2024 Fall Activities in
Grand Rapids for Everyone

September 9, 2024

One of the best things about Michigan living is experiencing all the seasons. Unquestionably, fall is one of the most beautiful, favored, and delicious times of year in West Michigan. Being surrounded by a rich agricultural scene and plenty of farmland means we have access to the most quintessential fall activities in Grand Rapids without […]

How to Use a Cash-Out Refinance to Pay Off Debt

January 5, 2024

Many people think that a mortgage refinance exists to lower your payment—although this is a popular reason to refinance when interest rates drop below where you are currently at, the most common reason to refinance is actually to save money by consolidating debt. For example—if you have credit card debt that increases monthly at a […]

Michigan First-Time Home Buyer Savings Program

March 22, 2022

At a glance: 50% of home buyers save for five years prior to their first home purchase. As a benefit of recent legislation, Michigan residents can save for a down payment for their first home, using a tax-free savings account, using the Michigan First-Time Home Buyer Savings Program. Savings accounts can be opened at a […]

The Threat of Skimpflation & How Treadstone Does Things Differently

January 31, 2022

What is Skimpflation? While inflation has been at the center of discussion and news headlines, a more subtle phenomenon may be be even more frustrating to consumers. The unique economic situation with inflation driving up costs for both businesses and consumers, in tandem with the shortage of labor, has led to skimpflation. Recently defined and […]

Why Waiting to Buy Could Cost You

December 8, 2021

Since March 2020, the housing market has changed considerably. Buyer demand coupled with low inventory drove up competition and home values, ushering in questions regarding the stability of the market. As we approach 2022, the reality of a crash has gone unfounded, and would-be buyers who were counting on home prices dropping have yet to […]

November Realtor of the Month – Mark Blashkiw

November 24, 2021

Congratulations to our November Realtor of the Month, Mark Blashkiw with Blueprint Properties! Although Mark began his career in accounting after graduating from Western Michigan University, reading “Rich Dad Poor Dad” ignited his passion for real estate and entrepreneurship. After spending several years in California climbing the ranks of a public accounting firm, Mark decided […]

Homebot: A Home Value Tool for Owners to Track Equity & Options

November 10, 2021

What Is Homebot? Designed to empower homeowners with valuable information about their home value, equity, and other real estate options – Homebot is a tool that enables homeowners to track and understand the wealth they are building in their real estate.   For most Americans, our homes are our single largest and most lucrative investment, […]

Difference Between Mortgage Insurance (PMI & MIP) & Home Insurance

October 27, 2021

For new homeowners navigating the home buying process, there are so many new terms that can be confusing. One of the most confusing things clients encounter are the different types of mortgage and home-related insurance – private mortgage insurance (PMI), mortgage insurance premium (MIP), mortgage protection insurance, and homeowners insurance. With similar monikers, no wonder […]

Treadstone Mortgage: Crypto-Friendly Lender in Grand Rapids

September 30, 2021

Cryptocurrency has been all the rage, and it has taken the market by storm over the last year. While there is speculation surrounding it, roughly 60 million Americans own some form of crypto and an increasing number of major institutions are choosing to accept it. Entire countries have even declared it their national currency. Although […]

Grand Rapids Welcomes Back ArtPrize 2021

September 14, 2021

After a three-year hiatus, the highly anticipated and beloved ArtPrize is returning to Grand Rapids! The art competition shifted from an annual to bi-annual schedule in 2018 and COVID-19 interrupted plans for the event in 2020. So, we are welcoming the festival back to the city for the first time since 2018. Here is everything […]