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samantha

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Tokyo Katsu-Sand

Tokyo Katsu-Sand – Tried the truckstand found in the Sakura Festival. I’m always curious and excited for any Japanese cuisine to pop up in the Vancouver scene. Ordered the gyu katsu since I am a big fan of beef. I felt the sandwich was a little underwhelming since I couldn’t taste the Wasabi mayo that was supposed to complement the strip loin. I didn’t think it was seasoned enough to get a good beef taste. For the price tag – I would go for a local burger joint that is packed full of flavour with an overflowing juicy patty. Ordered the ebi-katsu for a different variety. The egg salad overpowered the ebi so I couldn’t get much taste besides the crunchiness from it. I think if they had mixed the cabbage and not added the egg salad then I think it would have been a better combo. Perhaps their other items on the menu are better…
@foodblogprec

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Food for Thought on Real Estate – September 2022

 
  • 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%.e
  • 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%.Summary Over 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%

October 2022 Newsletter Introduction

Fall is now fully in effect! The changing colours of the leaves is a great indicator to welcome the new Season. Missed out on sending out the September newsletter as there was some personal family matters that required my attention. As a result, I’ll include both August and September stats package to this newsletter. I’m sure many of you as well as myself that September and this first week of October have been surprisingly warm with clear skies. The crisp air that usually comes with Fall have yet to arrive so I’m trying to enjoy the warmer weathers before it quickly disappears. 

So what’s the latest for the real estate market? Answer – we’re experience a bit of a lull. The lack of inventory and demand has made the market reach a standstill. Homes that are available have been on the market for some time. Worldwide economic growth has come to a halt as we’re all being impacted by the soaring inflation. Many lenders and banks have tightening the rein to hold back on borrowing and increasing the interest rates. As Canada continues to curb the inflation, we are waiting for our next interest hike announcement later this month, and a possible hike by December. With the increase in interest rates, this would most likely to continue a downward pressure on demand and stay flat or slightly drop. However, there is a possibility that we may see some sort strategy change from the government since the Bank of England – one of the largest banks in the world have decided to pivot from the strategy of increasing rates. Would other banks follow suit? We’ll have to see….

– Sam

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Minus Cake Boutique

Minus Cake Boutique – I’m always on the lookout for some unique and fun desserts to try. This was a drive by and I went straight to google to see what I can dig up on this new cake place. I found that this cake boutique was very unique. It has come up with their own design concept of cake and drink combo as one! They have their own legal copy right patent on the design cup to ensure no infringement and they’re looking to franchise as well! They cake and drink combo in one is absolutely instagram worthy that would sure attract many people coming into their door. Their drinks are made fresh. As for the cakes – you would have to preorder them as they don’t have ready made cake for you to pick up. The store front is for the drink / cake combo only and the back is just a kitchen to bake the cakes. Ordered the Rose Oolong Peach Cake with heavenly berries ade / Mango Coconut Jelly Cake with shaken lychee black ice tea / Japanese Matcha Yuzu Cake with Matcha Latte. Out of the three, the Mango Coconut Jelly cake was the top contender. The idea of having a cake on top it’s beautifully presented but I found it to be a little challenging to eat. As for the cake itself – the sponge was nice but I felt many of the flavours didn’t meld well or either each note wasn’t distinctive for me. As for the drinks – it’s mediocre. They spent alot of time on marketing but as for flavour profile, I think they need to work on it a bit more. The berrie ade tasted like tropicana berry drink and the matcha latte was very lackluster in taste. Due to the uniqueness – each drink cost approximately around $15 which is pretty hefty for what you’re getting. However, I believe you’re paying for the novelty of it, and the convenience of getting a drink and cake combo together as there is nothing like this in the market. I don’t think I would try the combo again, but I would like to give the cakes a try again. 
@foodblogprec

hangry_bunny

Highlights From the Real Estate Board September 2022

“With the Bank of Canada and other central banks around the globe hiking rates in an effort to stamp out inflation, the cost to borrow funds has risen substantially over a short period. This has resulted in a more challenging environment for borrowers looking to purchase a home, and home sales across the region have dropped accordingly.”

“With fewer homes selling and new listings continuing to come to market, inventory is beginning to accumulate, providing buyers with more selection compared to last year,” Lis said. “With more supply and less demand within this market cycle, residential home prices have edged down in the region over the last six months.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,155,300. This represents a 3.9 per cent increase over September 2021, an 8.5 per cent decline over the past six months, and a 2.1 per cent decline compared to August 2022.

Sales of detached homes in September 2022 reached 525, a 44.7 per cent decrease from the 950 detached sales recorded in September 2021. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,906,400. This represents a 3.8 per cent increase from September 2021 and a 2.4 per cent decrease compared to August 2022.

Sales of apartment homes reached 888 in September 2022, a 45.2 per cent decrease compared to the 1,621 sales in September 2021. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $728,500. This represents a 6.2% per cent increase from September 2021 and a 1.6 per cent decrease compared to August 2022.

“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 August statistics Package. Click Here

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

Download Fraser Valley’s Real Estate Board’s August Package. Click Here

Download Fraser Valley’s Real Estate Board’s September Package. Click Here

Food for Thought on Real Estate – July 2022

 

  • How rising mortgage rates affect home buyers

  • BC government introduces “cooling off” period for home sales

  • Broadway Plan approved: 30,000 new homes coming

  • 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%.e
  • 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%.Summary Over 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%

August 2022 Newsletter Introduction

How’s your Summer so far? We’re already half way thru it! The summer has been gone by so quickly with family visits and getting use to a new routine of where I’m trying to juggle between how to take care of toddler and working on my business within the time frame that I have since the hubs is back to work full time!  Anxiety and worry of trying to do fulfilling these roles leaves me a little dejected because I don’t feel like I’m doing a good enough job. Yet, I know this is just all in my head and I’m not compromising my 100% on what I’m committed to do for my family and my clients! A word of encouragement and pep talk from the people you surround with is what you need to get that confidence and support back. I know I need it from time to time. I hope that sharing this little insight can enlighten you while you read this!

