30+ years of experience
Guidelines and markets change. Difficult transactions require judgment, communication and the ability to recognize another path.
Mike Alkema · NMLS #642953
About Mike Alkema — Grand Rapids Mortgage Broker
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make. Getting a mortgage should not feel like navigating that decision alone. I’m Mike Alkema, a mortgage broker serving Grand Rapids, West Michigan and borrowers throughout Michigan through Leeward Point Mortgage.
Mike Alkema · Leeward Point Mortgage
When you call Mike Alkema, you get Mike Alkema.
Direct communication, clear explanations and more than 30 years of mortgage experience.
TALK THROUGH MY SCENARIOExperience and access
Experience matters. So does having someone who answers the phone.
I have spent more than 30 years in mortgage lending, helping homebuyers and homeowners understand their financing options, work through problems and reach the closing table. Over those years, I have learned that the right mortgage is not simply about finding a loan. It is about finding the right solution for the person, property and transaction.
That is why I start with your situation—not a product pitch. My job is to ask questions, understand the complete scenario, identify potential obstacles early and compare the available paths. I want you to understand not only what may work, but why.
Multiple lending options
As a mortgage broker, I can evaluate options from multiple lending sources instead of being restricted to one bank’s product menu.
West Michigan focus
I work with borrowers and real estate professionals throughout Grand Rapids, West Michigan and communities across Michigan.
Direct access to Mike
You are not handed off to a giant call center. When you call or text 616-319-1640, you reach me directly.
Why a mortgage broker?
Start with the scenario, not the product.
As a mortgage broker, I am not limited to the products offered by one bank. I can evaluate options from multiple lending sources and determine which available programs may fit a borrower’s circumstances.
That can be especially valuable when a loan is not perfectly straightforward. Maybe you are buying your first home and do not know where to begin. Maybe you are a veteran considering a VA loan. Maybe you are self-employed, need a bank-statement loan, or are exploring financing for an investment property. Perhaps another lender has already said no, or your financing is not moving as quickly as the transaction requires.
Those are the situations where experience matters. Loan programs and lender overlays can change, so the right next step is to review the actual borrower, property and transaction instead of relying on generic internet advice.
Communication
Clear explanations and direct answers.
One of the things I am proudest of is something my clients repeatedly mention in their public reviews: communication. They talk about timely answers, transparency and having complicated mortgage details explained in plain language. That is the experience I want every borrower to have.
Mortgages contain many moving pieces—rates, points, closing costs, mortgage insurance, appraisals, underwriting conditions, debt-to-income calculations and program requirements. You should not need to become a mortgage expert to buy a home. Explaining those details is my job.
When you call Mike Alkema, you get Mike Alkema. You are not left wondering who is responsible for your loan or where things stand.
First-time homebuyers
Build the plan before you start house hunting.
First-time buyers are some of my favorite clients to work with because useful mortgage guidance early in the process can make an enormous difference.
We will discuss more than “How much can I qualify for?” I want you to understand how the financing works, what cash you may need for closing, how different down-payment choices affect the loan and what happens between pre-approval and closing.
There are no stupid mortgage questions. If something does not make sense, ask me. Explore the Michigan first-time homebuyer guide, review FHA loan options, or call me to build a starting plan based on your budget and goals.
VA loan experience
VA financing and fast-moving transactions.
I have significant experience helping eligible veterans and service members use VA home loan financing. VA loans can be an excellent home-financing option, but familiarity with the program matters—particularly when you are competing for a property or working with a tight closing deadline.
One VA transaction I am especially proud of moved from the buyers finding the property to receiving their keys in approximately 13 days, with the loan moving from application to clear-to-close in about five days. That is not a promise that every loan can or will close that quickly; every borrower, property and transaction is different.
It does illustrate how I approach a mortgage file: anticipate the next step, identify potential problems early, communicate consistently and keep the transaction moving.
Problem-solving
Self-employed borrowers and difficult scenarios.
Self-employed borrowers often find that earning good money and qualifying for a mortgage are two different things. Tax returns, business expenses, depreciation and mortgage-income calculations can make these files more complicated.
Access to multiple programs can be especially useful for business owners and borrowers whose circumstances do not fit neatly inside a traditional bank’s lending box. Depending on eligibility and the full financial picture, we can explore conventional financing as well as alternative-documentation and non-QM options.
I also work with borrowers who started elsewhere and encountered delays, unanswered questions or a financing problem. A denial from one lender is not automatically a denial everywhere. Sometimes the answer is a different lender, a different program or a different approach. Sometimes the right answer is to change the plan entirely.
If that sounds familiar, visit my mortgage second-opinion page or call me to talk through the facts.
For Realtors
Good communication supports the whole transaction.
A successful mortgage does not happen in isolation. Buyers, sellers, agents, appraisers, title professionals, processors and underwriters all work against deadlines.
I work closely with Realtors because good communication among everyone involved can be the difference between a stressful transaction and a smooth closing. Fast answers, realistic expectations and early problem-solving help protect both the transaction and the client experience.
Visit the Realtor partner page to learn how I support agents and their buyers.
Client reviews
What borrowers say about working with Mike.
★★★★★
“Very timely and knowledgeable… transparent and explains exactly where every dollar is going.”
Brandon W.
First-time buyer
★★★★★
“Very dedicated… followups are timely with all questions answered.”
Bob M.
Repeat client
★★★★★
“He takes the scary out of getting a new mortgage… explains everything in simple terms.”
April A.
Repeat client
Short excerpts from publicly available Google reviews displayed through Birdeye. Review wording is abbreviated for space. Past client experience does not guarantee future results.
Serving West Michigan
Local mortgage help across the Grand Rapids region.
Grand Rapids is home, and I have spent decades working in the West Michigan mortgage and real estate community. I help borrowers in Grand Rapids and communities throughout Michigan, including Ada, Cascade, East Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, Grandville, Walker, Rockford, Hudsonville, Holland, Allendale, Zeeland and Muskegon.
Whether you are purchasing your first house, moving to your next home, using VA financing, buying an investment property, considering renovation financing or trying to solve a mortgage problem, I am happy to have the conversation.
You do not need to know which program you need before you call. That is what we will figure out together.
Family
Home and family are personal to me, too.
After more than 30 years in the mortgage business, I never forget what a home represents beyond the financing. Family is an important part of my life, and these are a few of the moments and people who matter most to me.
Talk with Mike
Tell me what you are trying to accomplish.
I will ask questions, review the available options and explain what I think makes sense.
Mike Alkema
Mortgage Loan Originator | Leeward Point Mortgage LLC
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Call or text 616-319-1640
Mike Alkema · NMLS #642953
Leeward Point Mortgage LLC · Company NMLS #1823590
Licensed to do business in the State of Michigan · Equal Housing Opportunity
Important: This page is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Loan programs, rates, terms and eligibility are subject to change and to borrower, property and underwriting approval. Program availability varies by lender and borrower qualifications.