Which Scent Makes Your House Most Saleable?
You have made the decision to list your home and have undoubtedly spent days decluttering, prepping and staging it as well. The final step is to ensure that your home has a welcoming pleasant scent so that it makes a positive first impression on prospective buyers.
It is estimated that approximately 30% of the population suffers from environmental and respiratory diseases. Strong scents may distract the Buyer’s interest in your home. Most air fresheners, plug-ins, scented candles and pot pourri contain chemicals that can adversely affect many people. A Buyer may cut short their visit or feel inclined to eliminate a house with overpowering odors.
Invest in an air filter as it will force air through a fine mesh, trapping harmful particles such as pet dander, smoke, pollen and dust mites which can built up in a home. Filters should be changed every three months.
Before listing, ask a friend or neighbour to walk through your home and be brutally honest about its smell. Every house has a distinct scent of its own and it is likely that you are accustomed to the familiar smell of your home and perhaps not as objective as you should be.
With all the scents to choose from, which one makes your home most appealing? Strive for one that is refreshing, pleasingly familiar and not overbearing. Researchers have discovered that the scent of a clean house is the one potential Buyers appreciate most of all. If you take the time to do a thorough cleaning of your entire house, it will improve the overall scent. Bleach and ammonia should be used sparingly though. Easiest of all? Open the windows to invite the fresh air in.
Houseplants, especially those with bountiful green leaves, are also known to purify indoor air and removing harmful contaminants naturally. These include Ficus, Boston Ferns, Bamboo Palm, Dracaena, English Ivy and the Peace Lily.
While prepping your home to list, steam clean your carpets and upholstery. Wash bedding and drapes as odors have a way of lingering in fabrics. Mop floors, scrub bathrooms and clean out recycling and garage bins. Store old shoes in boxes with lids.
Look for the cause of specific odors. Does someone smoke in the house? Is there a possibility of mold? Do you have pets? Each of these issues should be addressed before your first showing. Air fresheners should never be used to mask unpleasant odors. The combination is usually more off-putting and can act as a red flag to potential Buyers and their home inspectors, who often ask the Sellers to ‘unplug’ their houses before revisit so that they can identify odors. Baking soda absorbs odors and will leave a room with a neutral scent. If your home does have a strong smoke smell, consider a fresh coat of paint throughout.
A common real estate myth is that the smell of freshly baked bread or chocolate chip cookies are the most engaging scents to attract Buyers. Pure and simple scents such as vanilla, cinnamon, cedar, lemons or limes are preferable. Time invested in neutralizing the smells in your home will translate into less time spent selling it! Spring has finally arrived! Open those windows and let the fresh air in!!
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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!
