Tamara S Malatok, VP Mortgage Loan Officer - Sturgis Bank, NMLS #537403

Tamara S Malatok, VP Mortgage Loan Officer - Sturgis Bank, NMLS #537403 35+ years in the banking industry. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

One of my favorite parts of my job?Helping people buy homes right here in our small towns.Local lending matters. It mean...
02/18/2026

One of my favorite parts of my job?
Helping people buy homes right here in our small towns.

Local lending matters. It means real conversations, local decision-making, and working with someone who understands this market—not just numbers on a screen.

If you’re dreaming about a move here in Southwest Michigan, I’d love to help.

A pre-qualification isn’t a commitment—it’s clarity. It’s a game plan.It helps you understand:✔️ A comfortable price ran...
02/03/2026

A pre-qualification isn’t a commitment—it’s clarity. It’s a game plan.

It helps you understand:
✔️ A comfortable price range
✔️ Monthly payment expectations
✔️ What (if anything) you might want to work on before buying

Knowledge = confidence. And confidence makes homebuying a whole lot less stressful.

One of the smartest first steps in home buying is getting pre-qualified.It helps you:✔ Understand a comfortable price ra...
01/07/2026

One of the smartest first steps in home buying is getting pre-qualified.

It helps you:
✔ Understand a comfortable price range
✔ Avoid falling in love with a home that doesn’t fit
✔ Show sellers you’re a serious buyer

And no—there’s no pressure attached. Just clarity.

If you’re curious what that would look like for your situation, give me a call. I’m here to help!

Buying a home can feel overwhelming—especially if you’ve never done it before.Here’s the good news: you don’t have to kn...
12/29/2025

Buying a home can feel overwhelming—especially if you’ve never done it before.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to know everything to get started.
My job is to walk you through the process step by step, answer the questions you don’t even know you have yet, and help you feel confident—not rushed.

If homeownership is on your mind for 2026, let’s start with a simple conversation. 💬

👉 Contact me anytime.

No confusing jargon.No pressure.Just honest conversations about where you are and where you want to be.If you’ve been fe...
12/09/2025

No confusing jargon.
No pressure.
Just honest conversations about where you are and where you want to be.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the homebuying process… take a breath.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Get in touch anytime—I mean that.

Let’s be real: your first home just needs to fit your life right now.It can be cozy, imperfect, and somewhere you grow i...
12/08/2025

Let’s be real: your first home just needs to fit your life right now.
It can be cozy, imperfect, and somewhere you grow into.
So much pressure gets put on finding the one.
But sometimes “the right now home” is exactly what sets you up for your future dream home.
If you want help figuring out what that first step could look like, give me a call. I’m here. 😊

Most people don’t realize how many hidden opportunities exist when it comes to buying a home.We hear the same myths over...
11/21/2025

Most people don’t realize how many hidden opportunities exist when it comes to buying a home.

We hear the same myths over and over:
❌ You need 20% down.
❌ Student loans will stop you.
❌ You can’t lock a rate until you’ve found a house.

But the truth? 👇

There are programs, strategies, and small tweaks that can completely change the game for buyers—often saving thousands and making homeownership possible sooner than you think.

Because once you understand how the system really works, you realize doors are open that you didn’t think existed.

11/07/2025

Whether you’re updating the kitchen before the holidays, covering tuition in the new year, or just planning ahead, a Home Equity Line of Credit from Sturgis Bank helps you do more—with a special low intro rate and local support you can count on.

Get started: sturgis.bank/heloc-special

11/07/2025

“I’ll refinance when rates drop 1%—otherwise it’s not worth it.”

Truth is, that’s a common myth. The idea that you need a full percent drop for it to make sense isn’t always true. Here’s the math 👇

A 1% drop in rate equals about:
💵 $67 less per month per $100k borrowed.
So a $300k loan saves about $201/mo.
A $600k loan saves about $402/mo.

Even “small” drops add up fast—especially over years.

The real decision isn’t just the rate—it’s your loan balance, term, and how long you plan to stay in the home.

Give me a call. I’ll run a free savings analysis for you. All I need is your most recent mortgage statement—it’s that simple.

When you work with a local lender, you get more than a mortgage—you get a neighbor who knows the market.✔️ I know the ne...
08/05/2025

When you work with a local lender, you get more than a mortgage—you get a neighbor who knows the market.
✔️ I know the neighborhoods.
✔️ I know the pricing trends.
✔️ I know the programs that could save you money.
Let’s put that hometown knowledge to work for you.
Reach out and let’s find your next address, right here in Southwest Michigan

06/23/2025

I love the moment I get to say:
“You’re pre-qualified!”
But right after that, I always follow up with this 👇

“Don’t go buying a car. Or new furniture. Or booking that vacation just yet…”

Because here’s what most people don’t realize:
Your mortgage isn’t a done deal until closing.
And yes—lenders do a final check on your credit, savings, and debt right before you get the keys.

So if you make a big purchase, it can throw off your approval completely.

I’ve seen it happen—everything going smoothly until a new car loan or maxed-out card sends things sideways.

If you just got pre-qualified (or you’re about to), remember this:

✅ Keep your finances steady
✅ Hold off on large purchases
✅ Save the celebration for closing day

💬 Buying soon? Give me a call—I’m here to help you on your homebuying journey.

💾 Save this for later and share it with someone who needs to hear it!

05/07/2025

Is a 2% mortgage rate difference a big deal? Here’s what it actually looks like. 👇

Before you panic over rising rates, let’s look at the real numbers.

A 2% difference in rate does change your monthly payment, but not as drastically as many think.
It might mean adjusting your budget — not abandoning your home goals altogether.

Whether you’re borrowing $299K or $1M, this breakdown puts the shift into perspective.
📊 And yes, you can always refinance later — but you can’t rewind home prices!

Address

1001 W Michigan Avenue
Marshall, MI
49068

Telephone

+12692742510

Website

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