envision getting off the ridge with very steep, long drops on both sides, snow to the right, and a washed-out, narrow trail to the left. Left utterly vulnerable and fearful, in front of 9 friends and my daughter, I had to dig really deep to find the courage to put one foot in front of the other.  Thanks to their patience and support - and a trekking pole – I was able to live and tell the story! Stepping outside your comfort zone offers an opportunity to discover yourself. It forces you to keep raising the bar and overcome your fears. If you feel like you’re missing that extra push in your step, do something to challenge yourself. Don’t let fear slow you down. In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take. What’s something you tried recently that you never thought you’d do? Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Agents DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Thinking of Buying or Selling.......but you're on the sideline?

In such an unusual year, many of you are still trying to figure out if now is the right time to make a move. For those of you who are sitting on the sidelines, here are a few things to consider: For Buyers-in-Wait 1. Its likely prices will go up because of inflation. After an unprecedented government stimulus, expect inflation sooner or later. Investing in real estate is a great hedge against that. 2. Interest rates are at historic lows — but don’t take that for granted. Requirements and rates will worsen at some point. 3. There’s real value in comfort and security right now. What matters more to you: trying to time the bottom of the market, or finding the right home that’ll make you feel comfortable and safe during this time? 4. Try to avoid the “wait and see” mentality. Nobody buys at the bottom — and knows it. Focus on quality as your priority: the best deal on the best match that meets your needs for years to come. For Potential Sellers 1. Selling in a down market means you can buy in a down market. If you list now, you might sell a bit lower but you can buy so much more with it. Think of the home — and that balcony or home office — you can now buy at a discount. 2. Active buyers are more serious than ever before. People have spent the last 5 months realizing the inadequacies of their home. The buyers who are looking right now, in the middle of Covid-19, are very motivated to get a transaction done and take advantage of the historically low mortgage rates. 3. Price so that the market chases you. If you don’t price correctly, chances are buyers will not bid — and they may not even view. 4. We don’t know what the future holds. Don’t take this buyer demand for granted. This unprecedented year is far from over — the election and ongoing pandemic could freeze real estate activity again, making it harder to sell afterward.  As Always If you'd like a more tailored look at how the market is playing out in the City, just let me know.  Keep well, Maggie Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Realtor DRE #: 01925742 M: 415.793.3470 maggie@maggievisser.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

The never-ending year.........continues

The never-ending year… continues! It’s official – we are now in the second half of 2020! This seems to be the year that lasts a lifetime, and we sure have a lifetime’s worth of memories from these past six months. Between COVID-19, social unrest, sharply falling equity markets, record-breaking equity market rises, and massive unemployment......all of it could leave your head spinning. ......but, we are still here and doing quite well We have survived it all. We have learned. We have grown. We have become much, much more aware.  2020 is living up to its name: it is a clear, perfect vision – the kind we need in order to build a better future for all.  🎇Happy Independence Day! 🎇 Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Raltor DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com

Maggie's Market Minute: July 2020

Roaring demand in the luxury home segment Despite the ongoing health and economic crisis, the SF real estate market made a large recovery from the steep declines in March and April. More affluent buyers - those least affected by COVID-19 and  unemployment - jumped into the housing market compared to any other segment. The number of high-end sales reached a new high, making up 30% of total home sales when it usually hovers around 18%. A new peak in the median sales price for single family houses A big rebound in buyer demand, particularly in the high-end segment, pushed the median sales price for single family houses to a new peak ($1,8M) in June.  Meanwhile, the number of listings accepting offers rose slightly higher compared to a year ago.  BUT......condos are getting less love The condo market has been weaker than the house market  on the supply & demand metrics and median sales price. While the median house price has hit a new peak, the median condo price has declined from its 2019 high. It may be that prospective condo buyers - often younger and less affluent than house owners - have been more affected by the  unemployment, or perhaps buyers are looking for more room to spread out with their own outdoor space after being cooped up for the last few months.  And Outer Bay Area counties are getting a LOT of love Surrounding areas in Monterey (up 61%) and Santa Cruz (58%), followed by Sonoma (47%) and Napa (37%) counties are seeing an increase in the number of homes going into contract. Those that are relocating will have various reasons for doing so, but one factor that can’t be ignored is that these counties have among the lowest population densities in the Bay Area. Other factors that may play a role in this: length/strictness of shelter-in-place rules, home price differences, and second-home buying patterns.  The bottom-line is that buyers are looking for more space to deal with the continued effects of shelter-in-place:  a condo west of Van Ness Avenue, a single family house in the Avenues, or a home in the Outer Bay Area. Stay Safe! Let me know if there's anything I can do for you, real estate-related or otherwise.  Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Agents DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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

"Mad Rush" out of SF?

