Potential 0% down
Eligible borrowers may be able to finance the full purchase price, subject to entitlement, value and approval.
★ Proudly Serving Those Who Served ★Mike Alkema · NMLS #642953
Proudly Serving Those Who Served
Before you pay
Veterans United,
compare the numbers.
A patriotic name and a giant advertising budget do not guarantee the best VA mortgage deal. Send Mike their Loan Estimate. He’ll compare the rate, points, lender fees, credits, payment and cash-to-close across available wholesale VA options.
★Free VA appraisal credit at closing† Your standard VA appraisal fee credited back when your eligible VA purchase loan closes.
No obligation. No trash talk. Just a line-by-line comparison.
30+Years in mortgages
AppraisalCredited at closing†
8 daysRecent VA clear-to-close*
StatewideServing all of Michigan
Every branch. Every generation.
Proudly serving those who served.
VA home loan guidance for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, Guard and Reserve members, and qualifying surviving spouses across Michigan.
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Air Force
Space Force
Coast Guard
Original tribute icons—not official military seals, insignia or endorsements.
The Loan Estimate challenge
The logo doesn’t matter.
The bottom line does.
Veterans United tells borrowers to expect closing costs that can total 3%–5% of the loan amount. Some of those costs are third-party charges or prepaids, but lender pricing is still lender pricing. The VA’s 1% origination cap is a ceiling—not a shopping goal.
Pricing sourceOne company’s pricing Multiple wholesale VA lenders
Rate & pointsTheir available offer Compare available combinations
Lender feesAccept or negotiate Expose and compare line by line
Loan officer accessNational team model Mike’s direct phone number
Michigan offer strategyNational process Local buyer + Realtor support
Have a Veterans United quote? Let Mike put it under a microscope.
Send it to Mike Compare official Loan Estimates—not advertisements. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends requesting multiple Loan Estimates and comparing loan costs, lender confidence and closing timeline. No lender is guaranteed to be cheapest in every scenario.
One VA benefit. More than one lender.
Veterans United sells Veterans United.
Mike shops the market.
Banks and direct lenders offer their own pricing and their own underwriting appetite. Mike is a mortgage broker. That means one conversation can open the door to multiple wholesale VA lenders—and a better chance to match your loan to the right combination of price, guidelines and execution.
Compare the full structureRate, APR, points, lender fees, credits and cash-to-close.
Get the person whose name is on the siteCall or text Mike directly before, during and after the offer.
Make the lender earn your VA loanYou earned the benefit. Don’t hand it to a national brand without a comparison.
Real-world execution
A recent VA purchase reached clear-to-close in 8 days.
Preparation, a complete submission and fast communication kept the file moving. Individual results and closing times vary.
Use the benefit you earned
VA is more than “zero down.”
A properly structured VA loan can be one of the strongest mortgage tools available. The key is knowing how every piece works together.
No monthly mortgage insurance
VA-backed purchase loans generally do not carry monthly PMI or FHA-style monthly MIP.
Reusable benefit
Many veterans can use VA financing more than once. Existing loans and remaining entitlement require a real review.
Competitive execution
A prepared buyer, reviewed COE and responsive lender can make a VA-backed offer easier for agents and sellers to trust.
Michigan VA mortgage resources
Answers for veterans—and the Realtors who represent them.
Use the statewide guides to understand the benefit, compare costs and prepare a stronger transaction before you apply or write an offer.
STATEWIDE GUIDEMichigan VA Loans
Eligibility, funding fees, entitlement, loan options and cities served.
Read the guide →QUALIFYINGVA Credit ScoresWhy VA has no universal score and lender overlays matter.
Review credit guidance →THE REAL NUMBERSVA Closing CostsOrigination, seller-paid costs, concessions and appraisal credits.
Understand the costs →FOR MICHIGAN REALTORSWhy Accept a VA Offer?Replace outdated myths with an evidence-based offer review.
Open the Realtor guide →LOCAL EXPERTISEGrand Rapids VA LoansOffer strategy and direct lender support across West Michigan.
Explore local help →OFFICIAL VA CONNECTIONCheck VA EligibilityReview likely eligibility and connect securely to VA.gov for a COE.
Check the process →Stop underselling VA buyers
Bad VA advice costs veterans homes.
Sellers and Realtors still repeat myths that should have died years ago. Mike helps the entire transaction understand what VA actually requires—and what it doesn’t.
Call before you write the offerMYTH 01“VA loans take forever.”
They don’t have to. A recent Mike Alkema VA purchase cleared to close in eight days.*
MYTH 02“The appraisal will kill the deal.”
The appraisal addresses value and readily apparent minimum property requirements. It is not a home inspection.
MYTH 03“You can only use VA once.”
Many borrowers can restore entitlement or use remaining entitlement. The COE and actual calculation decide.
MYTH 04“A national VA lender is automatically the safe choice.”
Size is not a Loan Estimate. Compare the complete numbers and the person responsible for getting you closed.
A better starting point
Three steps. No sales circus.
01
Send the Loan Estimate
Already have a quote? Send it over. If you’re starting fresh, tell Mike what you want to accomplish.
02
Compare the real costs
Review rate, points, lender charges, credits, payment, cash-to-close and the long-term plan.
03
Choose with your eyes open
If Mike’s option is better, move forward. If it isn’t, you’ll know before you commit.
Can Mike guarantee a lower rate or lower fees than Veterans United?
No honest lender can promise that before reviewing the same transaction at the same time. Mike can compare available wholesale VA options and show you the full math. That gives you evidence—not a slogan.
What should I send for a second opinion?
Your official Loan Estimate is best. It shows the rate, APR, estimated payment, lender charges, points or credits, other closing costs and cash-to-close in a standardized format.
Does checking another VA option hurt my credit?
Starting with a conversation and Loan Estimate review does not itself require another credit pull. If a new application or credit report becomes necessary, Mike will explain that before proceeding.
Can I use my VA benefit if I already have a VA loan?
Possibly. Some borrowers have remaining entitlement, and entitlement may be restorable in qualifying situations. Mike can review your Certificate of Eligibility and the proposed transaction.
Can sellers pay VA closing costs?
VA rules allow sellers to pay many ordinary closing costs, and separate seller concessions are generally limited to 4% of the home’s reasonable value. The contract and exact charges still need to be structured correctly.
Proudly Serving Those Who Served