Millennials, or anyone born between 1981 and 1996, are now a dominating force in the real estate market, making up the largest cohort of homebuyers at 37%. Perhaps due to the fact that many entered adulthood following the repercussions of the 2008 financial crisis, this generation is looking for qualities that drastically differ from what their parents valued in a home. With a higher regard for minimalism, as well as frequent travel prompting plenty of moving around, some considerations that stand out are that of being health conscious, practical and and experience-based.

CENTRAL AND SMART LIVING

With the delay in marriage age and the attractiveness of frequent travel, it's not a surprise that condos are doing much better than mansions or detached properties in the luxury segment. It becomes increasingly impractical to own a huge space when most activities take place outdoors, and more socializing can take place in communal areas, which also offer close proximity to popular attractions and the hustle and bustle of the city. 

PRACTICALITY AND DESIGN

Visualization is key, and these homebuyers will fare much better if they can get a clear sense of what each room might be used for, as well as whether these functions may overlap. Virtual or physical staging can enlarge the space, as well as provide inspiration about how an office can easily be transformed into an art room, or yoga studio.

HEALTHY LIVING AND COMMUNITY

Healthy living is extremely important, so make sure to point out all the amenities offered by the building, or the opportunities that lay in the neighbourhood, such as the seawall, parks, gyms, recreation centres, etc. Very closely tied to this is the sense of community, so it may be smart to bring attention to popular events, celebrations, or shared activities that are specific to the area.

Source: https://rismedia.com/2020/07/15/millennial-home-buying-trends-2020-luxury-market/

When deciding on whether you want to go ahead with investing in a property, some key factors to take into consideration include affordability, financing and the expected return on investment. One question to always keep in mind is, "How much can I make on the investment?" There are plenty of costs that might cut into your potential profits, especially ones that aren't obvious right from the start.

The budget you're comfortable with should include the purchase price and all costs of the acquisition, from initial renovations, maintenance and tax rates to vacancy period losses and rental management if that applies.

You can leverage the property at low risk by using financing in a low interest rate environment. This allows you to keep more of your cash and diversify your investment portfolio in the long run.

It's important to identify your own goals and how they might be affected by the fluctuating market. If generating income for a long time frame is your main purpose, purchase price isn't as significant compared to making sure that cash flow is positive and trending upward. On the other hand, if you're looking to maximimize proft, the price you pay upfront makes much more of a difference.

If the neighborhood you're looking in has a high risk of change, this can easily cost you the value of your investment. Conduct your own research or work with real estate professionals to identify a location that has, and will likely continue to remain desirable.

When the cash flow being generated is not needed immediately, reinvesting the income from the property into a market-based investment or additional rental properties can significantly maximize your wealth for long-term gains.

Overall, investment properties are an avenue for diversifying your portfolio, especially if you don't need to rely on it for liquid assets and can afford to own for a long period of time. Just like with any other investment, the importance of doing your due diligence in understanding the commitment and effort that is required cannot be overstated.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/07/15/how-decide-if-property-is-good-investment/

Feeling sluggish from being stuck at home all day long? Physical health is something that needs to be consciously monitored regardless of what's happening around you. While Yaletown offers an array of outdoor options, from the renowned Seawall to pockets of lush scenery right in the city, here are some alternative fitness options you can make use of right from home!

Barre Fitness

1038 Mainland St

(604-669-6906)

Virtual Sessions

Barre Fitness Yaletown is Canada’s original barre based workout studio! Located in the heart of Yaletown and only minutes away from the Canada Line Yaletown Skytrain Station, our beautiful flagship studio offers a variety of classes for all levels.

Fit to be Healthy

1038-1020 Mainland St

(604-620-0040)

Virtual Sessions

Fit to Be Healthy specializes in providing individualized one-on-one training to women from all walks of life, of all shapes and sizes, and with all different fitness levels. Available as early as 6AM to as late as 9PM, they can train with you in the comfort of your own home/work or in the relaxed atmosphere of their private Yaletown training studio at times that are convenient to you. 

