Your Realtor sent you here for a reason.

And I’m glad they did.

Hi, I’m Mike.

You may be excited about buying a home and still have questions about the financing. We can work through those together.

You and I may not have met yet. But we already have someone in common—your Realtor.

They’ve introduced us because they believe I can help. I want to take good care of that introduction.

Let’s help you understand where you stand, what payment feels comfortable, and what needs to happen before you make an offer.

Your application gives me a starting point so we can have a useful conversation about your options.

Application first. Then I’ll review your information and reach out.

Before we talk about your mortgage, let’s talk about your choices.

Choosing who helps you finance your home is your decision. You deserve to understand your options and feel comfortable with the person helping you sort through them.

1. You can wait.

Maybe buying a home feels like a big step right now. Maybe you’re wondering whether you’re ready.

It’s okay to take your time.

If waiting fits your situation, we can talk about what to prepare in the meantime. If uncertainty is what’s holding you back, we can work on getting you answers.

Getting clearer about your options can help you decide whether to move forward or prepare for later.

2. You can compare lenders yourself.

When you compare two mortgage options, what matters most to you: the monthly payment, the cash needed at closing, flexibility—or something else?

As a mortgage broker, I can help with that comparison through my lending relationships. We’ll look at how the payment, costs, and requirements fit your circumstances.

A payment that looks good on paper still needs to feel comfortable in your life. A program someone else loves may not fit your income, available cash, or plans.

I’ll explain the trade-offs among the options available through those lenders.

You stay in control of the decision. You have me to help you do the homework.

3. You can choose another mortgage professional.

You may already know someone. You may want to compare what they offer. That’s a reasonable thing to do.

Ask questions. Compare the costs and terms. Notice who listens, who explains things clearly, and who follows through.

Choose someone you feel comfortable telling the whole story to—including the part you’re worried might be a problem.

Those are often the details that matter most.

4. You can have me help you put the whole plan together.

We’ll look beyond choosing a loan program to the preparation, decisions, and details involved in getting you to closing.

Picture your first ordinary month in the new home. What do you want your budget to leave room for?

I want the mortgage plan to leave room for the life you’re moving toward.

You should feel comfortable asking me anything.

Tell me what you expect and what worries you. If you’re comparing options or something doesn’t feel right, we can talk about it openly.

I’ll be candid about what I can help with, what still needs to be reviewed, and any limitations we encounter. If I don’t believe I’m the right person for your situation, I’ll tell you.

You don’t have to arrive certain. You can arrive with questions.

Your Realtor gave us an introduction. I want to earn your confidence from here.

Whatever You Decide Is OK

Ask questions. Compare your options. Choose the direction that fits your circumstances and plans.

A little about who you’ll be working with.

I’m Mike Alkema, a mortgage broker with Leeward Point Mortgage. I’m based in Grand Rapids, serve home buyers throughout Michigan, and have spent more than 30 years helping people make mortgage decisions.

When you call Mike, you get Mike. You can ask the question you think you should already know the answer to. And if something doesn’t make sense, we can go through it again.

Think of your financing as a flight—and me as your pilot.

Your financing flight plan

01PrepareApplication, credit review & conversation
02PlanProgram comparison, documents & preapproval review
03CoordinateContract, appraisal, title & underwriting
04Clear to closeLender conditions resolved; prepare for signing

A guide to the journey—not a guaranteed timeline. Steps can overlap; signing, final checks and funding follow clear to close.

Before takeoff, we need a destination and a flight plan. Our preparation helps us work toward the home purchase and payment that fit your life.

Along the way, we may encounter turbulence. An underwriter needs an explanation. An appraisal raises a question. A document needs updating.

If a question comes up, we’ll separate what we know, what still needs checking, and what happens next.

You’ll know who is handling it and whether you need to do anything. If it could affect your timing, we’ll discuss that, too.

You don’t need to learn how to fly the plane. You do deserve to know what’s happening on your flight.

Here’s what I do from application to clear to close.

Understand your starting point.

Your preapproval application gives me the information to begin. I review it, run a soft-pull credit report, and then reach out to discuss your goals, questions, and payment comfort.

