Category: Local Michigan

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

5 Reasons why Now is the Time for a Cashout Refinance Home Loan

A Cashout refinance home loan is a mortgage that pays off your current loan by refinancing and provides the homeowner with funds at closing to pay off debt, complete home repairs or simply as cash in hand. Recently mortgage rates fell to the lowest they have been in 16 months. This may make it the right… Read more »

Calculating MI Property Taxes

When shopping around for a home it is beneficial to check the cost of property taxes. Property Tax Overview: Property tax is a levy on property.  It is required to be paid by the owner annually based on the fiscal year. They are collected on a county level and each county has its own system… Read more »

Tips to Avoid Closing Delays when Buying a Home

Mortgage Closings are stressful. Let’s not add to it! Congratulations! You have found the home of your dreams! You have all of your documentations in order! You are ready to move in! All you have to do is close on your mortgage! But wait, did something go wrong that could potentially prolong your loan closing?… Read more »

Let’s Pay Our Mortgage, Then Our Credit Cards!

When you pay your bills, how do you prioritize? Credit cards, mortgage, other bills?  Mortgage, credit cards, other bills? The normal payment hierarchy, which mortgage lenders expect, ranks mortgages as the top priority when paying bills. This hierarchy was not managed during The Great Recession – and as most of us personally know, still has… Read more »

It’s your first home, don’t let credit hold you back!

Credit is Crucial! When you start thinking of buying a home one of the first things you should do is check your credit score.  Contact a loan officer at Riverbank Finance to get a free credit report (or get an instant credit report online now).  If you find that you don’t have good credit, you… Read more »

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 »