We hear the same thing from buyers almost every week: "We don't want a project." A few years ago, lots of people were happy to buy a dated home, live with it for a while, and slowly fix it up. Today, many buyers are doing the math and deciding it's not worth the stress or the cost.

They have a point. Building and renovation costs have kept going up, and they haven't come back down. When you buy a home that already has the major updates done, you pay for that work once, inside your mortgage, at today's price. You don't have to find a contractor, wait months for a start date, or live through dust and noise while someone else's quote keeps growing.

In this post we'll walk through why move-in ready homes make sense right now, and then show you two of our current listings: 17 Woodward Avenue in London and 46 Ashwood Crescent in Ilderton. They suit very different buyers, and we'll walk through what each one does well and who each one fits best.

Prefer to watch? Kurtis and Christine talk through both homes in the video below.

Why Renovation Costs Matter More Than Ever

Statistics Canada tracks what contractors charge to build homes in cities across the country. In the first quarter of 2026, residential building costs in London were up 5.1% from a year earlier. That was well above the national average of 2.8% for the same period, and it puts London construction costs about 11% higher than they were in 2023.

Renovation work has been squeezed too. Statistics Canada noted that the tariffs brought in during 2025, including a 25% tariff on steel, aluminum, iron and appliances, pushed up the cost of renovation projects that rely on those materials. Some of the biggest jumps were in jobs like installing a new furnace, replacing a heat pump and replacing carpet. Contractors also reported that prices and supply for some materials became less predictable.

What does that mean for you as a buyer? A few things:

• Quotes don't stay put. The price you're given today may not be the price you pay six months from now when the contractor can finally start.
• Renovations are usually paid in cash or with extra borrowing. A home's updates are built into the purchase price and spread across your mortgage. A renovation after closing often means dipping into savings, a line of credit or a second loan.
• The "invisible" updates cost the most. Plumbing, electrical, roofing and windows aren't exciting, but they are some of the most expensive and disruptive jobs in a house. They're also the ones that home inspectors flag most often.
• Time has a cost too. Living in a half-finished home, or paying rent while work gets done, adds up quickly.

None of this means a fixer-upper is always a bad idea. If you have trade skills, flexible timing and cash set aside, a home that needs work can still be a smart buy. But for most first-time buyers, young families and people who are downsizing, a home where the big jobs are already done takes a lot of risk off the table.

17 Woodward Avenue, London

If you want to live close to the centre of London without taking on a renovation, 17 Woodward Avenue is worth a close look. It sits just off Riverside Drive in west London, a few minutes from downtown, Western University, parks, shopping and restaurants.

What makes this home stand out for a "no reno" buyer is how much of the expensive work behind the walls has already been done. This isn't a house with a new coat of paint over old systems. The sellers updated the parts of the home that cost the most to fix later.

What's already been done

• Metal roof. Metal roofs last a long time and need very little upkeep. For many buyers, not having to budget for a roof replacement is a big relief.
• Updated plumbing and electrical. These are two of the costliest and messiest jobs in any older home, because walls and floors often have to be opened up. Here, that work is done.
• New windows. Better windows help with heating and cooling costs, cut down on drafts and let in more natural light.
• Updated kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchen is bright and modern, and both bathrooms have been refreshed.
• New flooring throughout. No old carpet to pull up and no patchwork of different floors from room to room.
• Private backyard with a large deck. The deck was professionally installed, so it's ready for barbecues and summer evenings right away.

Who this home suits

17 Woodward is a good fit for first-time buyers, young couples, small families, or anyone who works downtown or at Western and wants a short trip to work. At this price point, getting a detached home with a deep 150-foot lot, three bedrooms and the major systems already updated is a solid package. Property taxes were about $3,168 in 2025, which helps keep monthly costs manageable.

It's also worth comparing it to the older character homes in Old South London. Those homes are well loved, and for good reason, but many of them sell at similar or higher prices and still come with original wiring, older plumbing or a roof that's due. At 17 Woodward, you get a detached home on a deep lot with the costly updates already done, at a lower price than many of those south London homes. For buyers watching their budget, that adds up to strong value.

If you love the character homes you see around Wortley Village, you'll feel at home here. 17 Woodward gives you the charm of an older London home with none of the work. It's ready to go.

46 Ashwood Crescent, Ilderton

46 Ashwood Crescent is a very different home for a very different buyer. It sits on a quiet crescent in Ilderton, a small community just north of London that gives you a small-town feel with the city a short drive away.

This bungalow has been well cared for, and it's set up for easy everyday living. The main floor has the kitchen, the living area, the laundry, the primary bedroom, a second bedroom and a full bathroom. That means you can do most of your day-to-day life on one level, which is a big plus for empty nesters, people planning to stay in their home for the long term, and anyone who doesn't want to haul laundry up and down stairs.

What's already been done

• Updated kitchen with quartz countertops. There is plenty of space, lots of cabinetry and a pantry for cooking and hosting.
• Main-floor laundry. A small detail that makes a big difference day to day.
• Two-way fireplace. It opens to more than one space, so you get the warmth and the look in both rooms.
• Fully finished lower level. Two more bedrooms, a full bathroom and a large rec room are already done. Finishing a basement is one of the bigger projects buyers often plan for after closing. Here you don't have to.
• Landscaped, fully fenced backyard with a partially covered deck. You can enjoy the sun or sit in the shade, even when it rains, and the fence gives you privacy.
• Roof and windows in good condition, according to the listing, plus an owned water softener.
• Generator-ready setup. If the power goes out, you can hook up a generator without extra electrical work.
• Double garage and a double driveway with room for four more cars.

Who this home suits

46 Ashwood is a strong match for downsizers and empty nesters who want less upkeep but don't want to give up space. The two lower-level bedrooms are ideal when kids, grandkids or friends come to stay, and they also work as a home office or hobby room. Professionals who work from home will like the second main-floor bedroom. It's about 9 x 10 feet and has a Murphy bed, so it works as a home office or den most of the time and folds out into a guest room when you need it.

Ilderton itself is a big part of the appeal. It has the arena, the curling club, the library and local shops, and it's an easy drive into north London for bigger errands.

How the Two Homes Compare

What "Move-In Ready" Should Really Mean

"Move-in ready" gets used a lot in real estate ads, and it doesn't always mean the same thing. Fresh paint and new light fixtures can make a home look finished, while the roof, wiring or furnace are close to the end of their life. That's why we always encourage buyers to look past the surface.

When you're comparing homes, ask these questions:

• How old is the roof, and what is it made of?
• Have the plumbing and electrical been updated? In older homes, this is often where the biggest surprises hide.
• How old are the windows, furnace and air conditioner?
• Is anything rented? Water heaters, furnaces and softeners are sometimes rentals, which adds a monthly cost.
• What would a home inspector say? Even with a well-updated home, we always recommend a professional inspection so you know exactly what you're buying.

Both of these homes give you good answers to many of those questions. 17 Woodward is the stronger story on big-ticket systems like the roof, plumbing and electrical. 46 Ashwood is the stronger story on finished living space and lifestyle, with a fully finished lower level and a yard that's ready to enjoy.

The Bottom Line

With construction and renovation costs still rising, buying a home where the major work is already done can save you money, time and a lot of stress. You know what you're getting, you can budget with more confidence, and you can spend your first year in your new home living in it instead of managing a project.

Not every home will fit every buyer, and that's okay. Our job is to help you find the one that fits your life, your budget and your plans for the next five to ten years. If either of these homes sounds like it might be the right match, we'd be glad to walk you through it in person.