Buying or Selling in London, Ontario This Holiday Season

Yes, the London, Ontario real estate market keeps moving right through the holidays — and if you're thinking about buying or selling a home during the holidays in London Ontario, that can actually work in your favour. As a REALTOR® with Century 21, First Canadian who has helped buyers and sellers across London and Middlesex County close deals in every season, I tell clients the same thing every November: the "nobody buys a house at Christmas" myth is mostly just that, a myth. Fewer listings and fewer showings don't mean no activity — they mean the people who are out looking are serious, and the homes that are listed get noticed.

In this guide, I'll walk through what's happening in London's market heading into the 2026 holiday season, why some sellers do better listing in November and December than they expect, and what buyers should watch for.

Key Takeaways

• London's resale market hasn't slowed to a stop: the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR) reported 561 home sales in September 2026, up 5.3% year-over-year, with an average sale price of $611,509.
• The Bank of Canada raised its policy interest rate to 2.50% on October 28, 2026 — a reminder for buyers that financing costs can shift between now and the new year.
• Holiday-season listings in London typically see fewer competing homes and more serious, motivated buyers rather than casual weekend browsers.
• Simple, well-lit staging and clear walkways matter more in December than any amount of holiday decor.
• A year-end or early-new-year closing can suit relocating buyers, corporate transfers, and sellers who want a fresh start in January.

London, Ontario's Market Doesn't Hit Pause for the Holidays

Housing markets slow down seasonally almost everywhere, and London is no exception — but "slower" is not the same as "closed." According to the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®' most recently published statistics, area REALTORS® recorded 561 home sales in September 2026, up 5.3% from the same month a year earlier, with an average sale price of $611,509 and 5.9 months of inventory on the market. That's a market with room to breathe, not one that's frozen.

What usually does change heading into November and December is buyer behaviour. In my experience helping buyers across London, Middlesex County, and Oxford County, the people touring homes in the colder months aren't killing time on a Sunday afternoon — they're often facing a job relocation, a lease ending, or a life change that doesn't wait for spring. That's why a well-presented listing in London, Ontario can move faster in December than the calendar might suggest.

Financing conditions are part of this winter's story, too. The Bank of Canada raised its policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.50% on October 28, 2026. For buyers, that's a reason to get pre-approved and know your budget sooner rather than later. For sellers, it's a reminder that pricing realistically against current borrowing costs still matters, even when the lawn is covered in frost instead of flowers.

Why Some Sellers List in London, Ontario During the Holidays

Conventional wisdom says to wait for spring. But I've listed homes in London in December that sold to buyers who needed to be settled before a new job started in January, and I've seen sellers benefit from going on the market when there's simply less competing inventory for a buyer to compare against. A handful of reasons this strategy keeps working:

• Less competition on the MLS®. Many sellers pull their listings before the holidays, which means the homes still on the market get more attention from the buyers who are actively looking.
• Serious buyers only. Casual house-hunters mostly disappear in December. The people touring homes during the holiday season in London are typically pre-approved and ready to make a decision.
• Corporate and relocation timelines. Companies transferring employees, newcomers moving for work, and growing families who've outgrown a rental often need to close before the new year for tax, lease, or school-enrolment reasons.
• A fresh start in January. Some sellers simply want the sale behind them before year-end, rather than carrying a home through another winter of maintenance and heating costs.

Staging Tips for Selling a Home in London, Ontario This Winter

Holiday decor can warm up a listing, but it can also work against you if it's overdone or if it hides the home's actual features. A few things I tell every seller in London and Middlesex County this time of year:

• Keep decorations minimal and neutral. A few warm-white lights and simple greenery read as "welcoming." A fully decorated tree blocking a window or a mantel crowded with personal ornaments distracts a buyer from picturing their own life in the space.
• Maximize light. London's days get short fast in December. Open every blind before a showing, turn on every light fixture (including closets), and consider a few extra lamps in darker rooms.
• Keep walkways and driveways genuinely clear. Beyond safety, a shovelled path and a salted step tell a buyer the home has been well cared for all year, not just staged for the camera.
• Photograph early in the day. With sunset arriving mid-afternoon in late fall and winter, exterior listing photos look far better shot in natural daylight than under porch lights.
• Address the thermostat. A cold house reads as neglected; a warm one feels like home. It's a small cost for a better first impression.

What Buyers Should Know About House Hunting in London, Ontario This December

If you're on the buying side, the holidays can be a genuinely good window. With fewer buyers actively touring, you're less likely to be competing in a multiple-offer situation, and sellers who are listing in December are often motivated to negotiate on price, closing date, or included items. A few practical notes:

• Get your financing sorted first. With the Bank of Canada's rate sitting at 2.50% as of late October 2026, a current pre-approval gives you a clear number to work with and the ability to move quickly if the right home comes up.
• See past the decorations. It's easy to be charmed by a beautifully decorated living room — look at the bones of the home (layout, storage, mechanical systems, roof age) the same way you would in July.
• Plan for a winter closing. If you're hoping to be in your new London home before the new year, talk to your lawyer and lender early about realistic timelines around the holiday office closures many firms observe.
• Don't skip the home inspection. Snow can hide drainage issues, roof wear, and exterior damage. A thorough inspector will account for the season and flag anything that needs a closer look once the weather clears.

Local Colour: London's Holiday Season Sets the Backdrop

Part of what makes house hunting in London enjoyable in December is the city itself. The City of London has, in recent years, lit up Victoria Park for its annual Winter Wonderland display in early December, with festive lighting typically running nightly into mid-January alongside an outdoor skating rink. Touring neighbourhoods near downtown or Old North during this stretch means buyers get to see London at its most festive.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying and Selling in London, Ontario This Holiday Season

Is it a bad idea to sell my home in London, Ontario during the holidays?
Not at all. Listings typically face less competition in November and December, and the buyers still actively touring homes tend to be serious and ready to close, which can offset the smaller pool of total buyers.

Will I get a lower offer because it's the holidays?
Not necessarily. Serious, motivated buyers aren't usually trying to lowball a well-priced, well-presented home — but an overpriced or poorly staged listing may sit longer in any season, holidays included.

Is now a good time to buy a home in London, Ontario given recent interest rate changes?
It depends on your personal budget and timeline. The Bank of Canada's rate sits at 2.50% as of its October 28, 2026 announcement; getting pre-approved now gives you a clear, current picture before you start touring.

Should I decorate heavily before listing my London home?
Keep it simple. A few tasteful touches help a space feel warm, but heavy decor can hide square footage, block natural light, and make it harder for buyers to picture their own belongings in the home.

Can a home sale close before the end of the year in Ontario?
It's possible, but timelines depend on your lawyer's and lender's availability around the holidays. Talk to your legal and financing team early, and confirm specifics with a real estate lawyer rather than assuming a standard timeline applies.

Thinking About a Move This Winter?

Whether you're weighing a December listing or getting a head start on house hunting before spring's competition returns, the London, Ontario market doesn't take the season off — and neither do I. The right move depends on your specific goals, not a generic rule of thumb about "waiting until spring."

If you're considering buying or selling in London, Ontario this holiday season, I'd love to talk through your options. Call me, Gloria Roman, at (647) 883-7135, or visit 519propertyfinder.com/contact to schedule a free consultation.