Life Outside of Loans Archives Page 6 of 9

Honoring Our Local Educators: Ms. Annie Willard at Oakridge Lower Elementary

March 6, 2020/0 Comments/in Hometown Highlights/by Courtney Coon

MM Gives Back was launched as a way for the Michigan Mortgage team to give back to the community, local and afar.

In the past, our monthly MM Give Back charities were selected by our Employee Superstar of the Month. We donated financially and offered our time and resources.

This year, we’re switching things up! 2020 is the year of Educators.

Each quarter, Michigan Mortgage will recognize a West Michigan educator and donate $1,000 to their school. Honoring education is our priority!

This quarter, we honored Ms. Annie Willard, an SXI Teacher (SXI stands for students that have Severe Multiple Impairments) at Oakridge Lower Elementary.

Ms. Willard, along with a slew of others, was nominated on our Facebook page.

“I would like to throw Rosanne (Annie) Willard’s hat into the ring. Annie works with Severe and Multiple impaired special needs students. I have never met anyone who does more for her students and sometimes, more importantly, their families than Annie. She makes their lives so much better, advocating and arranging for supplies and services to be available to assist these students with some of their most basic necessities like mobility, bathing, and feeding Always looking for solutions, she often spends her own money to make sure the students and their families have what they need. Over the years we have had a few students pass away and Annie is with these students and their families, crying and laughing about the joy these kids have brought right up until the end.” – Renee Warmoth

She is so incredibly deserving of this recognition; we learned that first-hand when we visited her classroom.

“Annie is very deserving of this award because there is no end to the lengths that she goes to for her students and their families,” said Principal Angela Ogden. “Annie has a huge heart and cares for her students and staff as if they were members of her own family.”

Click here to see our surprise visit to Ms. Willard’s classroom!

“I became a special education teacher so that I could make a difference in these children’s lives,” said Ms. Willard. “I push them to their fullest potential and expect great things from them. Their gains may be small and far between, but the challenge is worth it. And it is exciting when they accomplish something that nobody ever thought they could do.”

“My students are my kids,” she continued. “I generally have them for seven years before they move on to the Middle School program. I learn a lot about them and their family. Their struggles, their needs, or just when they need a shoulder to cry on. I have been there for the passing of two of my students. Helping the family during a very dark time.”

On behalf of Michigan Mortgage, Ms. Willard and Oakridge Lower Elementary received a check for $1,000. Ms. Willard plans to use the funds to purchase specialty chairs for the lunch room and sensory items for a new space currently under construction.

“I cannot thank Michigan Mortgage enough for honoring outstanding teachers,” Ms. Willard said. “I love my job and would not change a thing, but it is awesome to be acknowledged for our hard work.”

“My students have made a huge impression on my life,” she said. “I am thankful for them every day.”

Thank you for your commitment to education, Ms. Willard! We are so blessed to recognize you as the first recipient of our Honoring Our Local Educators Award.

Tax Tips for Michigan Residents

February 27, 2020/0 Comments/in Blog/by Rob Garrison

It’s that time of year again! No, I am not talking about March Madness or the finale of “The Bachelor” … It’s tax time! For some (like self-employed people) that have not been paying quarterly taxes, it is a time to pay the piper. But for the vast majority of us, it is the time of year where we can actually get a tax refund.

So, what is the best use of those funds? Like most questions, the answers vary depending on the individual situation. If you are swimming in debt it may be time to pay some of that debt off. If you have not funded your 401(k) for the year, perhaps that money is best used to invest in a tax deferred plan.

If, however, you are not taking advantage of all the benefits, of home ownership, it may be the perfect time to purchase a home. The average tax refund these days is about $2,800. Many loans only require that you put between 1 percent and 3 percent down. This means you may have enough money to close a loan with only the refund.

Did you know that the average monthly rent payment in our area is more than the average monthly mortgage payment? For example, the average monthly rent in Muskegon (February 2020) is $880. The medium home price is $128,000. After just 3 percent down, the payment with taxes and insurance would be about $830.

So, on average, the monthly expenditure owning a home is less than renting. But even if the payment was higher on the mortgage payment it would most likely still be beneficial to own? Why? Two main reasons: appreciation and amortization.

