Tag Archive for: Life Outside of Loans

Image showing an outdoor living space.

Reasons to Sell this Summer

It’s (officially) summer in Michigan! The sun is shining and temperatures are rising.

For most of us, our air conditioners are running for the first time in months and we’re gearing up for an exciting 4th of July holiday at our favorite lake hangout.

Selling your home may be the furthest thing from your mind; if you’ve thought about downsizing or moving into a bigger home to fit your growing family, now may be the time.

Interest rates are low, home values are high and houses are moving quick in West Michigan.

Here are four reasons why you should consider selling this summer.

  1. There’s very little competition. If you were to ask any Realtor in the area, they’d tell you the same thing. There are not enough homes for sale to meet buyer demands. According to experts, housing inventory is under the 6-month supply that is needed for a “normal” market.
  2. Buyer demand is high. Buyers are on the hunt for their dream home! At Michigan Mortgage, we have a number of pre-approved buyers that have yet to write an offer. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), properties were on the market for an average of 26 days in May and 53 percent of homes sold in May were on the market for less than a month.In West Michigan, homes are going under contract before Open Houses are able to be scheduled. Yard signs are changed to “Sold!” in the matter of days.
  3. The home you hope to buy will continue to appreciate. According to NAR, “The median existing-home price for all housing types in May was $277,700, up 4.8 percent from May 2018 ($265,100). May’s price increase marks the 87th straight month of year-over-year gains.” If you’re looking to move up and into a bigger home, you will need to spend more in 2020.Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist said this: “Though inventory is up, the month’s supply numbers remain near historic lows, which has a direct effect on price. Solid demand along with inadequate inventory of affordable homes have pushed the medium home price to a new record high.”
  4. Interest rates are low. Over the past few months, mortgage interest rates have been on a steady decline. This isn’t expected to change. Not only has this trend transformed renters into buyers, it has benefitted sellers when they purchase their forever home.

Summer is here and it’s time for you – and your family – to start living the life you’ve always dreamed of!

Image showing an autographed Justin Abdelkader jersey.

#MMGivesBack: Stand Up for the Cure

Each month, our staff selects a local charity to support through our #MMGivesBack program. Our goal is to give back, get involved and make a difference.

In honor of Loan Officer Shawn Norden and her passion for breast cancer awareness, we have selected Stand up for the Cure (SUFTC) Muskegon as this month’s charity.

“As a breast cancer survivor, I learned very quickly the importance of early detection,” Norden said. “It is not a cliché. Finding breast cancer early offers you less invasive treatment options and a much greater probability of survival.”

“My wish is that every woman has the same access that I did for finding breast cancer early – that is why I Stand Up for the Cure,” she said.

The event – the fifth in Muskegon – is slated for Saturday, July 13, at Harbour Towne Beach.

SUFTC’s mission is “to help women find breast cancer early – when it’s more treatable – through education, awareness, screenings and research while building a supportive, compassionate community.” The event aims to introduce non-paddlers to the fun and healthy sport of standup paddle boarding.

According to the organization, “Seventy-five percent of the funds raised at the 2019 event will go to local programs managed through Hackley Community Care, with the remaining twenty-five percent going to Van Andel Institute to fuel Dr. Carrie Graveel’s research into triple-negative breast cancer, which is the most aggressive and deadly form of the disease.”

“We help those right here in our community every day,” Norden added. “This is a huge reason why I support SUFTC. Of course, we want to end breast cancer forever – but until that happens, we need to help those afflicted by this horrid disease.”

Online registration is now open.

As part of this year’s event, Michigan Mortgage will be giving away a Red Wings jersey autographed by Muskegon’s very own Justin Abdelkader.

If you’d like an opportunity to win, stop by our office (6207 Harvey Street, Suite B) between now and July 12. The cost to enter is $10 for one chance and $20 for three.

If you’re planning to attend the July 13 event, stop by the Michigan Mortgage booth for your chance to win. All proceeds will go directly to Stand Up for the Cure.

