Matt Van Bennekom at Vandyk Mortgage

10/30/2026

💀 Financial skeletons in the closet? Don't wait to bring them up!

Old debts, collections, changes in income, or large deposits can all raise questions during the mortgage process.

Being upfront about your financial situation early gives your loan team more time to review the details, explain your options, and help you plan your next steps.

A few questions now can help avoid surprises later!

Matt VanBennekom | NMLS #1965380
VanDyk Mortgage - Lakeshore Team 131
616-498-0448

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation | Corp NMLS #3035
NMLSConsumerAccess.org | Equal Housing Opportunity
All loans subject to credit approval. Program guidelines apply. This is not a commitment to lend.

10/20/2026

What if mortgage rates drop after you buy? That doesn't necessarily mean you made the wrong decision.

If rates improve down the road, refinancing may be an option worth exploring. The important thing is to look at your current loan, closing costs, eligibility, and long-term goals before making any changes.

Buying a home is about finding what works for your situation today, not trying to predict exactly what rates will do tomorrow.

Have questions about your options? Give me a call or send me a message. I'd be happy to help!

Matt VanBennekom | NMLS #1965380
VanDyk Mortgage - Lakeshore Team 131
616-498-0448

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation | Corp NMLS #3035
Equal Housing Opportunity | NMLSConsumerAccess.org
All loans subject to credit approval. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements apply. Refinancing is subject to qualification and may involve additional costs. This is not a commitment to lend.

10/12/2026

Before holiday spending picks up, October is a good time to check in on your homebuying goals.

If buying a home is something you want to work toward, start by looking at your monthly budget, current debts, savings, and any big purchases coming up. The choices you make now can help you stay more prepared when it is time to take the next step.

Not sure where to start? Reach out and let’s talk through what you can focus on now so you have a better plan moving forward.

Matt VanBennekom | NMLS #1965380
VanDyk Mortgage - Lakeshore Team 131
616-498-0448

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation | Corp NMLS #3035
NMLSConsumerAccess.org | Equal Housing Opportunity

10/07/2026

"The loan application process was smooth from start to finish, Matt is easy to work with and will explain questions you may have." says Jenni on Google

★★★★★ The loan application process was smooth from start to finish, Matt is easy to work with and will explain questions you may have.

09/23/2026

Still house hunting?

Your pre-approval may need a refresh before your next offer.

A lot can change while you are searching for the right home. Your documents may need to be updated, your credit or debt picture may have changed, or your pre-approval letter may have an expiration date.

Before you submit an offer, it is a good idea to check in and make sure your numbers, documents, and loan options are still up to date.

Matt VanBennekom | NMLS #1965380
VanDyk Mortgage - Lakeshore Team 131
616-498-0448

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation | Corp NMLS #3035
NMLSConsumerAccess.org |Equal Housing Opportunity
Subject to credit approval. Pre-approval is not a commitment to lend or guarantee of final loan approval.

09/16/2026

When you are making a mortgage payment online, it is important to double-check that everything went through.

Sometimes a payment may not process the way you expected because of missing information, timing, account issues, or an online error.

Before assuming it is handled, check for confirmation, review your account, and reach out with questions if something does not look right.

A quick check can help avoid a bigger issue later.

Matt VanBennekom | NMLS #1965380
VanDyk Mortgage - Lakeshore Team 131

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation | Corp NMLS #3035
NMLSConsumerAccess.org | Equal Housing Opportunity
All loans subject to credit approval. Program guidelines apply. This is not a commitment to lend.

09/09/2026

Budget beyond the payment.

When buying a home, your monthly mortgage payment is only one part of the full picture. It is also important to think about property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, maintenance, and everyday expenses.

A home should fit your life, not just your loan estimate.

Matt VanBennekom | NMLS #1965380
VanDyk Mortgage - Lakeshore Team 131
616-498-0448

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation | Corp NMLS #3035
NMLSConsumerAccess.org | Equal Housing Opportunity
All loans subject to credit approval. Program guidelines apply. This is not a commitment to lend.

09/03/2026

Ever wonder why your Credit Karma score looks different than your mortgage credit score?

There are different credit scoring models depending on what type of credit or loan you are applying for. A mortgage credit review may look at your credit history differently than a consumer credit app.

So if the numbers do not match, that does not always mean something is wrong.

If you are thinking about buying a home, it is worth having a mortgage conversation so you can understand what lenders may actually review.

Matt VanBennekom | NMLS #1965380
VanDyk Mortgage - Lakeshore Team 131
616-498-0448

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation | Corp NMLS #3035
NMLSConsumerAccess.org | Equal Housing Opportunity

All loans subject to credit approval. Program guidelines apply. This is not a commitment to lend.

09/01/2026

Start of September reminder:

If buying a home is on your radar before the end of the year, now is a good time to check in on the basics.

Look at your budget, review your monthly debts, keep your savings steady, and avoid making big financial changes without asking your loan team first.

This is also a good time to start gathering documents like pay stubs, bank statements, W-2s, or tax documents so you are not scrambling later.

The more prepared you are early on, the smoother the next steps can feel when the right home comes along.

Matt VanBennekom | NMLS #1965380
VanDyk Mortgage - Lakeshore Team 131
616-498-0448

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation | Corp NMLS #3035
NMLSConsumerAccess.org | Equal Housing Opportunity
All loans subject to credit approval. Program guidelines apply. This is not a commitment to lend.

08/26/2026

Credit cards can help or hurt your credit depending on how they are used.

One thing to pay attention to is credit utilization — how much of your available credit you are using. Keeping balances lower and making consistent payments can be helpful when preparing for the mortgage process.

If buying a home is on your mind, it is worth asking questions early so you know what steps may help your situation.

Matt VanBennekom | NMLS #1965380
VanDyk Mortgage - Lakeshore Team 131
616-498-0448

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation | Corp NMLS #3035
NMLSConsumerAccess.org | Equal Housing Opportunity
All loans subject to credit approval. Program guidelines apply. This is not a commitment to lend.