Category: Buying a Home

8 Common Mortgage Questions

For some, buying a home can be a scary experience, but it doesn’t have to be. The first step of the homebuying process should be to do research. Researching is one of the most important things that future homebuyers could and should do. Here are some commonly asked questions about mortgages and the homebuying process.… Read more »

Use Your Tax Refund As a Down Payment to Buy a Home

Saving money for a down payment can be one of the biggest challenges in buying a home. Most loan programs require some form of a down payment from the home buyer. During tax season, this may be the perfect opportunity to qualify for a new home. IRS tax refunds are eligible as a source for… Read more »

4 Steps to Make Relocating to Michigan Go Smoothly

grand haven michigan light house

Have you ever wanted to make the move out of state but did not know how to go about the process? If you are ready for the big move and Michigan is your destination call Riverbank Finance and speak with our loan officers today! Michigan has many attractions for people looking to relocate from another… Read more »

The Mortgage Process: What Happens After Pre-Approval

Congratulations! You passed the pre-approval stage for getting a home, but what happens next? Once you have a pre-approval letter from your lender, you can start looking for a home to purchase. Keep in mind that the letter is only good for 60 to 90 days, depending on the type of approval you received. Why… Read more »

How to get pre-approved for a mortgage

Things to avoid when buying a home in Michigan.

If you are new to the home-buying process, you are probably aware that one of the best first courses of action is to get pre-approved before you start house hunting. So, you head to your bank or financial institution, but you have no idea what goes into the process of pre-approval. What do you need… Read more »

How a HELOC Can Help You Become Your Own Boss

Michelle Huizinga is a hairdresser in West Michigan, but you won’t find her at a retail salon near a grocery store. Instead, Michelle, like many enterprising entrepreneurs, works from her own home. Through a room she renovated in her home, Michelle now sees her clients and her children with no travel time. “I started working… Read more »

How to avoid or get rid of PMI

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) protects the lender in case you default on your loan. In most cases, unless you have a 20% down payment, you would have to pay PMI. But if that sounds like one more expense you can’t afford, here are some ways you can avoid PMI or get rid of it if… Read more »