The winner will be announced at noon on July 13. You need not be present to win.

If you have questions related to the giveaway, please call Shawn Norden at 231-557-9414.

“I am so grateful that our community has embraced this event and all it stands for,” Norden said. “We would not be able to be successful without our very generous sponsors, participants and the community as a whole.”

Muskegon Event Details
Location:
Harbour Towne Beach, Muskegon
Date: Saturday, July 13
Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Activities: Kid’s Paddleboard Race, 5K Expert Race, Relay Races, Fun “Sea of Pink” Paddle, Yoga on the Beach, Free Breast Health Screenings, Live Music, Catered Lunch & Happy House, a Silent Auction and much more!

For more information about this year’s event, click here.

Image of Dr. Tabatha

Hometown Highlights: Dr. Tabatha Barber Duell

In a world full of buzz words like gut microbiota, leaky gut, diseases of affluence, mind/body connection, functional medicine, mindfulness, phytochemicals, detoxification… it’s no wonder that we are all confused about how to live our best life.

Enter Dr. Tabatha: “Take care of yourself! Doctors orders!”

Dr. Tabatha Barber Duell’s passion to encourage women to live their best life through a functional medicine approach to health is nothing short of inspiring.

She believes that the best “medicine” is for physicians to spend time with their patients, listening to their histories, mapping their personal timeline, and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long term health and complex chronic disease.

As an OB/GYN, she has been working with women through issues that face them as they have their first baby, to women going through menopause and learning how to cope with all of the changes that come with both.

Tabatha’s passion over the past 15 years has been delivering babies for hundreds of patients in West Michigan. She maintains that passion today, with an added dose of care that goes beyond the typical Doctor/patient relationship.

As Tabatha has grown and evolved over time, her course work, readings, and patient care have brought her to a place where she recognizes that women need to be empowered so they can advocate for themselves through movement, mindfulness, and diet each and everyday.

She wants to dig deeper with her clients and our community to see stronger, healthier women who thrive in all areas of their lives.

When asked if she could do anything in the world professionally right now what would it be? Without a second’s hesitation, she answered enthusiastically “I would open a women’s wellness center that incorporates Western and Eastern medicine: with meditation, accupuncture, herbal therapies, counseling, movement, mindfulness, nutrition and aesthetics!”

Giving women the tools to thrive through a mind, body, spirit approach to well being is what Dr. Tabatha would like to see more of in West Michigan and all over the United States.

Tabatha’s training as a DO, her work in Functional Medicine, and her personal struggles with back pain, and an autoimmune disease have given her a personal perspective on how lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in mental and physical health. She has been promoting “52 Weeks of Growth” using social media platforms to promote habit shifts. She teaches workshops through NOCH on related health issues, has been a speaker at the BE event, and has recently written a book “From White Trash to White Coat” that is a fictionalized story of her life.

If you are interested in learning more about Tabatha’s journey into Women’s Wellness, you can hear her speak at this year’s Be Event, Saturday, September 14, from 1-5 p.m. at the Frauenthal Theater. Tickets go on sale June 1.

Image showing a happy homeowner's new house!

Success Story: Amanda and Steve Rudat

Credit scores don’t appear overnight – it takes time, energy and commitment to grow and build your score.

Amanda and Steve Rudat know that first hand.

“2017 was a good year for us to buy, as we had been working on our credit and finally had the stability in our careers to purchase a home,” Steve said. “We were renting places and getting nothing back in return. We had the money saved up and faith that we could make the commitment.”

Katie Bultema with Greenridge Realty helped Amanda and Steve find the home that best fit their needs.

“We wanted to be able to stay in the area,” Amanda said. “It was also very important for us to make a smart purchase within our budget. We wanted a home that had space for entertaining and room for our dogs to play.”

The couple knew this home would not be their “forever” home, so they focused on properties that had good re-sale value or homes that could appeal to renters in the future.

“Katie was a pleasure to work with and we would recommend her to anyone looking for a Realtor,” Steve said.

