Home financing in Washtenaw County.
County-by-county financing guides. No paperwork. No social. No ID.
1 institutions are headquartered inside the Washtenaw County line, Ann Arbor included, and 10 more keep a branch here. Below, we say which is which.
Not this lane? Business FinancingPersonal Financing
The doors in Washtenaw County.
The CDFIs, credit unions, and microlenders that actually say yes — county by county, in two languages. We are not a lender. Nobody paid to be listed. And where a county has no good doors, we say so.
- 11
- DOORS HERE
- 1
- BASED HERE
- 77
- MI COUNTIES WITH DOORS
- Lane
- Home Financing
- People
- 372Kresidents of Washtenaw County
- Covers
- Ann Arbor
- Elsewhere in MI
- Wayne County →43 doors — the biggest list of any other county in Michigan
- State
- Michigan →77 of 83 counties hold a door in this lane
Certified by the U.S. Treasury to lend where a bank will not. Nonprofit, patient, and used to a file that is not clean.
American 1 Credit Union · Michigan First Credit UnionOwned by their members, not by shareholders. They look at your whole story rather than a score, and that is the difference when a bank says no.
American 1 Credit Union · Communityamerica Credit Union- University of Michigan Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
Based elsewhere, with a member-facing office inside the Washtenaw County line. You can walk in.
- American 1 Credit UnionCDFI-certifiedPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Communityamerica Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Credit Union OnePersonal · Home · Business capital
- Dfcu Financial Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Lake Michigan Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- IN THIS LIST
2 of the 11 doors inside the county line are CDFI-certified.
The U.S. Treasury certifies them to lend to the people banks pass over. It is a loan, not a favour.
- Lake Trust Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
Show the other 4Show fewer
- Michigan First Credit UnionCDFI-certifiedPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Parda Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- People Driven Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- True Community Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Mission Asset FundAccepts ITIN
Zero-interest lending circles and credit building. SSN or ITIN accepted. Works through nonprofit partners across the country.
Personal - Accion Opportunity FundAccepts ITIN
Nonprofit small-business lender. Accepts ITIN in place of SSN. Serves most states, in English and Spanish.
Business capital - Grameen AmericaAccepts ITIN
Microloans for women entrepreneurs. Requires photo ID and proof of address — no SSN requirement. Branches in major metro areas.
Business capital
How to read this list.
We do not ask for your name, your email, or your number. Nothing on this page changes based on who you are.
A door is headquartered here when its head office sits inside the county line. The rest are based elsewhere and keep a branch you can walk into. We list both, and we label which is which.
Every institution on this page comes from public federal data — the CDFI Fund certified list (Aug 2026), NCUA credit union data (Mar 2026), and the SBA microloan intermediary list (Sep 2026) — plus a short national tier we verified by hand. We refresh each list as its agency publishes. No listing is paid.
Buying or investing in a home in Washtenaw County, Michigan means you have real local options — from community credit unions and CDFIs to ITIN-friendly lenders who understand non-traditional income. This guide walks you through what home financing is, who qualifies in this region, what documents you'll likely need, and which local organizations can help. We also highlight Michigan-specific rules and common traps to avoid so you can make a confident, informed decision.
What Is Home Financing?
Home financing is a loan — usually called a mortgage — that lets you buy a home without paying the full purchase price upfront. You borrow money from a lender, buy the home, and repay the loan over time (typically 15 or 30 years) with interest. The home itself serves as collateral, which means the lender can reclaim it if payments stop.
For solo contractors, self-employed individuals, and small real-estate investors, home financing can look a little different than it does for salaried employees. Your income may vary month to month, you may use ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead of a Social Security Number, or you may own multiple properties. None of these things automatically disqualify you — but they do mean you'll want to work with lenders who understand your situation.
Common loan types include:
- Conventional loans — standard loans not backed by the government, usually requiring good credit and a 3–20% down payment.
- FHA loans — backed by the Federal Housing Administration, often used by first-time buyers with lower credit scores or smaller down payments.
- USDA loans — available for rural areas; parts of Washtenaw County may qualify.
- VA loans — for eligible veterans and active-duty military.
- ITIN loans — private or community-bank products for borrowers without a Social Security Number.
- Investment property loans — for buyers purchasing rental or fix-and-flip properties rather than a primary residence.
Who Qualifies in Washtenaw County?
