Making a smart lifestyle move shouldn't require sacrificing the space, privacy, or quality you are accustomed to. Beautifully positioned within a highly desirable west-end adult condo complex, 869-72 Whetherfield offers an immaculate, one-floor layout designed for effortless living and long-term comfort.

The large, bright entrance welcomes you from the front door and double garage entry, opening into an expansive living space with vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, a fireplace, and a large patio door to a private deck.

The spacious open kitchen features light maple cabinetry, a breakfast bar, plenty of counter space, and stainless appliances.

The laundry is on the main floor. The main-floor guest bedroom can also be used as an office or den.

The primary bedroom is large with a primary ensuite and ample closet space. The finished lower level includes a guest bedroom/office/gym, an expansive family room with a gas fireplace and ample lighting, and another 3-piece bathroom.

The furnace, A/C, and water heater are one year old and serviced by Reliance on contract. The Life-Breath system will add to your comfort. As a resident, your property maintenance is professionally managed, so you can enjoy life at your own pace.

The complex boasts a private clubhouse with a fitness center and easy access to nearby nature trails. When you need to venture out, you're within walking distance or a short drive of almost all major amenities, including Farm Boy, Costco, Tim Hortons, and premium restaurants.

Easy access to University Hospital, UWO and science centres. This attractive bungalow-style home is priced to sell to serious buyers who want a quiet, safe environment with no snow shovelling or lawn maintenance.

This home offers 1,793 square feet of finished floor space and 598 square feet of unfinished space, for a total of 2,391 square feet.

869 Whetherfield Street #72 London Ontario MLS# X14106512 $559,000

This one-floor, vacant-land condo at 725 Eagletrace Drive #63 in London North is for sale. See details here

No shovel. No lawn mower. Just the keys. At 725 Eagletrace Drive, Unit 63, you own your home and the land under it, just like a regular house. The $325 monthly fee covers snow removal and landscaping in common areas.

Property taxes are $8,348 a year, and the home was built in 2011.

Everything you use every day is on the main floor: the primary bedroom with ensuite, a second bedroom for an office or den, a family-size dining room, a breakfast room opening to a private covered composite deck, and a kitchen built for people who enjoy kitchens and what a kitchen brings not only to the home, but personality.

Granite counters, a built-in 60" fridge, an induction cooktop, a steam oven, a plate warmer and a Miele dishwasher. Crown moulding runs throughout.

Downstairs, the finished lower level adds 3,695 sq ft, with 2 more bedrooms, an exercise room, a home theatre, a hobby room, and a large family room with a built-in counter and sink, a wine cooler, and a gas fireplace.

Surround sound, a security camera, and an alarm system are already in place, and the double garage has an epoxy floor, a small but telling detail that speaks to how well this home has been cared for.

The Sanctuary is one of Sunningdale West's most sought-after adult-oriented enclaves, with homes built to a higher standard. Built for comfort, entertaining, and effortless single-level living, this home features finishes that match a $1,200,000 address.

Schedule an appointment now to see this spacious home; pictures, floor plans, and words can't capture all the amenities and upscale finishes this home offers.

 London averages about 194 cm (over 6 feet) of snow each year. A large Canadian study found that men were about one-third more likely to die of a heart attack the day after a heavy snowfall. 725 Eagletrace Drive, Unit 63 in The Sanctuary is a one-floor, 3,695 sq ft home where you own the house and the land, and a $325 monthly fee covers the outside work. It is listed at $1,199,900. To see it privately, call Ty Lacroix or use the form below.

Dreading another winter of shovelling?

You're not being dramatic. London gets about 194 cm of snow in an average year, and the ground holds at least a centimetre of snow for about 84 days. The snowy season runs from roughly mid-November to mid-April, about five months. Storms that drop more than 10 cm in a day arrive about four times a year, and about 13 days have 5 cm or more.

That's a lot of mornings with a shovel.

What shovelling asks of your body

A 2017 study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that shovelling raises a person's heart rate to more than 75% of their maximum. The same research looked at 128,000 heart attack hospital admissions in Quebec between 1981 and 2014. After about 8 inches (20 cm) of snow, admissions were 16% higher than on snow-free days. Men were about one-third more likely to die of a heart attack the following day.

The researchers suspect shovelling caused it, though the study did not prove it. In the United States, about 11,500 people a year are treated in emergency rooms for shovelling injuries, and about 100 of them die. Muscle and back injuries are the most common, at 55%.

Nothing here says you're not capable. It says the job is hard on anyone, and you can choose to quit.

What "vacant land condo" means.

