Testimonials for Michigan Mortgage lender Inlanta Grand Rapids

News & Updates

We’re Here For You

March 19th, 2020 by Inlanta Staff

During these uncertain times, Guild Mortgage Inlanta is here for you.

Like so many of you, we have spent the last several days and weeks learning about COVID-19 and how it is impacting our world. For Guild Mortgage Inlanta, that means understanding how it affects our customers, referral partners, employees and communities, and then making the necessary adjustments to our day-to-day operations.

With the state-mandated shut-down of businesses, we want to assure you that Guild Mortgage Inlanta will remain fully operational and working on your loans as we are included in the list of essential businesses providing banking and financial services.

We have taken proactive steps to put your safety as our highest priority, while maintaining the high productivity of our business operations. We are committed to providing you with the same high level of service, and continuing to close loans as we always have – on time and without surprises.

With that in mind, we have made several adjustments to our business:

Our Ada office is closed with employees working from their home offices.
We continue to assist clients and partners via phone, email, chat, our IMhome app or an online meeting. We are prepared and able to operate as we always have in order to keep all loans on track.
We have canceled all large meetings, as well as our community events and seminars, in an effort to do what we can to help prevent the spread of the illness.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to respond as necessary to keep everyone safe.

We are grateful to have some of the best technology available to keep things moving without interruption.

We know this is a difficult time for everyone and we thank you for your trust and continued loyalty.

Download Our IMhome App

For additional information about COVID-19 and actions you can take to help protect yourself, please visit a trusted resource such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov.

Our Top 10 Michigan Attractions

March 1st, 2020 by Inlanta Staff

Michigan is a state full of life and a love for the outdoors, arts, food, beer, and wine! Each city is a unique experience of landscapes, cultures, and year-round events. Here are our top 10 attractions that are at heart, “Pure Michigan”.

This is just a short compiled list of some of our favorite attractions: Read the rest of this entry »

Why Paying PMI May Be in Your Best Interest as a First Time Home Buyer

February 16th, 2020 by Inlanta Staff

One of the biggest hurdles that First Time Home Buyers face is saving up for the down payment. There are many misconceptions that home buyers need to have at least 20% down; which can add years to the buying process for the funds to accumulate. When a home is purchased with less than 20% down there is required PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) that is added to the monthly mortgage payment.

Paying PMI may be in the best interest of many first time home buyers due to the rising interest rate and home price environment we are currently facing. Additionally, as a new home owner they can begin to build equity immediately instead of waiting for years to have the 20% down payment saved up.

Take a look at the graphic below for the recent Home Price Expectation Survey, which shows an example of a home owner who purchased in January that would gain nearly $50,000 in equity over the course of five years based on the home price appreciation alone.

So what does all this mean?

As a first time home buyer, you should start a conversation now about all your mortgage financing options instead of waiting. Our Inlanta Team can easily layout these options and put together a plan for what is best for your individual situation. You may end up deciding to purchase right away or take some time to better prepare.

Get a Free Guide For First-Time Homebuyers

Refinancing Traps to Watch Out For

February 1st, 2020 by Inlanta Staff

Refinancing can be tricky, but a little preparation before starting the process can help you to avoid mishaps along the way. Here are some common traps that you many run into while refinancing your home and tips to avoid falling for them.

The automatic payment trap

Did you know it can take up to two weeks to have automatic payments canceled? If your payments are made this way, be sure to turn it off before closing. You don’t want to pay for the same month twice!

The missed or late payment trap

Believe it or not, lots of people think they don’t have to keep making payments once they apply to refinance. Missing a payment could damage your credit and even preclude closing. Just be careful regarding your very last payment, as it should be made in time to assure it’s credited toward your payoff balance.

The tax escrow trap

The funds in any existing escrow account will typically be held until after the current loan is paid off. Since this money will not be available at closing, you need to be able to establish a new escrow account and/or pay any upcoming taxes from savings or the new loan proceeds.