"Mad Rush" out of SF? You may have seen this article from Bloomberg earlier this week, trumpeting a “mad rush” from San Francisco as residents flee from the city to surrounding suburbs, desperate to spread out. Suffice to say, the article fails to include some rather important details. Here’s what the article does not mention: The SF market had a herculean rebound in May. The number of homes being purchased picked up rapidly, bouncing back from the steep plunge following shelter-in-place.  Based on the trajectory, it is fully expected the recovery will surge and normalize in the coming weeks. While it's true SF hasn’t rebounded as well as the surrounding markets, our circumstances have been very different. SF has been more deeply affected by COVID-19 and instituted stricter SIP measures for a longer period of time. Densely populated urban areas have been hit significantly harder by the crisis, and SF is the second-most densely populated city in the country. It’s just not apples to apples. People are buying in wine country, BUT…. Surrounding areas in Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and regions to the south have seen a surge in interest from residents of San Francisco – many of them, however, are purchasing second homes.  Those that are relocating will have various reasons for doing so, but one factor that can’t be ignored is that so much of what people love about living in the city has, for the time being, disappeared.  Relocation may be the balm some people need right now – we are still in this crisis. It is simply too soon to say that this is a trend or will continue after the crisis. We’re learning more about prices and home values. Median sales prices in SF dropped in May, but those figures are based on a very low volume of closed sales in the month.  The sales and prices mostly reflect the huge impact of COVID-19 in March and April. Based on the large jump in purchase activity in May, the next few months will be a better indicator of whether or not changes in home values will occur. I can say, however, that buyer demand has come surging back in some segments, so that is a positive signal for home values. The outshot is that it is too soon to proclaim anything about an exodus or a mad rush or anything else for that matter! We're still feeling the effects of shelter-in-place shake out, not just in the real estate market but in our own behaviors and plans. And hey! That's okay. Please stay safe and strong, everyone. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you this week, real estate-related or otherwise.  Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Agents DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Time is always ripe to do the right thing

Who am I to speak to the awfulness that we are experiencing in our country right now, but how can I possibly not make mention of it?  As a white South African who grew up during the era of apartheid - when racism, protests, police brutality and riots were at the order of the day  – who am I to speak to this subject without offending someone, or saying the wrong thing at this hyper-sensitive moment?  Instead of me pontificating, I am reminded that the words spoken by Nelson Mandela ring more true today than ever before.  “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite….. man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.” - Nelson Mandela There is much work to be done to make our cities and towns truly just for all. And it starts with me listening, educating myself about how to be a better ally to the black community, and doing the uncomfortable work of understanding where bias still exists within me.  "My humanity is bound up in yours,  f or we can only be human together." - Desmond Tutu Stay safe and stay strong, Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Agents DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Will this be the biggest summer ever?

Will this be  the  biggest summer ever? When it comes to post-COVID America, many speculate that we can glean a lot from the months following 9/11 and the Great Recession: On one hand, we’ll all think differently about where we go and how we behave; on the other hand, the economic challenges will have changed our priorities. The double-whammy of psychological and financial drivers alone could create a huge shift in trends and behaviors after restrictions are lifted – But the kicker is that this time, millions of us have been just sitting around, wearily dreaming of the day we could do [fill-in-the-blank]. We're ready!!! Re-opening means opening the valve on pent-up supply and demand. We’ve been waiting. And waiting. And waiting. When we’re all finally able to do whatever it is we’ve been waiting for, there’s bound to be an avalanche of activity this summer: Adapted travel and tourism, modified weddings and memorials, re-hiring, and (of course) relocating to what’s next. We all have a clearer picture of what we want home to be. In the last few weeks, I have had and heard dozens of different conversations: A flurry of San Franciscan homeowners are now eyeing Marin and the East Bay. Renters motivated by low mortgage rates and the number of new listings have started approaching lenders. Every flavor of “Aha! I know what I want my home to be!” has crystallized for scores of people, and they have been waiting for the time to take action. It looks like that time is imminent! The surge of activity that usually happens in the spring hasn’t been squashed, it has just been delayed. This summer could be the biggest ever as we all emerge from our small worlds, joyfully – but responsibly! – moving forward.  (I cannot wait! 🤗) It's time! If you've been dreaming about what your home should be and it's not where you are, I'm here as a sounding board. Tell me all your thoughts, I'll tell you what I see.  Stay strong, stay safe, stay positive! Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Agents DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

The lowest mortgage rates EVER!

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to an average of 3.15% during the week ending May 28, a decrease of nine basis points from the previous week, Freddie Mac, the lowest level since Freddie Mac began tracking this data starting in 1971. A year ago, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.99%.The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped eight basis points to an average of 2.62%. The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 3.13%, down four basis points from a week ago. (Marketwatch) The previous record low was set at the end of April, when the average rate on a 30-year home loan dropped to 3.23%. This is now the third time in 2020 when the mortgage market has recorded a new historical low for interest rates.

Where are the best real estate investments right now?

