Clare Michigan Mortgage Broker — 25+ Years of Trusted Lending
Edward Kalavitz | NMLS #138424 | Serving Clare, Clare County & All 83 Michigan Counties
Edward Kalavitz · MLO NMLS #138424 · Private Mortgage Guarantee LLC · Serving Clare, Clare County & all 83 Michigan counties
In This Guide
- Today’s Rates in Clare
- Michigan Mortgage Advisor
- Meet Your Clare Mortgage Broker
- About Clare, Michigan
- Neighborhoods & Subdivisions
- Property Types
- Schools & Education
- Cost of Living & Taxes
- Market Trends
- Mortgage Options in Clare
- Buying in Clare
- Selling in Clare
- Why Choose Edward
- Edward’s Local Take
- Watch: Meet Edward
- Nearby Cities
- Google Reviews
- Clare FAQ
- Available Hours
Mortgage Rates in Clare
Competitive pricing personalized to your scenario. Rates shown reflect 740+ credit, 30-year fixed terms unless noted.
Purchase Loans
Conventional Purchase
15-Year Conventional
FHA 30-Year Purchase
VA 30-Year Purchase
USDA Purchase & Refinance
USDA 30-Year Purchase
FHA Streamline Refi
Conventional Refinance
Jumbo & High-Balance
Jumbo / High-Balance
Get Your Clare Rate in Writing
The rates above are today’s pricing at a 740 score. Your broker will quote your actual scenario — your credit, your down payment, your address — usually the same business day.
Not Sure Which Loan You Qualify For?
See the rates. Not sure which loan fits your situation? The Michigan Mortgage Advisor answers that in 60 seconds — analyzing your credit, down payment, and goals to recommend the best loan program and show you your real monthly payment on Clare Michigan real estate.
- Instant loan-type recommendation — FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional
- Live rate and APR for your exact scenario
- Michigan-specific closing cost estimate
- No credit check required to start
Best loan for you: FHA
3.5% down
~$1,830/mo principal + interest
Your actual recommendation is calculated live based on your inputs.
Meet Your mortgage expert
When Clare County buyers want expert lending guidance and a responsive professional who truly understands Michigan’s residential market, they turn to Edward Kalavitz with over 25 years of mortgage and real estate expertise. Clare, Michigan is a Clare County community where average home prices of about $215,000 sit 39.3% below the Michigan statewide average — creating a compelling opportunity for buyers across a wide range of financial profiles.
As both a licensed mortgage broker and Michigan realtor, your local loan expert delivers a seamless dual-service advantage — one professional handles both your financing strategy and your real estate guidance from pre-approval through closing day.
Conventional financing is the featured primary program at Clare’s average of about $215,000 — down payments starting at 3-5% (about $6,450–$10,750) and the most flexible long-term structure for buyers with solid credit. FHA provides the credit-accessible alternative with just 3.5% down (about $7,525) for buyers earlier in their financial journey.
USDA rural development zero-down financing may also be available for some Clare-area addresses verifies USDA eligibility for any address at no cost during the initial consultation.
With 35 homes sold in six months and a 35-day average market time, Clare gives buyers meaningful time to evaluate properties carefully. Edward typically has pre-approval letters ready within 24 hours.
Your loan officer is available seven days a week including every holiday — weekdays 8 AM–8 PM and weekends 9 AM–8 PM. Call (616) 633-3692 anytime.
Edward Kalavitz holds both a mortgage broker license (NMLS #138424) and Michigan realtor license (#6501386956). As your local mortgage expert, Edward delivers Conventional + FHA lending expertise alongside dual financing and real estate guidance. 25+ years of Clare County market knowledge and 7-day availability including all holidays.
Clare Michigan Mortgage Broker — First-Time Homebuyer Guide
With conventional financing starting at 3% down and FHA requiring about $7,525 at Clare’s average of about $215,000 — 39.3% below the Michigan statewide average — Clare offers strong value for first-time buyers. Edward Kalavitz has guided hundreds of first-time buyers over 25+ years.
Your broker evaluates conventional and FHA side by side to identify the program delivering the best combination of upfront cost, monthly payment, and long-term structure. Michigan down payment assistance programs may further reduce upfront costs. Call Edward at (616) 633-3692 — pre-approval letters are typically ready within 24 hours.
Financing note: Your mortgage expert lends across every one of these neighbourhoods, and as your local mortgage expert, Edward can pre-approve you before you start touring.
About Clare, Michigan
Clare is a city of 3,254 residents (2020 census) located near the center of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, mostly within Clare County, with a small portion extending south into Isabella County. The community covers 3.83 square miles total — 3.72 land, the balance water — and sits at the junction of U.S. Route 10 and U.S. Route 127, where M-115 also passes through. The convergence of these highways, paired with the historic junction of the Ann Arbor and Pere Marquette railroads, earned the city its longtime nickname: the Crossroads of Michigan. As your local mortgage expert, Edward can put this in writing for a seller.
Clare was settled in 1870 with the arrival of the Pere Marquette Railroad. The post office opened January 20, 1871. The community incorporated as a village in 1879 and as a city in 1891. The county itself was named for County Clare in Ireland, and that Irish heritage remains a recognizable thread in the local identity today.
Two properties hold places on the National Register of Historic Places: the Clare Downtown Historic District and the Clare Congregational Church. Together they anchor the late-19th-century building stock that still defines the downtown core. The area’s other two nicknames — Gateway to the North and City of Festivals — round out the local heritage shorthand.
The local economy combines several streams. Clare Public Schools is a major institutional employer and a daily commerce anchor. The multi-highway position along US-10, US-127, and M-115 supports through-traffic retail, hospitality, fuel, and service businesses that capture both Northern-Michigan-bound vacationers and routine east-west commuters.
