The Home Buyer’s Guide: A Checklist For Success
So, you’re ready to jump into the world of home ownership! Maybe you are looking for an upgrade for your growing family, or maybe you’d like to find your dream home on the water. Whatever you’re searching for, there are certain things to keep in mind. Before taking the leap, be sure to build your checklist for home-buying success by using the following guidelines.
Get Approved For A Mortgage
Although it would be nice to pay for your house in cold, hard cash, the majority of people turn to financing to secure their real estate investment. First things first: prepare your documents to submit to a bank or lending institution for a mortgage pre-approval to find out a) if you qualify and b) how much you qualify for. During this process, the bank will verify your income, debts, credit history, and how much you’ve saved for a downpayment. In Ontario, the required down payment for purchasing a home is 20%, so the more you have saved, the better your pre-approval will be.
Build Your Dream Home Wish List
Now that you know what budget you’re working with, start building your wish list! This is the fun part. Do you want high ceilings and modern fixtures, or would you prefer original wooden beams and interior brick walls? What about a luxury townhome near the city core, or perhaps a sprawling mansion on a quiet portion of the lakefront?
Whatever you wish for, jot it down; this will help you to determine what you can afford if you will need to consider renovations and more. For instance, many homes for sale in Burlington have recently been renovated and put back on the market. This means you can shift how you use your budget based on where you’d prefer to spend your money.
Hire The Expert
When you’re armed with your list, it’s time to pick your team. One of the best things you can do to aid in making one of your biggest investments in life is to find the best realtor for your needs who will provide focused, expert support and who has a track record of very happy customers. At this point, you will likely already have a lender—such as a big bank or a mortgage broker—to help you with the financial details, making your last team hire a real estate lawyer. They will help with the legalities of home buying and ownership during the negotiation and closing process.
Make An Offer On Your Potential New Home
House hunting is one of the more exciting aspects of buying a home, and where you look for your house depends on what type of dwelling you’re wanting based on your wish list. If you are looking for a luxury townhome-condominium or lakefront home, a good place to start is the Oakville area with its wide range of selection and value. If you’re looking for a modern, spacious condo or big-city accessible home, you might look to homes for sale in Mississauga.
Once you’ve decided “this is the one”, now comes the time to make an offer. During this time, your realtor will guide you through the agreement of purchase and sale that outlines everything from offer price to conditions on the sale to your ideal closing date. Ideally, the first submission would be accepted but, more often than not, the seller will come back with amended negotiations or you might be facing a bidding war. Whatever the case, by following the checklist and hiring a team, you’ll be able to tackle any obstacle and make the best investment possible.
Take Care Of Conditions, The Deposit, And Closing Costs
If you’ve been accepted as the official home buyer, the final step is to take care of all the negotiation details. Now is the time to hire an inspector, work through any financing conditions, and provide your down payment to secure your deal until the official closing date. Lastly, with the closing date in hand, you and your team will make the final payments and legal transfers, making you the new official homeowner.
Looking for your new home is fun, exciting, and a little bit scary. But, when you’re armed with a checklist for success, being a home buyer feels great. To kickstart the process, start building your team. If you’re looking for houses for sale in Oakville, Ontario or nearby in Burlington and Mississauga, check out Alex Irish & Associates for a full-scale real estate firm. Get started today!
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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——
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!
