• Discounts and special offers
  • Subscriber-only articles and interviews
  • Breaking news and trending topics

Already a subscriber?

By signing up, you accept Moneywise's Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.

Not interested ?

Current mortgage rates in Michigan

Stop overpaying for home insurance

Home insurance is an essential expense – one that can often be pricey. You can lower your monthly recurring expenses by finding a more economical alternative for home insurance.

Officialhomeinsurance can help you do just that. Their online marketplace of vetted home insurance providers allows you to quickly shop around for rates from the country’s top insurance companies, and ensure you’re paying the lowest price possible for your home insurance.

Explore better rates

Mortgages in Michigan

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) helps residents secure affordable, quality housing so the state’s diverse communities can thrive. It has a full complement of mortgage programs, provides assistance with upfront costs and grants long-term tax credits.

MSHDA’s Homeownership Division works with various partners to help strengthen and sustain Michigan’s communities.

Once you’ve determined you’re eligible for a special program, you’ll apply through one of MSHDA’s participating lenders. That lender will work with you every step of the way to ensure you make the most of the financial assistance on offer.

More: Get a free credit score and credit monitoring from Credit Sesame.

MI Home Loan

The MI Home Loan offers first-time homebuyers (as well as repeat buyers in targeted areas) affordable fixed-rate mortgages. You’ll also gain access to the Down Payment Assistance Program.

The minimum credit score for this program is 640, but when purchasing a multiple-section manufactured home, it goes up to 660.

Buyers who meet the income and purchase price limits can apply for a mortgage through one of MSHDA’s participating Home lenders.

MI Home Loan Flex

This program for both first-time and repeat buyers offers a more flexible, forgiving home loan that can be combined with the Down Payment Assistance Program.

With Flex, not all adults living in the home need to apply. Only qualifying borrowers from the household will face scrutiny of their credit, assets and income — but those borrowers will need a minimum credit score of 660.

Your finances also don’t have to be perfect. To qualify for Flex, borrowers don’t need to pay off all collections and judgments against them.

Homebuyers who meet the income and purchase price requirements can apply through one of MSHDA’s participating Flex lenders.

More: Use these savings accounts to build up your down payment.

Michigan Down Payment Assistance Program

This secondary loan for first-time homebuyers can be used alongside either the Home Loan or Home Loan Flex programs. You’ll get access to up to $7,500 at 0% interest to help with the down payment and closing costs associated with buying a home.

Borrowers must still contribute at least 1% of the sales price, but gifts from your friends and family can count toward this contribution.

You can apply for this loan through your participating mortgage lender.

Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

The MCC program provides first-time homebuyers, as well as repeat homebuyers in the state’s targeted areas, with a federal tax credit.

This tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of federal tax you owe each year. The credit is equal to 20% of the interest you pay on your mortgage. It’s good for the life of your loan, up to 30 years, as long as the home remains your primary residence.

To qualify, your household’s income will have to fall within the MSHDA’s limits, depending on the size of your family and the region you live in.

The Best Lenders for a Mortgage

See Lenders

Sponsored

Find the Best Mortgage Rates to Fit Your Budget

Looking for a great mortgage rate? Don’t overpay on your home loan! Get updated mortgage rates, expert insights, and tips to lock in the best deal tailored to your needs. Save on monthly payments and make homeownership more affordable. Start your journey to savings now.

What's Next

Sigrid Forberg Senior Associate Editor

Sigrid is a senior associate editor on the Moneywise team, where she has also worked as a reporter and staff writer.

Disclaimer

The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.