Tanja has a legal background and studied both business law and criminal law in the Netherlands. After graduating from university in 1994, she became a corporate lawyer and later a Crown Prosecutor. Altogether, Tanja practiced law for almost 12 years. Ariette has a marketing and sales background and mainly worked in the family business and at the world’s largest flower auction.
Because Tanja’s legal education from the Netherlands is not recognized in Canada, the real estate business seemed a perfect fit to at least reap the benefits of her legal background in law. In 2009, Tanja started in real estate. In 2010, Ariette followed. The year 2009 was still a part-time business for them, but in 2010, Tanja and Ariette went full force and full time, working in real estate as a team.
What they offer their clients
Tanja’s legal background – her experience in negotiating and thinking strategically – is most valuable. Ariette has a sharp eye for online real estate marketing opportunities. This, combined and topped off with their European work ethic, definitely offers their clients a sharp edge over the competition.
Tanja and Ariette are very strict in how they serve clients: with honesty, transparency and being straightforward. They both are very much liked because they are very patient and not pushy. And they like to educate clients about the process of buying or selling, to make sure that clients can make stress free, good and well-informed decision.
After only 3 years of working in the real estate business, Tanja and Ariette were already in the top 18% of performing realtors and, ever since, they get most of their business through past clients and referrals. Having to start from scratch in 2009, working ethically and hard seemed the right way to grow their business.
Tanja and Ariette both take continuous training so their knowledge is always up-to-date. Tanja is a Certified Condominium Specialist©, Accredited Buyers Representative© and has a NAR Green Designation©. Ariette is also a Seniors Real Estate Specialist©.
They are asked often: Why did they choose Calgary and Canada?
That has never been a question. Ariette had already experienced two years in Calgary on a work visa when she was 19 years old and visited Canada every year since 1995. She quickly learned that Calgary offers opportunity and has a solid economy. And, Calgary offers the best of both worlds: the prairies in the front yard and the mountains in the backyard. The space and beauty of Canada as a whole, Calgary specifically, and the sincerity of the people made leaving Holland an easy choice.
When coming to Canada in 2004, Tanja and Ariette started a small import company with Dutch products. After a few years of “life-experience” in Calgary – getting to know the city, its people and perceiving its opportunities – it was time to make a serious step forward. And here we are today.
Matt Halladay
We admit, we are picky people. And while looking for extra help in our team, we were lucky to have found Matt Halladay. Matt is already with us since 2021, as part of our real estate team.
Originally Matt started as an engineer. But deep down, he always had a bigger love for real estate. So, he made a well-thought-out decision to leave his secure engineering job to dive into real estate.
His background means he brings a high level of detail. He’s smart and clear in communication. Matt is very committed in real estate, and we all know that loving your job makes a better realtor.
Our Mission statement:
Please take a moment to read through our testimonials to see what our clients say about us.
Tanja van de Kamp & Ariette van Pelt