Appreciation: Appreciation is the rate at which the value of something increases in value. The average appreciation in our area is about 3.8 percent for real estate. For the last five years has been 6.3 percent! On $128,000, the forecasted appreciation gain in the next nine years (using only 3.4 percent) is $45,466! Compare that to rent where the is obviously $0.

Amortization: The second reason is amortization gain. Remember, while the amount you owe on a mortgage goes down over time and the payment stays the same, on a rental the amount you pay for rent will likely continue to go up. In 9 years, you’ll pay over $22,000 down on the home. When you rent, you’re just paying down your landlord’s mortgage.

So even assuming the cost of a Real Estate sale’s commission sale of 6 percent, in nine years you are $55,000 richer when you buy a home vs. renting.

Given this, as well as the emotional and text benefits of home ownership, tax time may be a great time to buy. Call me if you would like to talk further about your specific options.

Michigan Mortgage Supports Dancing with the Local Stars

February 20, 2020/0 Comments/in Events/by Courtney Coon

The 12th annual Dancing with the Local Stars Muskegon event will feature the largest cast to date, including of our very own.

Loan Officer and Co-Branch Manager Dave Lehner is one of 42 local stars teaming up with 11 professional dancers to raise money for local food pantries and programs.

“It’s a fun way to help our local community,” Dave said. “Our office takes pride in giving back and this is a great cause to support.”

His group includes: Nate Johnson, reentry and outreach director for Fresh Coast Alliance; Jonathan Seyferth, Coopersville city manager; Melanie Swiftney, author and director of marketing and communications for the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation; Patti Winsemius, dance instructor at Cassell Training Center.

His professional dance partner is Carly Switzer, diagnostic medical sonographer at Spectrum Health Butterworth and Blodgett Hospitals, a seven-year participant of the event.

“The practices are fun but hard,” Dave said. “We have to learn a lot of moves and keep the beat at the same time, but we will be ready to perform for the big night!”

Last year, the Muskegon event raised more than $135,000. Dave hopes to help raise even more money this year. Dancing with the Local Stars has raised over $1 million since its creation.

“Our goal is to beat the amount we raised last year,” said Shawn Norden, Michigan Mortgage Loan Officer and Dancing with the Local Stars Co-Chair of the Sponsor Committee. “Right now, we are on record pace! We could not do any of this without the help of our event sponsors.”

Much like Dave, Shawn has recognized a hunger issue in our community and is willing to do anything she can to help.

“We donate the funds collected from this event to food pantries and programs in Muskegon County, Northern Ottawa County and Southern Oceana County,” she said. “These recipients depend on our funds every year.”

Performances will take place the evenings of February 27-29, with an additional matinee on Saturday, February 29. Tickets went on sale on January 2 and sold out within days.

“I am looking forward to laughing, getting laughed at by my friends and family and showing off my dance moves,” Dave said.

If you’d like to donate, stop by our office and look for Dave’s decorated box. Thank you in advance for your support!

Hometown Highlight: Aldea Coffee and Aldea Development

January 16, 2020/0 Comments/in Hometown Highlights/by Jill Garrison

When exceptional coffee and social responsibility intersect, you get Aldea Coffee.

Upon entering an Aldea coffee shop, there is a palpable culture and vibe that exudes community and service. It doesn’t take long to feel like you are with friends as you are greeted with a warm smile, learn the baristas name and receive the special care that they give each one of their patrons.

Aldea was founded to be more than a transactional coffee shop.

Aldea’s sister organization was born out of a mission to empower the farmers of LaUnion, Lempira, Honduras. So, when you pop in for a lavender latte or a coffee pour over, you are positively impacting the lives of men, women, and children in remote areas of Honduras.

You are giving those small farmers in impoverished areas the ability to plant, harvest and bring their coffee to market, where they receive fair value for the coffee beans.

Established in November, 2009, Aldea Development, a registered 501(c)3, was established as Union MicroFinanza with a microfinance focus, which has morphed into a community development organization.

The goal was to create a microfinance organization supporting small-scale farmers. Their staff lives in Honduras and learns from members of the community.

They hear first-hand what limitations, obstacles, and successes the farmers are experiencing and come up with solutions together to greater serve the farmers and community as a whole.

