There’s a new dining hot spot in Gibsons and I just can’t get enough of their new menu and fresh approach.

The Drift Cafe & Bistro (formerly The Nova Kitchen) is a tiny locale perched atop a hill on Gibsons Way, with gorgeous views of the stunning Salish Sea. The restaurant is the brainchild of chefs Tim and Ben, who’ve known one another for almost 17 years, since their days of cooking school. Both chefs have had extensive careers in the industry and are new to the Sunshine Coast. Tim moved from East Vancouver just two years ago and Ben just moved from North Vancouver this winter to help re-open the restaurant. The pair partnered with Omar who is based in Vancouver.

“With the Nova Kitchen, we liked a lot of the things they did around keeping things local, so we‘re trying to stay on the track with the way that Chef Paul had gone,” says Tim. “One thing we noticed that was really missing [in Gibsons] is a place that was a combination of value … but also really good food,” he says, adding that he and his wife Stephanie used to leave Gibsons to go out for dinner, in search of either more affordable options or higher-end food.

He explains: “Drift is making that bridge of really good, comforting food, but with a bit more of a fine dining flair to it.”

Drift is the kind of place where you can enjoy a delicious brunch for under $15, or an evening entré for under $25 as you overlook the ocean from their patio. While the prices are reasonable, you’ll find a carefully curated cocktail and wine list; with little twists to common items, like adding housemade pickles to the Caesar, or a grapefruit and saje Mimosa. Sip on Moet & Chandon bubbles or enjoy a casual pint of local craft beer on the patio – anything goes.

Meanwhile, the menu is simple, but flavourful bistro dining with hints of Italian, French and new American cooking. Currently they’re offering a weekend brunch 9am-2pm and a dinner service Thursday to Monday (with plans to expand their opening times in the near future). One of the signature dining experiences is the three-course meal, which includes a starter, a main and a dessert for just $35. Choose from mouth watering items like the salted ling cod croquette, farro risotto, and a yogurt panna cotta.

Drift is constantly evolving, says Tim. Coffee-lovers will be happy to hear they’ve installed a new high-end Simonelli coffee machine and are partnering with Vancouver-based Moja coffee to source the coffee in efforts to ramp up their early morning offerings. The team is also planning to expand the patio and looking into a beer garden.

If you haven’t already noticed, Tim is a pretty busy fellow. He also co-owns a company called Ginger Jars Food with his wife, (which I’ll be talking about in another blog) and works at a cooking school in Downtown Vancouver.  Given his penchant for entrepreneurship and his recent move to The Coast, I asked him the most important tip for new business owners in the area:

“Consult the locals. People are pretty open with [sharing] their opinions, which is pretty awesome, but if you don’t consult them, there’s a lot of little things that are kind of unique to The Coast that I’ve found you have to be aware of,” he says.

So, there you have it: business advice, plus a great new dining location in the heart of Gibsons to boot.

Find The Drift Cafe & Bistro online at drift-gibsons.ca, on Facebook  or Instagram @DriftGibsons.

According to the Coast Reporter, the total property values on the Sunshine Coast sit somewhere between $10.35 billion and $11.99 billion. BC Assessment indicates that Gibsons has seen the largest average increases in all property classes. Here, residential assessments are up 17.93 % on average. In Sechelt, residential home values increased by 17.44%.

When your property value increases, it’s only natural to start thinking about the potential of selling your home. If you’re thinking about selling in 2018, here are three ways to prepare for  listing your property:

1. Start with your goals

When you first decide to sell your home, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of home improvements and getting the property listed. However, before you dive in, take some time to sit down and write out your goals for the home. Here are some questions I ask my clients when we first meet:

• What are your reasons for selling?
• What are your timelines for moving?
• Is timing or pricing most important?
• Do you anticipate any challenges with selling your home?
• What we will do first: list and sell, or buy a new home?
• If your upgrading to a more expensive home, are you pre-approved for your mortgage for your new purchase?

2. Create a home improvement plan

Even simple updates, like a fresh coat of paint and new appliances can make a huge difference in perceived home value. Small improvements like tightening door handles, fixing leaky faucets or replacing blinds, can be cheap and quick. Meanwhile, larger improvements like new kitchen cabinets, interior painting, exterior landscaping or even full on renovations will take more time and budget to accomplish.

Make an inventory of home updates that need to be made and prioritize them in order of what tasks will have the greatest impact on your home value.  Create a budget and work-back schedule to keep yourself focused and on track.

3. Bring on the right partners

Start looking at the property as a business venture. Every successful business has the right people at the table, and your home listing is no exception. Finding the right real estate agent is part of the equation, but you may also need to source contractors and home staging experts to help showcase your home in the best possible light.

Review your goals and your home improvement plan and find experts who have an aligned vision and values. It’s so much easier when you are working with a great team.

For more steps on preparing your home, read my previous post, “How To Sell Your Home In 10 Easy Steps”.

Interested in selling your home in 2018? Contact me for a consultation!

What are the changes?

Canada’s banking watchdog, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) announced last fall that as of 2018, customers must qualify for a mortgage at the 5-year benchmark or the current rate plus 2% (whichever is greater). Known as the B-20 guidelines, this stress requires that your debt-to-income ratio maintains within a certain threshold.

The stress test will also be required for buyers who have a downpayment higher than 20% (even though it exempts them from requiring mortgage insurance).

For the last number of years, interest rates have remained low. But, they are climbing slowly once again. Essentially OSFI wants to place more rigor around the stress test to ensure Canadians are not living beyond their means and will not suffer if interest rates climb.

The financial industry expects that this will impact the size of mortgages Canadians will qualify for.

Note that these changes impact federally regulated financial institutions only. Lenders, such as provincially regulated credit unions and caisses populaires are not required to follow these guidelines.

What can you do?

If you’re interested in buying a home this year, start talking to a mortgage broker as soon as possible. Current mortgage rates are still relatively low, so it’s best to start the process sooner rather than later. A qualified mortgage specialist can explain the mortgage process and help you understand where you’re at with your current financial situation.

There are many creative and outside-the-box solutions available, but you won’t know until you go. With the help of an expert you’ll be one step closer to your home ownership goals.

If you need help navigating the new rules, contact me and I’ll be happy connect you with one of my trusted mortgage experts.