Help you compare and prepare.

As a mortgage broker, I compare options available through my lending relationships. We discuss the programs, costs, and trade-offs that may fit your situation.

I help identify the income, asset, employment, and other documents needed for your file. We look for missing information and questions that need explaining, then work toward preapproval when appropriate. I’ll explain any conditions that remain.

Put the financing together for your home.

Once you’re under contract, we update the numbers for the actual property, review your estimated payment and cash to close, and discuss rate-lock choices.

I coordinate with the lender and the people handling processing, appraisal, and title so we know what’s outstanding and what needs to happen next.

Work through the remaining requirements.

Underwriting may request additional information or explanations. I help you understand those requests, gather what’s needed, and work with the team toward resolving the conditions.

With your permission, I keep your Realtor informed so we can coordinate around your contract and closing date.

Prepare for closing.

Clear to close is the lender’s confirmation that the requirements for preparing your loan to close have been satisfied. Signing, any final checks, and funding still follow.

The lender makes the approval decision. My role is to help prepare your file, stay on top of outstanding details, and guide you through the next step.

I want you planning your move—not wondering where your loan stands.

I want to handle as much preparation as possible early, so that once you’re under contract and your file is complete, we’re ready to move.

My goal is to work toward clear to close in eight days. You don’t have to close in eight days; your contract sets the closing date. I want the financing ready early enough that you can spend more time planning your move and less time wondering where your loan stands.

Eight days is a goal, not a guarantee. Timing depends on your file, the property, appraisal, title, and lender requirements. Preapproval is not final loan approval. I’ll explain what’s realistic for you.

A mortgage you understand. An experience you feel good about.

When you look back on working with me, I want you to feel good about both the financing we arranged and the way you were treated along the way.

Two dimensions of a good mortgage experience

The financing matters. So does how you feel getting there.

More clarity, communication & support ↑

Support without the right fitA helpful experience still needs financing that suits your circumstances.

THE GOALA loan that fits.
A process you understand.Both deserve your attention.

Questions on both sidesPause and ask for clarity about the mortgage and the service.

Good fit, difficult experienceThe numbers may work, but you still need answers and guidance.

Stronger fit with your financing needs →

An original illustration of product and process—not a rating, guarantee, or measured comparison.

Does this mortgage fit my life?

The product: your program, payment, costs, and terms—and how well you understand their fit with your circumstances and plans.

Do I know what’s happening—and who to call?

The process: your questions answered, clear next steps, and someone to turn to when a detail needs attention.

If something is unclear or you need an update, tell me. Your feedback helps me address it while it matters to you.

I want to earn the words, “Call Mike.”

If someone you care about needs mortgage help someday, I hope your experience makes you comfortable introducing us.

And when your own plans change or another mortgage question comes up, I want you to feel comfortable calling, too.

That’s what Your Lender for Life means to me.

What’s important about this move to you?

Maybe it’s more room. A shorter drive. Being closer to people you love. Or finally having a place that feels like yours.

When we talk, I want to understand the life you’re planning around this purchase.

What would you like this move to make possible?
What payment would leave room for the rest of your life?
What money do you want to keep available after closing?
What worries you most about the financing?
Is there a date or commitment we need to plan around?

You don’t need polished answers. Tell me where you are, and we’ll work from there.

Your next step is right here.

You don’t need to know which program to choose before you begin. Your application gives me a starting point for reviewing your situation.

Application first. Then I’ll review your information and reach out.

START MY PREAPPROVAL APPLICATION →

And when we talk, tell me which Realtor sent you. I’d like to thank them for introducing us.

— Mike

Mike Alkema · Leeward Point Mortgage LLC
Mike NMLS #642953 · Company NMLS #1823590
Call or text: 616-319-1640

Leeward Point Mortgage LLC · Company NMLS #1823590 · Mike Alkema · NMLS #642953 · Licensed to do business in the State of Michigan · Equal Housing Opportunity. This material is educational and is not a commitment to lend. Loan programs, rates, terms and eligibility are subject to change and to borrower, property and underwriting approval.