Mike Bolger REALTOR® in Kitchener / Waterloo

It may be a goal you have had since childhood. Perhaps, you have rented for most of your adult life and now want to experience the joys and satisfaction of home ownership. Buying a home is a big step and requires a lot of important decisions along the way. With some advanced planning and research, you can be sure your home purchase is something you feel good about for many years ahead. Here are the basic steps that lead you to a successful transaction. What You Can Afford This is different from qualifying for a loan. This is calculating how much of your budget you will devote to your home and how much money you want for other things. For a person who values travel, they can afford more house than they should buy. Some of their money will go toward accommodations on the road or other travel expenses. If you love fishing, boating, or a hobby such as restoring classic cars, factor the required budget for your preferred pastime into your overall household budget. With that in mind, ...

With an exceedingly cold winter and bouts of extreme weather, I've now found myself stranded in the home twice, struggling to take mass transit to my office. As a commuter from Waterloo, traffic is usually brutal in the first hours, and incidents on the highway are regrettably too common. Adding bad weather, as you might guess, will not make it any less difficult. Even though this may seem as an inconvenience, it’s an excellent excuse in which to stay my pajamas and work peacefully from your home certain days. Sure, getting stuck working from home may not end up being the perfect sometimes-if you possess meetings scheduled, it could actually present an issue or, if you’re like me, usage of a second screen may be difficult, severely limiting your project's space and slowing your flow. Nevertheless, being a Kitchener/Waterloo  REALTOR®  definitely has its advantages. For example, eliminating the commute means additional time to settle (even if it's only a short while)...

The fall season is an essential time for yard maintenance because the autumn establishes how well it comes back in the spring. Carry out these important yard-care recommendations and you will have the best lawn in the neighborhood come spring. Wipeout Weeds Broadleaf weeds grow promptly because of the ability to capture water and quickly go to seed. This makes fall the very best for weed killing. Remove Leaves I would suggest clearing all the leaves around your house. Leaf's hold moisture from rains and morning dew. The additional moisture suffocates your yard and breeds fungal diseases.  Cut Your Grass Many homeowners presume that with colder weather comes a declination in the growth of grass. Continue mowing and trimming your yard as necessary to keep it healthier in the fall. I suggest cutting your grass short during this season because less sunlight reaches the soil. Aerate the Soil Autumn is the ideal time of year to aerate the soil on your property. Yo...

It is easy to get overcome when buying your first home!  Great guidance can go a long way.  For this reason, I have decided to give you some tips and tricks. During this process, be patient. Never overpay for something because you feel pressure. Good things come to those who wait! Do not compromise Take into account that you are buying the residence the way it is. Should you be disappointed with the property, I recommend not buying the home.  Always be patient  Under no circumstances overpay for a home because you feel stress and anxiety. Excellent things come to those who wait. Work with a real estate agent Make sure that you work with a real estate professional . They are skilled in real estate transactions and will protect your interest. You should never make assumptions when shopping for real estate. Avoid being house poor Don’t purchase a residence for the total amount the bank approves you for. There may always be items that you w...

When individuals are shopping for a home, their instinct and first thoughts are important in helping them make the decision to buy your house.  Even though your property is priced right and in a desired location, you could be scaring off potential buyers without ever knowing it. The following is a list that can turn a buyer off: Overpricing Your Home Making sure your home is properly priced before hitting the market is a crucial factor in obtaining a quick sale. Working with an experienced  REALTOR®  will help ensure that your home sells for what it’s worth. Covering up Issues Regardless if it is a bad foundation or something else, covering up potential problems to get a quick sale is a gamble. Virtually no home is perfect. I recommend being open, sincere and straight about any defects in your home. This will help with a smoother sale. Not Staging Your Home Give buyers a clean, decluttered and neutral space is a key factor to help them e...