"Where are the best real estate investments right now?" It's a question being asked the world over – for good reason! An unprecedented volume of cash has been stockpiling over the past few years in anticipation of a recession. Now, a flood of Government-fueled capital has infused that stockpile... and so it goes: The more capital there is, the more demand there is. The more demand, the higher the prices. Supply and demand is the unwavering market driver.  Change is a constant everywhere – Don't forget it! Because things are topsy-turvy right now (this is not the first or the last time they will be), it may seem like a uniquely opportune time to make a big move – but do not act in haste or without the same considerations you'd make in an ordinary world. Here's how to think about the best place for your next real estate investment: Identify and evaluate long-term trends, not the trends-du-jour. Hurricanes, fires, mudslides, tornadoes, and novel world-changing viruses come and go. Some events require more recovery time than others. Often the best buyer negotiations happen during and after these events, BUT! beware of 'bargain' properties that are only a bargain because tumultuous events have exposed their weaknesses. Look to where the "jobs-of-the-future" are going, and the areas that have the educational resources to fuel them. These areas are almost certain to have a growing economy too. Seek areas where the local government has a healthy balance between responsible governance and business-friendliness. Which areas have the infrastructure, plans and funding in place to allow growth?  Real estate is an hyper-localized entity. In some cities things vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, but in others they can vary from block to block! Invest in places that deliver on quality of life. Today more than ever people care about what an area can deliver in the happiness and well-being department. Life is short and we're all a little shook. If happiness is a recipe, the thing your immediate environment provides is the not-so-secret ingredients. Carry on & honor our heroes In the meantime, keep asking good questions.  Keep on social distancing.  Keep on showing empathy for the people around you.  Keep on finding little gifts in this trying time. Most importantly, don’t forget to honor those who lost their lives in service of our country this Memorial Day.  Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Agents DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Post-Lockdown Market

Before you dive in: I had a chance run-in with a friend this week that changed my mindset for the better, re-orienting me toward empathy for everyone around me. I made a quick video to share the story, which some of my friends on FB have found insightful - have a look if you’re in need of a little perspective today. ❤️ Some things never change... Let's talk SF real estate this week. The #1 question I’ve fielded in the past few weeks is about pricing: What will happen to home prices post-lockdown? I have good news and bad news. The good news is that the answer is the same as it always is, and will stay the same after lockdown: It depends on supply and demand. The bad news? It’s hard to project what supply and demand will look like. Other things change a lot! Many sellers have withdrawn their properties from the market in recent weeks. Some of those who were planning to list have opted to wait things out. Others have put their homes on the market, or back on the market, in the last two weeks.  This signals that there will be some pent-up supply that springs up on the market to meet latent demand – a large number of buyers will be re-entering the market at the very same time, too. As mortgage rates hit all-time lows, the lure of lower payments is sure to bolster demand. We have seen unprecedented loss of employment, however, a large number of home buyers and sellers in San Francisco have not been directly impacted by these job losses. Nevertheless, j ob losses will impact our economy, and hopefully many, or most, can be recovered as the economy ramps up and we return to a sense of normal. Today in the SF market: Many agents in SF are back on the ground conducting private showings (at last!), slowly getting things back on track after a 5-week standstill. While inventory is still small, the increase in activity is a positive signal.  Currently: There are 214 properties listed on the MLS as 'coming soon' (single-family, condos, coops, TIC) There are 645 properties for sale (active) on the MLS (single-family, condos, coops, TIC) Compass has 123 Private Exclusive listings, not on the MLS or marketed elsewhere For comparison, here's how the very strange  April 2020 measures up to April 2019: Number of new listings was down 64.3% for single-family homes and 65.8% for Condo/Coop/TIC  Median sale price for single-family homes was up 5.41% to just shy of $1.7M, and for Condo/Coop/TIC, up 6.1% to $1.3M. Months' supply of inventory decreased 23.1% for Single Family Homes and 20% for Condo/Coop/TIC. Carry on & honor Mom In the meantime, keep asking good questions.  Keep on social distancing.  Keep on showing empathy for the people around you.  Keep on finding little gifts in this trying time. Most importantly, don’t forget to send love to the mothers in your life this Sunday.  Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Agents DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

No Open Houses? Find out how you can see a property in person during Coronavirus times.

Disappointment and Uncertainty are inevitable

Well, looks like we’ve got another month of SIP to look forward to... In light of this disappointing news, I thought I'd take this opportunity to recommend my new favorite column from The Atlantic called How to Build a Life, focused on the study and achievement of happiness – a topic that we all could use some schooling on right now. ❤️ Here are two things I’ve learned that are making life a bit happier. I hope you find value in them, too! Satisfaction = What you have ÷ What you want Don’t focus on what you have or don’t have. Right now, we can’t control what we have access to anyway. Instead, make an inventory of what you want, and find achievable ways to eliminate those desires. Trying to know the unknowable =  Anxiety Acknowledge that you do not know what is going to happen. No one else knows either!  Resolve that while you don’t know what will happen next week or next month, you do know that you are alive and well right now, and refuse to waste the gift of this day! Stay sane. ✌️ Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Realtors DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity.