Across Toronto, Vaughan, Hamilton, Burlington, and surrounding markets, real estate agents and mortgage brokers are having frank conversations with sellers:
What’s your worst-case scenario?
How long can you wait?
What if the market doesn’t give you the price you expected?
For many Ontario homeowners, that “Plan B” is no longer hypothetical — it’s becoming the main strategy. And increasingly, homeowners are turning to private lenders like Lendworth to avoid selling at a loss or being forced into a distressed listing.
🕒 Days on Market Are Stretching — And Sellers Are Feeling the Pressure
In the Hamilton–Burlington corridor, the average days on market has climbed to 77.
Some homes sell in a few days. Others sit for 200+ days with no activity.
Inventory is high. Buyers have options. And sellers holding out for peak-2021 pricing are watching the market move away from them.
Even with multiple-offer situations still happening in pockets, the bidding wars of the early 2020s are gone. Buyers today rarely go more than 3–5% above asking, and only when the value is clear.
Mistake #1 in today’s market?
Pricing based on what you want — not on what buyers are willing to pay.
👀 Buyers Are Cautious, Pickier, and Not in a Hurry
With more listings to choose from, buyers are taking their time:
“If we don’t like this one, five more will hit MLS next week.”
“We’re waiting for a motivated seller.”
“We’ll only pay a premium if it’s perfect.”
Economic uncertainty — from high borrowing costs to slower job growth — has made buyers more analytical and less emotional.
📉 Sales Are Down, Prices Are Slipping, and Motivation Matters
In October, Hamilton-Burlington home sales dropped 13.3% month-over-month and 8.3% year-over-year, while average prices dipped 2.6%.
A growing number of sellers are listing for one reason: they have to.
Those motivated sellers undercut everyone else — which pulls the entire market downward.
If you’re not adjusting your expectations, you risk chasing the market down.
This is where many homeowners realize Plan A won’t work.
🛑 But Here’s the Good News: Selling Isn’t the Only Option
And this is where Lendworth becomes the difference between:
❌ A distressed sale
❌ Losing hundreds of thousands
❌ Being forced into a bargain-bin listing
or
✅ Keeping your home
✅ Refinancing your mortgage quickly
✅ Buying time to wait for the spring market
✅ Consolidating debt and restoring liquidity
🔑 Plan B for Ontario Sellers: A Private Mortgage Safety Net
Many homeowners today are tapping private lending solutions before selling — especially if:
Their renewal payment is doubling
They bought at the peak and don’t want to sell at a loss
Their listing isn’t getting traction
They’re upgrading but need more time
They’re in between jobs, going through separation, or managing unexpected financial stress
Renovations aren’t complete yet
They’re downsizing but need a long closing or bridge solution
A private mortgage from Lendworth can provide:
✔ Quick access to home equity (often within 24 hours)
✔ Interest-only payments to reduce monthly burden
✔ Short-term financing until the market improves
✔ Funds to complete renovations before listing
✔ Breathing room to avoid a low-ball sale
✔ Power-of-sale prevention options
✔ Bridge financing for complex moves
✔ Solutions for people banks have turned away
In many cases, a private mortgage becomes the smartest alternative to selling — especially in a market like today’s.
📘 A Real Example: When Plan B Saves the Day
One Ontario homeowner bought a detached property at $1.1M when interest rates were around 1.2%.
At renewal this fall, his payment was set to double.
He wanted to downsize into a retirement community but needed time for renovations on the home he was moving into.
He could have panicked.
He could have fire-sold the property.
Instead:
He secured alternative financing
Found a home around $600K
Renovated before moving
Sold his original home for $150K less than peak, but with a long closing that worked perfectly for him
Avoided financial stress and preserved equity
Plan B = flexibility.
And in a market like 2025, flexibility is everything.
⚠️ Distressed Sellers Are Setting the Market Tone — Not Optimistic Ones
From job loss to divorce to higher mortgage renewals, many sellers are listing out of necessity.
Banks are also stepping up power-of-sale filings — forcing properties onto the market at discounted pricing.
That means:
If you’re not distressed but you’re competing with distressed sellers…
you will be priced out unless you pivot.
This is exactly why more homeowners are exploring private mortgages as a bridge instead of selling into weakness.
🔮 Should You List Your Home Now — Or Wait?
Many agents across Ontario are advising sellers to hold off until late January or early February, when serious buyers re-enter the market.
That gives homeowners time to:
Refinance or renew privately
Pay down debt
Improve credit
Complete renovations
Re-stage and re-list strategically in 2026
Move only when READY — not rushed
💡 The Bottom Line: You Don’t Need to Sell in a Weak Market
Ontario homeowners are realizing that the best strategy today isn’t always rushing to MLS — it’s buying time, improving liquidity, and protecting equity.
That’s exactly what Lendworth specializes in.
🚀 Need a Plan B? Lendworth Can Help You Keep Your Options Open
Whether you’re:
Facing a tough renewal
Sitting on a stale listing
Considering downsizing
Dealing with financial stress
Waiting for the spring market
Trying to avoid a power of sale
Navigating divorce or job changes
Your home’s equity can be unlocked — TODAY — without selling.
🏠 Get approved in as little as 24 hours
💼 No income or credit score required
📍 Serving Toronto, Vaughan, and all of Ontario
🔥 Private mortgages, home equity loans, bridge loans, second mortgages