Brad Schalk - Total Home Lending

Brad Schalk - Total Home Lending Brad Schalk, NMLS #1678725
I am dedicated to helping my clients achieve their homeownership dreams.

Purchasing power doesnโ€™t start with the interest rate. It starts with choices ๐Ÿค”Iโ€™ve seen low income families buy a home ...
06/04/2026

Purchasing power doesnโ€™t start with the interest rate. It starts with choices ๐Ÿค”

Iโ€™ve seen low income families buy a home ๐Ÿก
Iโ€™ve seen people making $1M/year who canโ€™t โŒ

Iโ€™ve seen buyers who canโ€™t manage to save $1,000 but can spend $500/week at the club ๐Ÿ•บ

Iโ€™ve seen college grads making $50K/year with $450K in student loan debt ๐Ÿซ

Iโ€™ve seen high school dropouts earning $200K/year with zero debt and a thriving business ๐Ÿ’ธ

Iโ€™ve seen buyers using down payment assistance while they have $5K custom rims on their truck ๐Ÿ›ป

Iโ€™ve seen families with household income under $40K save enough money to afford a nice home ๐Ÿ 

The list goes on and onโ€ฆ

Financial habits and personal choices can have a profound impact when purchasing a home.

Solid financial habits create opportunitiesโœ…
Poor financial habits create limitations ๐Ÿ›‘

Your choices today determine your options tomorrow.

Cheers to National Homeownership Month ๐Ÿ ๐ŸŽ‰ โ€” and to everyone who made the leap into a home of their own this year. It is ...
06/02/2026

Cheers to National Homeownership Month ๐Ÿ ๐ŸŽ‰ โ€” and to everyone who made the leap into a home of their own this year. It is one of the biggest steps you can take, and we are proud to be part of the journey. ๐Ÿ”‘

Your credit score plays a crucial role in your mortgage โ€” influencing both your eligibility and the interest rate you re...
05/27/2026

Your credit score plays a crucial role in your mortgage โ€” influencing both your eligibility and the interest rate you receive. Here's a quick overview: ๐Ÿ“Š

๐Ÿ“ˆ 760+: You'll likely qualify for the best available rates.
โœ… 700โ€“759: Good standing, competitive rates.
โš ๏ธ 660โ€“699: May qualify, but rates will be slightly higher.
๐Ÿ“‰ Below 620: Qualifying can become more challenging (but not impossible!).

Even a minor improvement in your credit score can save you thousands over the life of a loan. Here's how to enhance it: ๐Ÿ’ก
โ€ข Pay bills on time โ€” this is the top factor. ๐Ÿ“…
โ€ข Maintain credit card balances below 30% of your limit.
โ€ข Avoid opening new lines of credit before applying for a mortgage.
โ€ข Don't close old accounts (length of credit history matters).

Curious about where you stand? Let's discuss your options. We assist buyers at all stages. ๐Ÿ 

Today we pause to remember and honor those who gave everything in service to our country. Forever grateful. ๐Ÿ™โค๏ธ
05/25/2026

Today we pause to remember and honor those who gave everything in service to our country. Forever grateful. ๐Ÿ™โค๏ธ

If you've begun exploring mortgage options, you've probably encountered fixed-rate loans. Here's what you should know: ๐Ÿ ...
05/20/2026

If you've begun exploring mortgage options, you've probably encountered fixed-rate loans. Here's what you should know: ๐Ÿ 

A fixed-rate mortgage keeps your interest rate constant for the entire duration of the loan โ€” whether that's 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. The advantages? ๐Ÿ‘

โœ… Predictable monthly payments (easy budgeting). ๐Ÿ“…
โœ… Protection against rising interest rates. ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ
โœ… Peace of mind โ€” no unexpected changes.

Not sure which term suits you best? That's exactly what we're here to help you determine. Every situation is unique, and we'll assist you in finding the best fit. ๐Ÿ  Contact us to explore your options!

