Details that Make a Difference When Staging Your Million Dollar Home
Your Million Dollar Home is an oasis, a place perfectly appointed to suit your personal tastes. Which is exactly as it should be—until it becomes time to list your home and move on to the next dream.
Buyers aren’t looking for a million dollar home that appears too lived-in. They’re looking for a space they can customize to their own styles and preferences, with enough of a starting point in place that they can envision their future life. Selling your home is about showing its potential without too much of anything distracting the eye—and the solution is staging. Before you show your home to prospective buyers, you have to take steps to depersonalize it, without draining it of all personality. It’s a balancing act; and if done properly, it can be the difference between closing a beneficial deal or having your million dollar home languish on the market unnecessarily.
There are many factors to think about when staging your home, from the curb appeal and landscaping outdoors, to the décor and maintenance inside. But there are a few key details to keep in mind when helping clients debut their homes on the market.
Colour is an important factor in any space, and it is critical in creating first impressions. This may not seem like novel advice, and yet many clients think they can ignore colour when staging their homes for sale. But colour can make or break the appeal of your home. Like fashion trends, many hues lack universal or perennial appeal: homebuyers may associate certain colours with bygone eras. The wrong colour can inadvertently imbue your room with too much character, or turn it into a relic from the past. As a homeowner, you should feel free to be creative and subjective in decorating spaces that speak to you. But as a million dollar home seller, the focus shifts to what will be best for your buyer. Part of the staging process is choosing colours with wide appeal—preferably to something lighter, which can give your spaces a more expansive feel.
The furniture you display should be strategically selected to enhance the design of each space in your home. Do your walls and ceilings have architectural ornamentation? Consider pairing them with traditional, hand-carved pieces for an elegant yet homey aesthetic, or else stage your space with contemporary furnishings and edgy wall art to create a compelling contrast. If you’re not sure where to start, seek the expert advice of a professional — especially if they have furniture to lend you. If you’re working with the furniture you already have, then the arrangement is key. Conversely, in large rooms, group furnishings to create functional, conversational areas that still leave lots of space to move.
Other finishing touches homeowners overlook when staging, lighting fixtures. When staging your million dollar home, fill your home with light to boost appeal for buyers. Pay special attention to ambient light, which shines from overhead, and accent lights, which are individual fixtures that stand on surfaces or are mounted on walls. Make sure all bulbs and shades are clean and bear in mind that whiter light appears more natural—and natural light is high on most buyers’ wish lists. The primary purpose of your lighting should always be to make your home more photogenic. Many buyers shop online for homes, the photography is just as important as the presentation.
Because of how many luxury buyers search for their dream homes online, you may be able to do a virtual staging of your home; it can add immense value when done well.
As you prepare for sale, take a second look at the interplay of colour, light, and featured furniture pieces in your space—and for a finishing touch, create a virtual version of your home that buyers can browse from anywhere. Staging can make a tremendous difference in the perception of your million dollar home. It gives a vision of what is possible in the home that the buyer might not have been able to visualize before.
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August 2025 GTA Real Estate Market Update | Regan Irish
The August 2025 GTA Real Estate Market Update reflects renewed momentum and affordability in Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, and Muskoka. Thanks to steady interest rates and appealing home prices, July proved surprisingly dynamic. Let’s dig into the numbers and what they mean for you.
Interest Rates Remain Stable — Affordability Fueling Activity
In July 2025, the Bank of Canada maintained its key rate at 2.75%, its third consecutive pause. With lower borrowing costs now more accessible, affordability is encouraging a wave of renewed buyer activity.
GTA Market Overview: Sales Surge, Prices Slightly Dip
- Home Sales: 6,100+ transactions region-wide, marking a 10.9% increase YoY and the strongest July since 2021.
- Month-over-Month: Seasonally adjusted sales rose 13% from June to approximately 5,744 units, the biggest monthly gain in nine months.
- New Listings: Up 5.7% YoY, totaling 17,613 new offers.
- Price Trends:
- The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite Benchmark fell 5.4% YoY.
- The average GTA selling price dropped 5.5% YoY to around $1,051,719.
- Word on the street indicates the HPI drifted slightly lower—about $979,000, down 0.2% from June.
