Feb. 2, Groundhog Day: A popular North American tradition in which a groundhog's behavior is believed to predict the weather.

Feb. 9, National Pizza Day: A day to celebrate one of the most popular and most versatile foods globally, with pizza restaurants hosting various events and promotions. Pick your topping!

Feb. 14, Valentine's Day: A day to celebrate love and romance, commonly marked by exchanging gifts and cards between loved ones.

Feb.19, Family Day: It is not a national statutory holiday, it is only observed in New Brunswick, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and in British Columbia.

Other provinces have holidays in February on the same day but these holidays aren't called family day. In PEI Islander Day is celebrated on the 3rd Monday in February and in Manitoba the 3rd Monday in February is the Louis Riel Day holiday. In Nova Scotia this day is called Heritage Day.

Feb. 29, Leap Day: Occurring every four years, this day is added to the calendar to keep it aligned with the Earth's revolutions around the sun.

About BCREA’s Housing Monitor Dashboar

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.

To view the BCREA Housing Forecast Update PDF, click here.

BCREA 2024 First Quarter Housing Forecast Update

Vancouver, BC – January, 2024. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2024 First Quarter Housing Forecast Update today.

Multiple Listing Service^® (MLS^®) residential sales in BC are forecast to increase 7.8 per cent to 78,775 units this year. In 2025, MLS^® residential sales are forecasted to strengthen further, rising to 86,475 units.

"In 2023, the housing market faced headwinds due to elevated mortgage rates, but the recent decline in fixed mortgage rates and potential Bank of Canada rate cuts present an optimistic outlook for 2024," said Brendon Ogmundson, Chief Economist. "As we navigate through 2024, we expect a delicate balance between rising sales and normalizing inventories, which should lead to a relatively quiet year for prices."

With substantial progress in bringing inflation back to 2 per cent and a softening in economic growth and employment, there is less necessity for monetary policy to remain stringent. Therefore, we anticipate the Bank of Canada will begin to lower its policy rate this year, leading to higher provincial home sales. The ultimate impact on prices hinges entirely on how inventory evolves this year. While risks to the economy remain, our view is that new listings normalize following a lull in activity last year. That normalization of new listing activity should result in a more balanced market this year with relatively stable pricing.

For the complete news release, including detailed statistics, click here.

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

Maybe you're worried that your professional skills are falling behind. Or perhaps you've wanted to learn woodworking, knitting, or conversational Japanese and have no idea of where to start. Or maybe you're recently retired and considering ways to keep your mind and body active while you make new friends.

The solution can be simple: Take a class. Here are a few ways to return to the classroom, whether virtually or in person.

Check your local craft store. Big chains, such as Michaels or JOANN Fabric, usually have single-session and multisession crafting and sewing classes available. Mom-and-pop quilting and sewing shops might provide advanced instruction or even blocks of unstructured time to socialize while you work on your own project.

Visit your public library. Most public libraries offer activities and classes for people of all ages. Your library card also might provide access to online courses and webinars for everything from business to languages to university-style STEM classes.

Research community colleges. If you want a more-traditional academic experience or want to work on a degree or certificate, then research community colleges near you. Several states have drastically reduced or eliminated community college tuition to make it more accessible. Check with your state's education agency for more information and eligibility requirements.

Go virtual at your own pace. Although such eLearning platforms as Udemy, Skillshare, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning don't offer accredited degrees or certificates, they can be great and cost-effective ways to pick up new skills at your own pace. Course quality can sometimes vary, so read reviews and research the instructors before you select a class and dive in.

The Bank of Canada maintained its overnight rate at 5 per cent this morning.  In the statement accompanying the decision, the Bank noted that the Canadian economy has stalled since the middle of 2023 and that growth will likely remain flat until the second quarter of 2024. Slow economic growth has allowed supply to catch up to demand and the Bank now judges that the economy is operating with moderate excess supply. On inflation, the Bank expects inflation to remain close to 3 per cent in the first half of 2024 before gradually falling back to its 2 per cent target in 2025. However, the Bank cautions that while price pressure is falling across a broad number of CPI components, core inflation is not showing a sustained decline.  As such, the Bank is still concerned about the risk to the outlook from persistent underlying inflation.

Today's interest rate decision and the tenor of the accompanying statement were not surprising given slightly hotter than expected core inflation in December.  However, we expect inflation will resume on its trajectory down to 2 per cent, with some stickiness due to supply side driven shelter costs. Falling inflation, along with weak economic growth and a softening labour market will necessitate rate cuts this year to jumpstart a fledgling economy heading into 2025. We expect the Bank of Canada will lower its overnight rate in June, ultimately lowering to 4 per cent by the end of the year. Financial market expectations for more aggressive rate cuts prompted a steep decline in 5-year bond yields, and therefore 5-year fixed mortgage rates, to start 2024 but yields have since retraced slightly following December's CPI data.  We anticipate that 5-year fixed mortgage rates, currently averaging 5.39 per cent, will eventually fall to 5 per cent by the end of the year and will settle near 4.5 per cent by the end of 2025. 

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/bank-of-canada-interest-rate-announcement-jjlqosxjet

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

This luscious mousse offers the richness of chocolate and the creaminess of avocados, while being naturally sweetened with monk fruit. It's a delightful, guilt- free dessert that's sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

What is Monk Fruit?

Monk fruit, also known as Luo Han Guo, is a small melon native to Southeast Asia that is commonly used as a natural sweetener due to its compounds that are 150–200 times sweeter than sugar yet contain no calories.

