Kirsten Parks, Mortgage Loan Originator - NMLS ID #2544252

06/16/2026

I may be biased BUT we're pretty great to work with. Consider using Wolverine State Credit Union for your next mortgage, investment, loan or just simply opening an account with us -- our credit union is here for YOU 💚

Behind every mortgage is a story.

A first home.
A growing family.
A dream home.
A long-awaited renovation.

Behind every one of those stories is a team dedicated to helping make it happen.

This Homeownership Month, we are proud to introduce the mortgage loan originators who guide our members through this milestone. Kirsten Parks, Mortgage Loan Originator and Alexis Erickson, Mortgage Originator are here to answer questions, provide guidance and are committed to finding the right solution for your unique situation.

At Wolverine State Credit Union, you work with real people who live in the communities we serve and genuinely care about your success. No call centers. No robots.

You are not a number and your decisions, money and happiness matter. Put your money back into our community and support the local people and initiatives and Wolverine State Credit Union.

Navigate your mortgage or home equity with confidence. Stop in or give us a call, we'd love to help you get started.

Home starts here. 💚

05/13/2026

🎓 Wednesday Education: HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan

Both options let you tap into your home’s equity—but they work very differently. Here’s how to compare 👇

📘 HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit)

• Works like a credit card (borrow as needed)
• Has a draw period + repayment period
• Usually has a higher interest rate
• Payments may be interest-only during the draw period
• Best for ongoing or flexible expenses

📘 Home Equity Loan (Fixed)

• Provides a lump sum upfront
• Has a fixed interest rate
• Comes with set monthly payments
• Paid back over a fixed term
• Best for one-time, large expenses

📊 Key Differences:

• HELOC = flexibility | Home Equity Loan = stability
• HELOC rates can be higher | Home Equity Loan rates are fixed
• HELOC = borrow as needed | Home Equity Loan = full amount at once

💡 Education Tip:
The right option depends on how you plan to use the funds—not just the rate.

📧 [email protected]
💻 https://www.wolverinescu.com/loans/mortgage-loans/
☎️ 989-272-1398 (direct line)
☎️ 989-356-1880 (branch line)

05/12/2026

🏡 Term Tuesday!
This week’s term of the week is a Home Equity Loan — a way to use your home’s equity with a predictable payment.

📌 What Is a Home Equity Loan?
A home equity loan lets you borrow a lump sum against your home’s equity with a fixed interest rate and set repayment term.

📘 Home Equity Loan Facts:

• You receive funds as a one-time lump sum
• Your interest rate stays the same for the life of the loan
• Monthly payments are fixed and predictable
• Typically has a set term
• Ideal for large, one-time expenses (home renovations, debt consolidation, etc.)
• Interest is paid on the full loan amount, unlike a HELOC
• Usually considered a second lien if you have an existing mortgage
• Your home is used as collateral

💡 Good to know: If you prefer stability over flexibility, a fixed home equity loan may be a better fit than a HELOC.

📧 [email protected]
💻 https://www.wolverinescu.com/loans/mortgage-loans/
☎️ 989-272-1398 (direct line)
☎️ 989-356-1880 (branch line)

05/06/2026

🎓 Wednesday Education: How HELOCs Work

Now that we’ve introduced HELOCs, let’s break down how they actually function and what to expect over time 👇

📘 How a HELOC Works:

• Draw Period (typically 5 years)
You can borrow, repay, and reuse funds as needed

• Repayment Period (typically 10 years)
You can no longer draw funds and you begin repaying principal + interest

• Payments during the draw period may be interest-only, depending on the loan

• Interest is only charged on the amount you use, not the full line

📊 Important Things to Know:

• Your available credit is based on your home equity and loan-to-value (LTV)
• Using a large portion of your HELOC can increase your monthly payment later
• Some lenders may have minimum draw requirements or fees
• Your home is used as collateral, so responsible use is key

💡 Education Tip: HELOCs are best used for planned expenses—not ongoing or unnecessary spending.

📧 [email protected]
💻 https://www.wolverinescu.com/loans/mortgage-loans/
☎️ 989-272-1398 (direct line)
☎️ 989-356-1880 (branch line)

05/05/2026

🏡 Term Tuesday!
This week’s term of the week is HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) — a flexible way to access the equity in your home.

📌 What Is a HELOC?
A HELOC is a revolving line of credit secured by your home that lets you borrow as needed, similar to a credit card.

