Regan Irish & Associates
Real Estate Blog

Real Estate Investing: How A Realtor Can Help

We live in a world of industry “disruptors”, and people often find themselves doing the legwork for someone they might have once hired. Between all the available apps and websites like Zillow, real estate can be one of the industries that seems like a good one to tackle on your own. However, there are countless perks to working with a realtor. In fact, working with a great real estate agent can mean the difference between a giant headache and the best investment you’ve ever made. Here are five reasons why.

A Real Estate Agent Is A Great Buffer Between You And Potential Time-Wasters

The real estate market isn’t just about buyers, sellers, and realtors, it’s an entire community of people from lawyers to developers. If you’re new to real estate, or you like to keep things streamlined and simple, a real estate agent can be your best asset. For instance, your agent can act as an intermediary, filtering calls from potential buyers who are actually interested from those just doing research. If you are looking at Oakville real estate in a new housing development, a realtor can keep building agent’s at bay, giving you the space you need to research and make your investment.

Home Pricing For The Buyer And The Seller

If you’re new to real estate, you might think that a realtor decides the price of a home for sale, but that isn’t accurate. The price of your home is determined by a few factors, including a combination of local neighbourhood rates and your own sell-price goals. Enlisting the help of a real estate agent can be extremely helpful, especially if you are looking to invest in the Burlington real estate market. Due to its long-term value and the burgeoning communities woven together, navigating the right market price can be challenging. If you are a buyer, it can also be useful to have an experienced guide to help you work through these same challenges and to negotiate the best deal.

Tap Into A Vast Network Of Top Professionals

Buying and selling a home isn’t just about these two actions, it also involves inspections, meeting contract requests, and communicating between all interested parties. Having access to the experts in all these areas will help ensure you don’t run into legal issues and it will keep the process efficient and fun, as it should be!

 Access To The MLS And Maximum Exposure

What’s the most important thing when buying a home? Great choices! And what is the most important thing to selling a home? High visibility!

There is a strategy to investing in real estate, but one tried and true method to keep in mind is simply probability. If you’re looking to invest in a large, urban or highly-populated area, having a realtor can give you access to the MLS, the largest database of property listings, and any (and every) avenue for real estate advertising. Take the Mississauga real estate market for example, this region is one of the fastest-growing in all of Canada—a prime location to make a great property investment. Tackling an area as overwhelming as this requires expertise and eyeballs everywhere.

Negotiating And Handling Tremendous Amounts Of Paperwork

Once you’ve set your eyes on a property or your home is ready to sell, then comes the tricky part: the negotiation. If you have the proper team to help you out, this step should be no problem. Keep in mind, a large part of the negotiation, as well as the hunting or selling part of a property, means vast amounts of paperwork. If you’re thinking this will be time-consuming, it will, which is why it’s best to leave it with the experts.

If you’re thinking of shopping around the GTA for a real estate investment, hire a local expert like Alex Irish—experienced realtors that know the Oakville, Burlington, and Mississauga market inside and out. Now that you have the confidence to take the next step in investing, it’s time to start shopping!

 

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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.

In 2024, Alex expanded her team’s reach by merging with the Regan team to create Regan Irish & Associates, forming a dynamic new firm that blends the strengths of both businesses. This partnership not only enhances their services but also provides clients with greater resources and an expanded network, all while preserving the personal, relationship-driven approach that clients have come to trust.

Alex’s insights on real estate trends are highly sought after, and she has been featured in prominent publications such as the New York Times and Globe & Mail. A certified luxury marketing specialist, she has received numerous accolades throughout her career and frequently speaks at industry conferences.

Every February, Alex and her team at Regan Irish & Associates participate in the Kindness Tour, a tradition launched in 2017. During this month-long initiative, the entire team supports 28 local charities, embodying the company’s commitment to community. In recognition of their efforts, they were nominated for a Community Spirit Award.

At the heart of Alex’s philosophy is the belief in “doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.” She is deeply committed to building lifelong client relationships and takes pride in mentoring a dedicated team of agents while continuing to actively sell real estate.

More About Alex
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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——

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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!

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Ultimate Guide to Downsizing Your Home in Canada

Downsizing is on the rise across Canada, with more homeowners seeking simpler, more affordable living. This guide explores why and when to downsize, how to plan the move, and what to consider when choosing your next home.