Author: Anthony Bird

My name is Anthony Bird, an owner of Riverbank Finance, a Grand Rapids Mortgage Company, based here in Michigan. I am a graduate from Grand Valley State University majoring in both Business Management and Marketing. I have been a mortgage professional in Michigan for 6 Years with experience as a retail bank loan officer as well as for private mortgage companies. Riverbank Finance is a local mortgage company that values community and the West Michigan Area. We hire only licensed loan officers that can custom tailor loans for our client's needs. If you have any real estate or mortgage questions, call me at 616-365-5792 or email me at info@riverbankfinance.com and I will do whatever it takes to help. Learn more about me on my Google Profile: About Anthony Bird. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

The Housing Market is Recovering Thanks to Expanded FHA Guidelines

Major economic growth has happened within the last few years.  This growth has allowed the housing market to build back up from the Great Recession – bringing home prices up as much as 13% in the past year! This has help to aid many underwater homeowners to the surface – that is, if they have… Read more »

Top 10 Mortgage Mistakes that Slow Down Home Loans

In today’s competitive real estate market it is important to get through the mortgage process quickly and efficiently. Avoid these top 10 mortgage mistakes to keep sellers happy and close your loan quickly! Mortgage Underwriters are picky! They will not accept incomplete documents. Be sure to provide ALL PAGES of required documents including Bank Statements,… Read more »

New MSHDA Grant | MSHDA Down Payment Assistance Flaws

  What everyone is referring to as the new MSHDA grant is not free money. Actually, it is not even a grant. It is a second mortgage that may be used in place of a down payment when buying a new home in the form of down payment assistance. Contrary to what most people assume,… Read more »

HomePath Mortgage Loans for Buying Fannie Mae Foreclosures in MI

A HomePath Mortgage allows a home buyer to buy a home with a low down payment and flexible mortgage terms with no appraisal, no mortgage insurance and even seller paid closing costs. This unique home loan program offers the best of all financing terms for qualified buyers. This conventional loan product is only available one… Read more »

2014 USDA Rural Development Loan Eligibility Updates

The National USDA Office in Washington DC has confirmed that they will be using 2010 Census data to update the USDA Rural Development program eligibility maps. Current USDA maps are based on the dated 2000 Census data. This change will not take effect until October 1st, 2014 however the changes will affect many areas nationwide… Read more »

Five Easy Ways to Pay Off your Mortgage Faster

If you are a person that plans for the future then you most likely have given thought about paying down your mortgage. For many families, your mortgage is the largest debt you have above car loans, student loans, credit cards and personal loans.  You should put an equal amount of focus on paying off this… Read more »

Buy a house with your Tax Refund as a Down Payment

The end of the year can be a very joyous time for many of us. It is a time when we can spend some quality time with our families, experience the joy of giving to others, and reflect on how thankful we are. The end of the year also allows us to reflect on our… Read more »