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Hyack Sushi

Hyack Sushi – Looking for other sushi joints to try out in the Tricity, and New West is one of the few cities I rarely step into. I have noticed the urban setting has changed over the years and it’s become pretty up and coming within the downtown core area. I did some research and found that Hyack sushi had consistent reviews – and based on the photos the food is nicely plated and variety was appealing. I decided to take a friend out for lunch there on a weekday. I was a little surprised when we first stepped inside on how quiet it was during lunch time. It left me wondering how authentic those reviews were. The place was Korean run but the service from the beginning was very warm and helpful. We had ordered a few rolls and a creamy udon dish to try out. The menu had some unique dishes which I haven’t seen on many sushi restaurants which was attractive to me. However as for the taste, I can’t say it stood out for me compared to other Korean run sushi restaurants. The taste and preparation of how the rolls were made was very consistent with the other restaurants I have tried and portions were generous. I would say – if you want some decent sushi then Hyack is a great place to get your sushi fix. But if I were to really pick a place that I enjoy that is Korean run then I would say – Sushi Miga or Shio Sushi would be my choice for sushi. I think their freshness there is noticeably better than Hyack. 
@foodblogprec

hangry_bunny

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Giovane Cafe

Giovane Cafe – This downtown cafe has been one of my go to places for coffee when I get a chance to roam around downtown. I enjoy the low key and open space flow for seating and welcoming exterior. A cafe and market in one shop is a always a treat for me. I tend to gravitate towards their matcha latte – it’s one of the drinks that I come back to from time to time again. Side note – their pastries are just as unique and deliciously delightful as their drinks. I was very excited to try out their signature power bowls for lunch. I had ordered the steak gnudi from just the photos I saw online. I am a big steak lover, so it was a no brainer for me to try it – the poached egg on top plus the cheesy gnocchi is a great combination of classy comfort food! I will say the price for this meal is pretty expensive for lunch, and in most cases, items in this cafe is priced higher than a typical Starbucks cafe. So I had some expectation of it being pretty tasty for the price. Verdict? The steak was nicely done – seasoned well with the perfect colour and flavour. The poached egg when you let it run and mixed together with the gnocchi makes is extra creamy. However, just be aware that it will probably leave you sleepy afterwards since it’s very filling and heavy.  I would definitely try the other power bowls to compare. I had thoroughly enjoyed the first one, so I’ll try their salmon next when I want to splurge a little. 
@foodblogprec

hangry_bunny

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Highlights From the Real Estate Board, March 2020

“Many of the sales recorded in March were in process before the provincial government declared a state of emergency. We’ll need more time to pass to fully understand the impact that the pandemic is having on the housing market,” Smith said. 

“In recent weeks, REALTORS® have been working to help and guide their clients through this uncertain period. Many people have understandably chosen to put their home buying or selling plans on hold for now. Other people have more urgent housing needs and we’re trying to work with them to address these needs in the safest and most responsible way possible.” 

“Realtors were named among the province’s list of essential services last week,” Smith said. “This means that we have a responsibility to do what we can to help residents meet their housing and shelter needs while strictly following the most up-to-date public health orders and physical distancing requirements from our health officials and government agencies.” 

Sales of detached homes in March 2020 reached 852, a 61.1 per cent increase from the 529 detached sales recorded in March 2019. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,450,700. This represents a 0.7 per cent increase from March 2019, and a 1.2 per cent increase compared to February 2020. 

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,179 in March 2020, a 35.1 per cent increase compared to the 873 sales in March 2019. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $687,000. This represents a 2.9 per cent increase from March 2019, and a 1.4 per cent increase compared to February 2020.

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

Food for Thought on Real Estate – March 2020

  •  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%.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%

April 2020 Newsletter Introduction

Hello  Real Estate Interestee –  

I hope you’re doing well  and safe and practice social distancing and staying at home. My message that I want to relay is fairly much the same as last month due to the fact that we’re all fighting a pandemic which has never happen before. At the moment – every single part of our lives is completely impacted and  the current real estate market is on a standstill as well. The idea of purchasing and selling a home would be less of a priority as more people are watching/listening closely on how we’re all battling this at the front lines. The government for Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) has had it’s 3rd day open for citizens to apply. If you need more information on who can qualify you can click on the link: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html for more information. Continue to Stay safe and healthy during this April month!