As mentioned in my last newsletter – July. As we continue on expecting interest rates to go up again later in September, many buyers are pulling the trigger to buy now since want to capture the purchase power they have remaining before another rate hike hits. As a result, there is a small flurry of activity of buyers looking to buy now. Since the buying power have gotten smaller due to the previous rate increase. So what now? Most buyers would have two choices – either they start to buy now or wait a bit longer to see how the market would do after the rates have been stabilized. This stability may not arrive till mid spring of next year. As for pricing – it will remain relatively the same with a possible small drop.

– Sam

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Nine Dumplings and Nine Dishes 

Nine Dumplings and Nine Dishes – I had intended to grab lunch at a ramen shop but it had closed down and the spot is now the residence of the Nine Dumplings and Nine Dishes. I was hesitant to try since the menu didn’t appeal to me. However, a patron said they had the best dumplings they have ever tasted. And I noticed the store had posted an article that shows they were awarded the tastiest dumpling in Vancouver. The uniqueness of their dumplings were the fact it’s all handmade and there are a number of different flavours and the dumpling wrapper is also coloured to provide a pretty esthetic effect. When I ordered, many of the things I had requested were not available for lunch which was disappointing since it really limited what I wanted to try. I ended up trying their pork and chive dumplings, the black bean noodles and dan dan noodles. Perhaps I didn’t order the right dumplings or I am not used to the authentic taste of the dishes. It didn’t work for my palette. The dumpling wasn’t bad at all, it just wasn’t as juicy as I had thought. The black bean sauce noodle was too strong of a taste. It hindered me from tasting anything else within the dish. It was odd for me that the black bean dish had scrambled egg and tomatoes on top since I am only familiar with just cucumber topping. It just didn’t compliment well for me. On the positive side, the noodles had a delicious texture and it wonderfully coated the sauce well. It was filling! As for the dan dan noodles, I enjoyed that more since it had an unexpected level of spiciness which was different from any other dan dan noodles I have tried. I can see why many positive reviews were given but it doesn’t work for my taste palette. But I think it’s a definite try since there is alot of quality effort made in each dish.
@foodblogprec

hangry_bunny

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Surrey Central T&T Japanese Cream Bun

Surrey Central T&T – I had decided to purchase this on a whim since T&T’s pastries over the years have gotten much better in quality and taste. I especially like their fresh mango cake, it’s exceptionally done very well. I had some expectation that the cream bread would be lightly sweetened with a nice soft and delicate bread. I had purchased a strawberry and a chocolate one. I was sadly disappointed. I felt like I got ripped off since the bread was soft but more of a chewy side which didn’t meld with the cream well. As for the cream itself, I thought that there would be a mix of strawberry and cream. Instead, it was 3 slices of strawberry on the outside – so I was literally just eating a mountain of cream with chewy bread. It was the same for the chocolate. It was just shaved chocolate on top with nothing else besides a heaping amount of cream inside. It was way too much and overly heavy. Don’t recommend it at all!
@foodblogprec

hangry_bunny

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Bruno Restaurant & Bar

Bruno – This restaurant has been made a lot of mentions on local Instagram and Facebook feeds. It’s truly IG worthy with tantalizing and vibrant colour plating. Many have raved on not just about how beautiful each dish comes out but how scrumptious it is. This place is definitely the place to be – a dream for influencers to hang out. 
I had high expectations for this place and sadly perhaps it’s my taste palette. I was not sold on it. I agree about everything that Bruno has to offer but perhaps I don’t have a refined taste but I was disappointed. Since it was such a high end restaurant, I expected the whole package. For starters, the service was lacking in knowledge and respect. Being our first time here, we wanted to get some recommendations, but he just immediately went straight in offering the Bruno board experience – a taste of the entire menu. He didn’t offer to consider what we would be interested in and what we like and don’t like. For drinks wise, another wait staff mentioned the cocktails we ordered were his favorite. Since it was his favorite, I asked him what brand of alcohol the cocktail was made from. He responded in an annoyed tone that he didn’t know. I apologize since I assumed he would know, but he said it’s fine, you’re in a fancy restaurant, you’re allowed to ask. Yet, he wouldn’t take the initiative to ask the bartender or look up what brand the cocktail is made of. 
As for the food, we had the fall bruatta salad, maple fried chicken, wagyu flank steak, and Uni Risotto. As mentioned, the presentation was gorgeous. It reminded me of Botanist plating but more vibrantly coloured. However, these microgreens sprinkled on top of every plate doesn’t compliment the taste of the dish. As for each dish, I felt some just was over seasoned and just felt underwhelmed. The wagyu steak fell short on taste. Even though it’s wagyu it didn’t leave a unique distinct flavour that makes it any different from any other steak I have had. The salad was a nice surprise since I was expecting more greens and not root veggies. The flavors were mellow but the sweetness from the root veggies were noticeably tasty. Chicken wasn’t anything special. It had a nice light sweetness with a good crunchy textured batter. Lastly, the uni risotto was nice but couldn’t taste much uni in it so it was a little lackluster on that part. Would I go again? Nope. But I know many people have raved about it. So it’s a matter of preference. 
@foodblogprec

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