Washtenaw County's economy is shaped by the University of Michigan, a strong healthcare sector, and a growing number of small businesses and tradespeople. This means lenders here are generally experienced with non-traditional income profiles — including gig workers, freelancers, subcontractors, and independent landlords.
You may qualify if you:
- Have been self-employed or contracting for at least two years (most lenders will average your last two years of net income from tax returns).
- Have a credit score of 580 or above for FHA loans, or 620+ for most conventional loans — though some local CDFIs work with lower scores.
- Have a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio under 43–50%, meaning your monthly debts (including the new mortgage) don't eat up more than about half your gross income.
- Use an ITIN rather than an SSN — several local lenders offer ITIN mortgage products.
- Are buying an investment property — local credit unions and community banks sometimes offer portfolio loans that stay in-house and have more flexible underwriting.
Income documentation for contractors: Most lenders want two years of tax returns (Schedule C for sole proprietors), recent bank statements, and possibly profit-and-loss statements prepared by a CPA. If your reported income is low because of business deductions, talk to a local CDFI or community lender before applying — they may have products suited to bank-statement underwriting.
Ann Arbor's median home price has climbed significantly in recent years, but Ypsilanti, Saline, and other parts of the county still offer more affordable entry points for first-time buyers and investors.
Get your papers in order.
Getting your paperwork together before you apply saves time and reduces stress. Here is a general checklist — your specific lender may ask for more or less:
Identity & Tax Status
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or consular ID)
- Social Security Number or ITIN
- If applicable: ITIN letter from the IRS or your most recent ITIN-issued tax return
Income & Employment
- Last two years of federal tax returns (personal and business, if separate)
- Schedule C, Schedule E, or Schedule K-1 depending on your business structure
- Last two to three months of bank statements (all accounts)
- Profit-and-loss statement, preferably signed by a CPA
- If you have rental income: current lease agreements and two years of Schedule E
Assets
- Bank and investment account statements (last 60–90 days)
- Documentation of down payment source (gift letters if funds are from family)
Property
- Purchase agreement (once you have one)
- Property address for appraisal and title search
Credit
- The lender will pull your credit report — you don't need to bring it, but reviewing it beforehand at AnnualCreditReport.com is a good idea
Tip: If you are an ITIN borrower, ask specifically which of these documents the lender will accept as equivalents. Some lenders, especially CDFIs, are practiced at working with ITIN documentation packages.
The doors worth knowing.
These are organizations with a documented presence in Washtenaw County or the broader Southeast Michigan region. Origen Capital is a directory — we are not a lender and do not receive fees from these organizations.
ALL 11 DOORS, BY NAME AND BY TOWN- 11
- DOORS HERE
- 128
- ACROSS MI
Based in Jackson, Michigan. A credit union — owned by its members rather than by shareholders, which is exactly what changes the conversation after a bank has said no. It is CDFI-certified.
BEST FORA personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing, and buying, repairing or refinancing a home.Based in Lathrup Village, Michigan. A member-owned credit union, which means the people deciding on your file answer to depositors in the same towns you work in. It is CDFI-certified.
BEST FORBuying, repairing or refinancing a home, and working capital, equipment and payroll for a small business.Based in Lenexa, Kansas. A credit union: no shareholders to satisfy, and a habit of reading a whole story rather than a single score.
BEST FORWorking capital, equipment and payroll for a small business, and a personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing.Based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. A credit union — owned by its members rather than by shareholders, which is exactly what changes the conversation after a bank has said no.
BEST FORA personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing, and buying, repairing or refinancing a home.
Don't fall into these traps.
Home financing is one of the largest financial decisions most people make. There are legitimate lenders who want to help you succeed — and there are others whose products are designed to benefit themselves at your expense. Here is what to watch for:
High-Cost or Predatory Mortgage Products
Avoid lenders who offer loans with very high interest rates or fees without clearly explaining why. In Michigan, loans with APRs above certain thresholds trigger additional disclosures under the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) — if a lender is steering you toward these, ask why.
Be cautious of balloon payments — loans where you make small payments for years and then owe a large lump sum. These can put your home at risk if you can't refinance.
Yield-Spread Premiums and Kickbacks
Some mortgage brokers earn more money by putting you in a higher-rate loan. Ask your broker directly: "Are you receiving any compensation from the lender for this loan rate?" Under federal law, this must be disclosed.
Deed-of-Trust Scams Targeting Immigrants
A known scam in immigrant communities involves someone posing as a lender or notary who has you sign documents that transfer ownership of your home rather than create a loan. Never sign anything you don't fully understand. Bring a trusted bilingual friend or a HUD-approved housing counselor to signings.
