Skip to main content
Louise Bolger

Louise Bolger

August 17, 2017
Louise Bolger is The Sun’s Real Estate columnist.
Email Louise Bolger
November 9, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Examine your condo flood insurance

Last week, I reviewed a fairly new nonprofit called First Street Foundation, established to help homeowners understand FEMA flood zones and potential flood zones not yet recognized by FEMA. I also po…
November 2, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

FEMA not the last word on flood risk estimates

We’re getting close to the official end of hurricane season and the accompanying flooding that comes with hurricanes. Every homeowner reading this column already knows they live in a flood zone or ve…
October 26, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Ghosts, goblins and COVID

Halloween is in a couple of days, the first holiday since COVID struck that wearing a mask is not only encouraged, but welcome. Because of our beautiful fall weather, all of the little ghosts and gob…
October 18, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Appraisals in the time of COVID

Like everything during the difficult times we’re living in, property appraisals have become one more task to accomplish safely. Not only is it difficult for appraisers to avoid a COVID infection and…
October 11, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Mortgage protection in the time of COVID

As we keep moving along down this never-ending pandemic road, hardly a day goes by when there isn’t another major hit to our nervous system. Buried in all of this bad news and extraordinary events th…
October 4, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Florida is new home to thousands

When I moved to Florida 23 years ago, I honestly thought I was at the end of the world. During my dog’s 11 o’clock walk, the brightness of the stars was so overwhelming, I would ask the dog, “Where h…
September 27, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Mortgage interest rates lowest since 1971

Based on current interest rates, it’s a great time to buy a home, and it’s also a great time to sell a home. At this moment in time, sellers have the upper hand, prices are high, inventory is low and…
September 21, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

COVID can’t ground soaring real estate market

Strange doesn’t even come close to describing today’s real estate market. You would think that in the middle of a pandemic, everyone would be afraid to leave their home, much less purchase a new one…
September 13, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

To disclose or not to disclose

Since there are no perfect houses, when it comes time to sell your imperfect home, just how honest do you have to be about its defects? Basically, you should disclose anything that might affect a…
September 5, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Everyone needs a change – even in paradise

Are you starting to feel like you’re in prison? Granted it’s a really nice prison and you’re enjoying the views, but since you haven’t left recently, even the beach gets redundant. Welcome to what I’…
August 29, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Real estate sales reaching lofty heights

The above-the-fold headline in a national newspaper a couple of weeks ago said this: “Home sales reach lofty heights.” My real estate heart started fluttering even before I read the first sentence, a…
August 21, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Homeownership still a great deal

Benjamin Franklin was the author of many memorable sayings, and one of the most memorable is, “There are only two certainties in life – death and taxes.” In spite of the very volatile times we’re liv…
August 16, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Buy a yard for your Zoom

If you look at a lot of waterfront advertising, you see a commonly used phrase – “buy your boat a home.” Now with COVID-19 influencing almost everything in our lives, pretty soon you’re likely to see…
August 10, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

COVID causes changes in housing market

Lots of people these days are telling themselves, “If this is the one life I have to live, maybe I need to set some priorities.” According to national and local real estate sales statistics, a lot of…
August 2, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

When the news is good, be happy

The news hasn’t been that great recently, but the one bright spot is the country’s housing market. Likewise, Manatee County’s housing market is shining almost as bright as the afternoon westerly sun…