Tag Archive for: First Time Home Buyer

The Benefits of Working with a Local Mortgage Lender

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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 or you are an existing homeowner seeking to refinance or purchase a vacation home, it pays to go with a local lender as opposed to a big-name national bank or brand.

Here’s how a local mortgage lender can help guide you home.

1. Personalized Service

A local mortgage lender gives you the chance to to work face-to-face with an expert, if need be. The growth of digital mortgages, like our Home Snap app, has eliminated the need for as much face-to-face meeting in the past, but as a home buyer it can be reassuring to know that your loan officer is right around the corner as opposed to across the country or overseas.

A local lender gets to know you. Your messages won’t sit in a voicemail box unanswered for weeks on end. With Michigan Mortgage, you’ll get a cell number for your loan officer and can call or text them at a moment’s notice to get your questions answered.

Local Loan Officers have an incentive to provide you with excellent service because they want you to be a source of referrals for future business. Our loan officers know that whether you have a great experience or a bad one, your friends and relatives are going to hear about it. Our loan officers live and work in your neighborhood. They want the best for you and the community. They have a vested interest in having each and every loan close as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

2. Local Expertise

Another advantage of local lenders is their familiarity with local market conditions. Local lenders know their local neighborhoods, so they know what’s going, what the trends are, and they use that knowledge when helping buyers obtain mortgages.

For example, a national lender with no roots in the local community may be reluctant to approve a mortgage for an atypical property, such as an original farmhouse on acreage that’s now covered by a subdivision. A local lender will know the history of the area and the changing demographics and economic trends and may be more comfortable underwriting such a loan.

Local lenders also have their finger on the pulse of the local or regional economy, and have a better sense of the lending risks in the area. What looks to a big lender like a dilapidated section of town might actually be an up-and-coming area where properties re increasing in value. Local lenders will know this.

Local lenders may also be more attractive to some home sellers and real estate agents who want an efficient and timely closing. Reputation matters. In situations where several offers are on the table, having a local, trusted lender could be the difference between closing or not closing.

3. Realtor Relationships

Local lenders invest a lot of time and effort building relationships with local Realtors. Realtors and lenders are the yin and yang of real estate. Michigan Mortgage Loan Officers are on a first-name basis with most of the real estate agents in their local areas.

Many local loan officers have extended hours, allowing borrowers and Realtors to contact them during the evenings and weekends. If you see a house you love on a weekend, chance are you can reach your loan officer and get an approval quickly.

Also, with everyone on your team – the Realtor, the lender, you– working in proximity, a closing can happen quickly and without hassle. The final stage of home buying is sometimes the most stressful. Having a unified team that is familiar and comfortable with each other can make the process quick and painless.

4. Varied and Specialized Products

Local lenders have a better understanding of property values and the local economy. When you work with Michigan Mortgage, you’re paired with a licensed loan officer and team of professionals who are experts in your region. Our loan officers help you choose the right type of loan for your circumstance and we keep you updated along the way. We have in-house tools and resources to expedite a loan, ensuring everything is taken care of in a timely manner.

Local lenders are where you’ll find the specialized loans the big lenders won’t bother with. Maybe you want an adjustable-rate mortgage with a 15-year lock? Or you want to buy a vacation property that lacks a furnace? Or you want to buy or refinance a home for less than $100,000, an amount too small to be of interest most lenders? Or you want a jumbo loan?

Local lenders are have more flexibility. Big banks need process large numbers of loan applications. To do that, they have rigid guidelines about who they will and won’t lend to. Big banks are more about volume than customer service.

At Michigan Mortgage, we have been Michigan’s leading MSHDA first-time buyer lender for 7 straight years. We are also a recognized USDA rural development leader.

5. Reliable, Responsive & Flexible

Local lenders are better at closing loans on a timely basis. If the closing of a loan has to be extended by a week, local lenders are more flexible than big banks who have corporate mandates to crank out the volume.

Local lenders, along with local real estate agents, have an incentive to provide you with excellent service because they want you to be a referral source for future business. They stake their reputation on each and every customer.

With a local lenders, you are much closer to the decision makers with the authority to approve your mortgage. You aren’t dealing with a corporate bureaucracy.

Local loan officers are more likely to get personally involved in qualifying you for a mortgage, as opposed to big banks.  Often, it’s a matter of the getting to know you. Perhaps you are self-employed with irregular income. Or you have poor credit due to a financial crisis, but have good income and low debt.

Michigan Mortgage Loan Officers are better suited to be responsible and flexible for borrowers like these.

