Michelle Bolte, Realtor

04/15/2024

Pre-approval is as close as you can get to confirming your creditworthiness without having a purchase contract in place. You will complete a mortgage application and the lender will verify the information you provide. They’ll also perform a credit check. If you’re pre-approved, you’ll receive a pre-approval letter, which is an offer to lend you a specific amount, good for typically 90 days.

04/12/2024

What’s keeping you away from homeownership? If you're going to pay monthly for your housing expenses, why not pay towards something you own? Somewhere you can make renovations, and potentially increase the value of your home over time. If you're ready to buy, contact me today!

04/10/2024

If you’re a homeowner, think back to your experience being a first-time buyer. What do you wish you would’ve known? What would you tell first-time buyers before they enter the world of homeownership? We would love to hear from you!

04/08/2024

When buying a home, it pays to make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. During the due diligence stage, you'll want to give every aspect of the transaction a once-over before closing. Among other things, you will want to review your appraisal and inspection before the due diligence period ends.

04/05/2024

What are you in the market for? Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home, we can help. Our role in the process can look different depending on what your needs are. For some clients, an agent may be the listing agent for the home you are selling as well as your buyer’s agent if you are purchasing a different home. No matter what you need, we are here to help. Let’s chat!

04/03/2024

When you start considering a property, there are a few key things you should always try to look at before making your decision. While some factors, like size, can potentially be adjusted in the future, others, like location, cannot. Here are 5 factors you should consider when buying a property.

04/01/2024

Do you know the difference? Assessed value is the amount your local government thinks your home is worth - this is what is used to determine property taxes. Appraised value is the amount a professional home appraiser thinks your home is worth. This amount is typically used by lenders when considering a mortgage application.

03/29/2024

Today’s home buyers are looking for move-in ready homes. Ensure your home is in top condition to get the most attention and the highest possible price. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, focus on features that most home buyers really want to see. Over 80% of buyers are looking for homes with exterior lighting, energy saving windows, and ceiling fans. These can be a low cost investment that buyers would love and that you can enjoy for as long as you live in the home.

03/27/2024

If you’re in the market for a new home, there is plenty you can do ahead of time to make the process go a little smoother. A major step in the home-buying process is securing your home loan with a lender. Here is a brief list of items your lender will likely ask for to determine how much buying power you will have. Getting these documents ready now will help to streamline the process!

03/25/2024

The first step is to find the right real estate agent to help you market and price your home. You will work with your agent – who will study the sales of homes similar to yours – to set the right asking price. You should give your home a deep cleaning before listing it and reduce clutter by getting rid of extra furniture, décor and personal items. After discussion with your agent, you may consider investing in any minor repairs they recommend to maximize profits. If you are ready today, let’s talk!

03/22/2024

Character and charm, or fresh and modern...what is your style? Would you rather live in a historic neighborhood or a new development? When it comes to choosing your next home, what part of the style means the most to you? Let’s chat in the comments!

03/20/2024

Wondering what costs you will need to consider when becoming a homeowner? Here is a brief list of what to expect once you purchase a home. While you may have an idea of what your mortgage payments will look like, it is important to know what is included in that payment and what else you need to prepare for.

03/18/2024

A house title denotes ownership rights: It is the bundle of rights that dictates who has legal or equitable interest in the property. It also details the limitations on ownership. When you purchase a home, a title company conducts a title search to ensure that the seller is the sole owner of the home and no one else has any legal claim to or against the property.

03/15/2024

Are you considering stepping into the world of homeownership? Before you start browsing the internet for available homes in your area, ask yourself these questions! This will help give you the best starting point and help you get into the home of your dreams that much faster. Once you’ve done that, we are here to help!

03/13/2024

Contract contingencies are quite common in real estate transactions and are put in place to allow prospective homeowners to cancel a contract without penalty. Contingencies reduce risks for buyers, and what is allowable varies from state to state. However, many contingencies are common to every state.

03/11/2024

Buying a home can seem intimidating, especially if it is your first time. We are here to help walk you through every step of the process and would love to hear what concerns you have about buying a home. Share your questions in the comments or send us a message today.

03/08/2024

Mortgage rates are constantly changing, but do you know what dropping rates could mean for you? Whether you are looking to buy or looking to sell, a drop in interest rates can impact what the market will look like for you. Here are some ways the market is impacted!

03/06/2024

Worried about getting a mortgage if you work for yourself? If you’re self-employed, the loan approval process will be somewhat similar to that of a W-2 salaried applicant. You’ll need to provide certain documentation to verify your employment income and prove to the lender that you’re a creditworthy fit for a mortgage in general and a certain sum. We can recommend a lender today and get you one step closer to homeownership!

03/04/2024

Today’s home buyers want convenient house plan designs that help them stay organized, allow them to live comfortably through all stages in life, and keep utility costs low. More importantly, buyers are looking for homes that don’t require much work on their end. What are your top 2 must haves in a new home from this list?

03/01/2024

Have you heard this phrase before? Marrying the house means that you should focus more on finding the right property rather than trying to time your purchase to get the lowest interest rate. You are not committed to your mortgage loan interest rate for life—as long as you can refinance it down the road. Don’t lose out on time building your equity waiting for a rate. If you’re ready to buy today, let’s chat!

02/28/2024

You can change the cosmetics of a house, but you can’t change location. Don’t ignore a home you love in a neighborhood you have been dreaming about just because it requires a change of paint or other cosmetic updates. While we always want to find you a home that checks as many of your boxes as possible, it’s important to prioritize finding a home that you can adjust to fit your requirements.

02/27/2024

Ready to dump your rental and buy a place of your own? Contact me today for a list of homes in your area!

06/14/2023

There’s nothing like a happy client, is there?

See more: https://app.realsatisfied.com/Michelle-Bolte

08/28/2022

Okay!

Peter Billingsley again will play Ralphie, who returns to his childhood home with his wife and children in an attempt to capture the Christmas magic of his childhood

07/11/2022

There are few situations more frustrating than struggling to sell your home after you put in on the market, especially when you may have expected a quick turnaround. If you tried to do everything right but something still isn’t clicking, check out these common reasons homes aren't selling.

07/08/2022

The first thing to know is you’re not alone: 71% of buyers are also, simultaneously, sellers. The key to success on both ends of the deal is having a realtor to guide you through:⁣
-Prepping & pricing your current home⁣
-Market assessment for your current and prospective home⁣
-Offers and contingencies clauses⁣
-Financing options and lender referrals
-Securing short-term housing if needed⁣
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, the best thing to do is to talk to a pro!

07/06/2022

Here are 3 common mistakes sellers make, and how to avoid them:
1. Pricing too high - the key to getting the best price and terms for your property is to price accurately.
2. Not prepping your home to sell - you will net the most money by preparing and staging your home to showcase it in the best possible light.
3. Hiring the wrong agent - who you work with matters! Hiring an agent that has your best interests in mind should be a top priority of your journey.