Alex Lanala, Mortgage Loan Originator - NMLS 1464106

Alex Lanala, Mortgage Loan Originator - NMLS 1464106 ❤️all things mortgage 🪪 licensed in MI and WI 🎬 host of The American Dream 📞 me today!

05/15/2026

These guys work hard for clients and the community! Yardwork at Bay Cliff Health Camp yesterday for KW Red Day! 💪

These guys work hard for clients and the community! Yardwork at Bay Cliff Health Camp yesterday for KW Red Day! 💪
05/15/2026

These guys work hard for clients and the community! Yardwork at Bay Cliff Health Camp yesterday for KW Red Day! 💪

First — don’t panic. I’ve seen this happen many times, and it’s usually very manageable.A pre-approval is based on a sna...
04/27/2026

First — don’t panic. I’ve seen this happen many times, and it’s usually very manageable.

A pre-approval is based on a snapshot of your finances at that moment — your income, credit, debt, and assets. Life doesn’t always stay perfectly still during the home search, and sometimes things change.

Maybe you:
💼 Change jobs
💳 Open a new credit card
🚗 Finance a car
💰 Move money between accounts

None of these automatically mean your homebuying plans are over. Most of the time, it simply means we review the change and adjust the strategy if needed.

One thing I’ve learned after helping many buyers through this process: communication early makes everything easier. When something changes, letting your loan officer know right away allows us to work through it before it becomes a problem.

In many cases, it’s a small tweak to the plan that keeps everything moving forward smoothly.

If you’re thinking about getting pre-approved but want to understand how the process really works (and what to avoid), I’m always happy to talk it through.

🎥 Behind the Listings: Realtor SpotlightEvery week I’m highlighting amazing local Realtors — and today we’re featuring B...
04/23/2026

🎥 Behind the Listings: Realtor Spotlight

Every week I’m highlighting amazing local Realtors — and today we’re featuring Ben Argall!

✨ Meet the Agent: Ben Argall

⭐ How he got started:
Ben says real estate kind of fell into his lap - but it quickly became clear this is exactly what he’s meant to be doing.

🏡 Market tip:
Meet with a Realtor before even stepping into your first showing. The right agent will guide you through the process, connect you with the right lender options, and make sure you’re set up for success from the start.

🚫 Seller mistake to avoid:
Overpricing a home; it can hurt sellers in the long run and slow down momentum.

💬 What clients say most often:
Dependable and always honest (even if that honesty comes with a little bluntness).

⚡ Quick favorites:
• Text or call? Text
• Open houses or private showings? Private showings
• New build or fixer upper? Fixer upper
• Favorite local restaurant? Congress Pizzas! You might catch him enjoying a drink, grabbing a slice, or even writing up an offer 🍕
• Favorite community event? Heikki Lunta in Negaunee & 4th of July celebrations — hard to pick just one!

🤝 Agents like Ben bring authenticity, honesty, and a true appreciation for homes; especially for those who love renovation, design, and the character of historic properties.

👉 Follow and show him some love! Benjamin Argall NextHome Superior Living

🎥 Behind the Listings: Realtor SpotlightEvery week I’m highlighting amazing local Realtors — and today we’re featuring D...
04/09/2026

🎥 Behind the Listings: Realtor Spotlight

Every week I’m highlighting amazing local Realtors — and today we’re featuring Dylan Willey!

✨ Meet the Agent: Dylan Willey

💬 How he got started:
Dylan’s deep love for the Upper Peninsula is what drew him into real estate. Around here, “home” isn’t just four walls, it’s the lakes, the woods, and the tight-knit community. For him, it’s all about helping people find their place in a location that truly means something.

🏡 Market tip:
Get pre-approved and sit down with both your lender and agent before touring your first home. Having that foundation in place sets you up for a smoother, more successful search.

🚫 Seller mistake to avoid:
Overpricing in today’s market — strategic pricing is key to attracting the right buyers.

💬 What clients say most often:
Knowledgeable, friendly, and always available, no matter the time of day.