At Michigan Mortgage, you will never be just a name or number on a loan application. We manage every step of the mortgage process, from application to underwriting to closing, to make the process easy. We have been financing the American homeownership dream for nearly 25 years. We can do the same for you.

This blog post was written by experts at Mortgage 1 and originally appeared on www.mortgageone.com. Michigan Mortgage is a DBA of Mortgage 1. 

Doctor Loans: What You Need to Know

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The Doctor Loan has a long history in the United States. First offered to attract new physicians to growing towns in the Wild West, they have evolved over the year. Today, 18,000 new physicians graduate from medical school every year. New physicians can have very specific credit and income profiles that represent a different kind of risk, not reflected in a normal borrower profile.

Image of a doctor reading someone's blood pressureWhat Is a Physician Mortgage Loan?

A physician mortgage loan is a low down payment mortgage available to physicians, dentists and other eligible medical professionals. They do not require mortgage insurance and are often considered jumbo mortgages as they allow higher loan balances than conventional and FHA mortgage loans. These doctor home loans have fewer restrictions for borrowers than conventional loans because lenders generally trust doctors to be responsible borrowers.

At Michigan Mortgage, we’ve made it easy for doctors to get a physician mortgage.

The Michigan Mortgage Physician Mortgage Loan Program

That is why Michigan Mortgage has a very specific program designed for that type of individual. Physicians of all types can benefit from our “Doctor Loans.” Features of the program include:

  • Available for new residents, new attending (7-10 years out of residency), or to physicians at any stage of their career.
  • Flexible down payment options.
  • Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is not required.
  • Rather than looking for past income, we will consider an employment contract as documentation of future earnings (instead of pay stubs.
  • The loan amount can go all the way up to $2 Million.
  • Can be used for primary or second home.
  • Certain programs allow new Physicians to use gift money for a down payment, for required reserves, or for closing costs.
  • Often doesn’t calculate student loans the same way as standard underwriting. Student loans are not counted as part of debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

Other than a doctor loan, physicians are also available for other loan types.

Conventional Mortgage: Often this is the best choice for borrowers. Conventional loans generally offer the most term options and lowest fees, with the lowest rates. Conventional loans do require proof of earnings and a substantial sum of money (20% of mortgage amount) to put down.

FHA Loan: This loan can have higher fees and rates than a conventional mortgage. FHA mortgages can have a smaller required down payment, and a monthly mortgage insurance premium. This loan requires the lender to use the credit report amount of the student loan payment, or if none listed, 1 percent of the outstanding balance unless the borrower can provide documentation that the loan is in deferral. The interest rate could be slightly lower than a Doctor Loan but could wind up costing more because of PMI costs.

VA Loan: This loan requires that you qualify for VA benefits. There is no down payment or mortgage insurance requirement. Rates are similar to FHA rates, but the funding fee is slightly higher.

Ready to get started with a Doctor Loan? Give us a call and we will guide you through the process!

This blog post was written by experts at Mortgage 1 and originally appeared on www.mortgageone.com. Michigan Mortgage is a DBA of Mortgage 1. 

Buying a Home with Zero Down

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What is a “Zero-Down” Loan?

A zero-down home loan is a no-down-payment mortgage offered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for eligible rural and suburban home buyers.

You might be thinking, “but I don’t live in a rural area.” That’s OK. While the purpose of the USDA loan program is to boost home ownership in rural areas, the USDA’s definition of “rural” is wide ranging and includes many villages, small towns, suburbs and exurbs of major U.S. cities.

These loans are issued through the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program. USDA loans have been available since 2007. They are generally intended for low- or moderate-income borrowers.

What Are the Benefits of a USDA Loan?

USDA loans offer many benefits over traditional mortgage loans.

  • $0 down payment. This is the obvious benefit.
  • Competitive interest rates. USDA loans typically offer some of the lowest interest rates on the market. Interest rates on USDA loans are determined by several contributing factors, however the primary factor is your credit profile, as is the case with all mortgage options. Those with higher credit scores often receive the most competitive rates, although borrowers with less than stellar credit may still qualify for a low rate due to the USDA guarantee.
  • Low monthly mortgage insurance
  • Lenient requirements. USDA loans are designed to provide homebuyers with lenient eligibility requirements that help low-to-moderate income purchasers obtain a home.

