Courtesy of Eric Manherz

The Experience and Service That You Deserve

E r i c MANHERZ

BROKER

Steve LANGLO I S

REALTOR ®

613-601-6404 info@ericmanherz.com www . EricManherz . com

Top 2% of 18,000 agents

2026 | ISSUE 2

2026 SHOWER TRENDS

Bathroom renovations are recommended before selling your home as they often offer a strong return on investment. Part of a bathroom renovation can be updating your shower; especially in the master bathroom to create a luxurious experience for a new buyer. Here are some hot trends to keep in mind when planning your new shower. • Install built-in, decorative (and functional) benches in the shower space as they can help those with accessibility issues or provide place to sit for a spa-like experience. • Utilize windows, if possible, for a dose of natural light. They can also help with ventilation and provide sunlight for plants to grow (and yes, hanging plants in the shower is becoming a common practice.) • Incorporate bold colours and patterns in the tiles you choose. From walls to floors and ceilings, embrace bold choices and mix and match tiles for a stronger statement. Dark colours are trending as they invite a more relaxing feeling. • When considering fixtures, brass remains a classic and will be seen often, nickel - polished and brushed - is another popular finish that can replace the often overused chrome. • Not necessarily a renovation, but when showing your new bathroom, install long, fabric curtains that hang from ceiling to floor to elongate the look of the room. Be sure to use a shower liner to keep it waterproof.

Stroganoff CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 ounces (about 4 ½ cups) uncooked medium egg noodles • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips • 6 ounces sliced mushrooms (about 2 cups)

• 2 Tbsp butter (divided in half) • 1 medium onion, chopped (about ½ cup) • 1 can (10.5 ounces) Cream of Chicken Soup • ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook and drain the noodles according to the package directions. While noodles are cooking, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 Tbsp butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet. 2. Heat the remaining 1 Tbsp butter in the skillet. Add the mushrooms and onion and cook until tender. 3. Add the soup and heat to a boil. Return the chicken to the skillet (including pan juices) and cook until the chicken is done. Stir in the sour cream and cook until hot (don’t boil). Season to taste. Serve the chicken mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if desired.

COURAGE DOESN’T ALWAYS ROAR. SOMETIMES COURAGE IS THE QUIET VOICE AT THE END OF THE DAY SAYING ‘I WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW.’”

MARY ANNE RADMACHER AMERICAN AUTHOR AND ARTIST

REMOVE DUST TO HELP YOUR HOME SMELL BETTER

Dust particles absorb moisture from the air and as it settles onto surfaces, floors and baseboards, it can create a musty smell in your home. Removing dust and vacuuming those hard to reach places where it may accumulate (like baseboards, under dressers, behind bookshelves, etc.) can definitely help improve the fragrance in your home. A practice to get in the habit of is to dust from top to bottom to ensure you get any settling particles. Use a damp rag or microfiber cloth instead of a feather duster to trap and remove dust as opposed to just spreading it around. If possible, open a window while dusting and vacuuming (and for a few minutes after) to help prevent particles from settling again. Maintaining proper humidity (30% to 50%) throughout the home can also help prevent dust from absorbing excess moisture and creating a musty smell.

COUCH COLOURS TO INCORPORATE THIS YEAR

A couch is a staple found in most homes throughout the country. If the structure is good and the seating comfortable, you can use slipcovers to change up the look to enhance your décor. Designers are expecting to see a lot of bold colours being used on couches this year and whites and softer colours to take a less prominent role in livingroom décor. Dark, neutral tones such as charcoal, black and navy provide a timeless look that pairs easily with nearly any other colour, making them a strong long-term investment.

A green couch in earthy shades like moss and olive or a deeper hunter tone feels contemporary and layers well with brown and cream colours. Lighter shades of purple, such as lilac, introduce a subtle touch of colour to a room, while darker shades like burgundy create a more refined feel. Muted reds, such as brick and terracotta rather than bright red, are a popular choice that adds richness and warmth to a room.

SOLVE THE MAZE

Why was Cinderella so bad at soccer? She kept running away from the ball!

What happened when two slices of bread went on a date? It was loaf at first sight.

I got a new pen that canwrite under water. It can write other words too.

How is my wallet like an onion? Every time I open it, I cry.

SOLUTION

FRESH, HEART HEALTHY LUNCH IDEAS When you’re tired of packing the same old lunches every day, you may stray to the nearest drive through to pick up something quick and easy. However, it’s probably not best for your wallet, or your body, to keep up this habit. Here are a few fresh lunch ideas that just happen to be heart healthy in honour of heart month. • A “snackle” box - pack bits and pieces to graze on over the lunch hour. Aim for lots of fruit and vegetables, a protein and some healthy fats. For instance you can pack trail mix, cubed cheese, whole grain crackers, fresh vegetables and fruit. • Mini frittatas - make a batch and freeze them. The best part is they can be loaded with vegetables to increase their nutrition value. Round out your meal with a slice of whole grain bread and some fresh fruit. • Salad in a jar - start with your dressing (oil-based) at the bottom of the jar and then layer in any vegetables and proteins you desire. Some ideas include chickpeas, carrots, cubed chicken or beans. Top with lettuce. At lunch, shake it up to distribute the dressing and enjoy!

