Resources
Resources for our clients and partners.
Our commitment doesn’t end at the closing table. Below are tools, links, and people we recommend — the things any homeowner should have access to, plus a few we’d hand to family. If there’s something you’re looking for and don’t see, call or text us.
Home values & taxes
We point you at the authoritative sources rather than building our own widgets. If you want a custom number for your situation, that’s a phone call.
Michigan property tax estimator
The State of Michigan’s official tool. Estimate property taxes by jurisdiction before you write an offer. As a rule of thumb, “Taxable value” is roughly half the sale price.
Heads up: the state’s estimator uses 2023 millage rates, so current rates may be a touch different.
Open the estimator →Look up actual property tax amounts
BS&A publishes property tax records for most Michigan municipalities. Free for homeowners. Useful when you want a real number on a specific address, not an estimate.
Open BS&A directory →Personalized home value & market report
A free monthly report with your home’s estimated value, equity changes, and local market trends — so you can make informed decisions about your single biggest asset without the noise.
Get my report →More tools coming
We’ll add carefully-curated resources here over time. If there’s a tool you wish we had, tell us.
Strategies to pay off your mortgage faster
A 30-year term doesn’t mean you have to take 30 years. Three strategies that meaningfully cut interest paid — without changing your monthly commitment in a way that hurts cash flow.
Biweekly payments
Pay half your monthly mortgage every two weeks. That’s 26 half-payments a year — equal to 13 full payments instead of 12. The extra full payment goes straight to principal, year after year, and shaves real years off the loan.
Lump sums from windfalls
Tax refunds, work bonuses, inheritance — routing those one-time bumps to principal (instead of lifestyle creep) cuts interest aggressively. Even a $2,000 lump sum applied early in a 30-year loan can save you many times that in interest over the life of the loan.
Extra principal payments
Even $50 or $100 a month directed to principal makes a real dent. The trick: tell your servicer to apply it to principal, otherwise some apply it as a prepaid payment instead. No commitment, full flexibility — pay extra when you can.
Every loan has its own break-even on whether these strategies make sense vs. investing the same dollars elsewhere. Ask us — we’ll run the comparison for your specific situation.
Recommended professionals
Over two decades we’ve built a network of people we’d hire ourselves. These aren’t paid placements — they’re the names we give our own family. Pick a category to see who we recommend.
Buyer’s and listing agents we’ve worked with across metro Detroit. Different specialties, different price points — we match you to the right fit.
Nancy Thomas
Brookstone Realtors
Nancy brings genuine enthusiasm and straight talk to every transaction — whether you're buying your first home or selling one you've loved for years. She'll tell you what she thinks, not just what you want to hear. The kind of agent who stays engaged throughout the process, not just at the offer and closing.
Title and escrow companies we trust to close cleanly and communicate clearly. The folks who actually run your closing.
Secured Title of Michigan
Kathy Sleboda
- (586) 588-9350
- [email protected]
- 45859 Hayes Rd, Shelby Township, MI 48315
- titlemi.com
A strong title company can make or break a real estate transaction — and Kathy's team is one of the best in the area. Years of experience, unmatched service, and the kind of communication that keeps everyone at the closing table calm. We refer clients here with complete confidence.
Insurance professionals we’ve worked with and trust to look out for your interests.
Troy-Metro Agency
Grant Ehlert
- (248) 813-8540
- [email protected]
- 2065 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083
Independent brokers — meaning Grant shops dozens of carriers to find the right coverage at the right price for your situation, not whichever product is easiest to sell. We’ve been sending clients his way for years. Responsive, honest, and he won’t oversell you.
Contractors, handymen, roofers, HVAC — the people we’ve sent clients to and would hire ourselves.
Independent fiduciary financial planners. Real fee-only advisors, not product salespeople with a planner title.
Atticus Wealth Management
Steve Grogan
- (586) 588-9449
- [email protected]
- 46851 Garfield Rd, Macomb, MI 48044
- planwithatticus.com
Steve's no-fluff approach is a breath of fresh air in a space crowded with advisors pushing products that serve their own book more than your plan. Straightforward advice, no conflict of interest.
Gleba & Associates
Michelle Rafalski
- [email protected]
- 5435 Corporate Dr, Suite 230, Troy, MI 48098
- www.glebaandassociates.com
An independent firm with a genuinely personal approach — they take the time to understand what you actually want before building a plan around it. Strong track record with small business retirement plans and families getting serious about retirement readiness.
CPAs and enrolled agents who handle real estate transactions thoughtfully — especially valuable for self-employed borrowers and investors.
Life insurance professionals and business insurance specialists. Often the same conversation — protecting what matters most.
David Purvis Farm Bureau Insurance Agency
David Purvis
- (248) 644-6364
- [email protected]
- 1010 Bowers St, Suite A, Birmingham, MI 48009
Warm, knowledgeable staff and a genuinely easy office to work with. Dave handles both commercial and life insurance — and if you have a mortgage, that life conversation is worth having. A good policy keeps a surviving spouse in the home. Dave makes it straightforward.
Trust and estate planning attorneys for clients thinking ahead about how the home fits into their broader plan.
Family-law attorneys and mediators who understand the financial side of divorce. See also our specialized site at divorcemortgageplanner.com.
Emmer Law PLC
Max Emmer, JD
- (248) 859-0015
- 41000 Woodward Ave, Suite 350, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
- emmerlawplc.com
Max focuses on collaborative divorce — working toward the most amicable, cost-effective resolution possible rather than turning a difficult situation into an expensive battle. He also handles prenuptial agreements and other family law matters. Refreshingly, he is not the kind of attorney who escalates things unnecessarily.
Keep learning
Plain-English writing on mortgages, rates, credit, and how to think about homeownership decisions. Updated regularly.
Brian’s monthly newsletter
Where mortgage rates are headed, what the Fed is signaling, and how it connects to your financial life. Read it on the site or subscribe on Substack.
Read the newsletter →Lynn’s blog
Practical articles from Lynn Marie Oates on credit scores, debt, down payments, and navigating the mortgage process without the stress.
Read Lynn’s blog →Divorce mortgage planning
Specialized site for clients navigating divorce. Mortgage timing, equity buyouts, and how a decree’s language shapes financing options.
Visit the planner site →Need a referral right now?
The most valuable resource we offer is a phone call. Call or text (248) 956-0445. One of us will pick up.