⚡ Quick favorites:
• Text or call? Text
• Open houses or private showings? Private showings
• New build or fixer upper? Fixer upper
• Favorite local restaurant? Congress Pizzas — hands down! 🍕
• Favorite community event? Fourth of July celebrations — when everyone who grew up here comes back home 🎆

🤝 Agents like Dylan bring local passion, strong communication, and a genuine love for the community; making him an incredible resource for anyone looking to call the UP home.

👉 Follow and show him some love! Dylan Willey Real Estate

‼️Attn Investors! Such a powerful tool to know about 💪
04/08/2026

‼️Attn Investors! Such a powerful tool to know about 💪

Did you know that VA loans offer some of the best benefits for eligible service members, veterans, and their families?VA...
04/07/2026

Did you know that VA loans offer some of the best benefits for eligible service members, veterans, and their families?

VA loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and are designed to help those who’ve served our country achieve homeownership with fewer barriers.

Here are the key benefits:

✅ $0 down payment — No need to save up for a large down payment
✅ No private mortgage insurance (PMI) — Save money each month
✅ Competitive interest rates — Lower rates than conventional loans
✅ Easier qualification — With less stringent credit requirements
✅ Limits on closing costs — Reducing upfront expenses

VA loans are available to:

🔹 Active-duty military
🔹 Veterans
🔹 National Guard and Reserve members
🔹 Eligible surviving spouses

If you’re eligible, a VA loan could be a game-changer for your homeownership journey.

Curious if you qualify? Let’s talk about your options and how we can make homeownership more accessible for you.

03/29/2026

Great advice! 🤩🏅

🎥 Behind the Listings: Realtor SpotlightEvery week I’m highlighting amazing local Realtors — and today we’re featuring L...
03/26/2026

🎥 Behind the Listings: Realtor Spotlight

Every week I’m highlighting amazing local Realtors — and today we’re featuring Lisa Elzinga!

✨ Meet the Agent: Lisa Elzinga

⭐ How she got started:
Lisa has always been fascinated by people and how we move through different stages of life. She recognizes that buying or selling a home often comes from life changes — and with her experience, she truly values helping others navigate those moments with understanding and care.

🏡 Market tip:
Get pre-approved so you know exactly what you can afford — and be ready to act when the right home comes along. Preparation makes all the difference!

🚫 Seller mistake to avoid:
Forgetting that the best transactions are win-win. A successful sale comes from working toward an outcome that benefits everyone involved.

💬 What clients say most often:
Friendly, knowledgeable, a great listener, and always accessible — the kind of agent people feel comfortable with every step of the way.

⚡ Quick favorites:
• Text or call? Text
• Open houses or private showings? Open houses
• New build or fixer upper? Fixer upper
• Favorite local restaurant? Thai House & Vierling
• Favorite community event? Anything theatre & dog sled races 🐕❄️

🤝 Agents like Lisa bring empathy, experience, and a genuine passion for helping people through life’s transitions — making every step feel a little easier.

Keller Williams First UP

If you guessed C) 54%, you’re right (though I feel anyone who answered D).According to data from the Bureau of Labor Sta...
03/23/2026

If you guessed C) 54%, you’re right (though I feel anyone who answered D).

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. rent increased by about 54% between 2015 and 2025 — roughly double the pace of general inflation.

That means a renter paying about $1,500/month in 2015 could be paying around $2,300/month today.

Meanwhile, homeowners with fixed-rate mortgages saw something very different ⬇️

Their principal and interest payments stayed the SAME month after month.

In my experience, those are two of the biggest long-term advantages of homeownership:

1️⃣ Predictable housing costs
2️⃣ The ability to build equity over time
And here’s something many people don’t realize:
💡 You don’t necessarily need 20% down
💡 Some loan programs allow down payments as low as 3–5%
💡 Many renters are closer to qualifying than they think

This isn’t about saying renting is wrong — renting makes sense for a lot of people at different stages of life.

But if you’ve ever wondered whether buying could be possible for you, it might be worth taking a look at the numbers.

If you’re curious how your current rent compares to a potential mortgage payment, comment or message me COMPARE and I’ll send you the details to run a quick comparison – no credit pull required!

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index – Rent of Primary Residence.

Address

Marquette, MI
MI

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