From the moment Maya Vander graced our screens in the first episode of Selling Sunset, it was evident that she would become a fan favorite. The charismatic real estate agent has a magnetic presence that explains her success in the industry. As an agent with The Oppenheim Group, Maya has sold millions of dollars worth of houses in the Los Angeles area. With the second season just around the corner, fans are eager to catch up with Maya’s life. Here are 10 fascinating facts you probably didn’t know about Maya Vander.
1. Motherhood is Her Most Important Role
Maya is a proud mom to one child, and she considers motherhood the most significant role she’s ever had. However, her journey hasn’t been without challenges. Two years ago, she experienced two consecutive miscarriages. Fortunately, she is now just days away from welcoming her second child.
2. A Blend of Israeli and Dutch Roots
Maya boasts a diverse background, with her mother being Israeli and her father from the Netherlands. Although she cherishes her roots, she now calls the United States home. She moved to the US in 2003 and instantly knew it was where she wanted to be. She often jokes that despite living in the country for nearly 20 years, she still hasn’t lost her accent.
3. Rising from Humble Beginnings
Maya didn’t grow up in a wealthy family, but she had a great childhood. In an interview with Voyage MIA, she said, “I did not come from money and I always knew I will need to work hard in order to support myself. Coming from Israel alone with no financial help is definitely not easy and I am just very driven and willing to work hard in order to survive. I think having a very simple childhood made me appreciate things much better and also stay grounded which because of that clients are comfortable with me.”
4. A Passion for Pilates
Maya is dedicated to staying healthy and maintaining her fitness. Pilates is one of her favorite forms of exercise, and she enjoys not only practicing it but also teaching it to others. She considers instructing Pilates one of her favorite pastimes.
5. A TV Enthusiast
Despite being a TV personality herself, Maya loves watching television in her spare time. Some of her favorite shows include Game of Thrones and Ozark. Like many of us, she’s likely had more time than usual to catch up on her favorite series due to quarantine.
6. A Bicoastal Real Estate Agent
On Selling Sunset, Maya’s work with The Oppenheim Group takes center stage. However, she also has a thriving career in Florida. She began her real estate journey in Los Angeles but became licensed in Florida when her husband landed a job in Brickell. She currently works for Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
7. A World Traveler
In addition to living in Israel and the United States, Maya has had the opportunity to reside in several other countries. According to her LinkedIn profile, she’s also lived in Spain and the Netherlands. While in the US, she splits her time between Los Angeles and Florida.
8. A Hands-On Approach to Her Listings
Despite her success, Maya prefers to be personally involved in each of her listings. She explains, “I always do the showings and 100% involved in a transaction, meaning make sure the loan is going smooth, the title company is providing with the right documents, present in the inspections, I am not a control freak but I like to get things done.”
9. A Beach Lover
When the weather permits, which is often the case in Miami and Los Angeles, Maya enjoys spending time at the beach with her family. Whether she’s swimming or lounging in the sand, the beach is a place where she can spend hours.
10. A Polyglot
Living in various countries has provided Maya with the opportunity to learn multiple languages. Her LinkedIn profile states that she speaks English, Hebrew, and Dutch. However, in an Instagram Q&A, she admitted that she is not fluent in Dutch.
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