Form Body Lab

310-1152 Mainland St

(604-687-6870)

Virtual Sessions

Form Body Lab is a rehabilitation focused Vancouver pilates studio specializing in an integrated, client-focused approach to wellness. Their team includes physiotherapists, registered massage therapists, and pilates & yoga instructors who collaborate to provide the best possible care for you!

Pure Barre

1128 Homer St

(604-695-9507)

Live Streaming Sessions

Pure Barre is the largest, most established barre franchise in the nation, with more than 375 studios across the country, and more opening every month. Pure Barre is a total body workout that utilizes the ballet barre to perform small, isometric movements, which burn fat, sculpt muscles and create long, lean physiques.

Rize Fitness Inc. 

188 Smithe St

(778-709-8483)

Virtual Coaching

Rize Fitness is a Vancouver-based company built by a team of elite strength and conditioning coaches. Whether clients are looking to get strong, start weight-lifting, or improve their current workout regime, Rize Fitness can create a program tailored to their specific needs. Their goal is to help clients improve physical strength and mental well-being.

YYoga

280-1050 Homer St

(604-684-3334)

Virtual Sessions

Located in the heart of Yaletown is one of their founding studios offering a variety of yoga classes. Enjoy the support of an incredible community, intimate space and historical vibe.

Source: https://yaletowninfo.com/takeyaletownhome/

2020 so far might not be the year we envisioned counting down to midnight on the 31st of December, but when we look back at this extraordinary experience in half a year's time, how do you want to feel?

Getting started on whatever your goal is can often be the biggest hurdle to overcome, but staying motivated and disciplined day in and day out despite uncontrollable circumstances is a skill only the strongest of us will learn to master. Think about that DIY home project that you embarked on in the spring, with all the materials now laying somewhere in the shed. Think about that new diet you promised yourself to stick to a few weeks ago, before all the restaurants started offering amazing discounts on delivery and takeout. Think about that personal development course you were so excited about, skimming through the first few minutes of the video, before pausing it for the newest episode of your favourite TV show. It's almost impossible not to get sidetracked by everything else life has to offer, but here are some practices to get you re-started on the path to success.

1. DON'T EXPECT PERFECTION

It's almost impossible not to hold ourselves to a higher standard than the people we care about, but that can often do more harm than good when it comes to building the confidence and momentum to get going. If you want to try something completely out of your comfort zone, don't expect results similar to someone who's been practicing for ages. Instead, expect mistakes, and expect a lot of them, because they're the ultimate sign of growth.

2. START NOW

Perhaps you've successfully convinced yourself that you'll start the next month, the next week, or the next day even. How many times have you actually stuck to those deadlines? If there's something you want to accomplish, take a small step as soon as the thought occurs to you, otherwise it'll remain just that, a thought. Momentum builds as you take action, and soon you'll be well on your way to achieving success without a hint of desire to pause for a break.

3. LEISURE CAN WAIT

There's a difference between self care, and mindlessly robbing yourself of valuable time, time that will never come back. Figure out which activities are most effective as a reset button for yourself, make you feel better, and further invigorate you. A tip to follow is that these activities should renew your enthusiasm for getting back to work, rather than induce dread at the idea of it stopping. Schedule start and stop times for breaks, so that a 10 minute pause doesn't snowball into 3 hours of scrolling on your phone.

4. SAY YES

One takeaway we should all have in response to current events is that time and opportunities are limited. Think about all the projects, activities, and hobbies that you would usually say no to, and reflect upon the reason behind your reluctance. Patterns and habits are great for maintaining routine, but if you're finding your day-to-day a little dull and discouraging, sign up for something spontaneous or agree with no questions asked the next time your friend extends a questionable invitation.

There are so many ways to spearhead change if you're finding yourself butting heads with internal or external resistance. Keep in mind that nothing is permanent, and you have all the power you need to make a difference. Cheers to the second half of 2020!

