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.
Tools & calculators
We don’t build calculator widgets ourselves — we point you at the authoritative sources. 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 calculators and worksheets 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.
Title and escrow companies we trust to close cleanly and communicate clearly. The folks who actually run your closing.
Independent agents who shop multiple carriers — not captive agents who can only offer one product. Often saves clients hundreds.
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.
CPAs and enrolled agents who handle real estate transactions thoughtfully — especially valuable for self-employed borrowers and investors.
Mortgage protection and broader life insurance professionals. Independent agents who match the product to the need.
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.
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.