The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on all of us, Lenders and Real Estate Agents included. We stopped meeting with clients in person and relied on technology to get the job done.

West Michigan Real Estate Agent Casey Patterson called it “crazy, hysterical…comical, even?”

“I never would have thought, we as Realtors, would actually be able to collect unemployment and told to stay home,” he said. “There was a time when agents weren’t really allowed in homes during the early phases of COVID meaning, no showings or in-person viewings. I had multiple clients who were contemplating making offers on homes, when we COULD NOT go and see them in person. For me to recommend someone to purchase a home based on some MLS photos and cheesy marketing, is totally asinine.”

It wasn’t easy, but we worked through it, made changes, and focused on customer service to get the job done.

Casey and his partner Kyle saw that first-hand when they purchased a home at the tail end of the pandemic. Michigan Mortgage was their lender of choice.

“I’ve been working as a licensed Real Estate Agent in West Michigan for over five years now,” Casey said. “During my first couple of years in the business, I continuously worked with Lenders and banks, and it was almost always a different person or company, and nobody stood out or made a true impression on me. Eventually I came across Amy Hendrickson’s name on an offer I received for a listing with a client that she was representing the lender side. During the next few weeks, I was amazed at the speed of Amy’s team with, not only getting a loan closed far before it was expected to, but for her team’s reaction time with incoming problems or concerns, constant availability, even for the smallest and most redundant of questions.”

“We have used Michigan Mortgage for multiple of our personal home loans and I have yet to be frustrated or concerned at the level of help and support I receive from Michigan Mortgage,” he continued.

“We just purchased our dream home a few months ago, Michigan Mortgage exceeded our expectations on all ends of helping us sell our last home and placing us in the perfect position to buy our new home. I refer all of my new clients to Amy’s team, so I know they get the same level of support that we did.”

“I am very glad there are still lenders that are homey, warm, and actually care. I have done far too many deals with lenders will hardly answer a phone call.”

Now that Casey and Kyle are settled, they look forward to sitting outside on warm summer days and watching airplanes come and go from their backyard.

Thank you for putting your trust in us, Casey! We love working with you and Kyle.

2020 was a year unlike any other – it was a year that we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Most will remember the negative impacts COVID-19 had on our communities, but some, like Chris and Jenn VanHekken, will remember it as a year of changes.

“A year ago, we weren’t planning on moving, but once COVID hit, our lifestyle changed, and we realized that making a move closer to family was the best choice for us,” Chris said. “That, combined with the fast-moving market and amazingly low interest rates, helped us recognize that it was time for us to put our house on the market and go for it.”

Chris, Jenn and their two children lived in the same home for 18 years. The thought of moving seemed intimidating. We were in the middle of a global pandemic and Jenn is self-employed. The couple questioned whether or not they’d even be approved to purchase a home.

“It felt daunting to think about, until we called Hayley,” Jenn said. “She was so calm and helpful about the whole thing, and she had answers to the questions we didn’t even know we needed to ask.”

“We had a pre-approval amount right away, and every time we looked at a new house and had a question about what it would look like to be able to finance it, Hayley was there to answer our questions.”

In the middle of the process, the couple encountered a few “unexpected hiccups” and wasn’t sure if they would be able to finalize the new mortgage.

“While we were panicking, Hayley and her team worked tirelessly behind the scenes to shift and make adjustments for us,” Chris said. “In the end, we ended up with an even better rate than we could have imagined.”

For the VanHekken family, 2020 helped them put their priorities in order. They celebrated the purchase of a new home in a new community thanks to Hayley and her team.

“It has been the very best decision that we could have made for our family, but we definitely could not have done it without Michigan Mortgage,” Chris said. “From the knowledge that they have about the market, to the compassionate way that they worked with us through the difficult moments, and the joy that they shared with us when we finally closed, Michigan Mortgage was there with us every step of the way and truly helped us move into our absolute dream home.”

“From day one they had our best interest at heart and walked us through the process as if it were their own,” he said.

“We are so grateful for Hayley, her team, and the entire Michigan Mortgage family for helping us through the process,” Jenn said. “We would not be where we are without them!”

It was truly an honor to help guide this family home. We wish them many happy memories in their new community!