The insufficient funds trap

The tax escrow trap can contribute to this, and so, too, can many other factors. For example, a low appraised value could limit your loan amount. As many loans are set up to cover all closing and escrow funds, it’s important to know that any necessary or unexpected adjustment could change the cash to close requirements accordingly.

We want you to be aware of these potential pitfalls before they have a chance to occur. Of course, we will work with you and on your behalf to prevent and avoid them. If you’re looking to refinance, or are already going through the process, feel free to Contact Us! We’re always happy to help.

Connect with a S.M.A.R.T. Mortgage Specialist

Top 3 Credit Misconceptions

January 13th, 2020 by Inlanta Staff

You are not alone if you have been putting off having your credit reviewed for the purposes of getting a mortgage. There are so many things that run through people’s heads. They want to pay off all their debt, close accounts, try to quickly build credit and their intentions are in the right place, BUT it can all backfire. Credit is complex and everyone’s situation is completely different.

If you are even starting to think about purchasing a home, having your credit reviewed by a professional is absolutely the first step in the process. A mortgage lender can offer you not only a review but also guidance on anything that could improve your unique situation. Do you have these misconceptions?

Credit Misconception #1- I Know My Credit Scores
Credit Misconception #2- My Credit Scores will go Down if my Credit is Pulled
Credit Misconception #3- I Need to Pay Down/Off My Debts

Read the rest of this entry »

TOP 3 Reasons to Stop Renting & Buy Your Own Home

September 10th, 2019 by Inlanta Staff

Is it time to leave renting behind and purchase a home to call your own?

There are many advantages to becoming a homeowner in 2020. We are sure you have seen the news, interest rates have dropped to all-time lows once again, making homeownership more affordable than many rising rent payments. When considering buying a home you want to evaluate your current circumstance and stage in life. Buying a home is not always right for each situation. Read the rest of this entry »

The Best Way to Use Your Tax Refund

February 26th, 2019 by Inlanta Staff

A Down Payment on a New Home is the Best Option for your Tax Refund!

The tax season is well underway. If you are receiving a refund, have you planned what you are going to do with it? Utilizing your tax refund towards the purchase of a new home is a great long-term investment. Typically, there is a minimum down payment of 3.5-5% on the purchase of a primary residence. The thought of this large down payment is one of the biggest challenges for home buyers to overcome.

One benefit of tax season is being able to utilize your IRS or State tax refund for a down payment. In some cases a refund is also helpful to pay off outstanding debts or credit cards to improve credit or qualify for a larger mortgage. The most important step is start a conversation, where we can review your situation to know the best way for you use your refund and get you closer to a new home. Read the rest of this entry »

5 Questions to Ask your Bank BEFORE applying for a mortgage

September 9th, 2018 by Ima Admin

Make sure to ask your bank these 5 questions before applying for a mortgage. We know the many great services they offer, but we specialize ONLY in mortgages, which gives you an upper hand.

#1: Will I be pre-approved or pre-qualified?

As we’ve stated in this previous article, being pre-approved and pre-qualified are two different things and the latter doesn’t have any value when the rubber hits the road. The purpose of a pre-qualification is to give a general idea of what to expect, but nothing is concrete until the more in-depth analysis of the pre-approval process. At Inlanta, we do a lot of the legwork during this step to give you more buying power when it comes time to make an offer.

#2: What does your loan process look like from beginning to end?

Since we are doing an in-depth analysis of your financials upfront the loan process moves smoother and quicker. With your income and assets evaluated from the beginning we are able to streamline the mortgage process and get your loan into our processor right away and on to underwriting. During the underwriting stage you will most likely be requested for a few clarifying documents to complete the process. The underwriter may also request some updates to the appraisal report and purchase agreement. This is done just to make sure everything matches exactly.

You are looking for a mortgage loan process that is smooth and flows cohesively. Many times the person you originally speak to has no control on what the process looks like or what is happening. That can be frustrating for all involved.

Learn More About Inlanta’s Loan Process

#3: How long does it take to close my loan?