Katie was the perfect Realtor for Amanda and Steve. When they set out to find the perfect Loan Officer, they were connected to Loan Officer Hayley Woodworth.

“The person we were last renting from in Montague had worked with Hayley and strongly recommended her,” Amanda said. “We had been friends for a long time and to hear him speak so highly of Hayley was a big interest to us.”

“After getting to meet with Hayley and speak to her, it was really a no-brainer,” she added. “It just felt like a good choice for us.”

“Hayley was everything we were hoping for,” Steve said. “Attentive, supportive and a real go-getter. I can’t think of one time where we were wondering what was going on, what our numbers would look like or if someone would call us back.”

“When you are making these kinds of purchases, it is so refreshing to have a person like Hayley in your corner. You feel like you made a friendship, not a transaction. I feel like she had our best interest at heart.”

Amanda echoed Steve’s thoughts.

“Hayley and the staff work very hard, they are pleasant to be around and make us feel special,” she said. “It feels like family and friendship based on the way the team took care of Steve and I. So responsive, so supportive and we loved that about them. Things that could wait until the next day, Hayley was taking care of at night with us on her cell phone.”

In 2017, Hayley exceeded the couple’s expectations. Earlier this year, when Amanda and Steve decided to purchase their second home, Hayley was the first lender they called.

“We called her up out of the blue and this woman got right to work on things again,” Steve said. “She remembered exactly who we were and she was so thrilled to hear that we were looking to buy again. In no time flat, Hayley had numbers for us to start looking over again so we could budget and plan for our new place.”

“As many times as we shifted gears on her, Hayley just rolled with us on it,” he continued. “We ran so many different scenarios, properties and numbers with her and it was always the same great smile, voice and service.”

“We truly believe Hayley enjoys seeing people succeed in their dreams and purchases and it shows in the way she supports her clients. We are so happy to have found her!”

Image showing a living room.

Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for a New Home

Shopping for a new home can be one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime! When you venture out to purchase a home, make sure you set yourself up for success and an amazing experience.

Avoid these common mistakes:

  1. Not having your financing in order when you are ready to make an offer. It is critical to have a pre-approval from a trusted lender. Especially in a low inventory, competitive market, the buyer who has financing in place is ready to write the offer and “win” the home. So, don’t put yourself in the position of falling in love with a home that you aren’t able to bid on quickly!
  2. Not taking the time to educate yourself by window shopping and researching the market. Noel Berg with At Home Realty says, “A critical step in home buying is going to Open Houses, driving through neighborhoods and having a Realtor who educates you on home values so that you feel comfortable and confident when you find THE home! The more properties you can visit, the more confident you feel making an offer!”
  3. Submitting a low-ball offer. Make sure you look at all of the variables before making a low-ball offer. How long has the home been on the market? If it’s a seller’s market, it’s probably off the table. Does the house need updates, making it over priced? Your Realtor can craft an offer that won’t be too aggressive or offensive in the current market.
  4. Including too many contingencies. Contingencies are basically “walk away” clauses. It is important to protect your own interests, but, typically, the more contingencies in your offer, the less enthusiastic the seller may be to deal with you, especially in a seller’s market. Your Realtor will guide you as to which contingencies are the most critical to protect your interests.
  5. Using the seller’s agent. A real estate agent’s loyalties and responsibilities change depending on the transaction. A seller’s agent works for the seller to get the highest amount of money in the shortest period of time. Their fiduciary responsibility is to the seller at all times. The buyer’s agent works with the buyer to teach their clients about the market, to show them houses, and advise them when it comes time to make an offer and negotiate with the seller.
  6. Blindly listening to friends and family members. Though your friends and family have your best interests at heart, unless they are a Realtor, they are simply not experts; often times offering inaccurate and incorrect advice.
  7. Buying a home that is too expensive. Many buyers get their pre-approval letter and set out to look at houses at the top of the price range without thinking it through. It is important to work through a budget, and evaluate your spending habits and the increased cost of owning a home.
  8. Letting your emotions guide you. Purchasing a home will likely be one of the biggest and most important purchases in your lifetime. So, it makes sense that there will be emotions, concerns and questions weighing on you during the process. Make sure you take the top seven guidelines seriously so that you are empowered by logic, market awareness and professional advice!