What It Adds Up To: Buyers are back in force—sales are outpacing new listings while prices softened, creating renewed market opportunities.
City Highlights
Toronto
A more balanced landscape—but some segments remain soft. Condos and detached homes see inventory rising; semis are steadier.
Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington & Muskoka
While TRREB doesn’t break down by city in these reports, regional trends suggest:
- Mississauga & Burlington: Strong rise in listings and dipping average prices give buyers leverage.
- Oakville: Stability in demand for luxury keeps discounts modest.
- Muskoka: Continued strong interest in sub-$2M waterfront properties should benefit from broader GTA momentum.
What This Means for You
- For Buyers:
Renewed affordability, rising inventory, and favorable interest rates make August a prime time to move. - For Sellers:
A more balanced market—strategic pricing and quick response will be key to success. - For Investors & Cottage Buyers:
Strong July sales in the GTA point to increasing investor interest; Muskoka remains a high-value lifestyle and investment destination.
Work With the GTA Real Estate Experts
Whether you’re planning to buy a Muskoka cottage, invest in a luxurious Oakville property, or explore options across Toronto, Mississauga, or Burlington, now is the time to act.
Regan Irish & Associates specializes in luxury, resale, and investment properties across the GTA and Muskoka. Our market insight and negotiation skills help you get the best results—whether buying, selling, or investing.
1320 Cornwall Rd Unit 103, Oakville, ON L6J 7W5
905.842.7677
Visit reganirish.com
Let’s make today’s market your opportunity—contact us today!
Ultimate Guide to Downsizing Your Home in Canada
Alex Irish & Associates and The Regan Team Announce Strategic Merger
Two of the most respected names in real estate, Alex Irish & Associates and The Regan Team, are excited to announce a strategic merger that will combine their expertise, resources, and market reach. This partnership of Regan Irish & Associates brings together the strengths of both firms, offering an enhanced real estate experience for clients across Southern Ontario, including expanding into new regions like Collingwood and Muskoka. The merger reflects both brokerages’ long-standing commitment to providing high-quality, relationship-focused service while leveraging new technologies and business strategies to ensure their clients receive unparalleled support.
“Alex is the consummate professional,” said Matthew Regan, CEO of The Regan Team. “She embodies the qualities of a person I would trust with my own home sale, and I am excited to partner with her to combine the best of both our brokerages. Our goal is to create a work culture that allows our agents to thrive, while being confident and equipped to provide the service our clients deserve. Our clients are going to benefit immensely with a wider and deeper net of potential buyers and an even further reach in marketing and advertising.”
Alex Irish, Founder of Alex Irish & Associates, emphasized that this partnership is the next natural step for her business. “By combining our resources and efforts we knew we’d be able to create a better real estate experience for our clients, our agents and business partners.” she explained. “This merger allows me to focus more on client relationships while also mentoring our agents who can continue to offer that same high level of service. Matthew has built a business model that aligns with my long-term vision, allowing us to scale while still maintaining the personal touch. Simply put, we are better together.”
Alex has built her brand over decades, particularly in the Oakville area, where her name is synonymous with excellence in real estate. Her personal approach, based on referrals and repeat business, has earned her a loyal clientele. Matthew has focused on recruiting top agents and scaling his business, growing The Regan Team to one of the top brokerages in Canada. This merger offers an exciting opportunity to grow into new territories. Together, the merged brokerage will have 15 offices spanning from Niagara to Toronto to Muskoka. This expanded presence means more resources for clients, from enhanced marketing capabilities to a wider net of potential buyers.
The merger will officially take effect on October 31, 2024, and the new branding and operations will be rolled out in the coming months.
About Alex Irish & Associates
Alex Irish & Associates, led by Alex Irish, is a highly respected name in Oakville, known for its personalized, referral-based business model and long-standing relationships with clients. Alex has built her brand on trust, excellence, and attention to detail, qualities that will remain at the forefront of the merged firm.
About The Regan Team
The Regan Team has a long-standing reputation for innovation, process-driven operations, and a focus on agent recruitment and development to provide the highest level of service for their clients. Under Matthew’s leadership, the brokerage has expanded its presence across Ontario, providing agents with the tools and support needed to succeed in a competitive market. For more information on this exciting merger, please contact Matthew Regan.