Cathy A Miller Five Star Real Estate Leaders

04/18/2026

I get several lenders sending me rate updates and to be honest, sometimes I get skeptical so I do a little checking. This week is showing promise! This is the lowest I have seen in quite a while. Keep in mind that this fluctuates and is very dependent on several factors but here is what is happening as of this morning.

Key Mortgage Rates in Michigan (April 18, 2026)
30-Year Fixed: Rates often hover around 5.75% to 6.25%, with APRs exceeding 6% depending on fees.
15-Year Fixed: Generally between 5.25% and 5.51%.
FHA/VA 30-Year: Rates are slightly lower, with options starting around 5.375% to 5.75%.
Jumbo 30-Year Fixed: Roughly 6.125%.
Factors Affecting Your Rate
Credit Score: Higher scores generally secure lower rates.
Loan-to-Value (LTV): A down payment of 20% or more usually yields better rates.
Points: Paying points (1% of the loan amount) can lower your interest rate.

You do NOT need 20% down however, this along with a great credit score will fetch the best rate. The majority of Buyers are getting mortgages with quite a bit less as a down payment.

If you need help figuring this out for your best options, please give me a call. I can connect you with a great lender that will work with you to get you in the best position to purchase. Even if you aren't ready a great lender can educate you, give you guidance on steps to take to improve your personal situation.

04/17/2026

Some closings can bring emotions that are hard to keep in check. This is one. This young woman is the 1st in her family to achieve home ownership. Congratulations Ellie! Out of all the choices out there I am humbled and grateful that you chose to work with me. Thank you Yvonne Manus with Revolution Mortgage for always keeping my clients best interest, thank you Jeremy Bangma K.N.B. Home Inspection and First American Title for helping Ellie get to this point.

03/25/2026

Many have been waiting for a more balanced Real Estate market. Here is what is happening and what is projected for the West Michigan Spring market.

Market Update: West Michigan’s Spring "Sweet Spot"
As the snow melts, the West Michigan real estate market is heating up—but with a different rhythm than in years past. While the spring market is notoriously fast-paced, 2026 is bringing a welcome sense of normalization and opportunity.

The $250k–$400k Dynamic
This remains the highest-demand segment in West Michigan. Local insights show:

Inventory Relief: Overall housing supply has improved by approximately 9–17% compared to last year. While still technically a seller’s market, buyers finally have more than just a handful of options to choose from.

Rational Competition: We are seeing a shift from "emotional" buying to "rational" buying. Multiple offers are still common for well-staged homes, but the frenzied "bidding wars at any cost" have settled into a more predictable pace.

Value is King: Buyers are increasingly selective. Homes that are move-in ready and priced accurately are selling in an average of 23–28 days, often at or near 99% of list price.

03/20/2026

Awe! 7 years ago! I think it was chocolate pudding....lol

03/18/2026

Michigan is the hottest housing market in the country right now. HousingWire data for the week ending March 6 shows Michigan posted the highest housing absorption rate nationally at 17.6%, meaning homes are being absorbed faster here than anywhere else. Ohio came in second at 17.4%, Illinois third at 17.2%. Detroit is running about 1.6 months of inventory. Nationally, demand outpaced new supply by 33% last week. If your buyers are feeling the competition, the data backs them up. And if sellers are on the fence about listing this spring, this is the info to show them.

Existing home sales bounced back in February after January's sharp pullback. The recovery was modest but the direction is right. Purchase applications are up 10% year over year, pending sales have posted three straight weeks of gains, and inventory is slowly expanding. Affordability is improving too, with rates hovering near the low 6s for much of the month. Spring is building momentum earlier than usual this year.

03/06/2026

During our Florida visit one of these little guys made themselves too comfortable entering our rental. Now that Michigan is having a reprieve from the harsh winter it is a great time to check all of your weather stripping. This is how the little intruder found access in our rental. Weather stripping can deteriorate especially in harsh weather conditions. This warm up gives us all a chance to inspect those areas that may need some attention. Gutters that may be clogged with debris, windows and doors that may need some new weather stripping, window glazing that needs to be replaced. Enjoy this "tease" of warm weather while it lasts. Spring is getting here!!!

12/31/2025

Too corny!? Oh well, I am an odd duck! LOL Please be safe tonight if you are going out to bring in 2026. Happy New Year!

11/17/2025

11/12/2025

Haha! In all seriousness though, at least 70% of all mortgages are held by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The Dodd Frank Reform and Consumer Protection Act was put into place as a federal law in the U.S. in 2010. This was in response to the financial crisis of 2008. The main objectives were to protect consumers from abusive practices and also to prevent future bailouts. In this act, mortgages over 30 years are not allowed. There's a reason for that. You may be saving a few $100 a month on a mortgage, but spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the mortgage.

11/07/2025

Today I received my first negative review. My phone screened a call from ANOTHER "sponsorship ask" for a varsity football team (a Texas number) I don't trust these so I reported it as spam. Shortly afterwards this individual wrote a negative review on my Google business page.

10/29/2025

Today is the big day for some Buyers. Handing them the keys and knowing that I have done everything I could to get them the best outcome possible for this beauty! I have to say, working with Laurie Zokoe on the other side of this transaction has been a great experience. Laurie is a class act and did everything she could to keep this moving forward. Together we were able to relieve a Seller of a huge responsibility that was weighing heavily on them as well as getting Buyers into a home in the location of choice, price point and style they were hoping for after moving FAR too many times in their lifetime.