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Louise Bolger

Louise Bolger

August 17, 2017
Louise Bolger is The Sun’s Real Estate columnist.
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February 25, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Florida’s in the tax driver’s seat

It’s almost tax time again so why not talk again about Florida’s advantageous tax position and the influx of new residents. I like to tie in our growing population with real estate sales statistics s…
February 17, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

The greying of the mortgage market

As we age, there are physical restrictions on what we can achieve. Tennis may be more difficult, so we switch to pickleball; jogging is a knee killer but walking works; sleeping eight hours straight…
February 11, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Credit scores have new meaning

Just when you think your credit score is safe, you get pulled back in and find out you may not be as safe as you thought. If you have anxiety about your creditworthiness you have yet another reason t…
February 3, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Let’s all just take a breath

How would you feel lounging on your deck overlooking the shining waters of the Gulf of Mexico and reading this headline: “As seas rise, your coastal home in Florida could lose value by 15% by 2030?”…
January 27, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Broken record analysis

It seems like every other week or so I’m writing about the influx of new residents to Florida from high tax areas of the country. Forgive me if I sound like a broken record, but I’m not the only one…
January 21, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

What does a mortgage broker do?

I’ve talked many times in this space about getting a mortgage for a home and how it is one of the most stressful aspects of purchasing. Many people don’t have the time to contact numerous lenders and…
January 14, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Real estate winter

It’s winter in southwest Florida and although we talk a lot about beach, road and Publix congestion, we really do love visitors to the Island. We, of course, would love them even more if the visitors…
January 7, 2020
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Is Anna Maria Island still Old Florida?

There’s no doubt how much Anna Maria Island has changed over the past 25 years since I found the Island. One might say it’s gone from shabby chic to polished coastal, but has it also gone from Old Fl…
December 28, 2019
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Happy new real estate year

Getting through all of the Christmas presents, dinners and travel has probably made you not want to face another holiday much less another financial year with its ups and downs. But if you live in a…
December 24, 2019
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Home ownership matters

It’s Christmas, and I’m not sure how many will take the time to read this column, so instead of giving you what I hope is my usual well thought out advice and real estate statistics, I just wanted to…
December 18, 2019
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Million dollar homes and taxes

Three months ago, when I updated my quarterly million-dollar-and-over properties report in our area, I took some pity on wealthy real estate owners around the country who were experiencing a serious…
December 10, 2019
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

The Grinch that stole your real estate deal

If you’re in a home negotiation, whether you’re the buyer or seller you better watch out for the home inspection grinch. To the buyer, the grinch is a kindly and informed fellow who will uncover all…
November 25, 2019
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Today’s challenge for buyers

There’s a big predicament out there all over the country for home buyers, especially first-time buyers. There’s nothing to buy and, apparently, it’s my generation’s fault. United States homeowners…
November 19, 2019
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Mythical credit scores

Generally, credit scores are available through one of your credit card companies, financial institution or loan statement, and if you don’t know yours you should make a point of finding out even if y…
November 12, 2019
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

When did $100,000 not become enough?

Once upon a time if you were earning a six-figure salary you were sitting pretty. You could easily buy a home, make sure your kids went to the right schools and take that one family trip a year. Well…