See homes in Ann Arbor

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

New Testimonial



To whom it may concern,
We worked with Chris Glahn  in the spring of 2011.  We found Chris to be very helpful and most of all very honest and trustworthy.  We were unfamiliar with the Ann Arbor area and Chris saved us a lot of time as he was able to find matches to the house description we were looking for.  Our daughter attends school at University of Michigan and Chris was able to find her a great home in a very safe neighborhood, of which we were very grateful for.  We will continue to work with Chris in the future and will refer anyone looking in the area.
The Staples family

Monday, October 3, 2011

New Testimonial

Chris Glahn is just outstanding! Chris helped us buy our home 5 months ago. We were extremely happy working with him. If we were ever to repeat this, we would gladly use his services again. We were amazed at the knowledge he possesses. That is the kind of guy he is, knowledgeable, competent, patient, helpful and fun to work with. We were on a time line to purchase a home. Chris was very calm and reassured us we would find just what we wanted. In a little over 30 days he did just that! Our home is way more than we expected it would be. What a find! Chris worked around the clock for us and went above and beyond our expectations. Being new to the state of Michigan anytime we have a question or just need to hear a friendly voice, we call him. We would recommend him without hesitation to anyone.
Dixie and Steve McCall

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Rural Property USDA Loan: Is it an option for you?

I have had several clients use a Rural Property Loan for buying their home this year. It has some advantages for buyers, as long as the property and the client qualify for the loan.

The big advantage in using this type of mortgage - also known as a USDA Loan - is that usually most of the closing costs and the down payment can be rolled into the loan, making it very attractive to buyers.
flickr photo courtesy of crimfants

This type of mortgage transaction is the closest thing that you can get to "zero-down" at closing.

The purchaser must meet certain qualifications, and the property has to be located in a area considered to be "rural". Some of those local areas include Brighton, Chelsea, Howell, Dexter, Milan, and even sections of Ypsilanti.

Want to learn more about the loan and the areas that qualify? Click this link for resources on the topic.

Many communities on my new website qualify for this type of mortgage.

Wonder if you would be a candidate for this or another type of loan? Contact Doug Welch with Allied Mortgage.



Chris Glahn is a licensed Realtor in the state of Michigan and is with Keller Williams Realty in the Ann Arbor Market Center. He has vast experience as a Buyer's Agent (one who represents buyers) at all price points, and can be reached at 734-730-3403 or via email

Friday, February 11, 2011

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Tips for qualifying for a mortgage in 2011

This entry is a follow up from a post last month about what is holding you back from buying or selling. It included a poll and the results were interesting: the overwhelming reason that people are not purchasing? They can not obtain financing.

We are going to take a closer look this month to find out what exactly you will need to get a mortgage to purchase a home in 2011.

This entry will be part of a series of pieces I will be doing over the next month with Doug Welch of Allied Mortgage here in Michigan. The series will include a few areas of getting financing secured in today's market, but for now, we'll start at the beginning - understanding what lenders require.

flickr photo courtesy of nikcname
A seasoned professional with over a decade in the mortgage industry, Welch specializes in Conventional, FHA, and Rural Development Loans.Working from start to finish on every loan transaction, his niche has always been assisting first-time buyers, move-up buyers, and those looking to buy their dream home.



 Here, Welch offers some guidelines to consider:
Obtaining a Mortgage in 2011


Obtaining a mortgage is definitely harder today than it used to be in years past. However, there are still many options available to help borrowers purchase their first home and/or dream home. Here is some advice on how to obtain a mortgage in 2011:

Save for a Down Payment



Saving for a down payment is the key factor to obtaining a mortgage in most cases. All FHA Mortgages will require a 3.5% down payment and Conventional loans need 5%, and in most cases a 10% down payment. However, the Rural Development Loan Program does not require a down payment. This program is property address specific for eligibility, and there are also household income limits to qualify.

Increase Your Credit Scores


Lenders are much stricter when it comes to credit scores these days. In most cases they require at least a 620 credit score for FHA and USDA Loans, and much higher for a Conventional Loan, just to qualify. To qualify for the best mortgage rates, a 680 is required for FHA and USDA, and a 740 is required for a Conventional Loan.


Manage Your Debt


Lenders are also looking at debt-to-income ratios, and the amount of debt an individual carries. They will want to see that your monthly debt payments, including the new mortgage payment, taxes and insurance, are less than half of your monthly income. However, it is also not good to have zero debt, as most lenders do require two to three open trade lines (i.e. credit card, car loan) with at least a two year history.


The best thing a potential home buyer can do prior to searching for a home is to find a true mortgage professional to pre-qualify them for a mortgage. This will allow the consumer to know what their options are prior to searching for a home. The home buyer will want to know the programs that are available to them, down payment options, and terms of the loan. If the home buyer does not qualify, due to any reason such as credit issues or a debt ratio issue, a good loan officer will advise them how to qualify in the future.


Welch sums up by saying, that it is a fact that lenders are definitely tougher than they were in the past. However, I believe that the new lender requirements will allow most people, who have the ability to repay a mortgage, to qualify for a mortgage if they meet the above qualifications. And with the help of a mortgage professional, there are plenty of options available to potential borrowers to make it possible to purchase their first home and/or dream home.

Doug welcomes your contact via e-mail if you're still unclear about qualification guidelines.

The bottom line is, if you have the opportunity to purchase a home this year, the timing could never be better as long as you're able and qualified to obtain a mortgage before interest rates head back up.
 
Chris Glahn is a licensed Realtor serving the Ann Arbor area as part of the Keller Williams Ann Arbor Market Center, where he acts on behalf of his clientele in the purchase or sale of their home. He also assists clients in leasing. He welcomes your contact via e-mail or by calling 734-730-3403.