Chinese New Year – The Year of the Rat

January 16, 2020

Chinese New Year – The Year of the Rat – The origins of the Chinese New Year festival are thousands of years old and are steeped in legends, but it is unclear when the beginning of the year was celebrated before the Qin Dynasty.

Over the centuries each dynasty has added different elements to the festival including fireworks from the Han Dynasty to lanterns from the Tang Dynasty.

This important Chinese festival celebrates the turn of the traditional lunar calendar and is one of the most important days of the year. The first day of the New Year falls on the new moon between 21 January and 20 February.

This year we celebrate the Year of the Rat on January 24 – February 4. The rat is the first of all zodiac animals. In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. Because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children. Rats are clever, quick thinkers; successful, but content with living a quiet and peaceful life.

During this time, families will decorate their windows and doors will be decorated with red colour paper-cuts with popular themes of “good fortune” or “happiness”, “wealth”, and “longevity”. They will also gather for the annual reunion dinner and thoroughly cleanse the house to sweep away any ill-fortune and make way for good incoming luck.

In Markham, 51% of the population is East and Southeast Asian. The entire Markham community is viewed as an extension of our own family and we here at RE/MAX All-Stars Benczik Team realty are thrilled to take part in the occasion.

We would like to wish everyone good health (身體健康) and a happy new year (新年快樂)

Chinese New Year – The Year of the Rat – written by Benczik Team Realty

Testimonials

Working with Leslie was an absolute pleasure. He is very prompt to respond to any queries and questions and has an organized approach to the entire home selling process.

Heather and Michael seller Markham

5.0

Alon was extremely professional, knowledgeable and friendly. He gave us multiple options on how to list our property and how to attain the best selling price. His guidance through the …Read More

Mac seller Markham

5.0

We were downsizing a senior who had lived in their home for 50 years and was quite an undertaking. Rachel did an amazing job and was very kind and considerate …Read More

Lawrence seller Markham

5.0

Leslie was outstanding! He was completely dedicated to us and selling our house for the best price. His stagers were incredible and made a huge difference. We’ve dealt with other …Read More

Meg and Pete seller Unionville

5.0

We recently worked with Alon Hillel and Leslie Benczik team to sell our house. This was our first experience and we couldn’t be more happier! From our first meeting, Alon …Read More

Srikanth seller Markham

5.0

Simply outstanding in every respect. Recommend to anyone looking for professional support, and a no-quit attitude.

Gord seller Markham

5.0

Leslie Benczik and his team are professionals in every sense of the word. My Mom sought Leslie’s counsel in securing the sale of her property and after meeting with Leslie …Read More

Stewart seller Markham

5.0

We’ve bought and sold again with Alon Hillel, and were again delighted with the experience. His expertise in the Markham Village neighbourhood gave us confidence the first time we worked …Read More

Jennifer buyer Markham

5.0

Thank you Alon Hillel and his team for helping to declutter and ready our condo for showings without delay. His can do attitude and positive energy was a great help …Read More

Mac seller Unionville

5.0

During the sale of our family home, we wanted to work with a realtor who would be sensitive to our needs. Rachel Kavanagh was excellent – she was professional, attentive, …Read More

Laurie seller Durham Region

5.0

It has been a delight to deal with Leslie Benczik and his entire team. They smoothly guided me through the process of selling my home – from the listing agreement …Read More

Susan seller Stouffville

5.0

Rosaria Vindigni helped me find a rental unit in the Unionville area. I have worked with multiple agents on different rentals in the past and she was by far the …Read More

Cornnor buyer Markham

5.0

I had the honour to work with one of the best area specialist in the Markham area during a very challeging time. . Leslie was incredible to work with, honesty …Read More

Kenny seller Markham

5.0

Rachel Kavanagh and her team are a dream come true! I highly recommend working with them to sell your property. We were able to sell our house in 6 days …Read More

Haley seller Markham

5.0

Simply the best agent! STEVE was very knowledgable,very professional got our house sold during the market downturn. STEVE looked after everything from beginning to the end we were in good …Read More

Dave seller Markham

5.0

Alon Hillel from the Benczik Real Estate Team was a professional and excellent agent from listing to sale of my old house, and then throughout the process of purchasing my …Read More

Andy seller Markham

5.0

Leslie and Rosaria were wonderful to work with. They were professional, responsive and kind. Our property sold quickly and over asking. We would highly recommend!

