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Nakamura Tokichi 

Nakamura Tokichi – We went to this matcha tea house out of a whim. I am very lucky to have an amazing friend to plan my entire trip for me. I just told him what I wanted to eat and places to go. He did all the rest. He suggested this matcha tea house since he knew I was a fan of Matcha. However, he has never been, but the reviews were great and it was close by to our destination of visiting one of the shrines in the area. The tea house was set by the water side, and it  had a nice rustic look to it. We were lucky to have a view overlooking the water to enjoy our meal. I had ordered a matcha soba noodle – warm. I have never tried soba noodles that had matcha in it. I was very excited and curious to see what flavours would come up. I was very pleasantly surprised. The broth had so much dept and layers of taste that I have never experienced before. It definitely had a lot of umani yet it was very light and refreshing! The matcha soba itself had a nice hint of Matcha taste which complimented everything that was laid before me. I had thoroughly enjoyed that meal set very much. We also had an opportunity to go back a second time to enjoy their wonderful matcha parfait. It was extraordinary delicious. It is definitely one of my favorite food highlights during my trip to Japan.

Ichi Ni San

Ichi Ni San  – Since I was in Japan, I might as well continue on the theme down here and provide my most memorable food experience. There are many, but I find these two dishes stand out alot for me. If there is one of the few things you want to try to eat in Japan, it’s usually Kobe Beef. That was definitely in one of my do list. I had initially planned to go to this one well known wayu beef restaurant that was an average of $178 CDN per person. However, my girlfriend caught wind of my travels in Japan. She suggested a cheap alternative to it. It’s delicious and satisfying and leaving both your wallet and your belly full!  That suggestion is Ichi Ni San – a well known beef loin cutlet in Akiharbara. The wait time for this place usually averages around 60-90 minutes, so get there early so you don’t wait too long. I thoroughly enjoyed this meal because I get to cook each piece meat to my desire wellness. The different sauces they provide gives a pack of different flavour as well so it’s a fun variety of taste experience in your mouth. The meat was so tender and so flavourful. I was worried since it’s a fried cutlet that the oil would steep into the meat that it would be greasy. However, it’s fried for 60 seconds so it’s not oily at all. It was so good, that I had to go back another time! The price point is really reasonable, and the price goes up if you choose a larger size cutlet.  A must go!

Highlights From the Real Estate Board, March 2018

“We saw less demand from buyers and fewer homes listed for sale in our region in the first quarter of the year,” Phil Moore, REBGV president said. “High prices, new tax announcements, rising interest rates, and stricter mortgage requirements are among the factors affecting home buyer and seller activity today.”

“Even with lower demand, upward pressure on prices will continue as long as the supply of homes for sale remains low,” Moore said. “Last month was the quietest March for new home listings since 2009 and the total inventory, particularly in the condo and townhome segments, of homes for sale remains well below historical norms.”

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for March 2018 is 30 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 14.2 per cent for detached homes, 39.9 per cent for townhomes, and 61.6 per cent for condominiums.

Sales of detached properties in March 2018 reached 722, a decrease of 37 per cent from the 1,150 detached sales recorded in March 2017. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,608,500. This represents a 7.4 per cent increase from March 2017 and a 0.4 per cent increase compared to February 2018.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,349 in March 2018, a decrease of 26.7 per cent compared to the 1,841 sales in March 2017. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $693,500. This represents a 26.2 per cent increase from March 2017 and a 1.6 per cent increase compared to February 2018.

“NOTE: this representation is based in whole or in part on data generated by the Chilliwack & District Real Estate Board, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board or Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver which assume no responsibility for its accuracy.”

Download The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s March statistics Package. Click Here
Download The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s February statistics Package. Click Here

Download Fraser Valley’s Real Estate Board’s March Statistics Package. Click Here
Download Fraser Valley’s Real Estate Board’s February Statistics Package. Click Here

Food for Thought on Real Estate – March 2018

  • Vancouver moves forward on short-term rental rules

  • Vancouver activists fight to bring housing back to middle class – The Globe and Mail

  •  Seller’s market – A seller’s market is when there are more people looking to buy then there are homes available. This causes a rise in price above the long-term average rate of inflation. Typically this is indicated by a sales-to-active listings ratio of 20% or higher.
  • Buyer’s market – In contrast, a buyer’s market is when there are many more homes for sale than there are buyers. As a result, prices increase slower than the long-term average rate of inflation. In extreme circumstances this can cause prices to decline. Typically this is indicated by a sales-to-active listings ratio below 12%.
  • Balanced market – A balanced market occurs when supply and demand are about the same, with home prices rising in line with long-term average rate of inflation. Typically this is indicated by a sales-to-active listings ratio between 12% and 20%.SummaryOver a sustained period of time:
    • a seller’s market is represented by a ratio of 20% or higher
    • a buyer’s market is represented by a ratio of 11% or lower
    • a balanced market rests between 12-19%

February and March 2018 Newsletter Introduction

Hello Friends –  

Sorry for missing out on the February newsletter. As usual, I’ll be combining both the February and March stats in this letter. March was such a whirlwind since I rushing to prep for my first MC of the year, and getting everything ready before I flew overseas for some personal affairs and took some time to travel to Japan. Through the experience of my travel this time, I’ve learned to be more patient, grateful and appreciative of the people who are the closest to me. It’s usually the people who I see day in and out; who I feel most comfortable with is the same people I take for granted. A lesson I learned and resonates to me so clearly. So what do I do? it’s the small things that expresses your gratitude and care the most. A small message in morning  to wish them a good day or a hug is how I express my care. How do you do it? The purpose of my Japan trip was initially very different than what actually happened. It was truly a gluttonous trip that forge a deep bond and friendship with my girlfriend. I am very grateful on being able to have this experience.  

– Sam