In a time where small scale producers are going out of business, due to the world’s coffee market experiencing a downturn. Aldea has the unique ability to provide stability to farmers. These farmers don’t have to adjust to market rates. Aldea purchases the farmers coffee and pays the farmers consistent prices that are above Fair-Trade prices.

As Aldea’s wholesale and retail business increases, more money goes directly to the farmers pocket book.

With coffee houses in two different West Michigan locations, Aldea has become a gathering place for locals to socialize, work, and just be in a space that is welcoming, calming and super hip and cool!

They are creating community in downtown Grand Haven and Muskegon, very similar to the community they have created in LaUnion, Honduras.

Next time you are deciding which coffee house to patronize, pause and remember, when you choose to purchase your coffee at Aldea, your purchasing power is positively contributing to the quality of lives in impoverished areas of Honduras.

For more information check out www.aldeadevelopment.org and www.aldeacoffee.com.

Hometown Highlights: Passport to Growth

November 21, 2019/0 Comments/in Hometown Highlights/by Jill Garrison

Passport to Growth with your “tour guides” Rich Lohman, Dave Rudin and Leigh Lohman.

“Without continuous growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning.” – Benjamin Franklin

If you are looking to grow in the areas of leadership, personal development and communication, Passport to Growth invites you to take action now and give yourself the gift of growth through mentorship. If you struggle with being consistent with growth and feel that you lack the tools for professional and personal growth, this program offers a community to help you bridge the gap so that you have the exercises and tools necessary to progress and succeed.

Passport to Growth is designed to be flexible and adaptable so that even those with the busiest of schedules can operate effectively within the structure. For an entire year, members can access this mentorship program before or after work, during a break or as a designated part of you workday. Passport to Growth is Designed for individuals and larger organizations alike.

Your mentors will guide you and encourage you through the process, meeting you where you are on your journey.

Rich Lohman has been a full time speaker, coach and trainer for nine years. He is an Executive Director with the John Maxwell Speaking, Coaching, Training Team and is also a DISC certified
Consultant. His main goal is to be a resource, friend and mentor to help and challenge your growth, improve your leadership skills and help you achieve amazing success in all areas of your life.

Leigh Lohman in truth is a Realtor but she is so passionate about personal and professional growth that she became a certified John Maxwell Speaker, Coach and Trainer as well as being
a DISC certified Trainer. Along with her strong desire to walk beside people in their growth journeys, Leigh is also a recent graduate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, driving her
focus to the overall health of a person, mind, body and soul. She believes we cannot be whole unless we work on all facets of life.

Dave Rudin has been on the path to growth for over 20 years. He realized that it was necessary to make a shift to being intentional, surrounding himself with other people that had
been where he wanted to go that his growth journey really started to take off. He recognized that content alone, (books, podcasts, seminars) wasn’t enough to make great strides in personal and professional growth.

One of the primary goals is to offer affordable, weekly coaching that follows a curriculum that offers concrete action steps to take in order to have clarity in your personal and professional life.

The support from the coaches and the community gives everyone the opportunity to succeed, with a weekly coaching call, group tasks, weekly growth assignment, worksheets, discussion, Q & A
sessions, and a Facebook community to interact with. The calls are also recorded for those times when your schedule may not allow you to be a part of the live call or for the times you need additional reflection on a particular topic, you are able to go back and listen as many times as you need.

To learn more about Passport to Growth go to www.passportogrowth.com or contact Rich at Rich@woohooing.com.

Success Story: The Villegas Family

November 7, 2019/0 Comments/in Success Story/by Courtney Coon

Things don’t always go as planned – the Villegas family knows that first hand.

The family, originally from Miami, encountered a few rough patches in 2017 and needed a fresh start. Family members encouraged them to get away from the expensive Florida city and move to Holland.

“We prepared our Miami home and decided to keep it to rent it out,” said Rey Villegas. “In April of 2018, we moved to Michigan and adjusted quickly from the big city to a small town.”

“We loved it!”

The family opted to rent for the remainder of 2018 and part of 2019 to save money before purchasing their Michigan dream home.

“We started looking for our home in May,” Rey said. “Our lease was coming to an end at our apartment and we made the promise to ourselves that we’d have a home after being in Michigan for one year.”

