Metro Vancouver home sales in June dropped 35% from 2021 amid higher interest rates
  
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says last month’s home sales dropped by about 35 per cent since last June and 16 per cent from May 2022 as houses remained on the market longer and interest rates rose.
The B.C. board says sales in the region totalled 2,444 last month, down from 3,762 in June 2021, and 2,918 homes in May 2022.
Last month’s sales were 23.3 per cent below the 10-year June sales average.
The board’s chair Daniel John says the drop in sales came because buyers have more properties to choose from, but rising interest rates and 39-year high inflation are causing them to be cautious and thus, listings are staying available for longer.
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Hike of the Month - Mt Thurston
On a misty morning in July, I made my way up Elk Mountain in Chilliwack from where I would continue on to Thurston. The picture you see was taken at the top of Elk (which is beyond the popular lookout some claim as Elk's summit). I was about 2 hours into the hike and continued on to the cairn on top of Thurston.
The hike from Elk to Thurston is along a mountain ridge which overlooks the Chilliwack River valley. The round trip took me 5 hours 40 minutes including the 'coffee break' on Elk and lunch stop on Thurston.
I feel I should have taken my time on the way down as my quadriceps were screaming at me and I paid dearly for days thereafter.
Hike info can be found at http://www.clubtread.com/routes/Route.aspx?Route=85
Book of the Month - Ben Hur
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880) by Lew Wallace is one of the most popular and beloved 19th century American novels.
This faithful New Testament tale combines the events of the life of Jesus with grand historical spectacle in the exciting story of Judah of the House of Hur, a man who finds extraordinary redemption for himself and his family. A classic of faith, fortitude, and inspiration.
I found this story to be a lot more than just the chariot race that I recalled from the movie. I recommend it!
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