A professional lender and Realtor will guide you home with confidence and authority.

Image showing a happy homeowner!

Success Story: Bianca and Paul Urban

In the mortgage business, we help our clients achieve a small portion of the “American Dream.”

Landing your dream job, home ownership, getting married, having children – memories that will last a life time.

For Bianca and Paul Urban, their dream began to take shape in 2016.

“I had been renting for about five years and Paul had purchased his first home a few years prior,” Bianca said. “We got engaged and started putting our lives together in the Spring of 2016 and together decided to put his home up for sale with the goal of purchasing a new home in early 2017.”

Bianca is a hairstylist in Holland and Paul is a truck driver out of Byron Center. Together, they decided that the Zeeland area was the perfect place to call home. Their goal was to be settled before tying the knot in 2017.

“Our Realtor is a good friend of ours – Nicole Kayser with Five Star,” Bianca said. “She set up our connection with Mark and the team at Michigan Mortgage.”

“Nicole was great! She was there to answer any questions and we are so grateful she led us to working with Mark. They made a great team and were in constant communication to help us reach our goal of home ownership.”

Bianca and Paul knew what to expect while working with Nicole, but weren’t sure about the financial side of things. This was their first big purchase as a couple, so they relied on Nicole’s recommendations.

“It was easy for us to trust Mark with Nicole’s recommendation and how personable he was,” Paul said. “His ability to help us find the best rates without having to shop around and apply at several different places was a bonus.”

“Working with Mark was honestly super easy and comfortable from the first meeting,” Bianca added. “It can feel awkward or intimidating when going over all your finances with someone and we never felt that way through this entire journey. Mark was there to answer any questions we had and was there at each step of the process.”

“He genuinely cares for his clients and wants to see them succeed.”

They found their dream home on the first day of their search, wrote an offer contingent on the sale of Paul’s home and it all worked out as planned.

“Our expectations were definitely met with our situation to sell and buy at the same time having Mark and Nicole guide us through the process,” Paul said.

“I always recommend getting in touch with Mark anytime I hear a friend of a client of mine in my chair start to think about buying or selling their home,” Bianca said. “For us, Mark has become more than a mortgage lender. He and his family are friends we are thankful to have!”

Image showing a home checklist.

Home Maintenance Checklist: Leave Buyers with a Great Impression

First impressions matter!

According to the National Association of Realtors, the average home buyer will look at 10 homes before making an offer. When a potential homebuyer walks in to your home, how will your home make a positive and lasting impression?

Most buyers are looking for a move-in ready home that appears to be well maintained, with ample storage, and it’s the little things they notice when assessing the over-all condition.

Make sure you inspect your home through the eyes of these potential buyers, then fix the most obvious items. Take inventory of all repairs and get to work.

  • Make sure all door hardware is in working order and replace if necessary.
  • Do all windows open easily and have a secure window lock?
  • Reglaze bathtubs if needed. This is a very easy, inexpensive but important fix.
  • Make sure caulking is clean and applied well in bathrooms and kitchen.
  • Repair any cracks in ceilings and walls.
  • Fill in any holes left by picture hangers and wall art.
  • Touch up painting in all rooms.
  • Replace shower head with a new, clean one.
  • Repair any leaking faucets or supply valves.
  • Make sure all outlets and light switches are working.
  • Replace old, dirty and paint covered electrical covers with new ones.
  • Put the correct bulbs in light fixtures and make sure there are no bulbs burned out.
  • Buyers are looking for neutral colors, so if there are boldly colored rooms, repainting in neutral tones will be helpful.

