Revive stale bread: If you have a loaf of bread that's getting stale, then run it quickly under the tap to wet the crust and place it in a preheated oven for about ten minutes. The steam will refresh the inside and the oven will crisp the crust, making it almost as good as new.

Use shaving cream to prevent mirrors from fogging: After a hot shower, mirrors tend to fog. By applying a small amount of shaving cream before you take a shower, and then wiping it clean, you create a protective layer that prevents fogging.

White bread for glass clean-up: After breaking a glass and picking up the large pieces, press a piece of white bread over the area. The soft bread will pick up tiny, unseen shards.

Use ice cubes to remove furniture dents in carpet: If your furniture has left noticeable dents in your carpet, then melt an ice cube in each dent. The carpet fibers will absorb the water, swell, and bounce back - reducing the appearance of the dent.

Coffee filters for cleaning screens: The fine texture of coffee filters makes them excellent for cleaning screens on TVs, computers, and phones. Because they're lint-free, they will leave no residue.

Bring a power strip or multi-USB charger: Hotel rooms and family homes might not have enough outlets for all of your devices, especially when you’re sharing space with others. Bringing a compact power strip can make you a hero and ensure all gadgets are charged.

Use a TV to charge devices: If you forget to bring your plug adapter or the room lacks enough outlets, remember that many modern hotel TVs have a USB slot that can be used for charging devices.

Pack a scarf or multi-use cloth: A large scarf can serve many purposes—a blanket on a chilly airplane, a makeshift pillow, an impromptu bag, or even a sunshade. It's a versatile item that takes up little space.

Bring an empty water bottle & snack bag: Bring an empty water bottle to fill up after you pass through airport security. Doing so ensures you stay hydrated and also can save you money. Additionally, pack a small bag of snacks. Unexpected delays can happen, and having something to munch on can be a lifesaver.

Create digital backups of important documents: Scan or take photos of crucial documents, such as your passport, driver's license, and travel insurance. Store them securely in a cloud service or encrypt them on your device. 

Vancouver, B.C. – September, 2023 – Year-over-year declines in sales and dollar volumeshighlighted a qu ieter second quarter (Q2) of 2023 in the Lower Mainland's commercial real estate market.

There were 280 commercial real estate sales in the Lower Mainland in Q2 2023, a 56.5 per cent decrease from the 644 sales recorded in Q2 2022, according to data from Commercial Edge, a commercial real estate system operated by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV).

The total dollar value of commercial real estate sales in the Lower Mainland was $1.763 billion in Q2 2023, a 54 per cent decrease from $3.831 billion in Q2 2022.

"Real estate transactions across the Lower Mainland have been affected by some of the highest borrowing costs we've seen in over 10 years," Andrew Lis, REBGV’s Director of Economics and Data Analytics, said. "With the landscape for monetary policy looking set where it is for at least the near-term, it's likely we'll see the commercial real estate market continue along this trajectory for the rest of 2023."

Q2 2023 activity by category

Land: There were 83 commercial land sales in Q2 2023, which is a 62.6 per cent decrease from the 222 land sales in Q2 2022. The dollar value of land sales was $789 million in Q2 2023, a 57.6 per cent decrease from $1.863 billion in Q2 2022.

Office and Retail: There were 112 office and retail sales in the Lower Mainland in Q2 2023, which is down 51.3 per cent from the 230 sales in Q2 2022. The dollar value of office and retail sales was $281 million in Q2 2023, a 63.4 per cent decrease from $767 million in Q2 2022.

Industrial: There were 66 industrial land sales in the Lower Mainland in Q2 2023, which is a 59 per cent decrease from the 161 sales in Q2 2022. The dollar value of industrial sales was $428 million in Q2 2023, a 32.4 per cent decrease from $633 million in Q2 2022.

Multi-Family: There were 19 multi-family land sales in the Lower Mainland in Q2 2023, which is down 38.7 per cent from 31 sales in Q2 2022. The dollar value of multi-family sales was $266 million in Q2 2023, a 53.2 per cent decrease from $568 million in Q2 2022.

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, the anticipation of the holidays draws near. This time of year is always a reminder of two things: the irreplaceable joy of being with family and the quiet moments of self-reflection.

Gatherings around the dinner table, the shared laughter, and even the small debates about the best pie flavor, become cherished memories. These moments with family and friends define the very essence of Thanksgiving. They ground us, reminding us of our roots and the bonds that sustain us through the ups and downs of life.