Buying your first property was a giant leap forward, now you're ready for the task of selling your house. Are you ready? Getting some information about selling your house is a great idea. I will help you by offering you some advice on how to get a quick sale . Do some homework into your real estate market and verify what your residence is valued at. Take into consideration the strategy that you want to put into action. Are you going to stay strong to your asking price and for how long? When it comes to negotiating, keep emotions in check. Be knowledgeable of the market and what your property is worth. Remove from your personal feelings during the real estate experience. You are able to make the best decisions when you emotionally detach from the real estate process. Staging and decluttering matters. Sell your property quickly when you remove personal things. Buyers don’t wish to see clutter. Just remember, you do not have to sell your property alone. I suggest wor...

Hosting an open house can be a great way to get multiple offers on your property. Maximize your success by having your property the best possible light. Here are some tips to prepare your home for an excellent open house. Depersonalize the House When you are hosting an open house, it’s a good idea to remove your personal items. Help the buyers envision themselves living in the house. Deep Clean and Organize You need to thoroughly deep-clean and organize your home. Buyers will notice the tiniest details. Stage Your Home I recommend that you stage each room in your home. That includes all areas including a guest room, basement and other places you don't use. Remove Outdoor Clutter and Freshen up Boost your curb appeal of your home by removing yard debris, cut your grass, power-wash the exterior and add a welcome mat at your front door. Your agent should be equipped with handouts that contain high-quality photos and relevant details about your home. We recommend th...

Moving to a new property is a very good time to take a look at your home owners insurance policy . Home insurance is necessary to secure your property and personal belongings. Not all home insurance policies are created equal . Just about every policy provides certain coverage terms and conditions. Here are four recommendations that you may ask before getting home insurance: Understand What’s Covered Allocate some time to study your current homeowner's coverage. Next, examine your coverage options and choose the right coverage established on your home’s destination. I advise that discuss your home insurance requirements with an insurance consultant. What’s Not Covered A standard homeowners policy is not necessarily a simple remedy for your coverage needs. I advise that you check out electronic, jewelry and weather coverage first. Cost of Home Insurance Find out what the complete cost is for the policy. Is it annual or monthly? How much is the down payment? Plan ahea...

A whole lot of buyers are not having a home inspection performed in order to get their offer considered. This is certainly the most important investment of your life, you should certainly consider a home inspector to check out the real estate that you want to buy. A realtor might be in a position to help you find a certified home inspector in the area.  Allow me to share several questions that you will need to ask. Exactly what will the home inspection inspect? Before the inspection is performed,  it is very crucial to go over exactly what will and will not be done in the inspection. If you have any specific demands for the inspector to examine, it is wise to mention it to them in advance. Simply how much experience does the inspector have? It is recommended to ask the home inspector about their experience and history in the business.  It may possibly be valuable if the inspector has a construction background. Just how much will the inspection cost? The c...

The expense of living is going up. A number of people are avoiding upgrading their homes before putting them on the market to prevent spending extra money. Home buyers are typically looking for energy-efficient features in properties. Some sellers are doing energy-efficient improvements that don't cost too much which attract home buyers in a competitive market. Let us discuss a couple of home improvements you can do without spending lots of money. Install a New Furnace I highly recommend reducing the heating costs and replacing the obsolete furnace. An energy-efficient furnace is more affordable than previously. Energy Star furnaces are even more efficient than traditional furnaces. By making this relatively easy change, home owners can save a lot. Look at Replacing Windows I highly recommend that you replace your windows with Energy-efficient ones. This can make a major difference in attracting prospects and lowering utility bills. Home owners and home inspectors often ch...

Who's looking out for the Millennials? Great article by the Toronto Star on the effects of our real estate market and Millennials. According to the Toronto Real Estate Board, the average price of a GTA home is expected to rise by double digits again this year, hitting a new average of $825,000. Millennials say that owning a home is more difficult now than it was for their parents. Provincial and municipal governments need to step up with better solutions to ensure that the dream of home ownership does not slip away from future generations. Check out the link for full details. http://on.thestar.com/2lO1zBR #Millennials #GTA #Toronto #MikeBolger #ColdwelBanker #RealEstate #BuyingANewHome #BuyingaHouse

The best time for seniors to sell their property is now! Call Mike Bolger now at (519) 616-2656. Have you considered downsizing? Get the highest value for your property before the market changes. I have access to buyers who can't find houses. Houses are in demand and selling fast. Get the most out of your investment before the market changes. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/2a5w1mm