Category: Uncategorized

Escrow is one of those mysterious-sounding aspects of home mortgages that seem designed to confuse new home buyers. But if you look at it carefully, the benefits of escrow often outweigh the extra complexity. What is escrow? The legal definition is quite broad: “A deed, a bond, money, or a piece of property held in […]

Are you ready to start shopping for your first home? Before you begin, take a look at these 10 tips to make your home-buying journey successful! Few things are as exciting as making a real estate purchase – and few things cause more stress! To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of nine tips […]

If you’re researching mortgages, you know that they come with interest rates. What exactly is a mortgage interest rate, and how much does it impact your buying power? What can you do to improve the interest rate you’re offered? We answer those questions in this article. Your mortgage interest rate has a direct impact on […]

Have you always dreamed of owning a cottage by the lake or a cabin in the woods? Buying a second or vacation home can make that a reality – but there are some things to know before you start shopping. Maybe you love heading Up North every weekend and want your own place on the […]

Trying to buy a home in a seller’s market can be daunting. Find out what you can do to cope with intense competition in your search for a new home. Buying a home in a moderate market is stressful enough – but in a hot market (like we currently have), it can be downright harrowing. […]

One of the most confusing aspects of obtaining a home can be the appraisal process. Most people think when you buy a house that the selling price is the value of the home.  The truth is, the value of the home is primarily based on other properties that have already SOLD in the same market […]

If you are struggling to make your monthly payments – mortgage, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, utilities, internet and more – due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has a program to help. According to MSHDA, “The Homeowner Assistance Fund was established under section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of […]

It sounds easy, doesn’t it, selling your house on your own. How hard can it be, right? Clean up the yard, take a few pictures, list the house on Zillow, then wait for the offers to roll in. You’ve heard that houses are selling like hotcakes these days. If you sell by owner, you figure […]

MSHDA offers a down payment assistance loan program called MI 10K DPA Loan, which offers $10,000 in assistance to buyers to use towards the required down payment, closing costs and prepaids/escrows. The program is available in 236 Michigan zip codes. According to MSHDA, “This program was created to offer assistance to purchasers within specific geographic areas where the […]

More often than not, buyers and sellers are responsible for covering the costs of their respective closings. Buyers can expect to pay 3 – 6% of the loan amount in closing costs. Sellers, on the other hand, typically pay 5 – 6% of the sale price to their Realtor.   But that’s not always the […]