USDA Loan Eligibility

At a minimum, USDA loan program guidelines require:

  • U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
  • Ability to prove creditworthiness, typically with a credit score of at least 640
  • Stable and dependable income
  • A willingness to repay the mortgage, as indicated by at least 12 months of no late payments or collections
  • Adjusted household income is equal to or less than 115% of the area median income. See here for income guidelines.

A credit score of 640 or above usually helps eligible borrowers secure the best rates for a guaranteed USDA loan with zero down payment. Such a score also rewards you with a streamlined or automated application process.

You can still qualify for a USDA loan if your credit score falls below the margin or if you have no credit history at all. However, the interest rates may not be as favorable. In addition, applicants with no traditional credit history may still qualify for these loans. However, you’ll need to show a reliable financial standing through evidence like timely utility or tuition payments.

How Do I Apply?

Applying for a USDA loan is pretty straightforward.

The first step is to choose a USDA lender, such as Michigan Mortgage. We specialize in USDA loans. Once you are working with us, we’ll find out what home you are interested in, where it’s located, your asset and debt situation, and how much you need to borrow. We will conduct a credit check to assess your credit score, just as we do with a traditional mortgage.

Once all that is done, we’ll ask you to provide documentation, including:

  • Government-issued ID
  • W-2 statements
  • Recent pay stubs
  • Bank statements

The application process is pretty easy, really. Our loan officers are skilled at making everything go smoothly and helping you navigate the process and get you in your home as soon as possible.

This blog post was written by experts at Mortgage 1 and originally appeared on www.mortgageone.com. Michigan Mortgage is a DBA of Mortgage 1. 

Home Snap

The COVID-Compliant Way to Refinance or Purchase a New Home

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With all that is taking place around us, purchasing a home may not be top-of-mind for most people.

But then again, maybe it is. Before this crisis hit, the spring home buying season was just getting started. And the reality is, many families do need to sell and buy homes, even during a pandemic.

Home SnapOnce the crisis passes, there will be even more buyers and sellers. Some mortgage forecasters are predicting a pent-up demand of buyers flooding the market.

If you anticipate house shopping once the all-clear is given and social distancing rules are eased, now is the time to get ready.

Those who are pre-approved will be in a better position to have their offers accepted once the real estate market gets back into full or partial stride.

Another way home owners are taking advantage is by refinancing. Mortgage rates are still historically low. Many consumers are enjoying big savings by refinancing.

Many of you might be thinking, “how can I get a mortgage with social distancing rules in place and me stuck at home?”

The answer is: with the Home Snap mobile app from Michigan Mortgage.

Even in normal times, Home Snap offers convenience for getting a new home loan or refinancing. The app lets you do everything from the convenience of your home. The app lets you get pre-approved, view your progress, securely upload documents, digitally sign documents, and easily message your loan officer.

In these restricted times, Home SNAP is a necessity. Like workers at many companies, Michigan Mortgage loan officers are working from home for the time being. But that doesn’t mean the mortgage services we provide have stopped.

Using Home Snap, you can:

  • Start the Application Process
  • Calculate Payments Easily
  • Securely Scan and Upload Documents From Your Phone
  • Digitally Sign Documents
  • Message Your Loan Officer and Realtor Instantly
  • See Your Progress
  • Get Updates as You Go

With mortgage rates at record lows, many homeowners are taking advantage by refinancing their existing mortgages. Home Snap is ideal for these homeowners as well.

“We have many customers who are using Home Snap to refinance safely and securely while they are sitting at home, all without having to meet face-to-face. Customers love the convenience and safety, as well as the great rates.”says Mortgage 1 CEO Mark Workens.

In pre-coronavirus times, hundreds of Michigan Mortgage customers took advantage of Home Snap to get a new mortgage or to refinance. You can, too. To get started, visit the Home Snap page on our website.

This blog post originally appeared on mortgageone.com. Michigan Mortgage is a DBA of Mortgage 1. 

Analyzing Your Current Financial Situation

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Long before you make an offer on your dream home, it is important to honestly look at your current financial situation.

Variables such as your credit score, employment history and how much you have saved for a down payment can greatly influence the type of loan that you qualify for. Equally as important, the type of loan you qualify for can impact how viable and attractive your offer is to a potential seller.

It is important for you to analyze your spending habits. If you do not have a budget, you should start one now. This will help you understand you spending habits so that the lifestyle that is important to you will be maintainable as a homeowner.

One of the most important considerations is how comfortable with your monthly payment. For a great app to calculate a payment, click here.