Rebecca seller Markham

5.0

Thanks Rachel and your team for responding very swiftly and professionally to our sudden decision to sell our home. Our home sold in 2 days at a fair price and …Read More

Tyrone seller Markham

5.0

It was a pleasure to work with Steve Ialongo on the purchase of our new home. It was clear from the start that he is results driven. He was quick …Read More

Tamar buyer

5.0

We chose Steve Ialongo to sell our house after meeting with several other agents. From the get-go we felt like we were in good hands. Steve really seemed to appreciate …Read More

Rob seller

5.0

This was my second time working with Rachel Kavanagh and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The team that she brings to a property know what they are doing. …Read More

Chloe seller Toronto

5.0

During the sale of our family home, we wanted to work with a realtor who would be sensitive to our needs. Rachel Kavanagh was excellent – she was professional, attentive, …Read More

Tanya seller Pickering

5.0

Rachel Kavanagh is the BEST realtor we have ever worked with. Efficient, honest, hard-working and works in your best interest. Great marketing team. Our humble home looked like a gem …Read More

Martina seller Toronto

5.0

We highly recommend Carly Whittamore and Debra Ambrose – two outstanding agents on the Benczik team. They are motivated, extremely professional, have a thorough understanding of the marketplace and above …Read More

Carol seller Markham

5.0

Alon and his team has done a professional job in helping us sell our house. We rate them highly with their reliable and professional service!

Chan seller Markham

5.0

Ms. Li Wu helped me purchase my house recently. I am grateful to receive her help and advice in the process of buying the house. I hope many more future …Read More

JC buyer Markham

5.0

Alon and the Benczik team we’re absolutely amazing. Alon helped me purchase my first home. He guided me through everything and was always answering my questions. Alon and his team …Read More

Yarkin buyer Toronto

5.0

“120% Committed. Over and Beyond” Those are the words I would use to describe the service I received from Steve Ialongo. My husband and I were blown away by the …Read More

Bina seller Toronto

5.0

Alon Hillel and the entire REMAX Benczik Team were a pleasure to work with. Alon was patient and informative. We were very impressed with Alon as he went above and …Read More

Robert seller Markham

5.0

I worked with Susan Wen of Benczik Team Realty to find my perfect home in Toronto, and I couldn’t be more pleased! Susan guided me through the entire process with …Read More

Stephanie buyer Markham

5.0

What can I say, Rachel, Susan and Leslie are the single best agents I have ever had the pleasure of working with. They not only were sensitive to the nature …Read More

Karen seller Stouffville

5.0

It was a pleasure to do business with Benczik and his team, with the entire process from beginning to end being quite favorable. The overall responsiveness and professionalism displayed, gave …Read More

Dewar seller Mount Albert

5.0

We relied upon RE/MAX All-Stars Benczik Team Realty, specifically Rosaria Vindigni and Leslie Benczik to sell our home of 35 years, in Markham. Long time and trusted Markham residents, including …Read More

Joseph seller Markham

5.0

We interviewed several known realtors in the Markham area before listing our home of 12 years for sale. Each realtor had an outstanding track record and plenty of experience, but …Read More

Patricia seller Markham

5.0

We are so grateful to Alon Hillel and the Benczik Team who helped us sell our Unionville home with an incredible result! Right from the beginning, we knew that we …Read More

Christine seller Unionville

5.0

When my husband and I decided to sell our house, we were faced with an endless selection of realtors. We ultimately chose to work with ReMax All Stars to sell …Read More

Naomi seller Uxbridge

5.0

Chris G. recently helped us with the purchase of our new home and sell our current home right after in the Markham area. Chris is an absolute professional, nice guy, …Read More

Shalk seller Markham

5.0

Rachel is attentive, knowledgeable and experienced. She was honestly a superstar in helping my family with a very stressful move. Thank you for your insight, patience and warmth. Not to …Read More

Rishma seller Unionville

5.0

Alon Hillel from the Benczik Team Realty helped my parents sell our family home this summer and buy their new home too. Alon works with a reputable brokerage which is …Read More

Tamana buyer Richmond Hill

5.0

Rachel, Susan and the Benczik team are the best! We are 3rd time repeat customers and we wish we had more money so that we could keep on using them …Read More

David seller Toronto

5.0

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905-477-7766
info@bkteam.ca
120 Main Street North,
Markham, ON L3P 1Y1

Chinese New Year – The Year of the Rat

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