Tanja Stosic Real Estate

06/15/2026

Enjoy Your Outdoor Space This Summer 🏡🌳☀️

Stay cool and comfortable spending time outside with friends and family by adding shade to your yard or patio with these ideas.

Overhead Patio Coverings - One popular way to create shade is to string up outdoor fabric and make a retractable awning or canopy. Shade sails are another versatile and inexpensive way to diffuse the sun’s rays. If your outdoor space lacks the columns or posts to attach fabric, a large area umbrella is always an option.

A Natural Solution - Potted citrus trees can be moved around as the sun shifts to naturally block it. Wood structures such as a trellis or pergola also make a beautiful statement while creating shady areas. Both are designed to support climbing plants like ivy, morning glory, clematis and bougainvillea.

Surrounded by Shade - For a more closed-in arrangement, try canvas curtains, bamboo blinds or solar shades. Each is adjustable, making it a breeze to raise them up or down (or to the side), depending on the sun’s position and your desired level of coverage.

Whether you’re looking to dine alfresco, relax outside with a good book or visit with friends and family, a covered patio is an ideal spot.

Just remember: Before you put up any structures, review your homeowners association or rental agreement, as some options may require permission.

06/08/2026

GOOD CONDITIONS FOR BUYING

Just a few short years ago, the real estate market had a very different vibe. Buyers were swept up in a sense of urgency and often tried anything they could to gain an edge in securing their preferred property. In some cases, that meant waiving all conditions-agreeing to purchase without firm financing, without first selling their current home, and/or without a home inspection.

Today, the market has steadied, and
conditional offers are making a comeback.

A conditional offer is a purchase agreement that becomes firm only once specific requirements have been satisfied. Here are some common conditions (or clauses).

1. FINANCING. Even if a buyer has a mortgage pre-approval in hand, the lender must still appraise the property to confirm its value and complete final income verification to ensure the buyer can comfortably carry the mortgage on that specific home.

2. SALE OF CURRENT HOME. This condition allows buyers to proceed with a purchase only if their existing home sells within an agreed-upon timeframe.

3. HOME INSPECTION. A professional home inspection helps identify potential issues with the property, giving buyers the opportunity to renegotiate or withdraw their offer if significant concerns are discovered.

Many sellers in today's market choose to arrange a pre-listing inspection. Doing so allows homeowners to identify and address concerns in advance—or price their property accordingly. It also gives buyers added confidence that the home has been thoroughly evaluated before they submit an offer.

06/01/2026

With summer just around the corner, you can finally stop daydreaming about fun in the sun — and start preparing to live the dream. Enjoy quiet mornings alone in the garden? Prefer lively nighttime gatherings of friends and family? Either way, a few updates to your outdoor space today can make all the difference once the season’s in full swing.

Need a few ideas?

I’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

From shade solutions and decorative flourishes to can’t-miss party themes, this month’s newsletter is your one-stop shop for outdoor inspiration.

And if you’re ready to upgrade to an entirely new outdoor space, give me a call. Helping you find a home better suited to your lifestyle? Now that’s what I call summer fun!

TANJA STOSIC
Real Estate Broker

05/25/2026

DIY Reed Diffusers 🌸🏡

Do you want to make your home smell beautiful while creating a nice accent piece to add to your home? How about making a reed diffuser? It’s surprisingly simple and also makes a great gift idea for any occasion.

Materials:

• A glass or ceramic vase-like container, glazed inside to prevent leaking, with a narrow opening at the top so the liquid will evaporate slower
• ½ cup of sweet almond oil or safflower oil
• 25 to 30 drops of essential oils of your choosing (note that citrus oils evaporate quicker than other oils, but pairing these with another oil will help it last longer)
• 4 to 5 bamboo skewer sticks (trim the pointy ends) or reed diffuser sticks

Mix the oils, add the sticks, and rotate them after several hours. Continue to rotate the sticks about once a week until they are saturated and then replace them and the oils as necessary.

If you want the scent to travel up the sticks faster, add 1 tablespoon of vodka or rubbing alcohol.

Note: If you have a cat or dog, some essential oils are toxic to them, so check which essential oils are safe.

05/18/2026

Happy Victoria Day 🇨🇦

05/11/2026

GET ORGANIZED IN A SNAP! 📸🏡

The rise of smartphones has transformed even the least tech-savvy among us into capable photographers. While many phone cameras are used to capture beautifully plated meals, a pet's latest mischief, or yet another mirror selfie, these powerful little lenses can also serve some surprisingly practical purposes. Beyond memories and social media, your smartphone camera can be a simple tool for organization, security, and everyday problem-solving.

