Spice up your home series: Vol. 2—Renos under $10,000
Over the past five years, more and more people have been renovating their homes. In the Golden Horseshoe region, a renovation may be necessary to sell your home. While fixing up your house can be very expensive, it doesn’t have to be. There are several ways to spice up your home while keeping renos under $10,000.
Focus on specific rooms
There are a couple of approaches you can take to renovate your home on a budget. For starters, think about what kind of changes you want to see. Would you like to freshen up a larger portion of your home, or would you prefer to focus on a few specific areas? These days, older homes often require at least some type of renovation, so knowing where to start can make all the difference.
Kitchen Home Staging
The kitchen is the heart of the home
One of the best places to focus the bulk of your budget is in the kitchen. This is considered one of the major selling points in real estate. With a kitchen renovation, you can spend as little or as much as you want, but there are many ways to cut costs without sacrificing style, including:
● Painting the cabinets
● Replacing the cabinet hardware
● Creating custom pantry storage
● Purchasing countertops directly from the manufacturer
● Swapping out appliances for lightly used ones purchased from Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Kijiji
Bathroom sell homes
If you’re really focusing on resale value, then opting to upgrade both your kitchen and the main bathroom will yield the best returns. Freshening up the bathroom is always a good idea. A bathroom can be vastly improved with better storage, new vanities, and updated cabinets. To reduce costs, it’s best to keep full redesigns to a minimum by retaining your bathroom’s footprint and sticking to more cosmetic changes.
DIY Home Staging Bathroom
All you need is a little paint
If your home has been recently updated, perhaps all you need to do is freshen things up with some new paint. Add to that some area rugs, lamps, or a few larger pieces of furniture, and your home will look as good as new.
Focus on the materials
In the past decade, reclaimed materials have become increasingly popular in the Oakville area. You can find high-end architectural pieces and custom-built cabinets that have been discarded after minimal use. To find these gems, contact your local remodelling contractor, take a gander on Craigslist, Kijiji or Facebook, or check your local Habitat for Humanity facility for some great options.
Home Staging Lighting
DIY
If you want something done right, do it yourself. As the old saying goes, performing the renovations yourself can save you big time. However, if you are going to do these tasks on your own, you must do it to the highest standard possible. It’s best to:
● Seek out advice from knowledgeable friends and family
● Watch how-to videos from trusted sources
● Use social networking to find great contractors for less
● Stick with surface-level remodelling! This will keep your focus on external details that will save you from making mistakes with things like plumbing and electrical
This or that
Sometimes you want the marble countertop, but wow, it costs a fortune in a good-sized kitchen. However, countertops can be an important draw, especially in Oakville condos. The great thing about renovating today is that there are many stunning options for countertops, doors, and floors. You name it, there’s a less expensive, yet still beautiful alternative. Here are a few examples you can consider:
● Opt for a steel door over a wooden one.
● Vinyl over wooden windows: these are energy efficient and look nice!
● Bamboo vs. hardwood flooring. This option often comes pre-stained/finished and you get bonus marks for sustainability.
● Purchase counters directly from the manufacturer. While this is not a swap, it’s a great way to slash prices on a larger piece of material.
Looking for Oakville real estate? Here’s how to get started!
Whether you’re looking to renovate a condo or a house, there’s a way to do it under $10,000—and a way to do it well. Knowing where to save and where to spend is the key to getting the best value from your renovation, and following some of the above tips can help you to achieve these goals. For more information about buying and selling property in the Oakville market, reach out to Alex Irish. We provide expertise on every stage of the real estate journey, and we’re here to help you get the best return on your investment!
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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.