Buying a home might be the single biggest purchase you make in your life. You want it to go right. That is why the mortgage lender you choose is critical to making sure your homeownership dreams come true and the experience is hassle-free. Whether you are a first-time buyer needing assistance through the lending process […]
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What to Expect With a Home Inspection
You’ve found a house you love. Why do you need a home inspection? In this article, we’ll explain the what, why, when, and how of a real estate home inspection. Many home buyers place a home inspection contingency in their offers. Some mortgages (such as an FHA loan) require an inspection before they will approve an […]
Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for a New Home
Shopping for a new home can be one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime! When you venture out to purchase a home, make sure you set yourself up for success and an amazing experience. Avoid these common mistakes: Not having your financing in order when you are ready to make an offer. It is critical […]
Five Mortgage Interest Rate Factors You Control
Did you know that over 30 factors go into selecting a mortgage interest rate? In this post, we look at five things you can improve – and two factors you can’t control at all. When you’re considering a mortgage, your first thought is probably “Can I afford it?” A mortgage lender asks themselves a similar […]
Benefits of Having a Co-Borrower
It’s no secret – home prices in Michigan are on the rise. If you’re in the market for a new home and are wondering whether or not you can afford a home on your own, bringing on a co-borrower may be a possibility. You may not need a co-borrower to qualify, but there are benefits […]
Tips for Finding the Right Realtor to Fit Your Needs
Choosing the right realtor can make your home-buying or home-selling process much less stressful. Here’s how to find the right Realtor for your needs. Buying or selling a home is a big decision, one of the most financially impactful you’ll ever make. A little expert guidance would be very helpful – but how can you […]
Tips for Buyers in a Seller’s Market
Don’t let your dream home slip through your fingers. A solid pre-approval letter will give you a leg up. Getting preapproved and having a dependable, air-tight written pre-approval from a respectable lender could never be more important than it is today. In what is called “a seller’s market” multiple offers are being made days and […]
Can I change jobs while buying a house?
After you’re pre-approved for a mortgage loan, any drastic changes to your credit score, debt and income can quickly derail the process. When possible, we suggest our buyers avoid job changes, making big purchases and opening new lines of credit until after their loan closes. If you’re interested in buying a new home or refinancing […]
What is debt-to-income ratio?
Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is the percentage of your income that goes toward paying your monthly debts. DTI can often be overlooked as many people assume that a good credit score and a high income are the only two factors needed to be taken into consideration when seeking to purchase a home. However, for many […]
MSHDA First-Time Home Buyer Assistance Programs
If you’re a first-time home buyer, getting enough money for a down payment can seem like a major hurdle. But there’s good news! The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has a program that helps home buyers afford their down payment by loaning them up to $10,000 towards it. This is what you need to […]