Cleaning and Decluttering

  • Remove clutter. Picture frames, accessories, files, books, small appliances should be removed from counters.
  • Scrub all surfaces.
  • Make sure your home is free of all smells including animals, food, cigarette smoke, etc.
  • Clean all baseboards.
  • Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans.
  • Clean windows and sills inside and out.
  • Clean all closets and keep them tidy and clean.
  • Have carpets professionally cleaned and/or replaced if necessary.
  • Hardwood floors should be mopped and oiled.
  • Dust blinds.
  • Replace old, moldy shower curtains.
  • Remove grease and grime from kitchen cabinets and appliances.
  • Make sure cupboards and drawers are wiped out and clutter free.
  • Make sure garage can house cars not boxes and junk.

Enlisting a reputable Realtor will insure that your home is in tip top shape to sell. Your local Realtor knows what homebuyers in your area are looking for!

Realtors Who Care logo

#MMGivesBack: Realtors Who Care

Realtors Who Care is the charitable arm of the West Michigan Lakeshore Association of Realtors. Their goal is to make our local community a better place to work and live.

Mission Statement: Realtors Who Care shall strive to support Realtors first, people focused local charities, individuals in need and the National Association of Realtors recommended disaster relief.

They often give $300 to support individuals and charities in need and $600 to Realtors in need and disaster relief efforts designated by the National Association of Realtors.

Loan Officer Hayley Woodworth is Co-Chair of the Realtors Who Care Committee and selected the non-profit organization as this month’s #MMGivesBack charity.

Why?

“Realtors give back so much to their clients and communities,” she said. “I think it is important that we support them when they are in need. We meet so many people through this industry, and when you meet someone going through a hardship, it’s such a great feeling to be able to help them.”

The group experienced a very successful 2018 full of giving but has even bigger dreams for the year ahead.

“The goal for 2019 is to raise as much money as possible so we can give more than we ever have back to the local community,” Woodworth said. “We are also striving to gain as much exposure as possible so Realtors, affiliates and the community become aware of our organization.”

“We want to get more people involved and encourage more requests and submissions for donations for people and places in need,” she said.

How can you get involved?

“In May, Realtors Who Care collects toiletries and personal items for local shelters and food baskets,” Woodworth said. The group takes the donated items and assembles baskets for those in need.

Items include: shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, paper towel, feminine products, deodorant, tissues, and other household items used on a daily basis.

More information about Realtors Who Care, their mission and the May Basket charity initiative is available on their Facebook page.

Image showing a happy homeowner at closing!

Success Story: Laura McCarthy

As part of our “Success Story” series, we’d like to introduce you to Laura McCarthy, a woman that doubted her ability to achieve the American Dream of homeownership but trusted Michigan Mortgage to guide her home. This is her story.

Homeownership is a dream for many, especially for those looking to provide a safe and stable environment for their children.

Some know the dream is in reach while others question their ability to make the large purchase at every turn. Laura McCarthy was one of those people. She thought homeownership was something she may never achieve.

“As a single mom, to be honest, I did not think I would be able to purchase a home given my past credit history,” Laura said. “I was renting and my money was going nowhere with nothing to show for it. I was hesitant and extremely nervous and thought the people at Michigan Mortgage would laugh me out of their office.”

Much to her surprise, that wasn’t the case at all. It was far from it, actually.

“Dave Lehner and I are old high school chums,” she said. “I knew he would be willing to help me and be able to tell me if my dream was a possibility. He instantly put my fears aside explaining my options and being honest in what I should do with what I could afford.”

Laura knew she was in the right place. Not only did she trust the guidance offered by Dave and his team, she worked with a Realtor that was also a friend.

“I chose to work with Amy Rudholm because of her expertise in the field, her patience, her knowledge and willingness to help me find exactly what I needed and to be sure I was making the right decision,” Laura said.

“Amy told me many times ‘it’s my job to get you exactly what you want’ and she went above and beyond in making that happen,” she continued. “We looked at many homes and she gave me her honest opinion and we kept moving forward. The home I chose was for sale by owner and Amy did not hesitate to work with the sellers and was diligent in making sure I got exactly what I wanted!”

