As we celebrate Mother's Day, let us remember to acknowledge the remarkable gift that mothers possess - the ability to hear what is not said and notice what is not obvious. This gift is often overlooked, yet it is a defining characteristic of motherhood that deserves our attention and admiration.

Moms have a sixth sense that enables them to detect even the most subtle shifts in mood or hidden pain. Their intuition and empathy allow them to pick up on the signals that others might miss, and they are often there to offer a listening ear, a warm embrace, or a word of encouragement.

So, on this special day, let us take a moment to show appreciation for all the amazing moms who have made a difference in our lives. Let us thank them for their unwavering love and support, and let us cherish the invaluable lessons they have taught us through their remarkable gift of hearing what is not said and noticing what is not obvious.

To all the wonderful mothers out there, we salute you! Your love and dedication are truly inspiring, and we are in awe of your extraordinary gift.

Happy Mother's Day!

A mother's love is like a warm embrace,

Comforting and nurturing, full of grace.

She lifts you up when you are feeling low,

And helps you grow with every step you go.

A mother's wisdom guides you on your way,

Her gentle touch and words of hope each day.

She's always there, through thick and thin,

Her love and care, a treasure within.

So on this day, we celebrate her might,

The mother who holds our hearts so tight.

Her sacrifice, her endless love and care,

A mother's gift, beyond compare.

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

Vancouver, BC – May, 2023. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 7,427 residential unit sales were recorded in Multiple Listing Service^® (MLS^®) systems in April 2023, a decrease of 17.7 per cent from April 2022. The average MLS^® residential price in BC was 995,506 down 5.6 per cent compared to the average price of close to $1.1 million in April 2022. The total sales dollar volume was $7.4 billion, representing a 22.5 per cent decrease from the same time last year. 

“BC home sales have now risen for three consecutive months, but that recovery in sales has not been matched by listings which continue to fall well below normal levels,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “As a result, average prices across the province are once again rising, recovering much of the decline since prices peaked early last year.”

Average home prices, while still down year-over-year, are rising on a monthly basis in most markets. The average price in BC has now risen for three consecutive months and is up over 9 per cent since the start of 2023.
 
Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was down 44.1 per cent to $21.4 billion, compared with the same period in 2022. Residential unit sales were down 37.1 per cent to 22,417 units, while the average MLS^® residential price was down 11.2 per cent to $954,984. 

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

This salad is full of fresh, seasonal flavors and packed with nutrients, making it a healthy and satisfying dish to enjoy during the spring.

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa

2 cups water

1  pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper

1/4 cup lemon juice

2  tablespoons honey

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:

Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and transfer it to a medium saucepan. Add the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed, about 15– 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange the asparagus in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 10–15 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned.

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and honey. Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and transfer it to a large bowl. Add the roasted asparagus, lemon juice mixture, Parmesan cheese, walnuts and parsley. Toss to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature.

They look exotic, like butterflies and ballerinas. They have faces like monkeys or figures like humans or long trails of petals like hair.

They smell like nothing or they smell of chocolate, vanilla, mint, pepper and roses. To a bee, they smell like a bee.

They are orchids and their fans are legion.

Orchid cultivation, one of the world's most-widespread hobbies, is surprisingly social. In every state and every country, orchid enthusiasts meet regularly to exchange tips and tricks for growing this flower that attracts every type of person, from farmers to attorneys. In fact, you can travel along “orchid trails” to visit the greenhouses of growers in every state. Travel destinations from California to Malaysia attract enthusiasts worldwide to see some of the 28,000 accepted species. In fact, more orchid species exist than species of birds and mammals. Only the number of species of bony fish come close to the number of orchids.

Because of their historical link with wealth and style, growing orchids is sometimes said to be expensive and difficult, but it really is neither. You can buy a stem for about $20 at a grocery store. The flowers are best grown in pots because the microscopic seeds require specialized conditions to grow. Orchids mostly require bright light, but not direct sunlight. They do require the grower's attention because they need water and airflow, but not too much; and some might need mist, but only at certain times. Orchids require a certain level of care and attention to thrive, which can provide a sense of accomplishment when they bloom successfully.

Spring is a wonderful time of year, with warmer weather and blooming flowers. However, for many people, it's also allergy season. Sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes are just a few of the symptoms that can ruin this time of year. If you suffer from spring allergies, then here are five tips that can help alleviate your symptoms and make the most of this beautiful season.

1.   Keep windows closed: During allergy season, make sure to keep your windows and doors firmly shut. This simple step can help reduce the pesky allergens that enter your living space.