1. Canada is the number one donut consumer in the world, at 1 billion annually!

2. Canada produces 80% of the world’s maple syrup - in 2012, someone stole 3,00 tons on Quebec valued at $18 million dollars

3. The Trans Canada Highway #1 is the longest highway in the world at 7821 km

4. One tenth of the world’s forests can be found in Canada

5. Canada has more polar bears than anywhere in the world

6. Superman was co-created by Canadian Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel

7. Basketball was invented by Canadian Dr. James Naismith

8. Canada is about the size of 81,975 Disney Worlds put together

9. Santa Claus’ official postal address H0H 0H0 directs to our very own Montreal

10. Canada has the world’s longest coastline at 125,576 miles extending over three different oceans

11. The border between Canada and the United States is the longest border between two nations

12. Important Canadian inventions include kerosene, the electron microscope, the electronic organ, insulin, the IMAX film system, the snowmobile, and the electric cooking range

Happy Canada Day! Stay safe and have fun with your loved ones!

Sources: https://theplanetd.com/facts-about-canada/

               https://www.factretriever.com/canada-facts

The first day of summer is fast approaching, calling for longer nights, cold drinks, and of course patios!

To accommodate Covid-19 social distancing rules, the City of Vancouver's temporary expedited patio permit program will support businesses and customers alike in the transition back into regular activities. Applications between June 1 to October 31, 2020 will allow for free temporary patio permits to increase dining space and enjoyment of facilities. 

Numerous applications on both public and private properties are awaiting approval, but here are some approved locations to enjoy safe gatherings and the celebration of summer.

Breaking Bean Kafe

551 Cardero St

Mon-Sun 7am to 6pm

Cozy Japanese style coffee shop featuring a uniquely engineerd syphon bar uses traditional methods to create a mean coffee.

Devil's Elbow Alehouse

562 Beatty St

Mon-Fri 11:30am to 11pm | Sat-Sun 4pm to 11pm

Combining the best of BBQ with the best of BC Craft Beer, their funky interior design and hip atmosphere isn't something to miss out on.

Donnellan's Irish Pub

1082 Granville St

Mon-Fri 2pm to late | Sat-Sun 12pm to late

Bringing the Irish pub experience to the heart of Vancouver, Donnellan's prides itself on authenticity, community and service for Irish patrons and Vancouverites alike.

Laduree

1141 Robson St

Mon-Sun 10am to 6pm

Featuring Parisian-style tea rooms and classic French dishes, don't miss out on an exquisite afternoon tea experience with their renowned macarons and confectionaries. 

OEB Breakfast Co

1137 Marinaside Cr

Mon-Sun 7am to 3pm

A perfect balance between creativity and familiarity, their breakfast and lunch selection can be enjoyed right next to the beautiful serenity of Vancouver's waterfront. 

Rogue

601 W Cordova At

Sun-Mon 11:30am to 11pm | Tue-Thu 11:30am to 12:00am | Fri-Sat 11:30am to 1:00am

All about everyday funk, Rogue Kitchen and Wetbar sports crazy tall light fixtures that glow set against sand blasted brick for a unique ambience in your dining experience. 

Check these out if you're planning an outdoor rendezvous or date night but rememer to stay safe!

Achieve More Wealth by Creating Financial Goals

Setting a clearly defined and timely goal will help you achieve your desired level of wealth. Once you achieve one goal, reassess and set the bar higher. You'll be on your way to financial success in no time.

1. What is your idea of wealth? Your idea of wealth will change as you earn more money. That’s why it’s vital to set goals along the way. What do you want your net worth to be in 5 years, in 10 years and in 20 years? How comfortably or lavishly would you like to live, and what will it take to get there?

2. Write down your short-term and long-term goals. Once you have determined your goals, write them down. The SMART goal-setting format can help ensure that you're detailed enough to turn a seed of a plan in your head into reality. This is the first step towards getting your desires out of your mind and into motion and it will be easier to refer to them later on. Hold yourself accountable to regular review periods so that you can make the necessary adjustments to existing spending or saving habits.