“We were looking for a home that was fairly new – no renovations needed – with very open space, a deck and a lake view.”

Shortly after beginning their search, they found their dream home in Riley Ridge and contacted the listing agent, Luke Bouman with At Home Realty.

“Working with Luke’s team was great,” Rey said. “We worked with Mary Van Vels and she was amazing. She was so understanding and very honest with us. They exceeded our expectations!”

The Villegas Family relied on their bank for financing. After receiving their pre-approval letter, the bank informed them that they weren’t qualified to purchase this specific home in Riley Ridge. Mary suggested they get in touch with Michigan Mortgage Loan Officer Amy Hendrickson for a second look.

“Amy gave my parent’s credit a second glance and was able to get us approved,” Rey said.

The family proceeded with financing with Amy and compared their experience to that of working with Mary – Amy went above and beyond and exceeded expectations.

“Amy was with us every step of the way,” Rey said. “We loved her attitude; she’s a very happy, positive person. We would recommend her to anyone!”

Now that the family is moved into their new Riley Ridge dream home, they’re looking forward to celebrating the four seasons in Michigan.

“We’re looking forward to summer nights by the bonfire roasting marshmallows, sitting on our deck in the winter drinking hot chocolate and hot apple cider in the fall,” Rey said.

“We are extremely happy!”

Success Story: A Holland Couple Looking for Their Forever Condo

October 10, 2019/0 Comments/in Success Story/by Courtney Coon

Good things come to those who wait. Sometimes the wait is short and sweet – sometimes the wait can last roughly two years.

A Holland couple looking for their forever condo experienced the latter.

“We wanted to purchase a condo but wanted one we felt was well built, in a nice area and within our price range,” the couple said. “Some of our must haves were storage, a sunroom, and outdoor space.”

“Many condo’s that we looked at were very nice but had little storage space.”

The couple asked to speak on the condition of anonymity because of their involvement in the local community.

The search took longer than expected, but the wait was worth it when they found the perfect place to call home.

Shortly after, the search continued. This time, though, they were searching for a reliable mortgage lender.

“We were introduced through our Realtor to Hayley after we were pre-approved through another financial institution and later told they could not finance us because the condominium by-laws would not pass their condominium underwriting,” the couple said.

“This lender told us at different points that he was almost ready to close. Needless to say, we were extremely disappointed.”

The couple relied on their Realtor, Joannie Bouman of Coldwell Banker, for a recommendation.

“Joannie told us about Hayley and was confident that she could assist us,” they said. “Hayley was given the information regarding the condominium by-laws and stated that the by-laws had a clause that would make this loan unsaleable. Hayley took our application and told us she would contact investors to look at this loan.”

Both Hayley and Joannie exceeded the couple’s expectations.

“Hayley kept us informed throughout the process and we felt encouraged,” they said. “She was so accommodating.”

“We were given a gift at closing and we felt that we should be giving her a gift.”

“Joannie was so helpful in deciding the asking price and also taking us through the process of selling our current home.”

After closing, the couple took the time to update the condo and turn their new house into a home. They moved in at the end of July and look forward to settling into their new lifestyle.

“We would highly recommend Hayley for your mortgage needs,” the couple said. “Thank you, Hayley, for a job well done!”

Hometown Highlights: Jenn VanHekken

September 19, 2019/0 Comments/in Hometown Highlights/by Jill Garrison

What do you get when you combine a serving heart, crazy positive energy and the desire to help others? You get Jenn VanHekken.

She is quick to smile, quick to laugh and quick to contemplate!

Jenn’s journey has brought her to this amazing place in her life in which she finds herself coaching, blogging, podcasting, and speaking her truth and her passion so that others can find their God given purpose and inspire them to walk in the fullness of all that God has called them to be.

Before Jenn was any of those things she was and still is wife, a mom and a Child of God.

She and her hubby (and high school sweetheart) Chris have the joy of raising two amazing kids together right here in Grand Haven.

Kaitlyn is a college cheerleader who is all full of #girlpower and her son Carson spends most of his time on the baseball field, and also happens to be Chris’s mini me.

You can check out Jenn’s Podcast, “Diary of a Small Town Girl” where she interviews local hometown heroes, musicians, pastors, boss babes, artists and world changers all in our backyard of West Michigan.

