first time home buyer

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  HELOCs Explained: How They Work and How to Get One

  October 12, 2026

  What to Expect in This Blog Post What a HELOC is and how it works How much you may be able to borrow HELOC requirements and eligibility How HELOC interest rates work Common ways homeowners use a HELOC HELOC advantages and potential drawbacks How to apply for a HELOC in Michigan HELOC vs. a home […]

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  Seller-Paid Buyer Realtor Fees: Is a Realtor Really Free for Buyers?

  October 5, 2026

  What to Expect in This Blog Post Who typically pays the buyer’s real estate agent fees Why sellers may agree to contribute toward buyer-agent compensation Why sellers are not required to pay a buyer’s agent What buyers should know about their buyer-agent agreement What happens if a seller won’t pay the buyer’s agent Why working […]

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  Why Do Mortgage Companies Sell Your Loan?

  September 30, 2026

  What to Expect in This Blog Post Why mortgage companies sell home loans after closing How the secondary mortgage market works The difference between selling a loan and transferring servicing Why selling mortgages helps lenders continue making new loans What happens to your mortgage terms when your loan is sold What homeowners should do when […]

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  How to Buy Your Parents House: Everything You Need To Know

  September 15, 2026

  TABLE OF CONTENTS: Want to Buy Your Parents House? Here’s What You Need to Know How Does Buying a House From Your Parents Work? What Is a Gift of Equity? How a Gift of Equity Can Make Buying Your Parents’ House Easier Does the Home Still Need an Appraisal? Can Your Parents Give You Money […]

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  Best Affordable Places to Move When You Work From Home

  September 7, 2026

  What to Expect in This Blog Post Why working from home gives buyers more flexibility when choosing where to live Why Grand Rapids and its suburbs are popular options for remote workers Affordable Michigan communities worth considering How home prices vary across different Michigan markets What remote workers should consider beyond the purchase price How […]

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  Average Monthly Mortgage Payments for First Time Home Buyers

  February 3, 2023

  First-time homebuyers often ask us how much their mortgage payment should be, but the answer varies based on individual situations and scenarios. Some of the factors that go into determining your monthly mortgage payment may include your home’s value and the purchase price, your interest rate (as determined by the broader market conditions and your […]

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  From the Bank of Mom & Dad

  October 16, 2018

  You’re looking to buy a home, but the down payment and closing costs are a bit more than what you have saved. The most common way that first-time home buyers make up the difference between what they have and what they need? Mom and Dad to the rescue! Many first-time home buyers turn to the […]