Serious question for you: don’t you just love a good brunch? If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, brunch is the most fun, especially in the vibrant culinary scene Grand Rapids has to offer! Whether you’re a local seeking a new favorite or a visitor taking on the city for the weekend, there really is something for everyone. That Early Bird Mon–Thurs: 7am–4pm, Fri: 7am–9pm, Sat & Sun: 8am–4pm That Early Bird has been providing Eastown with great brunch since they opened their doors in 2016. With a focus on seasonal and local products, they’re able to create a menu that is noti ..read more

Are you dreaming of owning a home in Michigan but worried about meeting the stringent requirements of traditional mortgages? FHA (Federal Housing Administration) programs in Michigan could be the perfect solution for you. These home loans are designed to make homeownership more accessible, especially for first-time buyers and those with less-than-perfect credit. These loans are backed by the government, which means lenders are more willing to offer favorable terms, such as lower down payments and flexible credit score requirements. SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR AN FHA LOAN   FHA Requirements for ..read more

Dreaming of owning your own home? Government loans could be the key to unlocking your homeownership goals. Designed to make buying a house more achievable, these loans offer benefits like lower down payments and more accessible qualification standards. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or a veteran, exploring government-backed loan options can alleviate some of the pressure of purchasing a home.   What is a Government-Backed Mortgage? A government-backed mortgage is like having a financial cosigner when buying a house. Private lenders provide the funds for your purchase, but the US g ..read more

The 2024 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report, published by the National Association of Realtors®, serves as an invaluable resource, offering insights into the demographics of home buyers and sellers. It highlights the emerging trends among Gen Z entering the housing market and the strategic moves of the seasoned Silent Generation. Below, we’ve put together summary with trends and tips from this report so you can approach the 2024 housing market with confidence.   What NAR Found in Buying & Selling Trends Gen Z and Millennials: The New Era of Home Buyers While Gen Z buye ..read more

How to Qualify for a USDA Loan in Michigan? If you’re being pulled toward the attractive features of a USDA Loan, whether it’s the competitive interest rates or zero down payment opportunities catching your eye, it’s important to pinpoint your rural development eligibility before moving forward in the loan approval process. Eligible borrowers and their selected property should meet the following requirements: The property in question must be in an eligible location The property must also be a single-family, owner-occupied home Borrower’s income must be below USDA-set limits (based on your are ..read more

When navigating the home-buying process, understanding appraisal and inspection requirements can be crucial, especially for those interested in a USDA Loan— specifically the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. This article will guide you through what is needed and when these elements surface in the home-buying process.   What is a USDA Loan? USDA Loans offer a 0% down payment option, an attractive choice for buyers in rural areas. This type of loan facilitates homeownership in less urbanized locations, providing a unique opportunity for many buyers. Also known as RD Loans, flex ..read more

The House Hacking Strategy, Explained In a real estate landscape often dominated by hefty interest rates, daunting down payments, and generally towering housing costs, house hacking is a game-changer. Basically, house hacking is when you buy a multi-family or single-family house and you live in one unit or room, renting out the remainder of the property. Ideally, the rental income will entirely offset your mortgage payment, freeing you up (quite literally) to live for free. This unconventional approach allows individuals to acquire a home with minimal upfront costs, slashing the traditional 20 ..read more

Are you a first-time homebuyer exploring your options in Michigan? If so, you might be sifting through a sea of loan programs, down payment assistance options and requirements, minimum credit score parameters, Michigan home buyer incentives, interest rates, and pre-approvals, all on the quest to find the best loan program for you. The ins and outs of buying your first home can be a lot to take in, but there are plenty of programs in Michigan geared toward first-time homebuyers, which make the process a little less daunting.   Who is Considered a First-Time Home Buyer in Michigan? In Michi ..read more

If you’re planning an extreme home makeover because you think you’ll be able to write off some of your improvements on your taxes, you might want to pump the brakes a bit. In general, home repairs and renovations aren’t typically eligible for tax breaks, credits, or deductions. Although, as with most things tax-related, there are a few caveats you may be able to consider.   Home Improvements That ARE Tax Deductible Home Office – Business & Self Employed Spaces If you’ve been thinking about turning a section of your basement into a home office, 2024 might just be the year to do it. Tra ..read more

If you are already a homeowner or planning to become one soon, it is important to understand which tax deductions you might be able to take advantage of. While you might not be able to get your money back for every can of paint you buy to paint your walls with, there are some other ways you might be able to get tax breaks courtesy of your home, from mortgage interest to certain home repairs.   Deductible Expenses Explained for Tax Returns Filed in 2024 The IRS allows you to decrease the amount of your income that gets taxed by subtracting (or deducting) the cost of certain expenses. For e ..read more