Blog
Home Renovation Loan Process
Since COVID hit, the housing market has been crazy! With housing in high demand, the competition is getting tough out there. Buyers are looking for alternative ways to buy a home and many have turned to renovation financing. In fact, our renovation volume tripled in 2021. There are a number of reasons for this, but... Read More
Waiting To Buy A Home Could Cost You
It's a crazy market out there! With the surge in demand and lack of inventory finding the right home can be frustrating and take a lot of patients. It can be easy for home buyers to throw in the towel and put off buying a home with the hopes things will get easier. Don't assume... Read More
Understanding Property Tax Increases
Many home buyers have been facing a very challenging market over the past few years. The current supply of homes on the market just can’t keep up with the huge demand out there. It’s not uncommon for a home to come on the market and be sold in a matter of days after receiving multiple... Read More
Shop Talk – Webinar Series For Realtors
WOOOHOOO! I'm so happy to hear Realtors are back to work!!! Do you miss our Lunch & Learn events? Well, so do we and with the current situation, communication with you, our business associate, has never been more important. That is why we would like to introduce you to SHOP TALK! Please join us on Wednesday... Read More
Your Buyers Are Our Priority
Hey Realtors!!! If you haven’t heard rates are down, way down. . . Refinance transactions are going crazy and lenders are getting back logged. In light of the recent market and the surge in refinance business we have made some changes. Purchase have been and always will be our priority. I've tweaked my systems and changed... Read More
Lunch & Learn : Financing Investment Properties
Date: March 18, 2020 Time: 12:30pm to 2pm Location: GKAR - Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors 5830 Venture Park Drive Kalamazoo, MI 49009 Do you have clients interested in purchasing rental or investment properties? Would you like to have more information for them? Please join us for an informative look at the options available for... Read More
Lunch & Learn : Appraisals – Understanding the Residential Appraisal
We have an event coming up on July 16th 2019 at 12:30 at the Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors. Join us for an informative look to better understand the analysis of real property and the residential appraisal process. We will cover things like property condition, required repairs, how to comp properties, and the appraisal... Read More
How To Calculate Accurate Property Taxes
For those of you that attended our January 2019 Lunch and Learn you got a bunch of information about property taxes. How they are calculated, what the assessor looks at, how to dispute them, and so much more. I realized after the event we needed a little property tax math 101, so I made this... Read More
USDA Rural Development Expands Loan Eligibility to Existing Manufactured Homes
Great News! Home buyers looking to purchase a manufactured home can now do so using the USDA Rural Development program. That means buyers can take advantage of zero down financing and low mortgage insurance rates when the purchase a manufactured home. This is huge for the more rural communities in Michigan were there are many... Read More
2018 Real Life Property Tax Appeal – Michigan
Its that time of year! Property tax assessment notices are arriving in homeowners mailboxes all over Michigan. This is your once a year opportunity to appeal your property taxes and potentially save a lot of money. The appeal process can be overwhelming for homeowners so I wanted to break it down and give a real... Read More
Latest Blog Post
Current Mortgage Rates in Kalamazoo: Your 2026 Interest Rate Flight Plan
What if the “perfect” moment to lock in your loan isn’t a single day on a calendar, but a specific window of opportunity you’re already flying through? Many homebuyers in West Michigan spent the last 12 months waiting for a dramatic drop that never quite hit the runway. It’s true that current mortgage rates can feel like a moving target when you’re looking at national headlines that don’t account for the local Kalamazoo market. You’ve likely felt the frustration of seeing one number on the news only to find a different reality when you’re shopping for a home in Portage, Mattawan, or Schoolcraft.
I understand that the technical jargon and conflicting forecasts can make you feel like you’re flying through heavy fog without a GPS. This guide is your 2026 flight plan to gain total clarity. You’ll learn how to identify the actual rate floor, compare the latest loan products for 2026, and build a personalized strategy to maximize your borrowing power. We’re going to break down the local data and specific 2026 trends so you can stop guessing and start making confident moves toward your new front door.