– Sam

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Singapore Hawker

Singapore Hawker – I had anticipated for their open for a while since there isn’t anything available in Coquitlam that focuses on Singaporean food. How the restaurant runs is like a Food court style concept. Order first and find table to sit. I had ordered Kari Lembu on Steamed Rice – beef curry/ samba green beans / hainanese chicken on rice – I’m usually very detailed and excited when it comes to my thoughts on each dish but nothing was outstanding from any of the dishes. Portions were small based on price point they charged. So overall I wasn’t impressed at all, since everything was understated, I really don’t have much to say since I fell like it reminds me a bit like Mui Garden but less wow factor. I didn’t think it truly represent what Singaporian Hawker’s style food is really about.  I would prefer Green & Oak Malaysian food instead for taste and price point.
@foodblogprec

hangry_bunny

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Trattoria Nakamura-Ya

Trattoria NAKAMURA-YA – The variety of restaurants popping up in Chinatown Las Vegas is hard to keep up. My last trip there, I decided to hit up Chinatown again since I noticed there is has been a growing trend of many Asian Chain Restaurants wanting to enter this market. I was pretty excited to check out Trattoria Nakamura-Ya since I really love the concept of fusion foods. I can’t think of a better food marriage – Italian and Japanese. A great combo to create beautiful dishes of umami and heartiness. The restaurant combines many Japanese flavours with Italian style cooking to ensure the beauty and flavour to shine through. Ordered the Linguine Uni Tomato Sauce – this dish was smooth and creamy and the pasta was able to hold the sauce very well. The tomato helps cut down on the creaminess and strong seafood taste but still the Uni’s freshness still stands out. Linguine Wafu Vongole – Very similar to the popular Vongole dish without the chilli peppers, and their own style of clams which is very delightful and light. Lastly their carbonara – their twist on it is adding spicy cod roe on it to add more a fun texture and a heighten flavour with the egg yolk cream sauce. Each dish had their own unique signature style which I thoroughly enjoyed. If you get a chance to steer yourself off the strip – give this place in Chinatown a try – you won’t be disappointed.  
@foodblogprec

hangry_bunny

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Highlights From the Real Estate Board, February 2020

“Home buyer demand again saw strong year-over-year increases in February while the total inventory of homes for sale struggled to keep pace. This was most pronounced in the condominium market.”

“Our Realtors are reporting increased traffic at open houses and multiple offer scenarios in certain pockets of the market. If you’re considering listing your home for sale, now is a good time to act with increased demand, reduced competition from other sellers, and some upward pressure on prices,” says Smith.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,020,600. This represents a 0.3 per cent increase over February 2019 and a 2.7 per cent increase over the past six months.

Sales of detached homes in February 2020 reached 685, a 52.9 per cent increase from the 448 detached sales recorded in February 2019. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,433,900. This represents a 0.7 per cent decrease from February 2019 and a 1.9 per cent increase over the past six months.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,061 in February 2020, a 39.8 per cent increase compared to the 759 sales in February 2019. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $677,200. This represents a 0.9 per cent increase from February 2019 and a 3.6 per cent increase over the past six months.

“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 February statistics Package. Click Here

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

March 2020 Newsletter Introduction

Hello  Real Estate Interestee –  

It’s MARCH SPRING TIME  – with it comes with Spring Cleaning and Hayfevers…I hope you’re doing well among the economic downward pressure due to the growing concerns around the evolving COVID-19 (“coronavirus”); which cause a significant impact from local citizens that is worried about their health and safety to the international finances and policies around the world. Like many of us, we’re following the lead of the Canadian public heath authorities to take appropriate measures to stay safe. Whether this virus will impact the real estate market, it would be hard to determine but at the moment due to the virus, purchasing and selling a home would be less of a priority as more people are watching/listening closely on how this virus will progress and how it will affect our nation as a whole. The government has sprung into action by providing $1 billion economic package to help fight against the virus, and with the Bank of Canada’s bank rates overnight rate reduced to 0.75 percent- their lowest rates to date would hopefully help spur our economy and our real estate market along side the reduced stress test level as well. Stay safe and healthy during this March month!

– Sam

Food for Thought on Real Estate – February 2020

  •  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%.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%

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