What if Movers Break My Stuff?
Moving can be a very stressful time! Between cleaning and packing an entire house, hiring movers, transferring all your utilities, and then unpacking and settling in, you just want everything to go according to plan. So, what happens if you realize that the movers you hired have broken or damaged something during the move? We’ll tell you the steps you need to take to ensure you get a fair settlement.
Inspect Everything
When your items arrive at your new home, take a few moments to check all your boxes and furniture pieces for any damage. You don’t have to open every single box right then, but check over the ones marked fragile. Then, once the movers have finished bringing everything in, do a check of the walls, ceilings, doorframes, floors, and any other places something could have been bumped and damaged. Yes, you probably have a lot of other things to do at this moment, but noting damage as soon as possible—before the movers have even left—makes your claim more legitimate, plus it enables them to potentially start solving the issue at that moment.
Take Lots of Photos
Take pictures of your valuables, larger items, and fragile pieces as you pack them or immediately before they are to be moved to show the condition they are currently in. Upon inspecting them at your new home, take pictures immediately if you notice any damage. Use the date feature on your phone or camera to show exactly when these pictures were taken.
Make Detailed Notes
In addition to taking pictures of the damage, document the damage as soon as possible. It’s best if you can write it directly on your bill of lading or other invoice provided to you by your moving company, but in a notebook with today’s date is certainly better than nothing. You’ll want to continue to date and document any conversations, messages, payments, and anything else that happens until the time the dispute is solved.
Read Your Moving Contract
Your moving contract should have a clause in it about the company’s general policies around lost or damaged items. Most companies will discuss this with you beforehand and consult with you about your specific valuable items and their fair replacement values. Your contract should also tell you how long you have to make a claim with them for lost or damaged items. Re-read your contract before you file a claim to make sure you know what’s in it and so you have an idea what to expect during the claim process.
File a Claim
Contact your moving company as soon as possible after you notice the damage to start your claim. If you have purchased moving insurance through another source, you should contact them as well, or instead of the moving company. The important part is to start the claim as soon as possible. Even if your contract or insurance states that you have a longer period to file a claim, it’s best to do it as soon as possible.
Keep the Damaged Item(s)
Don’t fix or dispose of anything that’s broken until your claim has been closed to your satisfaction. As crazy as it sounds, you’ll want to keep that bag full of broken glass and not patch any holes in your wall. Because even if you have taken pictures and someone has looked at it, you never know when someone else from the claims company may need to take a look.
Leave A Review for The Moving Company
Although you may be tempted to jump onto your computer as soon as your movers leave to tell everyone how they damaged your items, give the moving company a fair chance to respond first.
If you find you’re not getting anywhere with your claim and contact is not being returned in a reasonable time, it may then be time to post a public review explaining the details and your disappointment in a fair, calm tone. Although most companies are honest and trustworthy, some may need a nudge to do the right thing.
Escalate Your Claim
If your claim has not been resolved to your satisfaction, and further contact has continually been ignored, it may be time to make a formal complaint about the moving company to the Better Business Bureau or the regulatory body for movers.
If you’re looking to make a move and are interested in looking at condos, houses, or townhouses for sale in Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, and Hamilton, the friendly, knowledgeable real estate agents at Alex Irish & Associates can help! And we can recommend some excellent moving companies too!
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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!