📘 HELOC Facts You Should Know:

• You can borrow against your home’s available equity
• Funds can be used for things like home improvements, debt consolidation, or major expenses
• HELOCs have a draw period (when you can borrow) and a repayment period
• During the draw period, you may have interest-only payment options
• You only pay interest on the amount you use, not the full credit line
• Your home is used as collateral, so it’s important to borrow responsibly
• HELOCs are typically considered a second lien if you have an existing mortgage

📧 [email protected]
💻 https://www.wolverinescu.com/loans/mortgage-loans/
☎️ 989-272-1398 (direct line)
☎️ 989-356-1880 (branch line)

Benefits of WSCU Mortgages

04/29/2026

🎓 Wednesday Education: After Learning About Balloons, let’s talk about if it make sense for you — and why that matters 👇

These loans offer lower monthly payments at first, but come with a big catch—a large lump-sum payment at the end of the term.

✔️ Lower payments upfront
✔️ Short-term option (usually 5–10 years)
⚠️ Big final payment due
⚠️ Risk if you can’t refinance or sell

Example:
Imagine you borrow $300,000:

You make payments as if it’s a 30-year loan
After 7 years, you still owe around $260,000
That $260,000 becomes due all at once as the balloon payment 🎈

They can work for short-term plans, but require careful planning!

📧 [email protected]
💻 https://www.wolverinescu.com/loans/mortgage-loans/
☎️ 989-272-1398 (direct line)
☎️ 989-356-1880 (branch line)

04/28/2026

🏡 Term Tuesday!
This week’s term of the week is Balloon Mortgage — a loan with lower payments upfront but a large payment due later.

📌 What Is a Balloon Mortgage?
A balloon mortgage has smaller monthly payments for a set period, followed by a large lump-sum payment (the “balloon”) at the end.

📘 Balloon Mortgage Facts:

• Typically has a short term (often 5–10 years)
• Monthly payments may be lower than traditional loans
• At the end of the term, the remaining balance is due in one large payment
• Some borrowers plan to refinance or sell before the balloon payment is due
• Can carry more risk if your financial situation or market conditions change
• Often used in certain investment or short-term ownership scenarios
• Not as common as fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgages

💡 Good to know: If you’re not prepared for the balloon payment, this type of loan can create financial pressure later.

📧 [email protected]
💻 https://www.wolverinescu.com/loans/mortgage-loans/
☎️ 989-272-1398 (direct line)
☎️ 989-356-1880 (branch line)

04/22/2026

Cute. Quaint. Little home. Great area.

Check out this place 🤩

04/22/2026

🎓 Wednesday Education: How Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Work

Now that we’ve introduced ARMs, let’s break down how they actually work over time 👇

📘 Key Parts of an ARM:
• Initial Fixed Period
Your rate stays the same for a set time (ex: 5, 7, or 10 years)

• Adjustment Period
After the fixed phase, your rate adjusts at set intervals (often every 6 months)

• Index + Margin
Your new rate is based on a market index + a fixed margin set by your lender

• Rate Caps
Limits how much your rate can increase:
Per adjustment
Over the life of the loan

📊 What This Means for You:

• Your payment may increase or decrease after the fixed period
• ARMs can offer lower initial payments
• Best suited for buyers who may move, refinance, or pay off the loan early
• Important to plan for the worst-case capped payment scenario

💡 Education Tip: Don’t just focus on the starting rate—understand how high your payment could go.

📧 [email protected]
💻 https://www.wolverinescu.com/loans/mortgage-loans/
☎️ 989-272-1398 (direct line)
☎️ 989-356-1880 (branch line)

04/21/2026

🏡 Term Tuesday!
This week’s term of the week is Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) — a loan option with a rate that can change over time.

📌 Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Facts:

• An ARM has a fixed interest rate for an initial period, then adjusts periodically
• Common structures include 5/6, 7/6, or 10/6 ARMs (fixed for 5, 7, or 10 years, then adjusts every 6 months)
• Initial rates are often lower than fixed-rate mortgages
• After the fixed period, your rate can increase or decrease based on the market
• Rate changes are tied to a financial index + a set margin
• ARMs include rate caps that limit how much your rate can increase
• Your monthly payment may change after the adjustment period
• Can be a good option for buyers who plan to move or refinance before the rate adjusts

💡 Good to know: ARMs offer lower upfront rates—but come with future rate uncertainty.

📧 [email protected]
💻 https://www.wolverinescu.com/loans/mortgage-loans/
☎️ 989-272-1398 (direct line)
☎️ 989-356-1880 (branch line)