You own your home and the land it sits on, just like any house. The $325 monthly fee (that's $3,900 a year) covers snow removal and exterior maintenance, so you don't have to do those jobs. Property taxes are $8,348 a year, and the home was built in 2011.

What you get for it

• One-floor living. The primary bedroom with ensuite, a second bedroom that works as an office or den, the kitchen, the family-size dining room and the breakfast room are all on the main level.

• A kitchen worth staying home for. Granite counters, a built-in 60" fridge, an induction cooktop, a steam oven, a plate warmer and a Miele dishwasher.

• A private covered deck. Composite, low-maintenance, and reached through double doors from the breakfast room.

• Room for family. The finished lower level brings the home to 3,695 sq ft, with 2 more bedrooms, an exercise room, a home theatre, a hobby room, and a family room with a wine cooler and a gas fireplace.

• Peace of mind. A double garage with epoxy flooring, surround sound, a security camera and an alarm system.

The Sanctuary is one of Sunningdale West's most sought-after adult-oriented enclaves, and the finishes here match a $1,200,000 address.

The questions worth asking before any condo purchase

The monthly fee is only part of the picture. What does it cover, and what doesn't it? How is the road maintained? What does the condo corporation's paperwork say about repairs and reserves? I go through these questions with every buyer before they sign, and I'll do the same with you.

If you need to sell your current home first, we can plan both moves together so you're never stuck holding two houses. I've been a Realtor for 24 years, and I personally handle every client.

Come see it privately.

No open house, no crowd. Call Ty Lacroix at 519-435-1600 to book a private showing, or fill out the form below, and I'll get back to you the same day.

725 Eagletrace Drive, Unit 63, London, Ontario | MLS® X14097580| $1,199,900

Sources:

• Canadian Medical Association Journal study, via NBC News

• Washington Post: Snow shovelling injuries and fatalities

• Harvard Health: Can shovelling snow put your heart at risk?

• Current Results: London snowfall totals

• Current Results: Yearly snowfall in Canadian cities

• Weather Spark: London climate

• ScienceDaily: US snow shovelling emergency visits

I get asked this question constantly: Should I sell my income property now, or is this still a good time to buy?

My answer is: it depends entirely on you.

Before I walk through six real scenarios — three investors who sold and three who bought — let me be clear about something. I am not an accountant, a financial advisor, a lawyer, or a banker. I am a real estate broker with 24 years of experience in this market and over 50 years of personal investment history. I have probably seen every upside and downside you can imagine — and a few you have not yet thought of.

Common sense is free. Use it before you pay anyone for their opinion.

The 2026 Reality for London, Ontario Landlords

Before we get to the scenarios, here is the current operating environment every landlord is navigating:

Ontario's rent increase guideline for 2026 is 2.1% — the lowest cap in four years, down from 2.5% in 2025. In 2027, it decreases to 1.9%. If your carrying costs are rising faster than 2.1% annually — and for most landlords, they are — your margin is shrinking whether you feel it yet or not. 

London property taxes, mortgage rates, insurance, and maintenance costs continue to pressure investors renewing financing in 2026, with fixed five-year rates near 4.09%.

The average single-family home in London is now priced at $611,509 (September 2026), putting homeownership out of reach for many renters and keeping rental demand stable, but also keeping the Landlord and Tenant Board's caseload high. 

The question is not whether the market is challenging. It is whether your specific situation calls for holding, selling, or buying.

Three Scenarios Where Selling Made Sense

Scenario 1 — Paul and Louise

Beyond their home, Paul and Louise bought three houses over eight years as part of their retirement plan. Over six months, I helped them sell all three. Two of the properties tripled their original investment. One doubled it. After capital gains and mortgage penalties, their combined net proceeds were $780,000.

I asked them how many years of working it would have taken to net $780,000. They laughed.

They retired ten years earlier than planned, paid off everything, and had their time back.

Good decision.

Scenario 2 — Carolyn

Carolyn had owned a triplex since 1993. Her tenants were long-term and reliable — and paying 65% of the current market rent. Her words: "They are so nice, I just never raised the rent over the years."

Her employment situation changed. She didn't want to manage the property remotely, and the income didn’t support hiring a property manager while also funding the building's needed improvements.

I sold the triplex to a qualified investor who understood the income gap and was willing to accept some vacancy while bringing rents to market. Carolyn walked away debt-free — and bought her dream condo in ski country with cash.

Good decision.

Scenario 3 — Paul and Pratima

Paul and Pratima had a tenant who never paid and systematically destroyed their townhouse. Getting them out through the Landlord and Tenant Board took 13 months.