"No-Doc" or Stated-Income Loans from Unverified Sources
Some non-bank lenders offer loans with very little income verification — these often come with very high rates and fees. Legitimate stated-income or bank-statement loan products exist, but compare them carefully with what local CDFIs and credit unions offer.
Urgent or High-Pressure Sales Tactics
No legitimate lender will pressure you to sign today or lose your rate forever. Rates can be locked for 30–60 days in most cases. If someone is rushing you, step back.
Title and Escrow Fraud
Always use a licensed Michigan title company or real-estate attorney for closing. Verify wire transfer instructions by calling the title company directly using a number you looked up independently — not one provided in an email.
Contractor Loan Bundling
Some home improvement contractors offer in-house financing for renovations. These can carry very high interest rates. Compare with options from Michigan Saves or a local credit union before accepting.
If something feels wrong, it probably is.. Contact the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) to verify a lender's license or file a complaint: michigan.gov/difs.
Everything below is set by Michigan, and it reads the same in every county in it. The 11 marks above are this county's own doors — who opens one is decided by them, not by the state.
The rules where you are.
Michigan has its own laws and programs that affect home financing. Understanding these can save you money and protect your rights.
MI Home Loan & MI Home Loan Flex (MSHDA)
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority offers two main programs:
— for first-time buyers or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years. Paired with up to $10,000 in down-payment assistance (a second, low-interest loan).
— broader eligibility, available to repeat buyers, with the same down-payment assistance option. Both require working with an approved MSHDA lender and completing a homebuyer education course. Michigan Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) If you live in the home you buy, you qualify for the Principal Residence Exemption, which reduces your property tax bill by removing the 18-mill school operating tax from your assessment. This is automatic when you file the right form with your local assessor — but investors buying rental properties do not qualify. Michigan Transfer Tax When a property sells, Michigan charges a state transfer tax of $3.75 per $500 of sale price, plus a county transfer tax of $0.55 per $500. As a buyer, you typically don't pay this — it's usually the seller's responsibility — but it affects the seller's net proceeds and can influence negotiations. Michigan Foreclosure Process Michigan is a lien-theory state, which means the borrower holds the title while the lender holds a lien. Foreclosure can happen non-judicially (through advertisement) or judicially. The statutory redemption period — the time a borrower has to reclaim a foreclosed property — is typically six months, sometimes more for larger properties. As a buyer or investor, knowing this matters if you're purchasing distressed properties. Property Tax "Uncapping" at Sale Michigan caps annual property tax assessment increases at 5% or the rate of inflation (whichever is lower) for existing owners. But when a property is sold, the assessed value is "uncapped" and reset to 50% of current market value. This means your property tax bill after purchase may be significantly higher than what the previous owner paid. Budget for this carefully. Homestead Property Tax Credit Low-to-moderate income homeowners in Michigan may qualify for a Homestead Property Tax Credit on their state income tax return. This credit can partially offset property taxes paid during the year.
The short version.
- 01
Buying or investing in a home in Washtenaw County is very doable — even if you're self-employed, use an ITIN, or have non-traditional income. The key is working with lenders who understand your situation.
- 02
1. Get your documents together — two years of tax returns, bank statements, and ID. If you use an ITIN, find a lender (like Self-Help Federal Credit Union or a local community bank) who explicitly works with ITIN borrowers.
- 03
2. Talk to a local CDFI or credit union first — organizations like University of Michigan Credit Union, CASE Credit Union, Invest Detroit, and Self-Help Federal Credit Union often have more flexible products than big banks and are experienced with real-world income situations.
- 04
3. Look into MSHDA down-payment assistance — if you're a first-time buyer or haven't owned in three years, the MI Home Loan program can give you up to $10,000 toward your down payment. Income limits apply, but it's worth checking.
Same county, another question.
Business FinancingLoans, lines of credit, and capital for small businesses and contractorsSEE IT IN WASHTENAW COUNTY →
Personal FinancingPersonal loans, credit building, and ITIN-friendly financing optionsSEE IT IN WASHTENAW COUNTY →77MI COUNTIES WITH DOORSThe whole stateEvery county in Michigan, in this same lane.128 institutions fund homes and repairs inside Michigan county lines.OPEN THE STATE →Still don't see your situation?
Ask Iris. She'll explain it the way it should have been explained the first time.