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Highlights:
Bond markets searching for clarity on the outlook for growth and inflation as tariffs loom.
Tariffs on Canadian imports to the US could mean a loss of 1 to 5.5 per cent of real GDP.
The Bank of Canada might be done with jumbo cuts, but is likely to continue cutting. 
For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.
New Year's Day always filled the Anderson house with the comforting aroma of herbs and warmth. At the center of this tradition was Grandma Sarah's special black-eyed pea soup, a dish she believed could inspire positive change.
This year, the Andersons needed that inspiration more than ever. Tom had lost his job in October and Emily's small bakery was struggling. Their teenage son, Jake, was withdrawing into himself and neither parent knew how to reach him.
As the family gathered in the kitchen on New Year's Eve, the atmosphere was heavy with unspoken concerns. Grandma Sarah, sensing the tension, clapped her hands.
"Come on, let's start the soup," she said, her eyes twinkling.
She assigned tasks to everyone. Tom soaked the black-eyed peas, Emily chopped onions and garlic, and Jake oversaw the herbs.
"Easy with the thyme, Jake," Grandma said. "It's potent, like new beginnings."
Gradually, the kitchen filled with conversation and the rich aroma of simmering soup.
When the clock struck midnight, Grandma ladled the steaming soup into bowls. "Remember," she said, "it's not just about eating it; it's about believing in new possibilities."
They savored each spoonful of the warm broth and tender peas. While they ate, something shifted. Tom mentioned a promising job lead. Emily's eyes lit up with an idea for a new line of pastries. Jake, to everyone's surprise, suggested helping at the bakery after school.
Whether it was the soup's warmth or the simple act of coming together, the Anderson family stepped into the New Year with renewed hope and determination.
Here's Grandma Sarah's recipe for New Year's Black-Eyed Pea Soup.
Ingredients:
1 pound dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cups broth
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil.
2. Add carrots and celery, and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add soaked peas, broth, bay leaf, thyme, and paprika.
4. Simmer for 1 - 1.5 hours until peas are tender.
5. Add diced tomatoes and simmer for another 10 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve hot, garnished with parsley.
As Grandma Sarah always said, "Serve with a side of hope and a sprinkle of faith in the future."
With Warmth,
Gino Pezzani
Cinnamon, a festive spice loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, can help regulate blood sugar, improve heart health, and even boost brain function, according to research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). This makes it a great addition to your holiday season.
Try sprinkling cinnamon on oatmeal, stir it into coffee or tea, or add it to baked apples for a healthy twist. You can also mix it into holiday desserts for a delicious and health-conscious treat. It’s a tasty way to enjoy its warming flavor while reaping some health benefits!
Canadian prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose 1.9 per cent on a year-over-year basis in November, down from a 2.0 per cent increase in October. Month-over-month, on a seasonally adjusted basis, CPI increased by 0.1 points in November. Excluding gasoline, the CPI was unchanged at 2.0 per cent in November. Overall shelter price growth continues to cool, as mortgage interest costs were up 13.2 per cent, marking the fifteenth consecutive month of deceleration. Conversely, rent was up 7.7 per cent in November year-over-year, up from 7.3 per cent in October. In spite of accelerating rent price growth, total shelter costs rose 4.6 per cent in November, down from 4.8 per cent in October. In BC, consumer prices rose 2.3 per cent year-over-year, down from 2.4 per cent in October. The Bank of Canada's preferred measures of median and trimmed inflation, which strip out volatile components, remained unchanged at 2.6 and 2.7 per cent year-over-year, respectively.
Canada's CPI report for November marks a stabilization around the midpoint of the Bank of Canada's inflation target range. With CPI ex-gasoline remaining relatively steady, November's headline CPI is likely driven by tailwinds from Black Friday and other related sales which partially accounted for lower prices and higher consumption across several sub-sectors. In spite of this stimulus, many of the special aggregate CPIs published by Statistics Canada remained either unchanged or slightly decelerated, indicating lingering weaknesses in consumer spending. Moving into the new year, the Bank has emphasized concerns of decelerating inflation as much as movement in the opposite direction. Given our trade uncertainties with the incoming American administration, coupled with an underperforming economy, the Bank will monitor the last monthly GDP report of 2024 to set the stage for their agenda heading into 2025, namely, the speed and depth at which they continue cutting the overnight. 
https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-inflation-november-2024
For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.
Canadian housing starts rose 8 per cent to 262,433 units in November at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). Starts were up 25 per cent from the same month last year. Single-detached housing starts were 3 per cent higher from last month at 60,781 units, while multi-family and other starts rose by 10 per cent to 201,661 (SAAR).