After that experience, we agreed they weren't suited to the landlord business—and there is no shame in that. Not everyone is. I sold the townhouse for a healthy gain.

My only advice to them going forward: stop attending get-rich real estate investor gatherings.

Three Scenarios Where Buying Made Sense

Scenario 4 — Margaret and Phillipe

Margaret and Phillipe already owned three income properties and wanted to add at least two more in 2026. They had strategically refinanced their existing portfolio, had a solid down payment ready, and had a mortgage provider who understood investment property financing.

They were not guessing. They had a plan, the capital, and the patience to execute it.

Good decision.

Scenario 5 — Eric and Colleen

Eric and Colleen wanted to buy a duplex, live in one unit, and rent the other to offset their monthly costs while building equity. Their friends were all buying single-family homes to live in.

With patience and the right property, Eric and Colleen will build net worth considerably faster than those friends — because their tenant is helping pay the mortgage from day one.

Good decision.

Scenario 6 — Song, Chin, and Family

Song, Chin, and their parents come from a family of real estate investors. They believe London, Ontario, remains undervalued relative to other Ontario markets and are actively buying — but only when properties meet the specific financial minimums they have set in advance.

They are not emotional buyers. They are not chasing the market. They have a formula, and they stick to it.

Good decision.

So, Who Is Right?

All six of them—because each made the decision that matched their own risk tolerance, financial goals, and honest assessment of what Ontario's landlord and tenant environment demands today.

The allowable rent increase in Ontario in 2026 is 2.1%. Your operating costs almost certainly are not rising at 2.1%. That gap is the fundamental question every current landlord needs to answer honestly.

Buying or selling an investment property is no different. But here is the catch — from whom are you getting your advice?

The people most likely to give you an opinion on your real estate investment decision are often the least qualified to do so. A loan officer, two months into the job, who has never owned a property. A family member offering mortgage advice based on their own experience from a different market. A financial advisor whose income depends on keeping your money in mutual funds.

None of them has been where you are. Choose accordingly.

One Final Thought

"There are two times in a person's life when they should not speculate: when they cannot afford it, and when they can." — Samuel Clemens AKA Mark Twain.

If you are trying to decide whether 2026 is the year to sell, hold, or buy an income property in London, Ontario—and you want a direct conversation with someone who's seen this market from both sides of the table—I can.

No obligation. Just clarity.

Reach me at 519-435-1600 

Please discuss the ideas in this post with your professional advisors, including your accountant and your lawyer. Real estate investment is not guaranteed, and results depend on individual circumstances, market conditions, and the quality of your decisions.

More on Investment Property Strategy →

Every real estate transaction has two sides: a buyer and a seller.

On both sides of the transaction, interlopers, fear-mongers, lawyers, lenders, home inspectors, and appraisers bombard you with noise.

Then come the uninvited opinions of parents, children, the next-door neighbour, the coworker, the know-it-all at the golf course, and the social club busybody.

When you let outside noise influence your decisions, you risk your wealth. Industry data shows that emotional decision-making and stalled negotiations can cost participants 5-7% of a property's value—either by leaving money on the table or by causing a buyer to miss out and ultimately overpay elsewhere.

To illustrate the stark realities of buying or selling a home, I have prepared two case studies:

Case Study 1: The home seller who prices their home correctly, shows it well, and receives a lowball offer. Focused on preserving their net worth, the seller holds firm on their price and refuses to even counteroffer.

Case Study 2: The home buyer who puts in a low offer on an overpriced home, only to find the seller and their Realtor not being too happy.

After reviewing these breakdowns, you can take sides, agree, disagree, or ignore them completely.

But here is the undeniable truth of every successful transaction: at the end of the day, both the buyer and the seller agree to the transaction; you decide and live with it. There is always a price to pay; pay it now or pay it later.

Happy or sad, remorse or satisfaction, you move on.

Here are the two market breakdowns:

Listed at $850,000, Offered $755,000: And Then the Buyer Walked Away


Listed at $850,000, Offered $755,000: Why Saying Nothing Was the Smartest Move

Most buyers spend weeks choosing a home and less than an hour choosing who represents them. That one decision shapes the offer, the conditions and closing day. Three things catch buyers off guard most often: closing costs (land transfer tax alone is $10,475 on a $700,000 purchase in Ontario), the deadline to remove conditions, and the condo status certificate.

 Buying a home in London soon, or know someone who is?

After 24 years as a Realtor and Broker in London, I hear about these three problems most often, and they can cost buyers the most if nobody warns them.

