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.

Home buying and selling can be challenging even in what we perceive as 'normal' times, and especially given that nothing is the same today as it was months, weeks, or even days ago, one thing no industry should overlook is messaging.

LISTEN TO YOUR TONE 

It's easy to make assumptions about others and their circumstances when we're not privy to their current lives and everything is portrayed digitally through a screen. Whether you're picking up the phone to catch up with a client or signing in to a video call presentation, pause and think about the effect you want to have on the person on the receiving end and hold onto the mindset for the duration of the interaction. Regardless of whether they can see you or not, your energy and tone carry subtle messages that extend far beyond the words that are heard. Despite increased optimism, buyers and sellers alike may still be convinced to hold off given the uncertainty in the market. Stay positive, be accountable, check in with a personal touch, and follow up gently while focusing on what's best for each client.

PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL CONTENT

An abundance of accurate and relevant information can help alleviate fear and instill new perspectives. In times of uncertainty, transparency is valued; different problems require unique solutions, but the first step is addressing the fact that the 'normal' is actually constantly changing. If you have accumulated knowledge or tips to share, take this time to create, document, and engage your community with what might be valuable insight.

STRATEGIZE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA AND VIDEO PLATFORMS

It's undeniable that humans are social creatures who find comfort and strength in engaging with others. When in person and face-to-face interactions are very much restricted, one of the best ways to replicate communication is through visual, interactive and especially live content. Develop and leverage your social channels to maintain regular touchpoints with new and existing clients, who can easily stay in the loop and a safe distance.

Regardless of whether or not you're looking to sell your home, it's the first thing you wake up to each morning and the first thing that guests or visitors will have their eyes drawn to. 

Here are some simple, cost-friendly and fun suggestions you can consider to customize the atmosphere you find most appealing, whether that be rejuvenating, lively, classy or homey.

STEP 1: MIRROR MIRROR

Veratile in many ways, mirrors can be put to use in almost any room of your home! There's absolutely no shortage to the styles and colors that they come in, so take advantage of their ability to add dimension, highlight architectural features or add unique accents. 

1) Choose the positioning of your mirror wisely to reflect favoured pieces of artwork or distinctive furniture.

2) Place mirrors opposite of windows, especially in dining or living room areas to give guests a glimpse of the outdoors, regardless of where they're seated.

3) Strategize with tall floor to ceiling windows to elongate and add space to smaller and tighter rooms.

4) Hang mirrors higher to draw the eye to elegant light fixtures and further illuminate the room.

5) Consider a mirrored desk, walls or countertops for a modern and airy look and feel.

STEP 2: DRESS UP THOSE WINDOWS

You want your window coverings to be functional, but also complement and match the tone of your interiors. Depending on how frequently the room is occupied, as well as the general atmosphere you'd like to present, opt to change up what might've just been a forgotten backdrop until now. 

1) Make use of sheer, light coloured curtains if your actual windows are limited in size to maximize the natural light that projects through.

2) Add a timeless touch with full floor to ceiling windows that extend beyond the top of the window frame to contribute a touch of depth and dimension.

3) If fabric coverings are unpractical for you, play around with classic white shades or coloured shutters for a touch of boldness.

STEP 3: THE FLOOR NEEDS ATTENTION TOO

Floor coverings can be functional, decorative, or strike a balance somewhere in between depending on your preference.

1) Size matters here, so check that rugs actually fit your room dimensions and furniture placement, with at least the front legs of chairs or couches touching the rug.

2) Play around and update your rugs and accessories to introduce new color trends or themes, such as with changing seasons.

3) Consider the proper material for spaces in your home with higher traffic, such as ceramic tiles or hardwood flooring, or a harder finished carpet to avoid slippage.

4) Depending on humidity, materials that absorb moisture should be regularly maintained, or properly sealed with a protective coating.