In British Columbia, starts rose 18 per cent from last month to 50,447 units SAAR in all areas of the province. In areas of the province with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached starts were mostly unchanged at 4,586 units, while multi-family starts rose by 23 per cent to 44,002 units month-over-month. Starts in the province were 28 per cent above the levels from November 2023. Compared with last year, year-to-date starts are up by 46 per cent in Kelowna, while being down by 14 per cent in Vancouver, 16 per cent in Victoria, 8 per cent in Abbotsford, and 7 per cent in Nanaimo. 
Canadian Housing Starts (November 2024)
For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.
Vancouver, BC – December 2024. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that 5,841 residential unit sales were recorded in Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) Systems in November 2024, up 25.7 per cent from November 2023. The average MLS® residential price in BC in November 2024 was up 1.7 per cent at $979,221 compared to an average price of $963,143 in November 2023.
The total sales dollar volume was $5.7 billion, a 27.8 per cent increase from the same time the previous year. BC MLS® unit sales were 12 per cent lower than the ten-year average for November.
“Home sales across the province continued the normalizing trend that began in October,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “The surge in activity this fall sets up 2025 for a much stronger start than we’ve seen in the last two years.”
Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume is up 1.6 per cent to $68.6 billion, compared with the same period in 2023. Residential unit sales are up 0.8 per cent year-over-year at 69,983 units, while the average MLS® residential price is also up 0.8 per cent to $980,055.
For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.
I have sold a property at 405 311 6TH AVE E in Vancouver on Dec 6, 2024. See details here
The WOHLSEIN - a solid concrete six-story building located in vibrant Mount Pleasant. This spacious & bright 564 sqft 1 Bed 1 Bath + Den has it all. High quality Stainless Steel appliances including Bertazzoni gas range, polished quartz counter tops, hexagonal tile backsplash & kitchen bar island to prep, socialize and eat. Spacious bedroom with walkin closet + handy flex space to use as a home office or den. Covered balcony to enjoy morning coffee or BBQ & entertain. Build amenities incl: bike storage, gym, workshop, art gallery, party room, and large rooftop Terrace w/ city & mountain views. Excellent Mount Pleasant location with all the area has to offer including restaurants, cafes, parks & transportation. 1 Parking w/ EV roughed in & 1 Storage Locker.
Please visit our Open House at 804 138 1ST AVE W in Vancouver. See details here
Open House on Saturday, December 14, 2024 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Enjoy fantastic natural light from this bright & spacious 1-bedroom corner suite on the quiet south west corner of Wall Centre False Creek. Modern designed kitchen with stone counter-tops, custom mill work and Viking gas stove. Chef inspired kitchen, contemporary bathroom w/ deep tub, large bedroom (king bed) with storage & a nice covered balcony. Steps to transit, the sea wall, restaurants, shopping, walk to downtown & more! This delightful corner flat is situated in one of the City's most vibrant neighbourhoods! The complex features a theatre, well equipped gym, a guest suite & a roof top deck. Comes with 1 parking & 1 locker w/ access to lots of bike rooms. EV Charging in the building. Rental & pet friendly. OPEN HOUSE SAT DEC 14, 2-4 PM
Please visit our Open House at 603 518 MOBERLY RD in Vancouver. See details here
Open House on Sunday, December 15, 2024 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Welcome to Newport Quay, a meticulously maintained concrete building nestled in the heart of False Creek centrally located on the quiet side of the building facing the water with a 1min walk to the Seawall! This 1188 Sqft 2 bedroom home is the best layout in the building with bedrooms on each side with their own bathrooms separated by a very large living & dining area. In original condition this long time owner cared well for the home. Bring your design ideas to create your very own False Creek Dream Condo. Large expansive balcony w/ some mountain & city view overlooking quiet landscaped grounds. 1 Parking, 1 Storage, 2 EV charging stations, 3 Elevators & lots of Guest Parking. Pro-active strata, pet-free, w/ a social room & on site caretaker. OPEN HOUSE SUN DEC 15, 2-4 PM
This holiday treat is gluten-free, naturally sweetened and packed with fiber!
For the filling:
1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
¼ cup honey or maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground ginger
1 egg
For the crust:
1 ½ cups almond flour
¼ cup coconut flour
¼ cup melted butter (or coconut oil)
2 tbsp maple syrup
Pinch of salt
For the topping:
3 ripe persimmons, thinly sliced
1 tbsp honey
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Make the crust: In a bowl, mix almond flour, coconut flour, melted butter, maple syrup, and salt. Press the mixture into a tart pan, covering the base and sides evenly. Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden, then let cool.
Prepare the filling: In another bowl, combine ricotta cheese, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, and egg. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the tart: Pour the ricotta mixture into the cooled crust. Layer the persimmon slices on top in an overlapping pattern.
Add the spiced glaze: In a small bowl, mix honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Drizzle the mixture over the persimmons.
Bake the tart for 30-35 minutes, until the filling is set, and the persimmons are tender.
Let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.