1. The closing costs nobody mentions.

On a $700,000 purchase in Ontario, land transfer tax alone is $10,475, based on the Province's published rates. First-time buyers can receive a rebate of up to $4,000. Everyone else pays the full amount, plus legal fees and adjustments. A closing cost breakdown should be in your hands before you go firm, not on closing day.

2. The deadline that decides everything.

 Most offers include a financing condition and an inspection condition, each with a hard deadline. In my experience, that is usually five to ten business days. When the deadline arrives, you either remove the condition and go firm, or you walk away. Once you go firm, you are committed. A Realtor who hasn't explained that in plain language before the deadline is not protecting you.

3. The condo status certificate:

If you are buying a condo or townhome, your offer should give you time to review the status certificate. It shows whether the condo corporation is financially healthy, whether special assessments are coming, and what is in the reserve fund. In Ontario, reserve funds must be studied and projected at least 30 years ahead (source: Condo Authority of Ontario). A fund that is falling behind that plan is a warning sign before you buy.

HOW I HELP:

I walk every buyer through the whole process before we look at a single home, so nothing at the deadline surprises you. I read the inspection report with you, tell you what matters and what doesn't, and I will tell you when walking away is the right call.

Read the full walk-through, from the first conversation to the day you get the keys:

How Buying a Home in London, Ontario Actually Works 

Planning to buy in the next 90 days? Call me directly at 519-435-1600, or send me your details through the form on that page. I respond personally within one business day.

As the London real estate market adjusts with inventory levels recently exceeding 7 months of supply, mature buyers or sellers over $700k are re-evaluating their positions. High-end properties are under increased pressure in this environment, so your specific postal code is your best defence against market volatility. With average detached home prices sitting just over $700,000, a lateral or better move requires absolute precision. As a Realtor who reviews market data daily, I’ve mapped out why these ten specific neighbourhoods continue to anchor the premium market and protect a home's value.

Byron's long-term value is protected by geographic scarcity: Boler Mountain, Springbank Park, Warbler Woods, and top-ranked schools create boundaries no new subdivision can replicate. Explore Byron's current home values: https://enveloperealestate.com/byron.html

Fox Hollow is the strategic center of Northwest London’s rapid expansion. Unlike legacy neighbourhoods that require renovation budgets and layout compromises, Fox Hollow is a true "turn-key" asset class. Explore Fox Hollow's current home values: https://enveloperealestate.com/fox-hollow.html

Hyde Park isn't just a neighbourhood; it is the commercial and residential anchor of Northwest London. This area has evolved rapidly into a highly self-sustaining micro-economy. Explore Hyde Park's current home values: https://enveloperealestate.com/hyde-park.html

Kilworth-Komoka operate seamlessly as a unified micro-market just west of London. Explore Kilworth-Komoka's current home values: https://enveloperealestate.com/kilworth-komoka.html

Lambeth is a "village-within-the-city." Located in the extreme southwest corner of London, Lambeth offers low-traffic access to the Highway 401 and 402 corridors. Explore Lambeth's current home values: https://enveloperealestate.com/lambeth.html

Oakridge’s value is heavily insulated by its geographic borders. The south end is anchored by the Thames Valley Golf Course, providing scenic, non-developable green space. More importantly, families aggressively target this area for its "Triple-A" school feeder patterns, including Oakridge Secondary and Riverside Public School. Explore Oakridge's current home values: https://enveloperealestate.com/oakridge.html

Riverbend isn’t a walk-to-everything neighbourhood; it appeals to buyers who value privacy, newer construction, and a more controlled pace of development. Explore Riverbend's current home values: https://enveloperealestate.com/riverbend.html

Sunningdale is built for modern scale and efficiency. Expansive, newer-build luxury homes, sophisticated townhomes, and high-end condominium enclaves define the housing stock here. Explore Sunningdale's current home values: https://enveloperealestate.com/sunningdale.html

Westmount is widely considered the most reliable residential hub in Southwest London. It is a massive, established area offering an incredible variety of homes—from classic 1970s family layouts in Norton Estates to the exclusive, multi-million-dollar luxury properties up on Rosecliffe. Explore Westmount's current home values: https://enveloperealestate.com/westmount.html

Wortley Village & Old South London: Iconic Wortley Village and Old South London are widely considered the crown jewels of London real estate. People don't just buy houses here; they buy into a fiercely loyal, highly walkable community filled with older homes and tree-lined streets. Explore Wortley Village's current home values: https://enveloperealestate.com/wortley-village-old-south-london.html

 I analyze these micro-markets daily to protect my clients' positions. If you are preparing for a lateral or better move in 2026, let’s discuss your current home value and map out a strategy that leverages these premier neighbourhoods.