As a rule of thumb, total housing costs should be no more than 25 percent of your net pay. So, if your net monthly household income is $3500 per month, a safe mortgage payment would be $875. No two households have the same expenses, so it is important to honestly look at what your expenditures are when you do a budget.

Note that lenders do not use net income when they calculate your debt to income. They use gross pay.  The formula they use oftentimes (but not always) allows you to borrow more than you may be comfortable with or should spend. I call this giving you enough rope to hang yourself. No one wants to be house poor and feel strapped paying for a mortgage they really can’t afford. That is why knowing your budget, comfort level is so important.

It is also important that you are aware of the expenses prior to closing.

  1. Earnest Money or Good Faith Deposit
  2. Home Inspection
  3. Appraisal Fee
  4. Closing Costs and Pre-Paids

These costs vary and some of them can be paid on your behalf by the seller. Additionally, it is a good idea (and sometimes required by financing) that you have a few months mortgage payments in reserves, any moving costs, furniture, appliances, etc. You can typically estimate how much you will need for these costs by getting pre-approved for a loan by a lender that you trust and is highly recommended to you.

Your credit rating is a primary factor in qualifying for a mortgage.

The type of loan, down payment required and the interest rate you qualify for are all dependent on your credit score. Sometimes you will need funds to pay down credit or pay off derogatory credit.

It is important to  consider all of these variables well in advance of looking for a home to purchase. Make sure you have enlisted a trusted advisor who can guide you through this process so that when the time comes, you will be in tip-top shape to purchase your dream home.

Image showing building blocks

What is debt-to-income ratio?

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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.

Image showing building blocksHowever, for many lenders, that’s not enough to be considered a good mortgage candidate. As a borrower, your DTI is utilized in various situations to determine your level of risk. For instance, if your DTI is too high, opportunities to make a big purchase, such as a mortgage, may be limited.

How to Calculate Your DTI Ratio

DTI Ratio = (Monthly expenses ÷ Pre-Tax Income) x 100
Start by adding up your monthly bills such as:

  • Rent or house payment
  • Alimony or child support
  • Student loans
  • Auto payments
  • Other

Next, divide your total sum by your gross monthly income (income before taxes). Multiply by 100. Your result is your DTI ratio.

The goal is to keep your DTI ratio as low as possible. The lower the ratio, the less risky you are to lenders. An adequate DTI ratio is below 36 percent. Typically, having a DTI ratio of 43 percent is the maximum ratio you can have in order to be qualified for a mortgage.

Front-End DTI vs. Back-End DTI

There are two variations of DTI: Front-End and Back-End.

A front-end DTI calculates how much of a person’s gross income is going towards housing costs.
Front-End DTI = (Housing Expenses ÷ Gross Monthly Income) x 100

A back-end DTI calculates the percentage of gross income going toward other types of debt (credit cards, car loans, etc.).
Back-End DTI = (Total monthly debt expense ÷ Gross Monthly Income) x 100

The main difference between Front-End and Back-End DTI ratios is that the front-end ratio only considers the mortgage payment and other housing expenses whereas the back-end ratio considers all other types of debt. Lenders will utilize this ratio in conjunction with the front-end ratio to approve mortgages.

Why is Knowing Your DTI Ratio Important?

Your DTI ratio is utilized by lenders as a measuring tool. Your DTI ratio helps lenders determine your ability to manage your finances, specifically, your monthly payments to repay the money you borrowed. Keep in mind that lenders do not know what you will do with your money in the future, so they refer to historical data to verify your income and debt totals. Moreover, your DTI ratio illustrates that you have a sufficient balance between your income and debt, thus, are more likely to be able to manage your mortgage payments.

If you are considering buying a home or have questions about your DTI ratio, give us a call!

This blog post was written by experts at Mortgage 1 and originally appeared on www.mortgageone.com. Michigan Mortgage is a DBA of Mortgage 1. 

Appraisals vs. Home Inspections image

Appraisals vs. Home Inspections

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As Michigan Mortgage Loan Officer Dave Lehner would say, “Don’t buy a money pit!”

What exactly does that mean?

Appraisals vs. Home Inspections imageAppraisals are required as past of the home-buying process. Home inspections are not, but they may be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your financial future. A home inspection will ensure that you don’t buy a money pit.

Here’s the difference between the two.

Appraisals

  • Required.
  • An appraiser provides a professional opinion of the home’s value. They do not analyze the “systems” of the home.
  • The goal is to make sure buyers are not overpaying for a home.
  • A home is appraised based on size, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, functionality and recent sales of similar properties in the area.
  • The cost is typically between $400 and $575.

