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Benefits of VA Loans in Michigan

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One amazing benefit for veterans and qualifying military is a VA loan. It’s amazing how many eligible VA borrows are not advised of this product when shopping for a loan. Many lenders do not provide a VA loan or do not have a working knowledge of the benefits this product offers them and their families.

A few benefits include:

1. Zero down. Purchasing a home with no out-of-pocket money can sometimes mean the difference of being able to buy now or having to wait. For some, a zero-down option is the only way that they can ever purchase a home if they are on a fixed income. For others it is a way they can save their money for home improvements or other investments. Regardless of the reason, the VA loan is one of the few loans that allows a zero-down option.

2. Truly $0 out of pocket. On a VA loan, the purchase agreements can be structured whereby the seller pays the closing and prepaid costs (setting up escrow). This allows for a truly zero out-of-pocket loan.

3. No monthly mortgage insurance. The VA loan does not require any monthly mortgage insurance (PMI). When compared to FHA or conventional loans, this can be $100-plus a month savings depending on the loan amount. While VA has a funding fee (which can be rolled into the loan), that fee is waived if the Vet is VA disabled at least 10 percent.

4. A lower credit score is allowed. There is, often times, a misunderstanding that VA loans are difficult to obtain. This is simply not the case. Because the borrower does not have to document cash to close and because the credit criteria is flexible with the VA, these loans tend to be easier to approve and often times are faster to close.

5. Additional incentives. Michigan Mortgage has created a program called Service Rewards whereby we and participating vendors give discounts for things like closing costs, realtor fees, title work and home inspections as a way to show our appreciation for their sacrifices and service!

To learn more about VA loans or our Service Rewards program, call one of our mortgage specialists today.

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What determines my mortgage interest rate?

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In the quest for a home, one of the first questions a borrower asks is: What is the interest ratee today?  The answer often times has to do more with the borrower then the lender. Surprised?

Here’s how borrowers can impact their interest rates.

  1. Credit Score: Lenders use your credit scores to predict how reliable you will be in repaying your loan and is the most significant variable in deciding your credit score. In general, consumers with a higher credit score receive a lower interest rate than those with buyers with lower credit scores. Mortgage rates vary considerably between credit scores of below 640 and above 740.
  2. Down Payment:  Because mortgage lenders see a lower level of risk when you have more stake in the property, a larger down payment can mean a lower interest rate. With 20 percent or more down, your interest rate will be lower. There are loans available with good interest rates that require PMI which is mortgage insurance to protect the lender in the event a borrower stops paying their loan.
  3. Loan Amount: Depending on the size of the loan, home buyers can pay higher interest rates on loans that are particularly high or low. The lender will have to adjust the rate due to the costs of a smaller loan and the risk factors that come with a large loan amount.
  4.  Loan Term or Duration: The term or duration is how long you to pay the loan back to the lender. Typically, shorter term loans have lower costs and interest rates, with higher monthly payments. Longer term loans will have monthly payments because they are spread out over a longer time period. Your Michigan Mortgage loan officer can analyze your unique situation to guide you to the best loan for you.
  5. Loan Type: There a number of loan types to choose from, all having different eligibility requirement.  Rates can vary significantly depending on what type of loan is chosen. The most common types of loans are known as conventional, VA, RD, and FHA loans. You can learn more about the different loan options by visiting our website at www.michmortgage.com.
  6. Home Location: Often times, lenders offer slightly different interest rates depending on the state they live in.  whether you are purchasing in a rural or urban area can also be a factor. So, it is important to talk to a local lender versus a national lender to get accurate rates.

There is no cookie cutter process to determine your interest rate. By understanding how your interest rates are determined will give you a better understanding of the best loan and interest rate for your unique situation. Michigan Mortgage’s highly knowledgeable loan officers can guide you to the very best loan for your needs.

Tips to improve your credit score

How to Improve Your Credit Score

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In today’s world, your credit score may be the most important number impacting your buying power. Can you purchase a home? Can you buy a car? Do you qualify for a credit card? Ask your credit score.

Whether you’re in the red or in the green, your credit score is key.

We sat down with our in-house credit expert, Loan Officer Assistant Jill Dobb, to talk more about credit scores and the impact they may have on your home-buying experience.