This is a much bigger question than it appears. We will start of with the standard answer; most mortgage transactions take 30-45 days. There are an overwhelming number of variables that can cut this time frame down to 10 days but also as many that could extend the loan to more than 45 days.

Generally speaking, Inlanta closes mortgage transactions in 20 days. The reason why we are able to close faster is because of our upfront work to truly pre-approve our clients as well as Inlanta’s commitment to work off of your purchase contract date. We will try to do what is needed to get you to the closing table on your agreed upon date. This does take your cooperation to provide all the documentation and paperwork that is requested by the deadlines given to keep everything on track.

#4: Do you use an appraisal management company?

This seems like a small detail in the grand scheme of things, but it’s an important question to ask. All appraisals are not created equal. An appraisal management company is a third party who has a large number of appraisers signed up to work for them as contractors to insure they are not unduly influenced by the mortgage lender. These appraisers have to do more appraisals to earn the same amount of money and many times will accept orders outside of their area of familiarity.

There is an additional option to have a separate internal appraisal desk that manages the ordering of appraisals to ensure the appraisers are local and complete a thorough report. The biggest benefit of using a local appraiser rather than an outsourced one is that he or she will have first-hand knowledge about the area and neighborhood. Additionally, the appraisers can be vetted more thoroughly.

If you want to get a better idea on what an appraisal management company is and how it came about; read this from NAR: NAR Issue Brief: Appraisal Management Company Q&A

#5: How and when will I be communicated with?

You will be communicated with every step of the way. The mortgage process is complicated, but having all parties involved work together as a team will keep it from being difficult. Keeping everyone in the loop, whether it’s by phone, email, or text, is key to achieving this, and rest assured that Inlanta Mortgage Grand Rapids will do our part to make sure everyone involved is on the same page.

Already have a pre-approval? Take a minute to check your quote.

Do You Have the Best Mortgage Quote?

August 28th, 2018 by Inlanta Staff

Check Your Current Mortgage Quote

Get a custom review of your current mortgage quote to ensure you are in the best mortgage for your individual situation. Mortgage quotes are not all created equal. It is important to take into account your goals today as well as in the future. Check your current mortgage quote now!

3 Tips for Choosing the Right REALTOR and Best Mortgage Lender

August 16th, 2018 by Inlanta Staff

Purchasing a home is one of the largest financial decisions of most people’s lives. When the right REALTOR and Best Mortgage Lender are chosen the process becomes much smoother and you experience a “dream team”. This team will be one you can trust with not only your financial information but more importantly, they will educate and guide you through the ins and outs of the home buying process.

The mission of the Guild Mortgage Inlanta is to be the Best Mortgage Lender that you trust to not only take care of your home financing but also your family, friends, and community. Our Ada, MI team prides themselves on being well connected with many REALTORs across Michigan to provide seamless service to all involved.

When choosing your “Dream Team” consider the following 3 Tips:

Experience is invaluable, but not everything. You want to have a team that works with you as much as for you. Choose a team that is real and that you can relate to. You will be spending quite a bit of time with your REALTOR and your Mortgage Lender must be relatable with your best interest at heart.
Passion will make the difference. Passion for not only real estate, but also you as their client can be the difference between your transaction being successful or not. You want your REALTOR to tell you honestly what their professional opinion is with your long-term goals top of mind. Furthermore, you want a Mortgage Lender that will go out of their way to assist in getting your offer accepted and communicate consistently with all parties. You want to hear the passion in their voices!
Support makes for a seamless process. Everyone will tell you that there is nothing simple about buying a home. Once you find the perfect house and get your offer accepted, it will feel like the mortgage company wants everything short of a blood test 🙂 But, if you are working with a REALTOR and Mortgage Lender who have adequate support and knowledge the process can move along without anyone missing a beat. In the best situation, each member is focused on what they do best and control of your transaction is in the hands of your Loan Originator to ensure you close on time without issues.

Let us Help You Put Together Your Dream Team. Who can we connect you with?