House Maintenance: The Top 3 Things To Do Before You Sell
Sometimes the best things in life are free. One of them is not owning a home, because there are costs to home ownership.
Owning a home—let alone purchasing one—is not cheap, but is definitely the goal of many people.
If you’re a home seller, there are a few things you just cannot afford to neglect. If you do the following, selling a house will be easier and will pay a handsome dividend. And your bank account will thank you for it.
These tips will also help in selling the home faster, which means you can trade time for time. The following are low-cost suggestions that should be considered in preparing your home for sale.
1.Routine home maintenance—Clean Up—get your crap outta there. Have you ever checked into a nice hotel? A really nice one?In your mind’s eye, walk into the bathroom… what do you see?
What do you see when you walk into the bedroom area? Exactly! You don’t see clothes everywhere. The bed is neatly made and there are no foreign objects lying around on the bedside table.
The same goes for the washroom, the laundry room and just about every other part of the house a buyer is sure to venture into.
Routine home maintenance is important in every aspect of the house. That includes everything from putting your clothes away to home painting.
2. Organize—Blame MTV’s Cribs or Million Dollar Agent—yes, buyers will look in your fridge, even in your kitchen cupboards.
So, why does it matter to you if the cupboards are organized? Because we’re trying to make a lasting impression on the buyer. We want them being wowed with every facet of your home.
We want them to feel confident that the current owner has cared for this home beyond expectations. And we ultimately want the buyer to make us an offer that we can’t refuse
People that buy and sell somewhat frequently understand this.
3. Bang for your buck—the streets of Beverly Hills are lined with mansions. Mansions worth a lot of money—millions upon millions of dollars.
Do you know what else lines the streets of Beverly hills? Perfect boulevards. Manicured grass and properly pruned trees. Fresh flowers and no garbage and debris.
Make the appearance of your home look like its own version of Beverly Hills and you’ll be one step closer to being on a real estate TV show in no time.
Consider painting kitchen cabinets. Bathroom cabinets, too. Look to Google for commercial painting services or your local real estate agent for a recommendation.
Look on Realtor.ca and MLS to see what other homes for sale look like. Tim Allen on Home Improvement also knows best. Make sure to hire a professional if you touch anything like electrical or plumbing.
A good sellers agent can make recommendations based on local market conditions. Recommend painting companies and handyperson services. Quality paints or cheap and cheerful can be decided upon with a consultation.
If your home needs a paint job, or even a new sump pump, a real estate brokerage should be able to recommend what is important to home buyers.
These small improvements affect what a home is worth. After all, aren’t you trying to sell for the most amount of money?
The Big Mistake
If you’re a home seller and you were preparing to get your house ready for Realtor.ca and MLS, be careful where you invest your money.
There are certain aspects of a home that have proven to yield a higher return on investment. For example, home renovations like a new kitchen or bathroom appeal to many buyers as they don’t have to go through the renovation process after they move in.
Nowadays, putting in a swimming pool and having a clean yard goes a long way. With more people moving to the suburbs swimming pools are more popular than ever.
However, finishing basements and doing an addition for the purposes of selling are probably not money well spent. It’s important to invest money into your home that adds to its curb appeal and overall first impression.
1 + 1 does not equal 2 in a real estate transaction. Before spending significant money on your home it is recommended to consult with your local real estate brokerage. Real estate agents are in and out of many homes and work with fires. This gives them first-hand knowledge of buyer trends.
Cleaning up that garage and removing Christmas lights from months ago shows signs of pride of ownership. It all makes a difference in the end as buyers base their purchasing decisions on how they feel.
If a home shows that it is cared for and loved, the chances of a buyer making an offer earlier in the listing—and for more money—increase. It’s important to keep up with home maintenance and home repairs.
If you’re unsure of the condition of your home, consider hiring a home inspector. Having a home inspection done is like having home insurance. It safeguards you against any surprises at a later date.
Home styling and home decor go a long way as well. A properly styled home can affect home prices. Home staging and decluttering go a long way.
General home maintenance, like keeping gutters clean of debris and water away from foundations impresses upon the buyer that the home is well maintained. It also helps with personal liability should the worst happen and you have to call your insurance company.
Advice In A Nutshell
- Consult with a local real estate agent who knows what buyers are looking for in your marketplace
- Pay attention to the small details, like organizing cupboards and decluttering
- Home improvements, such as painting old kitchen cupboards yield a tremendous result in the form of a higher sale price
- Think of your home like a fancy hotel. It’s how buyers see all that matters when they walk through your home.
Related Posts
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.