1. Photos can provide valuable insurance reassurance. Clear images of jewelry, electronics, and other valuables—along with serial numbers and receipts-can make filing a claim much easier if something is lost or stolen.

2. Snapping step-by-step photos while disassembling furniture or electronics can save time and frustration when it's time to put everything back together.

3. Your camera can also function as a portable scanner. Use it to digitize important documents, warranties, and receipts so they're always accessible.

4. In large parking lots, a quick photo of where you parked (and nearby signs or numbers) can help you find your car quickly.

5. Other handy uses include photographing coat-check tickets, valet stubs, or luggage tags in case the paper slip goes missing. You can also document medications by snapping pictures of pill bottles to keep names and dosages on hand. You can even use your phone camera to snap pictures of the inside of your fridge, freezer, and pantry before you go grocery shopping, to help prevent duplicate purchases.

05/10/2026

05/06/2026

April 2026 Stats 🏠🏢

This interactive flipbook is created with FlippingBook, a service for streaming PDFs online. No download, no waiting. Open and start reading right away!

05/04/2026

STEPS AND STAGES 🏡

When touring a potential new home, many buyers spend so much time looking up and around that they can forget to look down, overlooking the impact stairs can have on everyday living. Here are a few stair-related considerations to keep in mind when you're ready to "step up" to your next move.

• Consider your stage of life. Take note of how many stairs lead from the street to the front door. Would they be difficult to navigate while carrying a baby and stroller? What if mobility becomes a concern in the future? Even if those scenarios don't apply, think about how you feel about climbing steps for everyday tasks like bringing groceries into the home.

• Evaluate comfort and safety. How steep are the stairs, and are the riser heights (the vertical portion) and tread depths (the horizontal portion) consistent? A comfortable residential stair typically has a 7-inch rise, an 11-inch tread, and a minimum width of 36 inches.

• Think about furniture access. Is there enough room to move furniture up and down the stairs safely? Spiral staircases, while visually appealing, can make transporting mattresses and other large items challenging.

• Check the lighting. Is there adequate, dedicated lighting at both the top and bottom of the stairs to enhance visibility and safety?

• Plan for the long term. If you envision staying in the home for many years, is there sufficient space to install a chairlift should it ever become necessary?

Sellers should also recognize how important the appearance and functionality of stairs are to a home's curb appeal. Outdoor stairs should be clean, clear, structurally strong, and well maintained, with paint or stain applied as necessary. A sturdy handrail on at least one side is essential for both safety and buyer confidence.

While a home with many stairs can present challenges, it can also offer notable health benefits. Studies suggest that climbing stairs can build muscle mass, improve balance, and lower the risk of osteoporosis. Regular stair climbing can also burn calories, reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension, and provide a convenient, "no excuse" form of exercise, regardless of the weather outside.

THINK ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT CLIMBING STEPS FOR EVERYDAY TASKS LIKE BRINGING IN GROCERIES.

Let me help you in your home search.

YOUR HOME IS MY HIGHEST PRIORITY!!!

04/27/2026

SAFE SELLING 🏡

It’s Open House season, and sellers
public into their homes in hopes of attracting the right buyer. While protecting your own valuables is an obvious priority, it's also important to think through the safety and comfort of every visitor who walks through the door.

Here are three key areas to focus on when preparing for your next home viewing:

1. Lighting. Turning on all the lights is a classic open house strategy, to help rooms feel brighter, warmer, and more spacious. But another reason to keep lights on is for safety: It allows visitors to navigate around the home more clearly and reduce the risk of trips or falls.

2. Clutter. Clear floors, stairs, and main walkways of any obstacles, including loose rugs, cords, or décor that could pose a tripping hazard. Closets deserve special attention as well. Buyers will open them, and items stacked too high or too tightly could fall out and cause injury. Neat, organized storage is safer, and of course, more appealing.

3. Pets. Because sellers are typically away during an open house, pets should also leave with them. Unfamiliar visitors can make animals anxious, and there's always a risk of accidental escapes or unpredictable behaviour. Removing pets helps ensure everyone feels comfortable.

By prioritizing safety alongside presentation, sellers can create a welcoming environment that protects visitors and supports a smooth, successful selling experience.