3. Develop a budget to help you reach these goals. A budget not only helps you understand where your money goes each month, it may also prevent you from overspending without thinking. Automating your savings can play a huge role, as well as using online tracking tools that can effectively record everything in one place. That way you can have more money to save and invest.

Your Budget 

$ Income Earned + $ Investments = $ Total Income
$ Total Income - $ Daily Expenses - $ Monthly Bills = $ Total Available for Investment

To increase the amount you can invest, make adjustments to your daily spending and monthly bills, if possible. Look for opportunities to save money and transfer those savings into your accounts.

Purchase Investment Property

Investment properties provide passive income to your growing financial portfolio. More than 25 percent of Americans say real estate is the best way to invest money you may not need for the next 10 years. While many people flip houses to make money—that is, they buy a home at a low price, fix it up and sell it quickly—others purchase multifamily properties to create monthly cash flow to save or to reinvest in other properties.

The longer you own a property, the better investment it becomes as you’ll continue to build equity. While rental costs rise with inflation, your mortgage will remain the same. The best part? Once you pay off the mortgage, your cash flow will increase. Remember to create a budget for maintenance each month, between 10 to 20 percent of the rent you receive, or more if the home is older. This will help you save more money in the long run and allow you to prepare for unexpected repairs.

There are tax benefits to owning investment property as well. You may be able to claim deductions for depreciation, as long as it fits within the guidelines; repairs, travel expenses, interest and more. If you’re thinking of purchasing investment property, talk to your tax professional to get the details.

It’s never too late to begin planning for and building your wealth, particularly passive income. 

Sources: 1. BankRate.com

            2. Pulsenomics, Home Price Expectation Survey Q4 2016

            3. Statistic Brain, August 1, 2016

            4. National Association of REALTORS, Economists’ Outlook, September 8, 2014

            5. The Motley Fool, July 30, 2016

After months of uncertainty and sudden changes, many of us are heading back into the office, which may bring mixed feelings depending on how you've coped with the recent events, how easy it was to adapt given varying circumstances, and the degree of support that was available. Although some of us may be relishing the ability to make conference calls in the warmth of pyjamas, many others are excited to reestablish that separation between work and home. This is easier said than done given all the new measures in place, as well as the inevitable anxiety surrounding potential health and safety issues, so here are some tips to keep in mind as you greet colleagues face-to-face for the first time in a long while.

MENTAL PREPARATION IS HALF THE JOB

Mindset is important in any situation, and particularly so when approaching changes, whether they be big or small. Whether or not it's your call to relocate back into the office, make a mental or written list of potential changes that will arise, and match them with related pros and cons. Overthinking can be common when a routine is broken. If you're beside your yourself with excitement, think about how to also channel that energy into a working space at home so that you can be equally productive regardless of location. If you're dreading the commute or having to sit in on physical meetings, think about the spontaneous interactions you're bound to have and the ease of walking just a desk over to address an issue.

REVAMP YOUR ROUTINE

It was necessary to establish a routine that incorporated and balanced multiple parts of your life whilst working from home. If you were lucky, that was likely done with only a few iterations, but reflect on how that positively or negatively influenced the relationship you have with your work, the people around you, and other activities you enjoy. Perhaps you found a better way to schedule in calls, leaving more time for physical activity in between work hours. Perhaps it was easier to get started later in the day after devoting some precious time to the rest of your family. Despite shifting physically back into the office, you may not decide to revert completely to the pre-Covid-19 work schedule after figuring yourself and your habits out on a more detailed level.

MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP THOSE COMMUNICATION SKILLS

When the most that others got from you was your voice or a snapshot of your face on the screen, it was crucial to manage voice tone, engagement, and facial expressions as well as gestures. It's easy to recognize for yourself what keeps your mind awake and what bores you to the point of sleep or annoyance, but more difficult to recognize that in yourself. In close physical spaces, we once again have the ability to rely on other signals such as body language, attention, and agreement, but keep in mind all the skills developed in quarantine and maximize those abilities in online meetings, virtual presentations, or even phone calls, regardless of whether you're in or out of the office.

