Owning a home is a quintessential part of the American dream. Homes give families a sense of security and belonging. Homes are where holidays are celebrated and memories are made. Homeownership has a variety of practical benefits, too: Building equity: As you make mortgage payments, you build equity in your home, which is the difference between […]
Checks and balances – that’s what it’s all about. Lenders require appraisals to ensure their clients are not overpaying (or overborrowing) for a home. If you’re unfamiliar with the appraisal process, here’s what you need to know. Appraisers do not work for Loan Officers or Real Estate Agents. Appraisers are neutral parties and evaluate properties […]
#KidsNeedKiwanis Ever wonder what the Kiwanis Club does? Kiwanis is a global organization of service clubs dedicated to changing the world one child and community at a time. Along the way, their members share fun, fellowship, and a passion to serve their local communities. The Tri Cities Kiwanis is comprised of caring men and women […]
If you’re in the market for a new home, your credit score will determine whether or not you’re eligible. Your score will determine the loan program you qualify for and your interest rate. Your credit score may be the single most important asset you have. You spend years building your score – here are a […]
You could tap into your home equity with a cash-out refinance. But what if you already have a low rate on your mortgage? Consider getting a home equity line of credit (HELOC) instead. What is a HELOC? According to Investopedia, “A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is a set amount of available cash […]
If you’re researching mortgages, you know that they come with interest rates. What exactly is a mortgage interest rate, and how much does it impact your buying power? What can you do to improve the interest rate you’re offered? We answer those questions in this article. Your mortgage interest rate has a direct impact on […]
The Tri-Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is so much more than building homes! Based in Grand Haven, they are also able to service the southern Muskegon areas of Norton Shores, Roosevelt Park, and Fruitport. With the support from donors and volunteers, they continue to help those with priority home repair needs and can provide families […]
Are you ready to start shopping for your first home? Before you begin, take a look at these 10 tips to make your home-buying journey successful! Few things are as exciting as making a real estate purchase – and few things cause more stress! To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 10 tips […]
If you’re a first-time home buyer, getting enough money for a down payment can seem like a major hurdle. But there’s good news! The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has a program that helps home buyers afford their down payment by loaning them up to $10,000 towards it. This is what you need to […]
This was written by the staff at Love in Action and submitted for our Hometown Highlights feature. This story shows the power of connection and the importance of Love in Action’s mission. It was 2 a.m. in the middle of a dark church parking lot. Light shone on a couple of women lounging in lawn […]
