I was recently honoured to be quoted in the London Free Press following the release of the latest London and area real estate statistics. The article highlighted an interesting trend: home sales were increasing while the average sale price had declined.
Whenever new market numbers are released, headlines naturally focus on the statistics. As someone who works with buyers and sellers across London every day, I wanted to share what those numbers actually mean from the perspective of someone who is in homes, negotiating offers, and speaking with clients every single week.
Statistics are important, but they rarely tell the whole story and specific neighbourhoods and home types matter, a lot!
The Market is Finding Its Balance.
One of the comments I shared with the London Free Press was that we’re seeing something of a stalemate between buyers and sellers.
“What’s interesting about it is the number of actual transactions happening is up slightly over the same time last year, which to me is showing a little bit more confidence in the market, that people are making deals and transactions are happening”.
I still believe that’s one of the best ways to describe today’s market.
Many buyers are hoping every seller is desperate.
Many sellers are still comparing today’s market to what happened during the peak of the pandemic housing market.
The reality is somewhere in the middle.
The London, Ontario real estate market has become much more balanced. Buyers have more options and more negotiating power than they did a few years ago, but that doesn’t mean every home is selling at a discount.
Well-priced homes that show well and are marketed professionally are still generating strong interest. Homes that are overpriced often sit on the market longer and eventually require price reductions before attracting serious buyers.
Why the Average Sale Price Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
One headline number that often gets attention is the average sale price.
While it’s an important statistic, it doesn’t necessarily mean every home’s value has increased or decreased by the same amount.
Some months see more entry-level homes selling. Other months include more luxury properties. That alone can significantly change the average price.
That’s why I spend far more time looking at what’s happening neighbourhood by neighbourhood than I do focusing on one provincial or national headline.
Whether you’re buying in Hyde Park, Masonville, Byron, Wortley Village, Stoney Creek, Summerside, Old North, or another London neighbourhood, the market can look very different depending on location, price point, and inventory.
Real estate has always been local and always will be, in my opinion.
Every Showing Teaches You Something
One of the things I enjoy most about this business is that every showing provides another piece of the puzzle.
Some buyers walk into a home and immediately recognize that it’s priced fairly.
Others quickly identify that a seller is still trying to achieve a 2022 price in a 2026 market.
Those conversations don’t appear in monthly statistics, but they’re happening every day across London.
Working directly with buyers and sellers gives me a perspective that goes beyond spreadsheets and graphs. It allows me to see how people are actually making decisions, where they’re hesitant, and what motivates them to move forward.
Pricing Strategy Has Never Been More Important
If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone thinking about selling their home today, it would be this:
Price your home for today’s market—not yesterday’s.
Over the past several years, I’ve helped clients navigate very different market conditions, from the highly competitive pandemic market to today’s more balanced environment.
The sellers who achieve the best results are usually the ones who understand that buyers are informed.
Before they ever book a showing, they’ve already compared dozens of listings online. They know recent sales. They know what similar homes are asking.
If your home represents good value, buyers notice.
If it doesn’t, they move on.
Marketing Matters More Than Ever
The market has changed, and so has the way homes need to be marketed.
Simply putting a property on the MLS is no longer enough.
Today’s buyers discover homes through YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Google searches, email campaigns, and increasingly through AI-powered search tools.
That’s why I’ve invested heavily in professional video, digital marketing, social media, Google search visibility, and targeted online advertising.
The goal isn’t just to list a home.
The goal is to make sure the right buyers actually see it.
I’ve seen firsthand how effective marketing creates momentum, increases showing activity, and ultimately helps sellers achieve stronger results.
Buyers Still Have Great Opportunities
For buyers, today’s market offers something we haven’t seen in several years: time.
Time to ask questions.
Time to complete inspections.
Time to make informed decisions.
Time to negotiate when appropriate.
That doesn’t mean every home is a bargain.
Quality homes that are priced correctly still sell quickly.
But buyers no longer need to feel like they have to make life-changing decisions in a matter of hours.
For many people, that’s a healthier market.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in London?
If you’re wondering what today’s market means for your own situation, I’d be happy to help.
Every neighbourhood is different.
Every home is different.
Every family’s goals are different.
That’s why I believe local advice from someone working in the market every day is far more valuable than relying on national headlines alone.
If you’re considering buying, selling, or simply want to understand what your home might be worth in today’s market, I’d love to have a conversation.
No pressure. Just honest advice based on what I’m seeing every day here in London, Ontario.
Phil Bailey
Helping buyers and sellers make confident real estate decisions in London, Ontario.
HouseSigma Inc. Brokerage