Blog
Kalamazoo vs Portage
LIVING IN KALAMAZOO VS. PORTAGE, MI: WHICH CITY FITS YOUR LIFESTYLE? Are you planning a move to Southwest Michigan and trying to decide between buying in Kalamazoo or Portage? Yesterday, a move-up family walked into my office after spending the weekend touring homes in both cities. They loved the energy of Kalamazoo’s downtown, but they... Read More
BUY A FIXER-UPPER AND ROLL REPAIRS INTO ONE MORTGAGE
HOW TO BUY A FIXER-UPPER AND ROLL REPAIRS INTO ONE KALAMAZOO MORTGAGE Are you hunting for a house in Kalamazoo, Portage, or Texas Township, but every home in your price range needs a complete kitchen or bathroom overhaul? Yesterday, a buyer called my office after touring a mid-century home near Milwood. The lot looked great,... Read More
GIFT FUNDS FOR YOUR DOWN PAYMENT
HOW TO USE FAMILY GIFT FUNDS FOR YOUR KALAMAZOO DOWN PAYMENT (WITHOUT UNDERWRITING HEADACHES) Are generous family members offering to help you buy your first home in Kalamazoo, Portage, or Texas Township? Yesterday, a first-time buyer stopped by my office with a huge smile. Their parents offered to give them $10,000 to cover their down... Read More
HOW TO BUY A HOME WITH 0% DOWN NEAR KALAMAZOO USING A USDA LOAN RURAL DEVELOPMENT
0% DOWN NEAR KALAMAZOO USING A USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN Are you shopping for a house around Kalamazoo, but feeling frustrated by down payment requirements? Yesterday, a buyer visited our office looking at properties just outside Portage. They loved the larger lot sizes in areas like Schoolcraft and Mattawan. But they assumed only military veterans... Read More
The LOW Appraisal Attack Plan: Pre-Empting and Fighting Low Valuations
September Lunch and Learn: Ever Had a Low Appraisal Kill a Clean Deal? You did the hard work. You marketed the home, hosted the open houses, negotiated terms, and got the contract signed. Then the appraisal report lands in your inbox. It comes in $20,000 short. THE DEAL HITS A BRICK WALL. Your buyers panic.... Read More
HOW TO BOOST YOUR CREDIT SCORE IN 5 DAYS
HOW TO BOOST YOUR CREDIT SCORE IN 5 DAYS TO WIN A LOWER KALAMAZOO MORTGAGE RATE Are you getting ready to apply for a mortgage on a home in Kalamazoo, Portage, or Texas Township? Yesterday, a buyer walked into my office wanting to put an offer on a house near West Main Hill. Their middle... Read More
Planning to Buy a Condo? Read This Before You Make an Offer!
Are you shopping for a condominium this year? If so, a major rule change just went into effect that could impact your home loan. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently updated their master insurance requirements. Here is the bottom line: CONDO ASSOCIATIONS MUST NOW CARRY 100% REPLACEMENT COST COVERAGE. If an association falls short of... Read More
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR $10,000 IN MSHDA DOWN PAYMENT HELP
Are you renting in Kalamazoo, Portage, or Texas Township and wondering if you can actually afford to buy a house this year? Lets explore the MSHDA down payment assistance loan requirements in Michigan. Yesterday, a buyer called our office after looking at homes in Portage, MI. They had a steady job and solid income, but... Read More
THE 10-MINUTE INSURANCE CHECK THAT SAVES YOUR MORTGAGE CLOSING
Are you under contract on a home in Kalamazoo, Portage, or Texas Township right now? If you haven't figured out your insurance yet its time to do that! Yesterday, a buyer called me three days before their scheduled closing date near the Edison neighborhood. Their underwriting checklist looked completely clear, but our team hit a... Read More
PROTECT YOUR MORTGAGE RATE IF CLOSINGS DELAYED
Are you under contract on a home with an expiring rate lock? Need a rate lock extension? Yesterday, a buyer called me in a total panic. They locked in their mortgage interest rate 30 days ago while shopping for a home near the Westwood neighborhood. Everything moved along fine until the seller asked to push... Read More
Latest Blog Post
S.O.S. SAVE OUR SALE
S.O.S. SAVE OUR SALE: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR LENDER STALLS WEEKS BEFORE CLOSING!
Did your mortgage lender suddenly go radio silent, request the same bank statement for the fourth time, or drop a last-minute loan denial right before your scheduled closing date?
Yesterday, a panicked real estate agent called my office from Portage. Their buyer had been under contract for three weeks on a home near Milwood. The closing date sat just nine days away.
Out of nowhere, the buyer’s out-of-state call-center lender issued a denial letter. The call-center underwriter miscalculated self-employment write-offs, panicked over an unpermitted porch repair on the appraisal, and threw the entire transaction into the trash can.
Visit Jeremy's Blog