There are plenty of anticipated changes that may pop up over the next few months, but don't forget to reflect on these unusual experiences and hold onto the learnings you've chanced upon!

When you’re buying or selling a home, it’s crucial to work with a qualified real estate agent. Not just a professional, but an amazing agent and a market expert. With so many options to choose from, how does a prospective home buyer or seller choose the right agent or broker? On the flip side, what does an agent have to keep in mind when developing their own brand? According to the National Association of Realtors®, trust and reputation are the top deciding factors consumers use when hiring an agent.

KNOW YOURSELF AND YOUR REAL ESTATE GOALS

It's impossible to measure the level of success achieved if neither party is aware of the desired outcome. As a buyer or seller, consider your agent to be your most valuable teammate, and vice versa. Make sure that all parties involved are aligned in terms of overall goal, as well as the overarching strategy right from the start. This will prevent any hiccups along the way and provide a firm foundation for addressing the inevitable issues that may arise.

ATTRIBUTES OF AN AMAZING AGENT

Not all real estate professionals are the same, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the options and information about working with real estate professionals to buy or sell your home. Here are some characteristics to help you understand what makes top agents and market experts stand apart from the competition:

1. A Pricing Specialist

If an agent has their real estate license, they know the basics of the transaction process. They know what goes into buying and selling a home. However, there’s a difference between knowing the process and navigating it for an ideal result. This ideal result often means buying or selling a home for the best price.

For buyers, amazing agents have a strong understanding of market trends, competition, and how to make your offer attractive to sellers. They can help you identify and secure a deal to ensure you get the home you want, within your desired budget.

If you’re selling a home, market experts have experience pricing homes optimally for the market, and creating pricing plans to minimize the time spent selling the home. This will help you sell for your desired price, and avoid costs like additional mortgage and utility payments.

2. An Effective Time Manager

It’s common to underestimate the amount of time it takes to buy or sell your home. The average real estate agent may not be utilizing the latest tools and technology to make the transaction easier and more cost effective for their clients. Market experts have proven tools and strategies at their disposal to minimize the amount of time you spend on the process.

For sellers, market experts can make sure you only deal with qualified buyers, not the “window shoppers” who can waste your time. We also utilize the latest marketing practices to advertise and price your home effectively, ensuring it gets sold quickly.

When looking to buy a home, inexperienced agents may waste your time by showing you homes that are not a good fit for you. A market expert knows how to prioritize your needs and wants to find you the ideal home within your budget. They also know how to spot “red flags” and can steer you away from homes that are likely to turn up major issues in a real estate inspection, saving you time and money.

In addition, well-networked Realtors can gain access to the hottest listings before many websites do. Their extensive professional networks can help identify “pre-list” homes before they’re officially on the market. This can be invaluable in a highly-competitive real estate market.

3. A Market Insider

While most agents can pull market stats about a neighborhood, community or city, they may not understand important trends or developments that would affect your transaction. These can include the state of the school district, issues with a homeowner association, new businesses in the area, zoning rules or trends in home prices. Market experts live and breathe local real estate and know the trigger points for buying and selling in this market. We also stay current on effective marketing and negotiation practices, resulting in our track record of success.

For sellers, we understand what features of your home and neighborhood are assets in the selling process. And for buyers, we share a deep understanding of market factors, including school and neighborhood quality, crime statistics, speed of sales and more.

4. A Strong Negotiator

Amazing agents truly set themselves apart in their ability to negotiate. Unfortunately, a large portion of agents don’t commit their full time to increasing this key skill.

Real estate negotiations can be challenging, even for seasoned professionals. It takes skill, experience and a knowledge of how to fight for your client’s best interests. While any agent can enter negotiations to buy or sell a home, they may not know the effective strategies to exit those negotiations with the result you want.

