FHA vs 3% down Conventional
Great News! I love saying that because it seems over the last five or six years everything's been, heads up this bad thing is happening. Not this time, there are two changes that are great news for the housing market. Conventional 3% down is back & FHA has reduced there monthly mortgage insurance! Let me... Read More
Need Your Help Building “The Bar”!
YTD Dollar Amount Of Repairs Completed: $167,481.10 It seems that now days appraiser required repairs are almost the norm. Looking back at the loans my team closed so far in 2014 over 40% had one repair or another required by the appraiser. There is a misnomer out that that conventional financing is some how shielded... Read More
Mortgage Insurance Comparison
I was going over loan options with a home buyer the other day and realized that we spend a lot of time talking about mortgage insurance and when comparing loan programs for people the cost of the PMI really comes into play. When I sat down to make this video I was simply going to... Read More
City of Kalamazoo Housing Code Changes
To All The Landlords & Want to be Landlords Out There! Owning rental property in the City of Kalamazoo can be tough. Trust me I know first hand everything you have to go thru. Not only do you have all the rigors of being a landlord like tenant screening, repairs, & yes the occasional eviction. ... Read More
Completed Repairs
2014 Dollar Amount Of Repairs Completed: $179,425.10 It seems that now days appraiser required repairs are almost the norm. Looking back at the loans my team closed in 2014 over 33% had one repair or another required by the appraiser that couldn't be completed prior to closing. There is a misnomer out there that conventional... Read More
Homepath Financing Elimination
Fannie Mae has announced the discountinuance of special financing options for properties listed for sale at www.homepath.com. More specifically the homepath financing and homepath renovation financing products for both home buyers and investors. In order to take advantage of these programs with the current enhancements there must be a fully executed purchase contract dated on or... Read More
Title Problems With Tax Auction Properties
When it comes to tax foreclosures real estate investor can find some great buys. However often investors go in blind and don't find out about a major pitfall with tax sales until they go to resell the home. In a previous post we did about the tax auction we explain the basic process of how to acquire... Read More
Tax Deductions for Home Owners
Jeremy Drobeck of Amerifirst Home Mortgage meets with tax expert Dennis Greenfield to help people learn about some of the benefit's to home ownership. Having the ability to take the mortgage interest deduction can in turn open up a whole bunch of other write-offs. Things such as state & local taxes that were paid, property taxes, charitable... Read More
RPOA Annual Conference & Expo
I wanted to share this info with you. If your a Real Estate Agent, Landlord, or even thinking of buying a rental property this would be a great place to go and learn! Realtors buy the way you can pick up some free con ed, in fact anyone who signs up prior to 2/1/2012 will... Read More
Latest Blog Post
FHA vs Conventional Loan for First Time Buyer in Portage MI: Your 2026 Flight Plan
What if the traditional advice you’ve heard about down payments is actually the very thing keeping your homeownership dreams grounded? Deciding between an FHA vs conventional loan for first time buyer in Portage MI often feels like preparing for a high-stakes takeoff. It’s completely natural to feel a bit of turbulence when you’re staring down credit requirements or confusing mortgage insurance terms. You want to ensure your financial foundation is secure before you leave the runway, yet the fear of rejection can make the whole process feel like a gamble rather than a significant life milestone.
We believe every neighbor deserves a clear flight plan that replaces anxiety with expert guidance. In this detailed comparison, you’ll discover which mortgage path provides the smoothest ascent for your specific situation in the 2026 market. We’ll break down the latest loan limits, compare monthly costs, and show you how to layer MSHDA assistance to give your down payment some extra lift. By the time we finish, you’ll have the confidence to choose the right loan and successfully pilot your way to a new front door in Portage.