Category: Local Michigan

News and Updates in our home turf Grand Rapids, MI.

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 »

Michigan Dower Rights Repealed

Michigan Dower Laws

Michigan’s Marital Signatory Requirements Effective today April 6th, 2017, both spouses will no longer be required to sign documents (mortgage, rescission, Loan Estimate (LE), Closing Disclosure) unless required by Michigan’s Homestead Law. Prior to this law change, Michigan’s Laws required that female spouses sign mortgage documents to acknowledge liens place on real estate. History of Dower Rights… 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 »

Michigan Jumbo Mortgage Limits

2019 Jumbo mortgage limits are based on guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Most consider a Jumbo Loan anything over the conforming limit which is currently set at $484,350 however this may differ depending on the type of financing you are seeking. Referencing he Conforming loan limits for 2019 is the best resource to… 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 »

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 »