“The inspection process was a bit overwhelming, but once again, Amy was there every step of the way and put my mind at ease.”

Dave and his team made sure to be available anytime Laura needed a little help.

“I had lots of questions every day and no one from the Michigan Mortgage office ever made me feel like I was crazy or bothering them at any time,” she said. “They answered all of my questions and kept me updated daily with emails that were encouraging.”

“Jill, Ronda and Team Lehner were amazing to work with and treated me like family.”

When we received the final clear-to-close, it was a celebration for all!

“It was smooth and quick and before I knew it, we were closing and celebrating,” Laura said. “I happened to be out of town the day I could get the keys and move in, so thanks to my family and Amy’s connections, they made it happen so that I came home to my new house ready to move in!”

Laura, Taylor and Lindsay (her two beautiful children!) have had nothing but fun in their new home. It’s the only place they want to be.

“I cannot thank Michigan Mortgage enough,” Laura said. “Top notch, stellar organization and would (already have) recommend them to anyone looking to purchase a home that needs a little extra help and guidance along the way like I did.”

Laura can’t thank Amy and Dave enough for helping make her dream home a reality.

Image showing a family tree for the Fredricks Family.

Success Story: The Fredricks Family

As part of our “Success Story” series, we’d like to introduce you to the Fredricks Family, a group of parents, siblings, cousins and friends, that have trusted Michigan Mortgage to guide them home. This is their story.

At Michigan Mortgage, it’s a family affair. We employ husband and wife teams, cousins and life-long friends.

Often times, the families we work with are related too. It’s an honor and a privilege when multiple generations – like members of the Fredricks Family – put their trust in Michigan Mortgage.

It all started many, many years ago. In third grade, in fact. Long before Rob Garrison was a licensed Loan Officer, he spent his days on the playground with Brian Fredricks. A friendship was born and it has lasted for nearly half a century.

“My dad, Brian, originally recommended Rob to me,” said Zach Fredricks. Because Brian had closed a loan with Michigan Mortgage years ago, and the two have been friends for so long, Zach was convinced that Rob and his team were the right fit.

He made the right choice.

“Early in the process, Rob advised us on ways in which to improve our credit score and drop off hundreds of dollars a month in interest making our dream home affordable,” Zach said.

“There were several times Team Garrison saved the deal,” he continued. “During the appraisal, when calculating cash to close. It’s unlikely that we would have been able to make the home sale happen without their expertise.”

After Zach moved into his dream home, his cousin Conor met with Rob to begin the home-buying process for the first time.

“Being a first-time home buyer, I wanted to work with someone I could have an open discussion with about my goals and how to best achieve them,” Conor said. “I trusted Rob to guide me through the process and was always comfortable asking him even the simplest questions.”

“I was purchasing a house from a family friend without a Realtor, so I needed someone to fill in any areas that typically would be handled by an agent and knew Rob would be willing to work with me.”

“I mention Rob anytime I talk with friends or family looking to get into a new place,” Conor said. “At the very least he is a great person to talk to with open questions and he can educate you on parts of the process you may not be familiar with. He knows how to layout your options clearly and help you hit your financial goals.”

The family tree doesn’t stop there. Before Zach and Conor worked with Team Garrison in 2018, they worked with Maury and Karen Fredricks and their daughter, Sandi.

“We initially went to Rob because he is a friend of ours,” said Karen Fredricks. “We had a complex issue and wanted to deal with someone we trusted with our personal information.”

“Rob and his team have a turn key system that is fast and efficient,” Karen said. “He proved to get the job done when others couldn’t.”

“I really couldn’t believe how fast Rob and his team got our deal done, it was within weeks,” she said. “It seemed like everyone had a task to complete the process from start to finish and their response to questions and requests was second to none.”

Team Garrison always found a way for the Fredricks Family, and because of that, they would recommend Michigan Mortgage “a thousand time more” because “they are truly the best.”