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!

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Anthony Bird - Buying a Home, First Time Home Buyer, Mortgage Tips

How Long Do I Plan to Live in the House? Before you decide to buy a home you should review your goals and timelines. It is important to know how long you plan to live in your home. Each timeline will have different goals for financing so plan this up front to save the most… Read more »

5 Tips to Make Moving Easier

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Anthony Bird - Buying a Home, Mortgage Tips

Why Michigan Mortgage Rates Dropped in 2019

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Anthony Bird - First Time Home Buyer, Local Michigan, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Tips

March 2019 was the best month for Michigan Mortgage Rates in a Decade! Refinance your mortgage and Lock in a Low Rate!

FHA vs Conventional Loans

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Anthony Bird - Buying a Home, FHA Mortgage, First Time Home Buyer, Local Michigan, Mortgage Tips

Conventional Loans are home loans that conform to the underwriting guidelines set by the Government Sponsored Entities, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In the past, conventional loans were only for elite borrowers that had 20% or more for their down payment. Times have since changed opening up great new programs for low to middle income… Read more »

Top 3 Myths About Using a Mortgage Broker

Posted on February 23, 2019 by Anthony Bird - First Time Home Buyer, Local Michigan, Mortgage Tips

Mortgage Broker Myth #1 One of the biggest myths of using a Mortgage Broker is that they do not have control of the underwriting process. Many retail lenders and banks claim this because they have employees that underwrite the file whereas a mortgage broker works directly with the end investor to underwrite the file. Retailers… Read more »

Use Your Tax Refund to Buy a Home

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Anthony Bird - Local Michigan

If you have a goal of becoming a home owner, then now may be your opportunity. Using your tax refund for a down payment on a home is a great investment in your future. Rent prices are soaring and finding affordable rentals is not easy. Buying a home may save you a considerable amount of… Read more »

2020 FHA Loan Limits

Posted on December 27, 2018 by Anthony Bird - Buying a Home, FHA Mortgage, Local Michigan

FHA Loan Limits Increased for 2020 On December 3, 2019, FHA issued Mortgagee Letter 19-19 to increase the FHA Loan Limits for new case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2020. The FHA loan limits have increased from 2019 FHA loan limits of $314,827 to the new floor of $331,760 for 1 UNIT properties. Related:… Read more »

2019 Conventional Loan Limits

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Anthony Bird - Buying a Home, Local Michigan

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced increased loan limits for the 2019 calendar year for Conventional Home Loans. The maximum conforming loan limits for mortgages to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2019 will be effective for all loans sold on or after January 1st, 2019. In most of the U.S.,… Read more »