In today’s real estate landscape, success depends less on chasing yesterday’s highs and more on understanding where the market truly is now. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating or exploring homes for sale in Exeter Ontario, adjusting your mindset is often the first and most important step.

Why 2022 Prices Still Anchor Homeowners

Anchoring is a psychological tendency where the first number we see or remember becomes our reference point. For homeowners who saw properties selling for $850,000 in 2022, that figure can feel like the “real” value of their home even when today’s data shows otherwise. It’s a natural emotional reaction but a dangerous one in a changing market.

Across Southwestern Ontario including London and Exeter, we’ve moved firmly into a buyer’s market. Inventory has grown, price growth has leveled and buyers have more options. In London alone, active listings have climbed into the thousands, a far cry from the frenzied pace of 2022. Sellers who price based on current comparables rather than old anchors are the ones who are moving forward.

What Is the Market Really Like in London and Exeter in 2025?

The London Ontario housing market in 2025 looks very different than it did three years ago. Listings are staying on the market longer, price growth has stabilized and buyers have regained negotiating power. This isn’t bad news—it’s simply a new landscape that rewards realistic pricing and strategic planning.

In towns like Exeter and Thames Centre the story is similar. Prices have adjusted but not collapsed. Homes that are priced in line with today’s market are selling within reasonable timeframes. Buyers are active but thoughtful. They’re comparing options, weighing value and taking their time. Sellers who adapt to this new pace are finding success.

Emotional Traps That Hold Sellers Back

One of the biggest emotional barriers for sellers is loss aversion. We feel the pain of perceived loss more strongly than the satisfaction of gain. If a homeowner believes they “lost” money by not selling in 2022, that feeling can lead to hesitation. Even if the current sale price still represents years of equity growth the psychological sting of “missing the peak” can cause people to wait indefinitely for a rebound that may never look like 2022 again.

Real estate isn’t about perfect timing—it’s about personal timing. Downsizers in London who want to simplify their lifestyle, families in Exeter looking to relocate closer to amenities or professionals exploring new communities all benefit when decisions are based on present realities not past highs.

Real Examples From North London and Exeter

Consider two homeowners on the same street in north London. Both purchased before 2015 and are now ready to downsize. The first homeowner lists at a 2022 price point and waits. The home lingers on the market, price reductions follow and stress builds.

The second homeowner works with their agent to price based on 2025 comparables. They list strategically and the home sells in three weeks. They move to a smaller home in Exeter for $540,000, pocket the difference and simplify their lifestyle. Both faced the same market but had different mindsets—and different outcomes.

Shifting From Past Prices to Future Goals

The key to moving forward is reframing value. Instead of focusing on “losing” compared to 2022, think about unlocking your equity at today’s value to fund your next chapter. If you’re buying and selling in the same market the math often balances out. You may sell for less but you’ll likely buy for less too.

In August, London’s average home price rose modestly month over month, a sign of stability rather than a sudden surge. Stability creates predictability and that allows sellers and buyers to make confident decisions. For long-term owners, the equity gains remain significant. Townhomes for example have appreciated dramatically over the past 15 years.

A Mindset Shift That Leads to Action

The sellers who succeed in today’s market are those who can emotionally detach from old price anchors and focus on their real “why.” Are you downsizing to reduce maintenance? Relocating to be closer to family? Moving to a smaller town like Lucan or Thorndale for lifestyle reasons? Once you focus on these personal goals pricing becomes less about pride and more about purpose.

If you’ve been quietly watching the market and waiting for “next spring,” it may be time to rethink your strategy. The market has shifted but that doesn’t mean opportunity is gone—it just looks different now.