You could tap into your home equity with a cash-out refinance. But what if you already have a low rate on your mortgage? Consider getting a home equity line of credit (HELOC) instead. What is a HELOC? According to Investopedia, “A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is a set amount of available cash […]
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 […]
The Tri-Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is so much more than building homes! Based in Grand Haven, they are also able to service the southern Muskegon areas of Norton Shores, Roosevelt Park, and Fruitport. With the support from donors and volunteers, they continue to help those with priority home repair needs and can provide families […]
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 10 tips […]
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 […]
This was written by the staff at Love in Action and submitted for our Hometown Highlights feature. This story shows the power of connection and the importance of Love in Action’s mission. It was 2 a.m. in the middle of a dark church parking lot. Light shone on a couple of women lounging in lawn […]
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 […]
The home-buying process often starts months before the home is actually purchased. That was the case for Jeff and Jessica. “We started the process initially in September of 2021,” Jessica said. “We decided that our home, a 500-suqare-foot rental, was too small for our growing family.” “I knew that we would need to build some […]
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 case. Here are a few […]
A Reverse Mortgage is a home loan for seniors, age 62 or older, where they are able to use the equity in their home to get cash income and have the security of not having to pay monthly mortgage payments back. In the past, Reverse Mortgages were viewed in a negative light. That’s changing! There […]