TIPS ON TRAVEL INSURANCE

It’s recommended that if you travel outside of Canada for any length of time that you purchase trip interruption and travel health insurance before you depart. Most insurance companies will offer these types of insurance, but you can also purchase it through travel agents, your credit card company, your bank or even your employer’s health insurance provider. Not all plans are equal, so research your options thoroughly so you can rest assured all of your needs will be covered. Travel health insurance should, at minimum, cover three things: medical evacuation, pre-existing medical conditions and repatriation. The Government of Canada has a section on their website about travelling abroad and more information on trip interruption and travel health insurance. Go to travel.gc.ca for details.

Privacy Disclosure: We respect your privacy. The sponsor indicated on the front panel provides a complimentary subscription of this publication to you, a valued client. If at any time or for any reason you do not want to receive this publication, please contact the sponsor using any of the contact info on the front panel, and your personal information will be removed from the mailing list immediately. Without response to this cancellation offer, we assume your implied consent and permission to continue provision. Disclaimer: This publication is distributed for the purpose of information only. It is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract by a real estate firm or under contract with another Broker or Mortgage Specialist, nor is it intended to cause or induce breach of any existing agreement. Distributed by: dmsmarketing.ca Copyright© 2026 All Rights Reserved / Printed on recyclable material. The trademarks REALTOR ® , REALTORS ® and the REALTOR ® logo are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA.

Top 2% of 18,000 agents in Canada

Eric’s Corner

February, 2026

As I write this, it appears that the Ottawa market has been pretty slow this January. With roughly 350 new listings and a similar number of sales, inventory isn't expanding, and prices are still pretty steady. Normally, during the year, we would see 500 or so new listings a week. There is lots of turmoil afoot with the trade wars and tariff threats. No one knows whether interest rates will move, though the consensus is that they will remain unchanged in the near future. And there is additional uncertainty in Ottawa, with many public servants receiving letters indicating that their jobs might be subject to the federal government plans to reduce their workforce. Uncertainty always slows the market down somewhat. However, it is expected that 2026 overall will be a pretty good year for real estate in the end, but it is too early to tell much at this point. If you want details on your particular situation don’t hesitate to reach out!

Common Buyer & Seller Misconceptions

These charts show common misconceptions as surveyed by the National Association of Realtors.

CREA (The Canadian Real Estate Association) has an article as well: 7 Real Estate Misconceptions.

https://www.crea.ca/cafe/7-real-estate-misconceptions-debunked-by-realtors/?category=53791

“When it comes to buying and selling a home, there are many opinions on the real estate process. From when to sell to where to buy, how to negotiate and what to look for, there’s no shortage of information being thrown your way. Like with anything, what you read or hear isn’t always factual. Sure, it may be rooted in truths, but things can get twisted. This is why we recommend contacting a REALTOR® to help you on your real estate journey. They’re the experts and can bring a multitude of professional experience, designations, and certifications to the table, helping you navigate an other wise stressful process.”

 You shouldn’t call a REALTOR® until you’re ready to buy

It’s not uncommon to hear people say contacting a REALTOR® is the last step before you’re ready to buy, but in fact, it’s the opposite.

It’s OK to skip a home inspection



Home inspections aren’t mandatory when purchasing a home, but they’re recommended to help protect you in the long run.

 Down payments are the only upfront costs

Saving for a down payment is what most people focus on when beginning their home buying journey —this isn’t a bad thing — but often we forget there are additional costs associated with the purchase of a property, and being unprepared for them could leave you in a tough spot.

 Condos with cheaper fees are always better

Paying additional fees on top of your mortgage can be tough, but it’s not always worth finding the lowest condo fees in order to avoid those costs.

 Your list of wants is the same as your list of needs

Everyone has their idea of a dream home. Big windows! Three storeys! Massive yard! Sprawling kitchen! But every thing you want in a home may be different from everything you need. You might not need floor-to-ceiling windows, but if you have a large family you may need more than three bedrooms.

Never accept the first offer



Offers are not like pancakes —the first one isn’t always a write - off. It’s a misconception that you have to say no to the first offer on your home when selling. Instead, you should be looking at what the potential buyer is actually offering and seeing if it meets your desires.

 Selling a home without a REALTOR® saves you money

Selling your home without a REALTOR® could not only cost you actual dollars, the stress and uncertainty of the pro cess can add unnecessary strife to your already hectic life.

If you have any questions please reach out to us —we’re always happy to speak with you!