Home Inspections

  • Optional.
  • A home inspector will examine the physical structure as well as the “systems” of the house ranging from the foundation to the roof.
  • The home’s HVAC system, plumbing and electrical components, roof, attic, insulation, walls and ceilings, windows and doors, floors, foundation and basement will be assessed.
  • The home inspector is a licensed professional.
  • Buyers can use the inspection results to renegotiate the purchase price and request that the sellers make home improvements.
  • The cost is typically between $300 and $500.

As lenders, we’re responsible for ordering appraisals before proceeding to the closing table. We have no control over which appraiser is assigned to which home. The homebuyer is typically responsible for paying the appraisal fee.

Because the home inspection is not required, inspectors are hired by the homebuyer. We work with a pool of reliable experts and are happy to recommend one that will best meet your needs. The home inspector is working on the buyer’s behalf, so the cost is paid for by the buyer.

If you have questions about appraisals or home inspections, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help in any way we can!

How to Eliminate Mortgage Insurance

How to Eliminate Mortgage Insurance

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Most buyers have heard of Mortgage Insurance and know that it is insurance that does not protect them but rather the lender against them defaulting on the home loan.

What most buyers don’t know is how they can avoid or when it can removed from their mortgage.

Mortgage insurance (MI) comes in the form of a few different names but it is essentially the same thing.

How to Eliminate Mortgage InsuranceConventional loans refer to it as PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) whereas FHA and Rural Development (RD) refer to it as MIP (mortgage insurance premium).  VA does not have it at all but they have a funding fee on most loans that is added to the principal balance. FHA and RD have a similar add on fee that is called upfront mortgage insurance.

Regardless of what it is called and where it is charged, MI is a fee that lenders use to offset the losses that occur when people don’t pay on their loans.  It is charged to many to pay for the sins of a few.

For conventional loans, if you have 20 percent down, you will not be charged MI.

FHA and RD have mortgage insurance as a monthly fee regardless of the equity position, so even if you put 20 percent down on these loans, you will have mortgage insurance.

I am often asked how clients can get rid of mortgage insurance. Obviously, not everyone has enough savings to put 20 percent down but they don’t want to have this fee on their loan forever.

Again, RD and FHA have it no matter how much you put down, but for conventional loans, there are a couple creative ways to get rid of the mortgage insurance.

Option 1: Pay a fee upfront and not have a monthly mortgage insurance at all. While this helps reduce the total monthly payment, it is not always a wise decision. If the borrower will not be in the loan for long enough to recoup charge to remove it, the benefit it is not advisable to buy out of the MI. Similarly, it does not make sense to buy out of MI in an interest-rate environment that seems to be going down. In other words, if the person is likely to refinance or sell in the next 24 -to-36 months, it probably does not make sense to pay a flat fee to get out of the mortgage insurance.

Given enough time in the mortgage, however, you can save up to 50 percent of what you would otherwise eventually pay monthly.  In other words, paying upfront gives you a discount if you stay in the loan long enough.

Option 2: Have the lender pay it for you. This is called lender paid MI. Buyer beware on this tactic. While this sounds great, there is no free lunch; that maneuver will inevitably increase your interest rate.

Option 3: Get a first mortgage and a second mortgage. Assume a buyer had a 10 percent down payment. They would finance 80 percent of the sale price on the first mortgage but then close the loan with a second mortgage for the remaining 10 percent. It sounds like a great idea until you realize that the interest rate on the first mortgage has a substantial price adjustment when you piggyback it with a second mortgage. Additionally, the second mortgage itself is generally a higher interest rate and oftentimes interest only. In the end, this tactic is not usually worth the effort.

If a buyer opts to have normal monthly MI, which many do, the next question is how does one get rid of Mortgage insurance once they have it?

Previously we mention that that on FHA and RD the mortgage insurance stays on for the life of the loan. This means the only way to eliminate the insurance is to refinance.

For conventional loans, mortgage insurance is eliminated in a couple of different ways.

It is automatically removed once a consumer pays 22 percent off of the originally borrowed loan amount. It can also be removed with an appraisal that shows 20 percent equity. A third way to remove the mortgage insurance is with a refinance.

In an environment where there has been a lot of equity, interest rates have been reduced, and the consumer has paid down the loan enough, refinancing is often times very good option.

All of this is to say that the need for a trusted advisor who manages your debt annually is imperative.   Our job is just beginning once you close your loan. We help you build financial wealth with real estate and manage your debt to your advantage. We are here to guide you.

