Complete Guide to Selling Your Home in London Ontario — 2025

Step 1 — Decide If Now Is the Right Time to Sell

Selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make. Before anything else, be clear on your reasons and timeline. Are you upsizing, downsizing, relocating, or cashing out equity? Your motivation affects your strategy significantly.

In London's 2025 market, conditions are more balanced than the 2021–2022 peak. Homes are still selling well but buyers have more choice and conditions are more common. Sellers who are realistic about pricing and presentation still achieve strong results — but the days of listing anything at any price and getting 20 offers are largely behind us.

Step 2 — Choose the Right Agent

Your choice of agent is the single most impactful decision you'll make as a seller. The difference between a great agent and an average one can be $20,000–$50,000 on your final sale price. Look for:

• Proven track record selling in your specific neighbourhood
• Strong marketing — professional photography, video, social media presence
• Honest pricing advice — not just telling you what you want to hear
• Clear communication and availability throughout the process
• A network of buyers and buyer agents they actively work with

Interview at least 2–3 agents before committing. Ask each one for their CMA, their marketing plan, and references from recent sellers in your area.

Step 3 — Get a CMA and Set Your Price

Your agent will prepare a Comparative Market Analysis — a detailed look at what similar homes in your area have recently sold for. This is your pricing foundation. Resist the temptation to list higher than the CMA recommends. Overpriced homes sit on the market, go stale, and ultimately sell for less than if priced correctly from day one.

In London's current market, pricing within 2–3% of true market value is the sweet spot. It attracts maximum buyer attention in the critical first 7–10 days on market, when your listing gets the most views and showing requests.

Step 4 — Prepare and Stage Your Home

Before listing, invest time and modest money into presentation. This doesn't mean a full renovation — it means making your home show as well as it possibly can. The goal is for buyers to walk in and immediately feel at home. See our full preparing your home guide for specific tips.

• Declutter every room — including closets and the garage
• Deep clean from top to bottom
• Fresh paint in neutral tones where needed
• Improve curb appeal — mulch, flowers, clean driveway
• Fix obvious issues — leaky taps, squeaky doors, cracked caulking
• Professional staging consultation (often free through your agent)

Step 5 — Professional Photography and Marketing

Over 90% of buyers start their search online. Your listing photos are the first showing. A good agent will arrange professional photography as part of their service — if they're handing you an iPhone and calling it done, that's a red flag. Top agents also use video walkthroughs, drone shots for homes with good lots, and active social media promotion.

Step 6 — Go Live on MLS

Once you've signed the listing agreement and your home is ready, your agent lists it on the MLS. In London ON, your listing will immediately appear on Realtor.ca, Zillow, and dozens of other platforms. The first 7 days are critical — this is when you'll get the most buyer attention and showing requests.

Your agent should be in close communication during this period, providing showing feedback and advising on any adjustments needed if traffic is lighter than expected.

Step 7 — Review and Negotiate Offers

When offers come in, your agent will present each one and explain the terms clearly. Key things to understand in any offer:

• Offer price — obviously, but consider the full picture
• Deposit amount — higher deposits signal serious buyers
• Conditions — financing, home inspection, sale of buyer's home
• Closing date — does it work for your timeline?
• Inclusions/exclusions — what stays, what goes

In London's balanced market, conditional offers are common and normal. A financing condition is standard. A home inspection condition is reasonable — unless the buyer waives it, expect they'll use it. Your agent will help you navigate counter-offers to reach the best possible outcome.

Step 8 — Accept an Offer and Firm Up

Once you accept an offer, the buyer has their condition period (typically 5–10 business days) to arrange financing and conduct their inspection. If everything checks out, they "firm up" the deal by removing conditions. At this point the sale is legally binding.

If a buyer comes back with repair requests after the inspection, your agent will advise on what's reasonable to address versus push back on. You're not obligated to fix everything — but significant issues may need to be negotiated.

Step 9 — Closing Day

On the agreed closing date, your real estate lawyer handles the title transfer and release of funds. You'll receive your sale proceeds minus agent commission, legal fees, and any outstanding mortgage balance. The buyer gets the keys. It's that straightforward once you're at this stage.

Budget for moving costs and plan your own next move well in advance — closing day can sneak up quickly once the deal is firm.