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.
Alex Irish
CEO & Team Leader - Sales Representative
Alex Irish has been a leading force in real estate for over thirty years, establishing a reputation as one of Oakville’s most respected and successful realtors. Known for her unwavering work ethic and ethical approach, Alex consistently ranks among the top producers in the industry.
Her commitment to client satisfaction is unparalleled, exemplified by her signature concierge service that ensures each client receives personalized and dedicated attention. In late 2016, Alex embraced a new chapter as the Team Leader of Alex Irish & Associates, where she could uphold the high standards of service that have defined her career.
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Rate Cut Ignites GTA Real Estate
Market Snapshot
The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) September 2025 Market Watch report shows early signs of a GTA rebound.
- 5,592 sales, up 8.5% YoY
- 19,260 new listings, +4% YoY
- Average price ≈ $1,059,377, down 4.7% YoY
- MLS® HPI ↓ 5.5% YoY
- Sales up MoM, listings down MoM → tighter market forming
These numbers point to a slow but steady market recovery. But what’s really fueling the conversation now is the Bank of Canada’s latest decision.
Bank of Canada’s October 2025 Interest Rate Decision
On October 29 2025, the Bank of Canada cut its policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.25% — the second consecutive cut and the lowest level since 2022.
The Bank signaled that this may mark the end of its easing cycle unless inflation weakens further.
Why it matters:
- Borrowing costs drop, boosting affordability for buyers.
- Confidence returns to sellers and investors after months of hesitation.
- Refinancing and investment opportunities reopen for savvy property owners.
In short, this move has re-energized housing markets across Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, and even Muskoka, where buyers and investors had been waiting for the right signal.
What Buyers Should Do Now
- Act strategically: With rates lower and listings up, this is a golden moment to negotiate.
- Get pre-approved quickly — competition could ramp up by early 2026.
- Focus on quality locations like south Oakville, Lorne Park (Mississauga), and core Burlington — where long-term equity growth outperforms.
- For investors: Explore Muskoka vacation homes or rental-ready units before rising demand drives prices back up.
What Sellers Should Know
- Sales are rising despite lower average prices — buyers are re-entering the market.
- Presentation and pricing are everything. Professional staging, premium photography, and data-backed pricing attract serious offers.
- Upsizing or downsizing? With lower mortgage costs, you can move equity efficiently while conditions remain favourable.
- Luxury sellers: Demand for turnkey listings is picking up again — especially in Oakville and Mississauga.
Local Insights
Mississauga & Oakville: Still among the GTA’s most resilient sub-markets. Expect balanced conditions through Q4 2025.
Burlington: Family buyers are back — affordability plus lifestyle make it a top performer.
Toronto: Core condos are stabilizing; investors are returning to well-located downtown units.
Muskoka: Cottage and short-term rental demand remains strong — ideal for diversification and passive-income seekers.
Investor Takeaway
With the policy rate at 2.25% and inflation under control, investment real estate looks compelling again. Expect:
- Better cash-flow margins with cheaper financing
- Gradual price stabilization through 2026
- Long-term upside as population growth and housing supply constraints persist
What To Do Next
- Buyers: Review your mortgage options now — lenders are updating rates.
- Sellers: Get a current market evaluation to plan your listing window.
- Investors: Compare cap rates and projected yields across GTA vs Muskoka.
Need a strategy tailored to your goals? Let’s make your next move your smartest yet.
About Regan Irish & Associates
We specialize in luxury homes, resale properties, and investment real estate across the GTA and Muskoka. Our team’s market insight and negotiation expertise deliver results — whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or investing.
1320 Cornwall Rd Unit 103, Oakville ON L6J 7W5
905-842-7677
reganirish.com
Call to Action
The market has shifted — don’t wait for the crowd.
Contact Regan Irish & Associates today for a personalized market plan that helps you buy, sell or invest with confidence in Mississauga, Oakville, Toronto, Burlington or Muskoka.
FALL MARKET KICKOFF: September 2025 Real Estate Market Update
As summer winds down, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) real estate market is shifting once again—this time with an important boost from the Bank of Canada’s recent interest rate cut. On September 17, 2025, the Bank lowered its policy interest rate to 2.5%, marking a significant move that is expected to reinvigorate buying activity across the region.
Market Snapshot: August 2025 (TRREB)
According to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), August brought encouraging signs of stability:
- Sales: 6,232 transactions across the GTA, a 4.6% increase from August 2024.
- New Listings: 13,119, down slightly year-over-year, helping balance supply.
- Average Selling Price: $982,880, nearly flat compared to last year (+0.4%).
- Trend: Balanced conditions are giving both buyers and sellers room to maneuver, with the recent rate cut expected to stimulate fall demand.
City & Regional Highlights
Toronto 
Toronto continues to see steady demand for condos and townhomes, appealing to buyers looking for affordability in the core. Detached homes are moving more cautiously, but price stability suggests confidence returning to the market.
Mississauga 
Mississauga remains a buyer-friendly market, especially in the detached and semi-detached segments. With borrowing costs easing, families upsizing or relocating may find strong value in the fall.
Oakville 
Luxury demand in Oakville is regaining traction. The combination of limited inventory and lower financing costs positions this market for an active fall season, especially for executive homes and lakefront properties.
Burlington 
Burlington continues to attract buyers migrating west from Toronto. The city’s blend of affordability, lifestyle, and community feel has kept prices steady and competitive.
Muskoka 
Cottage country remains strong, with buyers eyeing investment properties and second homes. While activity softened slightly through the summer, the rate drop could encourage more buyers to act before year-end.
What This Means for Buyers & Sellers
With interest rates now at their lowest level in two years, affordability is improving across the GTA and Muskoka. Buyers who were waiting on the sidelines are expected to re-enter the market this fall, while sellers may benefit from increased competition for well-priced homes.
At Regan Irish & Associates, we specialize in helping clients navigate market shifts with confidence. Whether you’re buying a luxury home, selling a family property, or investing in Muskoka, our market insight and negotiation expertise ensure you get the best results.
1320 Cornwall Rd Unit 103, Oakville, ON L6J 7W5
905.842.7677
Visit reganirish.com——
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!