Category: Buying a Home

Waiting to Buy a Home in West Michigan?

5 reasons why not to wait to buy a home

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Buy Timing can mean the difference between getting a home at a good value or missing out completely. Right now, the West Michigan housing market is red hot. If you are thinking about buying a house in West Michigan, here are five reasons you shouldn’t wait much longer: 1)… Read more »

Buying a Home with Student Loan Debt

Buying a Home with Student Loan Debt In a few short months, thousands of college students across the country will walk across a stage, shake a hand, and graduate from a university with a degree and more than likely… a whole lot of debt. Student loans are often necessary to reach your educational goals, but… Read more »

Mortgage Bankers vs. Mortgage Lenders vs. Mortgage Brokers

Bankers and Lenders and Brokers, Oh My! Mortgage Bankers When many prospective homebuyers think about getting pre-approved for a mortgage, they picture their local bank. They stop by the nearest branch, are greeted by a friendly teller, and ask to speak to a loan officer. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this concept, but it certainly… Read more »

Buy a Home with No Closing Costs

Buy a Home with No Closing Costs An alarming number of first time homebuyers are unaware that mortgages involve closing costs, and which often creates a financial obstacle. Here, we’ll explain not only what closing costs are, but more importantly, how to avoid paying them! What are Closing Costs? Closing costs are additional fees a… Read more »

VA Loans Just Got Better

  For eligible servicemembers, veterans, and surviving spouses, the existing VA home loan program just got better! The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has introduced a new policy regarding how student loan debt affects mortgage eligibility. Related: VA Loans for Military Veterans VA loosens Guidelines for Student Loans The new policy makes it easier for… Read more »

Should I Payoff my Mortgage Early?

  Should I pay off my mortgage early? How much money will it save me? How much extra should I pay each month? If I pay an extra one hundred dollars each month, when will my mortgage be paid off? As you can imagine, we get these questions a lot. They are all excellent questions,… Read more »

Use Your Tax Refund as a Down Payment on a Home

Use Your Tax Refund as a Down Payment on a Home One of the biggest roadblocks to homeownership for prospective first time homebuyers is the down payment. Given the cost of rent, utilities, student loan debt, and many other expenses, it is hard to save up thousands of dollars for a down payment. Some first… Read more »

Housing Inventory Reaches 18-Year Low

Housing Inventory Reaches 18-Year Low The number of active listings dropped again last month to the lowest level since 1999, according to the National Association of Realtors.  Only 1.65 million homes are available for sale, which equates to roughly 3.6 months of inventory nationwide.  This figure is downward from the 3.9 months of inventory reported in December… Read more »