This month, we honor and remember the courageous service members who sacrificed everything for our freedom as Memorial D...
05/13/2026

This month, we honor and remember the courageous service members who sacrificed everything for our freedom as Memorial Day approaches. ๐ŸŽ–๏ธ

If you or someone you care about has served in the U.S. military, one of the most powerful benefits available is the VA home loan. Here's why it's such an exceptional program:

๐Ÿ  No down payment required.
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ No private mortgage insurance (PMI).
๐Ÿ“‰ Competitive interest rates.
โœ… Flexible qualifying guidelines.

If you're a veteran, active-duty service member, or surviving spouse and haven't explored this benefit, we'd love to guide you through it. Thank you to all who served and to the families who support them. ๐Ÿ’™ Contact us to learn more about VA loans and how to get started.

To every mom who turns a house into a home, thank you. You make it all mean something. Happy Mother's Day! ๐ŸŒธโค๏ธ
05/10/2026

To every mom who turns a house into a home, thank you. You make it all mean something. Happy Mother's Day! ๐ŸŒธโค๏ธ

Is it better to rent or buy? It depends โ€” but let's examine what you might be missing by renting: ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ’ธ When you rent, your...
05/06/2026

Is it better to rent or buy? It depends โ€” but let's examine what you might be missing by renting: ๐Ÿค”

๐Ÿ’ธ When you rent, your monthly payment builds your landlord's equity โ€” not yours.
๐Ÿ  When you own, every mortgage payment is an investment in your future.
๐Ÿ“ˆ Historically, home values have appreciated over time.
๐Ÿงพ Homeowners may qualify for mortgage interest deductions.
๐Ÿ”ง You have the freedom to update, renovate, and personalize your space.

Of course, buying isn't suitable for every situation โ€” timing, finances, and goals all play a role. But if you've been contemplating, it's worth having a candid conversation about what's possible for you. ๐Ÿ’ฌ Let's calculate the numbers together. Contact us today to see what you might qualify for! ๐Ÿ‘

Do you buy a brand-new build or an existing home? Both have real advantages, so here's a quick breakdown ๐Ÿ‘‡New Constructi...
04/29/2026

Do you buy a brand-new build or an existing home? Both have real advantages, so here's a quick breakdown ๐Ÿ‘‡

New Construction โœจ
โ€ข Everything is brand new โ€” no repairs or updates needed right away ๐Ÿ”จ
โ€ข Modern layouts, energy-efficient features, and builder warranties
โ€ข You may be able to customize finishes and fixtures ๐ŸŽจ
โ€ข Longer timeline โ€” you're waiting for the home to be built โณ

Existing Homes ๐Ÿ 
โ€ข More options available in more locations ๐Ÿ“
โ€ข Established neighborhoods with mature landscaping and character ๐ŸŒณ
โ€ข Typically faster to close
โ€ข May need updates or repairs โ€” but often more negotiating room on price ๐Ÿ’ฐ

It really comes down to your timeline, budget, and priorities. The good news? We can help you finance both. Let's talk through what makes the most sense for your situation. ๐Ÿ“ฑ

What is a DTI? Your DTI is the percentage of your gross monthly income that is allocated to paying debts (including car ...
04/15/2026

What is a DTI? Your DTI is the percentage of your gross monthly income that is allocated to paying debts (including car payments, student loans, credit cards, and your future mortgage). Here's how it's calculated: ๐Ÿ“Š

Total monthly debt payments รท Gross monthly income = DTI%
For instance: If you earn $5,000/month and have $1,500 in monthly debts, your DTI is 30%. ๐Ÿงฎ

Why does it matter?
โ€ข Most loan programs prefer a manageable DTI ratio
โ€ข A lower DTI can help you secure better loan terms ๐Ÿ“‰
โ€ข It's a major factor that lenders examine

Have questions about how DTI affects your loan options? We're here to assist you. Contact us today! ๐Ÿ 

Address

801 Joe Mann Boulevard, Suite P
Midland, MI
48642

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