Resources For Our Clients & Partners
It’s our mission to serve our clients at the highest level, and that commitment extends beyond the closing of any real estate transaction. On this page, you’ll find resources that any homeowner should have access to. If there is any information you’re seeking but aren’t able to find, please reach out – we are here to serve however & whenever we can!
* Note: We provide these links and contact information as a reference. Forward Mortgage in no way guarantees the accuracy of the information provided by any of these sources nor the safety of any outside links.
Property tax estimator
When purchasing a new home, it’s important to be mindful of the likelihood that the property taxes will increase after you take ownership. The State of Michigan provides this estimator as a free resource.
* Note: The State of Michigan site uses 2023 millage rates for its estimates, so current tax rates may be different.
Check property tax amounts online
BS&A is a company that provides property tax amounts and other information for many municipalities in Michigan. Inquiries are free for homeowners.
Home value estimates, opportunities, & market insights
We provide a service that provides you with personalized real estate insights every month, helping you track your home’s value and other market trends so that you can make informed property decisions.
Strategies to get ahead on your mortgage and pay less interest:
Just because your mortgage term may be 30 years, for example, does not mean that you can’t pay it off sooner or ahead of schedule! Below are a few ways that you can both reduce the amount of interest paid on your mortgage and also pay off your mortgage early.
* Note: It is best to discuss these strategies with your current lender’s customer service department. These are common practices, but they should always be done in coordination with your lender.
Biweekly Payments
One way to accelerate paying down your mortgage is to make bi-weekly payments, instead of monthly. By paying half of your mortgage payment every two weeks, you’ll make 26 half-payments per year, which equates to 13 monthly payments per year instead of 12. Over time, this extra payment will significantly reduce your principal balance and allow you to pay off your mortgage ahead of schedule.
Instead of making monthly mortgage payments, switch to a biweekly payment schedule. By paying half of your monthly mortgage amount every two weeks, you'll make 26 half-payments per year, which is equivalent to 13 full payments instead of 12. This extra payment can significantly reduce your principal balance over time.
Lump sum payments from windfalls
Another way to reduce total interest paid on your mortgage (and to accelerate the payoff schedule) is to periodically make lump sum payments toward your mortgage principal. Some people use things like their tax refunds, bonuses, inheritance money, or other unexpected windfalls to make these payments. Even small amounts applied directly to the principal balance can make a big difference in the amount of interested you’ll pay over the life of the loan.
Make Extra Principal Payments
When possible, make extra payments directly toward the principal. You can do this on a regular basis (such as $50 or $100 each month), or you can do it periodically when possible. Even small additional payments directly to the principal, over time, can substantially shorten the loan term and reduce total interest paid over time.
To ensure the extra payments are applied to the principal, make sure to specify this to your mortgage lender when you make the payment. These last two strategies allow for flexibility, so you can contribute extra amounts to the principal balance as your budget permits without committing to a higher monthly payment.
These are three great ways to help pay off your mortgage sooner, saving you money in interest and helping you achieve financial freedom even sooner!