5. An Effective Closer

Closing a deal fast is often a good thing. For buyers, it means you found the home you wanted quickly. For sellers, it often means you can avoid the added expenses of mortgage and utility payments, and maximize the value of your home sale. However, an agent solely focused on speed can make decisions that aren’t in your best interests. Top real estate professionals know how to not only achieve your real estate goals quickly, but in the right way to avoid potential pitfalls.

Just like negotiations, the paperwork and process of closing a real estate transaction are complicated. And they can be overwhelming for the average agent who hasn’t handled a lot of transactions. Sales contracts, property disclosures, occupancy agreements and even lead paint records need to be executed with precision. Your agent not only needs to be familiar with these, but also stay current on any changes in requirements or regulations.

Many people work with the first agent they come across without a firm understanding of their level of experience. It’s always a good idea to interview a number of agents before selecting one. You may want to consider referrals you've gotten from people you trust, as well as reviews that reflect upon their past work.

Sources:

1. National Association of REALTORS – https://www.nar.realtor/field-guides/field-guide-to-quick-real-estate-statistics

2. Financial Post – http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/mortgages-real-estate/canada-housing-bubble-agents/wcm/b49d4e3a-bd8d-4d1c-9566-bd3d80c8e23a

3. National Association of REALTORS – https://www.nar.realtor/reports/highlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers

4. National Association of REALTORS – https://www.nar.realtor/field-guides/field-guide-to-quick-real-estate-statistics

A myriad of cultural groups, ethnicities, and religions contribute to and shape the city's strength, vitality, and prosperity. Based off the 2011 census, Vancouver's racial and ethnic makeup, which includes sizable Aboriginal communities, looks like:

• European Canadian: 46.2%
• Chinese: 27.7%
• South Asian: 6%
• Filipino: 6%
• Southeast Asian: 3%
• Japanese: 1.7%
• Latin American: 1.6%
• Mixed visible minority: 1.5%
• Korean: 1.5%
• Aboriginal: 2% (1.3% First Nations, 0.6% Metis)
• West Asian: 1.2%
• Black: 1%
• Arab: 0.5%

Recognized internationally as a welcoming and accepting country, the measure of diversity addresses more categories than just ethnicity, including but not limited to: languages, religious beliefs, political parties, sexual orientation, and personal freedoms. 

Current events in the last few weeks have highlighted issues that have long needed to be seriously addressed, from the discrimination displayed internationally towards the Asian community stemming from Covid-19, to the intense Black Lives Matter movement circulating around George Floyd's death. The undercurrent that has magnified these two events, as well as many that have preceded them, is a lack of acceptance and access to information. Although it's easy and comfortable to be drawn to people, environments, and situations that are similar to what you've always encountered, there are several reasons why a diverse and inclusive community is increasingly important.

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

Even if you had all the time and resources in the world at your hands, it would be impossible for you to learn everything from scratch. Some of the most meaningful lessons and takeaways you'll receive come from communicating and collaborating with the people around you. Sharing experiences, whether they be struggles, priorities, or goals can deliver insight that you'd never have stumbled across otherwise or even present breakthroughs to challenges. 

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY

We will each have our strengths and weaknesses no matter how much training or effort we are willing to dedicate towards making improvements. By perfecting our strong suits and being humble enough to ask for help when it's needed, problems, projects, and tasks are quickly completed by maximizing resources and skillsets. Different backgrounds, experiences and attitudes generally can't be fostered in the same environment, but an inclusive mindset can make any scenario plausible. 

GOOD FEELINGS ALL AROUND 

A smile is contagious and a kind word can do wonders. If you walk into a completely new room, your behaviour and mood is affected by a mixture of conscious thoughts and subconscious beliefs. The perception that you'll have to fight every person who disagrees with you forces you to put up a protective wall, but the belief that everyone will be open-minded as a basic minimum breaks down barriers and strengthens relationships even as they're just being formed.

While many of us may not have directly experienced the implications of discrimination in its many forms, it's completely possible to purposely remain an open-minded and curious learner.