Michigan Mortgage: What elements of the home-buying process are affected by credit score?

Jill Dobb: Credit scores play a big role in all aspects of the home-buying process. First, it determines whether or not you qualify. It also determines the type of loan you qualify for and the interest rate associated with that loan. Your credit score will also determine if you qualify for a loan assistance program or are able to get a better rate on private mortgage insurance.

MM: If a customer is interested in working with us, what should be their target credit score?

JD: Typically, we like to see at least a 620 credit score for customers pursuing an FHA loan. We can be a little more flexible with a VA loan and service customers with a 600 score. We ask that our Conventional customers aim for a 680, but with a good mortgage history, we may be able to offer Conventional financing to customers with a lower score.

MM: If buyers fall short of our target credit score, what steps do you suggest they take to improve their score?

JD: A credit card, also known as a revolving line of credit, has the biggest impact on credit if you desire a quick turnaround. If you have a credit card, use it wisely. Always make your payments on time and keep a low balance compared to your card limit. For clients who do not have a credit card, we recommend that you get one right way and start using it. Remember, credit cards are a great tool to improve your credit, but if used inappropriately, they can negatively impact your score.

Shopping for your dream home is far more exciting than credit scores and mortgage loans, but both are equally important.

“Many times, shoppers get excited about a home rather than a mortgage, which is totally understandable,” Dobb said. “However, when they are not able to move forward with the process of actually purchasing a home, it causes them a great deal of frustration.”

In today’s competitive market, it is especially important to speak with a knowledgeable lender so you can actually find the house of your dreams and obtain financing.

To avoid the letdown, our goal is to establish a healthy relationship with each one of our customers. We aim to educate and offer advice for each client’s unique situation.

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Supporting the #ReimagineChallenge

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The Reimagine Project is a community-wide initiative to rebuild the iconic Imagination Station in Grand Havens Mulligan’s Hollow. The goal is to reimagine the current play structure at Mulligan’s Hollow so that it will meet the needs of future generations, with accessibility to all, built with the best, most durable products. The saying “it takes a village”, couldn’t be more true in this beautiful community wide effort.

The project will be designed by over 100 local children, much like the original structure, constructed by 2,500 volunteers, 27 years ago. Over 1,500 volunteers will contribute to the construction and the community will fund the project 100 percent.

There are many ways to contribute to the Imagination Fund. Visit their website to learn how. Opportunities to give include: a picket for the fence, sponsor a component of the new play-space, purchase the Grand Haven-Opoly game, give through the Reimagine Real Estate Challenge or become a lead donor.

At Michigan Mortgage we are excited to have had the opportunity to participate in the Reimagine Real Estate Challenge, when we were challenged by Ryan Miller with Michigan Insurance Group to donate to the local fund. Thanks to Unsalted Living and Capstone Real Estate, who initiated this challenge to our local real estate and affiliated companies. Excited to accept the $500 Challenge, we in turn, challenged Jake Hoogeboom with @Home Realty in Grand Haven, who kept the ball rolling, by challenging Angela Hyde with @Home Realty. And, the challenge continues. We are so excited to see how much money is raised by our local real estate leaders.

Imagine living in a community so willing, enthusiastic and able to give when a need arises. We can’t wait to see the student lead designs moving forward! It takes a village of giving, industrious individuals to make change and we live in one of those communities! Michigan Mortgage loves West Michigan.

VA Changes Site Condo Rule

VA Changes Site Condo Rule

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In the past, the VA treated Site Condos like any other condo, requiring the entire project be approved by the VA. This is a lengthy and costly undertaking. On May 24, the VA announced, effective immediately, that it will treat Site Condos in Michigan similar to stick-built homes.

Here are a few details that will help your Veterans.

  • VA will no longer review legal documentation for site condominiums. Lenders will be responsible for ensuring that any site condominium proposed as collateral for a VA-guaranteed loan meet requirements for the state of Michigan.
  • Program participants no longer need to obtain a VA condominium ID or submit condominium association documents into VA for approval of site condominiums.
  • Appraisers are still required to use Fannie Mae forms 1073 for site condominiums and complete the Project Information Section of the condominium appraisal form.

If you have questions about VA’s Site Condo loan changes, reach out to Michigan Mortgage. We’re here to help!