When you need a dose of inspiration, a bit of local flavor, hope and laughter, Jenn’s podcast delivers. Her goal is to “inspire others through the stories they hear.”

You can check out over 40 podcasts at “Diary of a Small Town Girl.”

When Jenn is wearing her coaching hat, she works to help women find clarity and purpose through her faith-based approach.

She is a certified life coach as well as a certified Enneagram coach. Working with individuals and small groups, this technique is a powerful tool for personal and collective transformation.

Grabbing a cup of coffee is a great way to learn more about Jenn and the beautiful resources she provides her clients.

You can learn more about Jenn by going to www.jennvanhekken.com.

Success Story: LaTanya Jackson

September 12, 2019/0 Comments/in Success Story/by Courtney Coon

Credit improvement is no easy task. It takes time, effort, a pre-determined plan and a little help from a trusted advisor.

It’s hard work, but it’s worth it for those hoping to purchase their dream home.

“I began seriously working on my credit in January of 2018,” said LaTanya Jackson. “It took me a little over a year before I was ready to buy a house.”

When she was ready, her co-worker and friend, Nakia Cooper, suggested that she get in touch with Loan Officer Dave Lehner and his team at Michigan Mortgage.

“They welcomed me and my family in a way that made me feel like I was being taken care of from the very beginning,” LaTanya said. “Being a first-time homebuyer, they never made me feel bad about asking numerous questions.”

LaTanya enjoyed getting to know Dave and his team, but described her journey to homeownership as a “rollercoaster.”

“Oh boy – where do I start,” she said. “I would find a house and within 24 to 48 hours, it was off the market. Frustrated was an understatement. By the time I found ‘the one,’ I was at my wits end.”

LaTanya’s Realtor, Eric Sikkenga with Keller Williams Grand Rapids East, helped to smooth the ride.

“All I can say about my experience with him…FUN,” LaTanya said. “He did exactly what he said he would do. He got me into the home of my dreams!”

She calls that home “Heaven.”

LaTanya has yet to move in – she making a few must-have renovations beforehand – but she’s over the moon with joy.

“Even though it needs a few things, my home feels like a little piece of heaven,” she said.

We can’t imagine another move in LaTanya’s future, but if it is, Dave will be the first person she calls.

“Dave and his team exceeded my expectations,” she said. “They were so patient and understanding throughout the entire process.”

“Every email and call was given immediate attention. They made sure I was thoroughly informed about all of my options as a first-time homebuyer.”

We wish LaTanya and her family many happy memories in their new home!

Tips to Prepare Your House for Sale

August 28, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog/by Courtney Coon

The summer market is still going strong in West Michigan! And it’s a great time to sell your home.

You goal – and your Realtor’s goal – will be to get you the best sales price possible. Here are a few small projects you can do to make sure that happens.

Focus on the Exterior

Start with power washing. Wash your siding, sidewalks, decks and any other outdoor structures to make them look good as new.
Clean out your garage and de-clutter your yard.
A new front door, or a new coat of paint on your current door, will give your home a much-needed face lift.
Wash your windows – inside and out – so people can appreciate the view.
Keep the lawn mowed and spruce up your landscape. There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars and completely redo the space, but pulling weeds and trimming trees can go a long way. If your local greenhouse is open, purchase a hanging basket or two to add color to your front porch.
Don’t forget the little things. Make sure all of your exterior lights are in working order, make sure your house number is visible and purchase a new welcome mat to impress potential buyers.

Make Sure the Interior Feels like “Home”

Organize and de-clutter so buyers see how much space is available inside your home.
Make sure every inch of your home is clean so buyers have an easier time imaging their new life in your existing space.
If the budget allows, fresh paint and new carpet can help your home sell faster and for more money.
Decorate – or remove decorations – so every room has a clear purpose that will appear to a majority of buyers.
Make sure you fix anything that’s broken. Buyers will use imperfections as an excuse to write you a lower offer.
Before your scheduled open house, make sure the trash is taken out, kitchen counters are clear, all lights are working and dirty laundry is hidden.

The little things can go a long way!

If you’re working with a Realtor, don’t hesitate to lean on them for advice. They will help you identify the must-fix items before buyers step foot in the door.

We wish you luck selling your home!

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