Frequently Asked Questions

No. There is no citizenship requirement to buy or own a home in Michigan. Your immigration status affects which loan programs are available to you, not whether you can own property. For how a purchase interacts with your specific visa situation, talk to an immigration attorney.

No. Buying a home in the US does not create, improve, or protect any immigration status, and there is no visa you can get by purchasing a house. If someone promises otherwise, walk away. For your specific situation, talk to an immigration attorney.

No credit history is a different challenge than having bad credit. It is best to speak to multiple lenders to see what options are available to you.

Yes. I often work with clients buying here from out of state, or from out of the country. I do video tours for clients who want to see the home from their phone. Remote closings are also possible as long as we talk to the title company before closing.

Yes, with planning. The common routes are notarizing at a US embassy or consulate, or using a notary in your country plus an apostille. Lenders and title companies have their own requirements, so we ask the title company early and get their answer in writing before it becomes a deadline problem.

It is agreed in writing before we work together, and it is paid one of three ways: the seller’s side offers to cover it, the seller agrees to a concession at closing, or the buyer pays directly at closing. It is never rolled into your loan. Whichever way applies to your purchase, you will see the exact number in your buyer agreement before we tour a single home.

I usually get paid through the transaction. Before you sign me as a realtor, I put in writing exactly what I would be paid and where it comes from, so that you are not caught by surprise.

Because rules that took effect in 2024 require a written buyer agreement before an agent tours homes with you, and the agreement must state the agent’s pay as a real number. It protects you: you know exactly what representation costs before you commit. Asking me about my services, or visiting an open house on your own, does not require one.

All home sales start with a strong sales strategy. I work with you to price your home against recent sales in your area so that you get the most from the sale while making sure it does not sit on the market long. I can also talk through which repairs would help ensure a smooth sale. Once the home is ready to list, I hire professional photographers and create an MLS listing so that every realtor in the surrounding area is notified your home is on the market. I host open houses, liaise with buyer agents, communicate your goals, and present every offer to you so that you can pick the best one.

What you walk away with is the sale price minus your remaining mortgage, commissions, transfer taxes, title and closing costs, and anything you agree to credit or repair along the way. Before you list, I put together a line by line estimate for your specific house so that you know what you would actually net, and what that leaves you for your next home.

Three protections that surprise buyers who did not grow up with them. Escrow is a neutral third party that holds the money until both sides have done what they agreed. Title insurance protects your ownership itself against defects in the home’s history, and in Michigan you should expect me to recommend an owner’s policy when you make an offer. An inspection is your chance to have a professional examine the house while you can still negotiate or walk away.

Yes. I’ve worked with entrepreneurs scouting commercial locations, and I founded 华创会, Michigan Chinese Founders, so a lot of my network is people building businesses in this state.