Success tastes sweeter when you've earned it!

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Maggie Visser Moving you to what's next! DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com

There's a new man in my life

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There's a new man in my life. It was bound to happen. After 20 years of marriage, I was ready for a country boy to spice up my life.  Ben and I met 6 weeks ago and it's been a love affair ever since. He checks all the boxes..... He listens to me.  He's a fierce protector.  He weighs more than I do.  He loves food as much as I do.  Coming out of a 3.5 year relationship where he didn't feel appreciated, and a steady diet of CBD with as much food as he wanted, Ben was ready for a more active lifestyle. Getting showered with attention, and daily walks have gone a long way in helping him adjust to city life and ease some of his anxieties. The only wrinkle in our love affair? He seems to love my husband more than me!  If you're looking to spice of your life, please consider rescuing a pet. Maggie Visser Moving you to what's next! Top 4% SF Realtor DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com

Happy Valentine's Day

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Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you celebrate it by doing all the things you love. And if you're looking for some fun ideas, read on.... Local Events Drive-In Opera and Film at Fort Mason February 12 & 13  (SF Opera) 5pm & 8pm: Tosca February 14 (Fort Mason Flix)  4pm: Lady and the Tramp 7pm: In the Mood for Love Tickets are $49 and can be purchased here. See Magnificent Magnolias Bloom at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens Visit the San Francisco Botanical Garden and see their beautiful and historic magnolias in bloom, now through March. With over 200 specimens to see, peak bloom comes in February, but there's no bad time to visit.  Explore the Presidio Parks are vital to our health and well-being, especially in stressful times. The Presidio has 24 miles of hiking trails and 25 miles of biking trails ,as well as three miles of scenic coastline, multiple picnic areas, and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Date Night w/ 1950s-Style Carhop Service at Mel’s Drive-In For an old-school socially distant romantic fun date night on Valentine’s Day (and every day, for that matter), Mel’s Drive-In in San Francisco is still offering its retro carhop service. Technically it’s “delivery” to your car, not outdoor dining. Better Than Roses and Chocolates 2944 Polk Street, Russian Hill 3 Bed | 3 Bath | 1 Parking $1.85M Website 1776 Sacramento Street, Unit 503, Nob Hill 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1 Parking $999,000 Website 2942 Polk Street. Russian Hill 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1 Parking $1.595M Website Maggie Visser Moving you to what's next! Top 4% SF Realtor DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com

Maggie's Market Minute: February 2021 - The Words of the Market

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The Words Of A Market  With all the media coverage touting the big exodus from San Francisco, it seems this should be a great time to be a buyer in the city…..unless you are a buyer in the city. When the market is active enough it speaks.  The more buyers, the more transactions, and urgency. When the consumer anticipates value, they are much more motivated to transact and commit. Over the past year, the market has had no lack of capital: it has lacked urgency. In the last 3 weeks, it all seems to have changed. High demand and limited inventory have set the 2021 market off to a heated start. We have seen the return of multiple offers, competitive bidding and homes selling over the list price, sometimes by hundreds of thousands. These signs only emerge when a market changes and are key real-time indicators of market conditions....and often far more insightful and reliable than those market reports that come out every quarter that usually reflect mostly closed sales that happened many weeks or months before. "I can't wait anymore. I have to move on with my life!" Life moves on. Fast. Buyer build-up happens when consumers stop perceiving value or experience fear and hesitate. "Wait-and-see" is a very comfortable place. Buyer build-up is a market's best friend when it's unleashed. Every market has only one certainty: change. Markets change and shift. Sooner or later. Listening closely to the words of the market can give you the earliest indicators of what is happening and allow you to act accordingly. Are you ready to move to what's next? Let me know - I can help. Maggie Visser Moving you to what's next! DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com

Maggie's Market Minute: January 2021

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2020 was a year of social, political, economic and environmental extremes with interest rates at historic lows, stock markets at new highs, billionaires decamping to save on taxes, IPO mania breaking out again, and vaccines beginning to arrive. The real estate market in SF saw complicated dynamics in supply & demand..... but we finished 2020 with a strong recovery after an initial crash in activity. Compared to 2019, the median sales price for condos were down 3% and up 3% for single family homes.  Active listings tapered down during the last 2 months after hitting a record high in August. In December we saw a huge surge in the number of homes accepting offers. 2021 is off to a robust start with a flurry of new buyers entering the market and limited inventory.  Many condos that stayed on the market through the holidays are now in contract, and those that were pulled off the market are now quickly getting swooped up. JUST SOLD! 542 Noe Street Eureka Valley-Dolores Heights 3 Bed | 2 Bath COMING SOON! 494 Ulloa Street Forest Hill Extension 4 Bed | 3 Bath Maggie Visser Top 4% SF Realtor DRE #: 01925742 415.793.3470 maggie.visser@compass.com

💫🎇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.