From Renting to Buying: Buying a Home with a Friend

March 6, 2025

Why Rent Forever? Buy Together & Build Equity Sharing a home doesn’t have to mean marriage, family ties, or a landlord collecting your rent. More friends are skipping the rental cycle and pooling their resources to buy property together — building equity while still enjoying the perks of communal living. With rising housing costs, co-ownership […]

VA Loan Secrets: Advantages You Can Use in 2025

March 6, 2025

Get the Most Out of Your VA Loan For those who have served our country, homeownership represents more than just having a place to live — it’s about building a life, creating a sanctuary, and securing a future for your family. As a veteran, you’ve already given so much, and you deserve to take full […]

Seller’s Guide: Navigating the Traverse City Real Estate Market in 2025

February 21, 2025

For Michiganders and outlanders alike, the call of Traverse City is like the siren song of Lake Michigan. The promise of lakeside locales, trendy restaurants, thriving downtown businesses, and — of course — plenty of beautiful Traverse City homes for sale is enough to draw new people in consistently. Traverse City’s current population is 15,717, […]

Buy a Home with No Money Down in Michigan in 2025

February 19, 2025

The number one obstacle when it comes to buying a home for most Americans is lack of down payment. We know saving for a down payment can seem daunting, but at Treadstone, we offer numerous loans with low down payment options, and even a couple with zero down payment! Our team can help you find […]

2025 MSHDA ‘First Generation’ $25,000 Down Payment Assistance Grant

February 18, 2025

*As of May 2025, the funds for MSHDA First Generation Down Payment Assistance have been used to completion. All information pertaining to MSHDA $10,000 Down Payment Assistance is still applicable. Great news for first generation home buyers in Michigan! MSHDA – The MI State Housing & Development Authority announced that for a short time (until […]

Why Pre-Approvals for Mortgages are Important for Home Buyers in 2025

February 14, 2025

What Is a Pre-Approval? Pre-approvals are simple and easy, but they’re a heavy-hitter when you’re shopping for Michigan homes. Simply put, a pre-approval is when we check (and double-check) your qualifications for a potential home loan, and give you the green light to move forward with a home purchase. No more guessing! During the pre-approval […]

2024 Michigan Property Tax Millage Rates by County

February 2, 2025

From the mortgage and interest rates to the price of property taxes, there are plenty of expenses to factor in when it comes to homeownership — some with more complexities than others. The cost of property taxes in Michigan is subject to considerable variation depending on the county in which a property is located. Each […]

Guide to Homeownership & Mortgages During Divorce

January 27, 2025

Divorce isn’t typically a decision anyone takes lightly, and is more often the culmination of a lot of stress, some struggle, and plenty of emotions (hopefully ending with a sense of relief). During the process, you might feel like the mere thought of purchasing another home outside of your previous marriage is overwhelming and daunting, […]

Fixer-Upper or Move-in Ready: Which One is Right for You?

January 27, 2025

Let’s be real — buying a fixer-upper isn’t for everyone. It takes a particular vision to see a home’s hidden potential beneath layers of outdated wallpaper or cracked tiles. It also takes a good set of hands ready to roll up the sleeves and get to work. For some, that’s half the fun — transforming […]

USDA Income Limits for 2025

January 25, 2025

USDA income limits determine eligibility for Rural Development Home Loans. Updated annually, these limits vary by location and family size. Changes reflect shifts in median incomes, ensuring assistance reaches those with financial need to promote the program’s goal of promoting sustainable rural communities in West Michigan and the rest of the country.   Who Qualifies […]