Yet, during all the festivities, I've come to value the moments of solitude just as much. It's in the quiet that we can truly appreciate the year gone by, count our blessings, and recharge for the adventures ahead.

As we approach this special day, I hope you find the perfect blend of joyful togetherness and meaningful solitude. Whether you're surrounded by a bustling crowd or taking a peaceful walk alone… cherish every moment.

Thank you for being a part of my journey this year. Your presence, near or far, has made all the difference. Here's to a holiday that fills your heart with gratitude and warmth.

Sincerely,

Gino Pezzani

RE/MAX Heights Realty

Canadian employment rose by 17,500 (0.1 per cent) in October. The Canadian unemployment rate jumped to 5.7 per cent, following three consecutive months at 5.5 per cent. Average hourly wages rose 4.8 per cent year-over-year to $34.08 in October, while total hours worked were up 2.1 per cent from October of last year.

Employment in BC dipped 0.1 per cent to 2.81 million, while employment in Metro Vancouver fell 0.3 per cent to 1.61 million. The unemployment rate was unchanged in both areas at 5.4 per cent in BC and 5.8 per cent in Metro Vancouver. 

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-employment-october-2023-november-3rd-2023

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

Ingredients:

2 cups of pumpkin, diced into small cubes

1 cup of fresh cranberries

1  large onion, finely chopped

2  cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

1  teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)

Salt and pepper to taste

2  tablespoons fresh orange zest

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Freshly chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish

Instructions:

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, then add the garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Stir in the diced pumpkin cubes, ensuring they are well-coated with the onion and garlic mixture.

Add brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and red chili flakes. Stir well.

Allow the pumpkin to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it begins to stick, then add a little water or broth.

Add the cranberries, orange zest, and orange juice to the saucepan. Stir and let the mixture simmer. The cranberries will begin to pop and release their juices, which will mix with the pumpkin.

Once the pumpkin is tender and the cranberries have burst, add salt and pepper to taste. If you're using nuts, then toast them lightly in a separate pan and fold them into the chutney.

Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley before serving.

This chutney can be served warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, but it's also great with other proteins or even cheese. The mix of pumpkin and cranberry offers a unique blend of sweet, tart, and savory flavors that will surprise and delight your Thanksgiving guests.

World Vegan Day, Nov. 1: A day to encourage people to consider a plant-based diet and spread awareness about veganism.

Diwali, Nov. 12: Known as the Festival of Lights, a Hindu celebration that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness.

Remembrance Day, Nov. 11: Honors the members of the U.S. armed forces who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts.

World Kindness Day, Nov. 13: This day serves as a reminder of the unifying force of compassion and its profound ability to connect people across borders and cultures.

Thanksgiving, Nov. 23: Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November as a day for Americans to express gratitude and is often marked by a large feast.

About BCREA’s Housing Monitor Dashboard

The BCREA Economics team has created the Housing Monitor Dashboard to help REALTORS^®monitor BC’s housing market. This dashboard, which is updated monthly, provides up-to-date data on key variables for public education and use. Focuses include:

Resale Home Market

construction

Rental Market

Borrowing Costs

Other BCREA Data

In the dashboard, the image and data are available for download under each chart, where possible.

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

In August, for the second consecutive month, Canadian real GDP was largely unchanged. A surge in sales of machinery, equipment, and supplies led to a 2.3 per cent increase in the Wholesale trade sector. Meanwhile, oil & gas extraction rose 1 per cent on higher extractions in Western Canada while mining and quarrying rose 4.2 per cent. Manufacturing, on the other hand, fell 0.6 per cent, declining for the third consecutive month. Offices of real estate agents and brokers fell for the second consecutive month, dropping 3.8 per cent as sales softened over the late summer. Overall, Canadian real GDP is now 3.6 per cent above its pre-pandemic, February 2020 level. Preliminary estimates suggest that output in the Canadian economy was again largely unchanged in the Canadian economy in September. 

With a flat August GDP number and September's preliminary estimate also flat, the Canadian economy is expected to have been largely unchanged since February, despite rapid population growth. Indeed, with the preliminary estimate for September, annualized third-quarter GDP is expected to contract 0.1 per cent, following a 0.2 per cent contraction in the second quarter. This would technically imply that the Canadian economy is in a shallow recession. Despite still too-hot inflation numbers, the Bank of Canada held its overnight rate steady at 5 per cent last week, giving the prior 10 rate hikes time to work through the economy. Given signs of weak growth and cooling labour markets, financial markets no longer anticipate additional rate hikes this cycle. 

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-real-gdp-growth-august-2023

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.