2.   Wear a mask: Keep the sneezes and sniffles away with a simple mask! Masks act as an effective barrier by keeping pollen particles from invading your nostrils.

Canadian employment rose slightly to 20.13 million in April, up by 41,400 (0.2 per cent). The Canadian unemployment rate held steady at 5 per cent, unchanged since December. Employment gains were concentrated in wholesale and retail trade (+24,000); transportation and warehousing (+17,000); and information, culture and recreation (+16,000). Average hourly wages were up 5.2 per cent from April of last year.

Employment in BC was little changed in April, rising 0.1 per cent to 2.78 million, while declining by 0.1 per cent in Metro Vancouver to 1.564 million. The unemployment rate rose to 5 per cent in BC and to 5.4 per cent in Metro Vancouver. The rise was driven both by a rise in labour force participation, but also an increase in the number of unemployed workers. 

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-employment-april-2023-may-5th-2023

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the unpredictability of life and the importance of being flexible in the face of adversity. Life has a funny way of throwing us curveballs when we least expect it.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned in life is the importance of trust. Trusting in ourselves, in others, and in the journey of life itself is essential to successfully navigate through unpredictable ups and downs.

1. When we trust in ourselves, we have the strength to persevere and find new solutions to problems.

2. When we trust in others, we build a supportive community around us that can get us through tough times.

3. When we trust in life, we open ourselves up to new experiences and opportunities, even when things don't go as planned. 

Being flexible is key in navigating unpredictable moments. We must be open to change, be willing to adapt, and embrace new perspectives. When we are rigid in our thinking and our approach, we limit ourselves and miss out on opportunities for growth. On the other hand, when we are flexible, we are more resilient, more creative, and more capable of overcoming obstacles.

Wishing you all the best,

Gino Pezzani

May Day, May 1: A celebration of spring and workers' rights, observed in many countries worldwide.

National Teachers Day, May 2: A day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives.

Cinco de Mayo, May 5: A holiday that celebrates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Mother's Day, May 14: This is a day to honor mothers and mother figures, and their influence in society.

Memorial Day, May 29: A federal holiday in the United States, observed as a day to honor military personnel who have died in service. It also represents the unofficial start of summer.

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

Vancouver, BC – April, 2023. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 7,118 residential unit sales were recorded in Multiple Listing Service^® (MLS^®) systems in March 2023, a decrease of 38.3 per cent from March 2022. The average MLS^® residential price in BC was 961,451 down 11.6 per cent compared to the average price of close to $1.1 million in March 2022, recorded near the market's peak. The total sales dollar volume was $6.8 billion, representing a 45.5 per cent decrease from the same time last year. 

“The BC housing market is currently characterized by slow sales but also still very low levels of listings,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “Consequently, even though home sales remain about 20 per cent below normal levels for this time of year, the average home price in BC has now risen two months in a row, reaching its highest level since May 2022 as markets tighten due to a lack of supply.”

Active listings in the province are up 25 per cent compared to this time last year but have fallen for the second straight month in the wake of a modest recovery in home sales and continued weak new listings activity.

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

The Bank of Canada maintained its overnight rate at 4.5 per cent this morning. In the statement accompanying the decision the Bank noted that demand in Canada still exceeds supply and labour markets remain tight and that first quarter economic growth looks stronger than expected. However, the bank expects consumption growth to slow this year as households renew mortgages at higher rates and growth in exports and investment will decline as the US economy slows substantially in coming months. On inflation, the Bank expects headline CPI inflation to fall to 3 per cent in the middle of this year before declining gradually to 2 per cent by the end of 2024. However, the Bank warned getting inflation back to 2 per cent will be challenging given still high inflation expectations, elevated service sector prices and strong wage growth.

The Bank of Canada has moved to the sidelines while it judges the past year's impact of rate increases on inflation. Several factors point to inflation beginning to normalize this year. Barring a significant shift, gas prices are starting to subtract from year-over-year CPI inflation and raw materials and shipping costs should benefit from a downtrend in global commodity prices and a normalization of supply chains. The open question for the economy remains whether a recession is likely to occur this year. Given the pace and magnitude of tightening by the Bank of Canada, and signals from traditional recession warning tools like the slope of the yield curve, the recession probability remains elevated, particularly given added uncertainty stemming from failures in the US banking sector. However, growth has remained firmer than expected and the economy continues to create jobs at a robust pace.  Still, high interest rates will start to drag on the broader economy this year and slower growth and significant progress on inflation should keep the Bank sidelined with the possibility of a rate cut in early 2024.

Link:  https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/bank-of-canada-interest-rate-announcement-q5qgobpjy0

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.