Ingredients:                                                                           

2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup monk fruit sweetener (adjust based on your sweetness preference) 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

A pinch of sea salt

2-3 tbsp almond milk (or any milk of your choice)

In a blender or food processor, combine the avocados, cocoa powder, monk fruit sweetener, vanilla extract and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add almond milk, one tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency.

Chill the mousse in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

Garnish with fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cocoa nibs or shredded coconut for added texture and flavor.

Canadian retail sales fell 0.2 per cent in November to $66.6 billion. Excluding volatile items, sales were down 0.6 per cent month-over-month. In volume terms, retail sales decreased 0.2 per cent in November. Retail e-commerce trade fell by 1.5 per cent to $3.9 billion in November, amounting to 5.8 per cent of total retail sales.

Sales in BC rose 0.7 per cent in November. BC retail sales are up 1.4 per cent from the same time last year. In the CMA of Vancouver, retail sales were up 1.2 per cent from last month and 3.3 per cent from November of 2022.

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-retail-sales-november-2023-january-19-2024

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

Although loving animals can be a lifelong passion, for some people, being a full-time caregiver to one might not be realistic. But you still miss things like the warmth of a cat curled up on your lap or a dog coming for a head pat.

The good news is you can still have them. Animal shelters usually need volunteers, and seniors are answering the call.

From adoption counseling to simply playing with the kittens, seniors can assist in various ways at shelters. Adoption counseling involves guiding potential pet owners through the process, ensuring the right match is made between the animal and their new family. For pet lovers who prefer a more hands-on approach, spending time with the shelter's residents is a rewarding experience.

Playing with kittens, walking dogs and providing much-needed companionship are a few simple ways seniors can brighten the lives of these animals. Their presence brings comfort and joy to the shelter's inhabitants, making their stay a little less lonely. While prior knowledge of animal care is helpful, it is not a requirement.

Shelters often provide training programs for volunteers. The time commitment required varies depending on each individual's availability, but some shelters require a time commitment of around eight hours a week. The flexibility of volunteering allows seniors to contribute at their own pace, ensuring a balance between their personal lives and their dedication to animal welfare.

“Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal: Difficult standards for people to live up to.”    – Alfred A. Montapert

The rise of the gluten-free diet has many people wondering why this dietary choice has become popular. Here’s a brief exploration of what gluten is, why some people avoid it, and how to determine if it's right for you.

What is gluten?

Gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye gives bread its elasticity and chewiness. It's also found in various other foods and sometimes in surprising places.

It's important to understand the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes intestinal damage when gluten is consumed. Gluten intolerance, also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity, involves discomfort after eating gluten but without the intestinal damage caused by celiac disease.

Why go gluten-free?

A gluten-free diet is essential for individuals with celiac disease. Others might find eliminating gluten reduces digestive discomfort, inflammation, or fatigue. However, it's not a universal health solution and should be considered carefully.

What are the signs of gluten intolerance?

Common signs include bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and skin issues, such as rashes or acne, after consuming gluten-rich foods. If you experience these symptoms regularly, then you might want to explore a gluten-free diet.

Before you eliminate gluten, consider consulting with a healthcare professional, who might recommend an elimination diet, in which gluten is removed from your diet for a specific time frame and then is reintroduced to notice if symptoms reappear.

Vitamin K plays a crucial role in several aspects of our health. Primarily known for aiding in the blood-clotting process, it ensures wounds heal properly and prevents excessive bleeding.

Additionally, vitamin K works in tandem with calcium and vitamin D to maintain strong bones and helping prevent osteoporosis and fractures. Recent studies have also linked adequate vitamin K levels with a reduced risk of arterial calcifications, coronary heart disease and stroke.

Incorporating vitamin K—found in leafy greens, fish, meat and fermented foods—into your diet can be a significant step toward overall well-being.

People get new ideas in common settings. For some, the three B's are especially productive: bed, bath and bus. Others have reported the three S's produce creative ideas— swimming pool, sauna and sleep.

Ideas are fleeting things that streak across our minds. If not captured, they might be lost forever. The main thing that distinguishes "creative" people from others, say experts writing in Psychology Today, is that creative people have learned ways to be attentive to and preserve some of the ideas that occur to them. They have "idea capturing" skills.

Scientist Otto Loewi struggled for years with a problem in cell biology. One night, a new approach occurred to him during his sleep and he wrote it down in the dark. He went to his lab immediately in the morning to act on it. He won a Nobel Prize for the work he began that night.

People who want to capture their ideas develop methods of doing it. Artists have sketchpads, writers carry notebooks and inventors make notes on napkins and candy wrappers.

Develop your own idea-capturing techniques and you will discover that you are more creative than you think.

Canadian housing starts rose 18 per cent to 249,255 units in December at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). Starts were down 1 per cent from the same month last year. Single-detached housing starts fell 3 per cent from last month to 52,426 units, while multi-family and others rose 25 per cent to 196,830 units (SAAR).

In British Columbia, starts jumped 58 per cent from last month to 62,458 units SAAR in all areas of the province. In areas in the province with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached starts fell 8 per cent to 4,559 units while multi-family starts leaped 71 per cent to 55,329 units. Starts in the province were 8 per cent above the levels from December 2022. Starts rose from last month by 19.5k units in Vancouver, 2.2k in Victoria, and 3.8k in Kelowna while falling by 4.5k in Abbotsford. The 6-month moving average trend in BC fell by 1 per cent to 49,785 SAAR.

For the full year of 2023, starts in areas of Canada with 10,000 or more residents declined 7 per cent to 223,513, driven by a 25 per cent decline in single-family homes. However, starts were up 8 per cent in British Columbia and 28 per cent in Vancouver from 2022. 

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-housing-starts-december-2023

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.