Carmen Lombardi's blog

The PRO FORMA Home Valuation Tool: Thinking about buying a property, whether as an investment venture or in search of your dream home, but concerned about the higher mortgage rates? You’re not the only one! But should you hold off until rates decline, and risk buying in a market with less opportunity for due diligence, high competition, and inflated prices?

If you’re determined to achieve your real estate goal, you need a strategy with tools that are successful and useful in any market environment.

I use a versatile tool called the Pro Forma to forecast the financial performance of a...

Today, we're tackling a common problem: Should I sell first, or buy first?

Buying first allows you to take your time finding the perfect property, but can get risky if you struggle to sell your home after you’ve committed to purchasing a new one.

Selling first can provide financial security and reduce the stress of owning two properties simultaneously, however, you may feel overly stressed if you can’t find the right home and the closing date draws closer.

Sometimes there are creative solutions to a situation, such as renting your home back from your buyers while you wait to close on your...

In light of the recent TRESA changes, the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) has provided clarification on the disclosure of competing offers.

Under TRESA, should the seller grant permission, the real estate agent is empowered to divulge the contents of competing offers. The seller may opt for a selective disclosure, with a stipulation that no personal or identifying information is included in the shared details.

Agents are obligated to adhere to the seller's directives, even if there is a subsequent change in preference. This flexibility allows sellers to exercise discretion,...

The 'For Sale' sign has just been planted on the front lawn of your home. It's now more crucial than ever to ensure your property stands out in the market. But how do you make that happen?

You've probably heard the famous saying, "Don't dress for the job you have, but for the job you want." When it comes to selling your home, it's no different.

My approach? Treat each listing like a million-dollar property, regardless of the price tag. Here's a sneak peek inside some of my modern marketing plan for selling your home:

Staging and Styling: I take pride in making your home look like...

Understanding The GTA's Housing Market: What Influences Prices?

We all know real estate is a good investment, increasing on average 6.87% year over year since 1980. But predicting exactly WHEN and WHERE is good to buy or sell isn’t so easy. You've probably noticed that house prices seem to dance to their own tune - one minute homes are selling like hotcakes, and the next they are sitting like stale fruit. 

Let’s dive into what’s really going on – in plain, simple terms, to help you make more informed decisions with your real estate goals. I’ve been working in the industry for...

LET’S TALK ABOUT HOW LONG YOU SHOULD EXPECT YOUR HOME TO LAST

When you buy a home, you aren’t just buying “one thing.” Yes, technically you are buying title to the property, but the title comes with a bunch of things.

Things like sinks, faucets, appliances, windows, doors, shingles, hot water tanks, pipes, wires, flooring, and insulation. The house is a system, created from a bunch of moving parts that then make your home. 

Maybe you were fortunate enough to grow up with someone who already knew these things inside out, or have had your own experience in “house-stuff.” But if you...

We’re into our second year of this pandemic and to everyone’s surprise, and all buyers' dismay, we find ourselves in one of the hottest real estate markets ever on record. Average prices in Ontario have increased an impressive 17% year-over-year with some regions as high as 40%. When the lockdowns first hit last March, most economists predicted we’d need a couple of years for the market to rebound, as unemployment rates skyrocketed and immigration halted. 

Let's be frank - you don't need a buyer's agent to find a home for sale. Times have changed, and thanks to the internet, simply finding a home for sale has never been easier. So why should you work with Carmen?

• Professional - Full-time professional Realtor for over 5 years, with extensive experience working in Mississauga, Brampton, Milton, Georgetown, Halton Hills, Acton, and Guelph.