A data breach that compromises your identity can have a long-term emotional impact on your health, in addition to challenges you will have developing your personal strategy to protect your health and wealth from a possible stolen identity. Sometimes it can feel like you are fighting an invisible enemy. Staying informed is the best way… Read More
When It Makes Sense to Refinance
There are many reasons a person might want to refinance their home. Beyond getting a lower interest rate and lowering your costs to save you money, other factors to consider in a refinancing decision include current home equity value, market price for your home, cash needed for repairs or remodeling and whether the home you… Read More
5 Steps for Preventing Identity Theft
There are many ways to prevent identity theft. But look closely at these five steps. Sometimes they are so simple or heard of so often, we fail to recognize them as the most critical to protecting our identity. These steps are: Be Very Careful Before Clicking on Any Link in a Text Message You have… Read More
How to Get a Mortgage with Little or No Down Payment
You want to buy a home but have little or no money for a down payment. First, don’t give up because there are options. No Down Payment Mortgage Option Take a look at a no down payment United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan through the Department of Agriculture. The USDA’s Rural Development mortgage guarantee… Read More
Ready To House Hunt? 4 Questions to Ask a Mortgage Lender
There are a number of questions that you will have once you decide you want to buy a house. Here are the first four questions out of the gate that you need to ask your mortgage lender. What mortgage types do you offer? A conventional loan may not be your best bet. Consider other types… Read More
5 Factors That Influence Mortgage Loan Approval
Buying a house involves getting approval for a large amount of money through a loan. You are not getting approval for a credit card or line-of-credit. A home purchase is most likely the single largest investment you will ever make. For that reason, you want to be aware of anything that might affect your mortgage… Read More
USDA Mortgage Loan vs Conventional Fixed Mortgage Loan: How To Choose
The USDA mortgage loan program is one of the best-kept secrets in the home buying market today. This zero-down, 100 percent financing home loan is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture to promote homeownership in less-dense communities across the U.S. Often known as the USDA Rural Development Loan (RD Loan) or Rural Housing… Read More
6 Advantages of Using a Local Mortgage Lender
Local lending with community banks makes sense when you want personal service, knowledgeable lenders and local decisions – which makes the process go smoother for you. Working with Chelsea State Bank you get the advantage of a lender with local knowledge of home values; greater flexibility; understanding of the local economy; decision making done locally;… Read More
10 Factors That Qualify You For A USDA Mortgage Loan in Michigan
Some of the criteria that qualify you for a USDA mortgage loan in Michigan include — income, down payment, credit scores, and more. Getting a USDA loan is not much different than getting a conventional mortgage. Here are 10 factors that can impact your loan approval. 1. Community Bank Approval with USDA USDA is a… Read More
CSB’s Jim Wolfington presented with Community Spirit Award
Today, FHLBank Indianapolis awarded James (Jim) Wolfington, Vice President, Chelsea State Bank with the Community Spirit Award at the 2018 Building Michigan Communities Conference. The Community Spirit Award honors individuals that show an outstanding dedication to affordable housing and community economic development. In addition to the recognition, FHLBank Indianapolis will donate $1,000 to the charity… Read More