Now is the Time to Get Your Mortgage Online

Now is the Time to Get Your Mortgage Online

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Technology touches all aspects of our lives, from banking to shopping to dating. The mortgage industry is no different. Buying a home today is vastly superior to what it was years ago, thanks to the benefits of online mortgage applications like Home SNAP. Gone are the long wait times, the reams of paperwork, and the outlandish fees.

Now is the Time to Get Your Mortgage OnlineOnline Applications Make a Mortgage Easier

What makes today’s home buying process so much easier? In a word: technology.

Technology has streamlined the mortgage lending process in the same way technology streamlines other transactions. Today, applying for a mortgage is faster, easier, more accurate and less costly for millions of home purchasers. Online tools such as “Mortgage in a SNAP” make the loan application process simpler and faster. They make home-buying a breeze.

Benefits of an Online Mortgage

For home buyers, the benefits of technology to the mortgage application process are easy to summarize.

  • Convenience
  • Accuracy
  • Lower fees
  • Speed

Online mortgage apps speed up mortgage lending in multiple ways. Technology reduces paperwork. It eliminates the need to send documents via the mail. It nullifies the need to meet in person to sign documents.

Convenience

Online mortgage apps provide convenience to mortgage lending by allowing borrowers to complete their applications any time, from anywhere. Borrowers also have the ability to login and view the status of their loan application at any time. Online mortgage platforms like “Mortgage in a SNAP” allow users to apply for a mortgage without having to meet or call a loan officer.

Accuracy

Online mortgage apps improve the accuracy of mortgage lending. All of the financial data is calculated and transferred automatically by computers. There is no room for error.

Lower Fees

For all of the reasons cited above, online applications lower the fees of mortgage lending.  Mortgage lenders like Mortgage 1 use technology to reduce expenses by automating parts of the underwriting process. By offering faster closing and greater insight into the process, mortgage technology not only creates a more convenient experience, it also lower costs.

Benefits of Online Mortgages for First-Time Buyers

Technology provides many advantages to first-time home buyers, specifically. Many of today’s first-time home buyers are technologically savvy, having grown up using computers and smartphones their entire lives.

According to the National Association of Realtors, consumers who grew up using computers and smartphones make up 34 percent of home buyers. As these buyers enter the real estate market, they seek out mortgage lenders who provide convenience and technology solutions. Online mortgage applications do just that. And more.

Are you ready to take advantage of technology to make your home buying process easier? Click here to get the online process started.

This blog post was written by experts at Mortgage 1. Michigan Mortgage is a DBA of Mortgage 1.

Success Story: LaTanya Jackson

Success Story: LaTanya Jackson

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Credit improvement is no easy task. It takes time, effort, a pre-determined plan and a little help from a trusted advisor.

It’s hard work, but it’s worth it for those hoping to purchase their dream home.

“I began seriously working on my credit in January of 2018,” said LaTanya Jackson. “It took me a little over a year before I was ready to buy a house.”

Success Story: LaTanya JacksonWhen she was ready, her co-worker and friend, Nakia Cooper, suggested that she get in touch with Loan Officer Dave Lehner and his team at Michigan Mortgage.

“They welcomed me and my family in a way that made me feel like I was being taken care of from the very beginning,” LaTanya said. “Being a first-time homebuyer, they never made me feel bad about asking numerous questions.”

LaTanya enjoyed getting to know Dave and his team, but described her journey to homeownership as a “rollercoaster.”

“Oh boy – where do I start,” she said. “I would find a house and within 24 to 48 hours, it was off the market. Frustrated was an understatement. By the time I found ‘the one,’ I was at my wits end.”

LaTanya’s Realtor, Eric Sikkenga with Keller Williams Grand Rapids East, helped to smooth the ride.

“All I can say about my experience with him…FUN,” LaTanya said. “He did exactly what he said he would do. He got me into the home of my dreams!”

She calls that home “Heaven.”

LaTanya has yet to move in – she making a few must-have renovations beforehand – but she’s over the moon with joy.

“Even though it needs a few things, my home feels like a little piece of heaven,” she said.

We can’t imagine another move in LaTanya’s future, but if it is, Dave will be the first person she calls.

“Dave and his team exceeded my expectations,” she said. “They were so patient and understanding throughout the entire process.”

“Every email and call was given immediate attention. They made sure I was thoroughly informed about all of my options as a first-time homebuyer.”

We wish LaTanya and her family many happy memories in their new home!