June is a peculiar month, unlike any of the other months of the year. Mostly free of big holidays associated with indulgent behavior like devouring candies and costumes, June is famous for Father's Day, when we celebrate fatherhood and paternal relationships. However, tracing the origin of the word "father" down to the Latin word "Pater," we find patronage, which is a beautiful idea of supporting someone in their endeavors to make the world a better place.

Becoming someone's patron can come in different forms, ranging from being a booster at a local store to donations as an arts patron. People can also become community patrons, initiating programs that promote involvement, education, or entertainment for the common good of schools or other local organizations.

It's crucial to have a tribe or a trusted group of people that share personal and professional goals. Sometimes, being the tribe's center requires one to act as a patron, overseeing support to bring the tribe's causes to fruition.

As we find ourselves halfway through 2023, this is a good time to contemplate who we can include in our tribes and how we can connect people, forge alliances and make the world a better place. Finding purpose and causes to which one can dedicate their lives is a daunting task, but with dedication and direction, it's achievable… and extremely rewarding!

Summer offers us the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and family, take advantage of the warm weather, and develop a plan to make a difference. Let June be the month where we find purpose, become patrons for what matters to us, and move forward with conviction and optimism.

Onward, and upwards!

Sincerely,

Gino Pezzani

The home owner grant reduces the amount of property tax you pay for your principal residence.

The grant is available to homeowners who pay property taxes to a municipality, or to the province if they live in a rural area. If you pay your property taxes to a First Nation, contact the First Nation directly.

Apply for your grant.

HOME OWNER GRANT APPLICATION

Throughout the year I like to do a little something special for my friends, family and amazing clients. It’s just my way of continuing to say thank you for helping me build my business and serve my community.

Now is the perfect time of year to tackle your outdoor projects, so I created a handout called 11 Landscaping Projects Anyone Can Do that I'd love to share with you.

This handout is filled with simple and effective ways to enhance your outdoor space and increase the value of your home. And I’ve included projects for all budgets!

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.

Possessing even limited knowledge about companion planting can go a long way in ensuring you have a productive and harmonious garden, because not all plants are compatible. Here are some combinations of plants to avoid in your garden:

Beans can hinder growth for plants in the onion and cabbage families, including broccoli, cauliflower, kale, chives and garlic.

Carrots and some herbs attract the same pests and can easily become overrun. Try growing your carrots alongside legumes and nightshades, such as tomatoes or peppers.

Kale and other vegetables from the cabbage family can stunt tomato growth. Plant kale with fragrant companion plants, such as mint or rosemary, to repel pests.

Asparagus and onions compete for the same resources. To avoid this, consider growing your asparagus alongside parsley or basil.

Rosemary is great for pollination but can release chemicals that limit or prevent the growth of cucumbers. Keep these two at a distance from each other.

Corn and tomatoes attract the same pests and compete for resources. However, corn and melons thrive together.
 
Lettuce won't grow well alongside onions or garlic, but can flourish with cabbage or broccoli.

Cauliflower grows poorly next to strawberries and prefers the companionship of onions and herbs.

Spinach can't compete with aggressive potato plants, but grows well with peas and strawberries.

By avoiding these plant combinations, you can ensure a bountiful harvest and a flourishing garden.

Canadian seasonally adjusted retail sales fell 1.4 per cent in March to $65.3 billion. Sales fell in 5 of 9 subsectors, but the decrease was led by lower sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-3.9 per cent) and motor vehicle and parts dealers (-4.4 per cent). Core retail sales, which strips out gasoline and motor vehicle and parts dealers, rose 0.3 per cent. In volume terms, sales fell 1 per cent in March. 

In BC, seasonally adjusted sales rose 0.9 per cent in March. Compared to the same month last year, retail sales were up 0.3 per cent in the province. In the Greater Vancouver region, sales were up 2 per cent month-over-month and down 0.5 per cent year-over-year. 

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-retail-sales-march-2023-may-19-2023

Ingredients:

4 cups cubed seedless watermelon

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 tbsp honey Juice of 1 lime

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the cubed watermelon and chopped mint leaves. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and lime juice.

Pour the honey-lime dressing over the watermelon and mint and toss gently to combine. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top of the salad.

Serve chilled. 

This colorful and flavorful salad is not only delicious, but it is also packed with nutrients. Watermelon is low in calories and high in vitamins A and C. Mint is known for its digestive properties. Feta cheese adds a bit of protein and calcium to the dish.

Enjoy this refreshing summer salad as a light and healthy snack or side dish at your next summer BBQ.

Canadian prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose 4.4 per cent on a year-over-year basis in April, a slight increase from the 4.3 per cent rate in March. Month over month, CPI rose 0.7 per cent, in large part due to higher gasoline prices, which jumped 6.3 per cent from last month. Shelter costs were up 4.9 per cent year over year, driven by much higher mortgage interest costs (up 28.5 per cent from last year) along with higher rents (up 6.1 per cent from April 2022). The homeowner's replacement cost, which tracks home prices, was up just 0.2 per cent year over year. Grocery prices were up 9.1 per cent year over year, down from 9.7 per cent last month. In BC, consumer prices rose 4.3 per cent year-over-year.

After rapid success in bringing down inflation since last fall, month-over-month CPI figures came in hotter than expected in April. Even after stripping out the large jump in gasoline prices, CPI rose 0.5 per cent from March, corresponding to a 6 per cent annualized rate, while food and shelter costs continue to rise faster than a 6 percent annualized rate. The Bank of Canada's measures of core inflation, which strip out volatile components, each fell on a year-over-year basis while rising month-over-month. Markets continue to expect the bank to hold its overnight rate steady at 4.5 per cent at their upcoming meeting on June 7th. However, in the context of a still strong labour market and the early signs of a rebound in the housing market, these CPI figures suggest that the Bank of Canada is still not entirely out of the woods on inflation.

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-inflation-april-2023

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.