Commuter ties extend to Mount Pleasant about 25 minutes south, where Central Michigan University and the broader Isabella County employment base draw daily workers. The downtown bakery operating in the historic 1896 Clare City Bakery building has become a regional tourism draw in its own right, and Lake Shamrock plus the south branch of the Tobacco River support seasonal recreation visits.
Neighborhood Guide · Clare, MI
Clare Neighborhoods
The city’s residential blocks are organized around the multi-highway crossroads at the center of town, with the National Register historic downtown forming the cultural anchor and a small set of recognizable corridors and lake-and-river settings radiating outward. Inventory ranges from late-19th-century downtown-adjacent homes to mid-century subdivisions feeding the school district and newer parcels along the highway and water corridors.
Historic Downtown / National Register / Cops & Doughnuts
The historic core, anchored by the Clare Downtown Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Inventory leans toward late-19th-century and early-20th-century homes carried over from the city’s 1879 village-incorporation and 1891 city-incorporation eras. The 1896 Clare City Bakery building — now home to the well-known police-officer-owned bakery that opened in 2009 — sits among the streetscape that defines the district. Lots tend to be compact, sidewalks run throughout, and downtown services are reachable on foot. Your local loan expert can tell you quickly whether this is a factor for you.
Walkability: Walkable historic downtown grid with sidewalks throughout the district; downtown services, the bakery, and small-shop frontage reachable on foot. This is the kind of detail Edward should raise before you commit.
Buyer fit: Common among buyers prioritizing the walkable Crossroads-of-Michigan character, historic architectural detail, and proximity to downtown commerce — particularly retirees, remote-work professionals, and buyers who want to live inside the historic district rather than commute into it. Your loan officer can run this against your actual income and debts.
Lake Shamrock Area
Residential parcels set near Lake Shamrock, which carries the Irish-heritage naming thread that traces back to the county’s namesake in County Clare, Ireland. Inventory includes year-round single-family homes, some seasonal cottages, and a mix of older lakefront stock and newer infill on the surrounding parcels. Lots are larger than the downtown grid, settings are quieter, and lake access defines the daily rhythm — fishing, paddling, and shoreline frontage are common drivers for buyers looking in this pocket. Ask Edward Kalavitz to compare a couple of structures side by side.
Walkability: Drive-oriented; the lake setting takes priority over pedestrian connection to downtown services. Your broker can flag this early rather than at underwriting.
Buyer fit: Common among buyers prioritizing small-lake character, water access, and quieter parcels — including retirees, second-home buyers seeking a year-round or seasonal Michigan water property, and families wanting recreation at the doorstep without the cost basis of a larger inland lake. As your local mortgage expert, Edward handles this in the pre-approval, not after.
US-10 / US-127 Corridor
Residential parcels along and just off the multi-highway crossroads where US-10 and US-127 converge and M-115 also runs through. Each U.S. route also carries a business loop — Bus. US-10 and Bus. US-127 — that threads downtown, giving residents along this corridor straightforward access to both through-routes and local commerce. Inventory mixes mid-century homes, ranch-style builds, and newer parcels that took advantage of the highway-frontage land in subsequent decades. Your mortgage expert can confirm whether your file clears this comfortably.
Walkability: Drive-oriented; highway and business-loop access dominates, with downtown a short drive rather than a walk. Worth a conversation with your local loan expert before you tour homes.
Buyer fit: Common among commuters serving Mount Pleasant, Midland, Cadillac, or Northern Michigan corridor routes who want quick highway access from the driveway, plus buyers who value being on the through-route for retail, fuel, and dining without sitting in the downtown grid. Edward can tell you what a lender will actually count here.
Clare Public Schools Area
Residential blocks feeding into Clare Public Schools, which serves the city plus surrounding southeastern Clare County and northeastern Isabella County. Inventory leans toward family-scale single-family homes — three- and four-bedroom layouts, attached garages, mature yards. Many of these blocks were built out during mid-20th-century expansion, with newer subdivision pockets layered in as the district’s enrollment footprint extended into the surrounding townships. Ask your loan officer how this reads on a real loan estimate.
Walkability: Sidewalks throughout the older subdivision blocks; varied connectivity in newer outlying pockets. A Clare Michigan mortgage broker who is also a Realtor can line this up with your offer.
Buyer fit: Common among families prioritizing the local public-school district, household stability, and the ability to reach the school footprint on a short daily drive or — for inner blocks — a walk. Also draws first-time buyers stepping into a family home and move-up buyers within the district who want to stay inside the same enrollment boundaries. Edward Kalavitz can price two or three options so you can compare.
Tobacco River Corridor
Homes along and near the south branch of the Tobacco River, which winds through the area and adds a water-corridor element distinct from the lake parcels. Inventory varies from older cottages and modest year-round homes to larger newer parcels backed up to the river. Lots are typically larger than downtown grid blocks, tree cover is heavy, and the river itself supports paddling, fishing, and quiet shoreline use. As your local mortgage expert, Edward would rather find this now than at closing.
Walkability: Drive-oriented; the river-corridor setting and tree cover take priority over sidewalk connection to downtown. Your broker can tell you whether this moves your number much.
Buyer fit: Common among buyers prioritizing river-corridor character, larger wooded lots, and a quieter setting that still keeps the city’s services and the multi-highway crossroads within a few-minute drive. Resonates with outdoor-oriented households and second-home buyers who want moving water rather than a lake. This is worth checking with your mortgage expert before you commit to a payment.
Greater Clare Residential
The broader stock of single-family residential blocks that surround the named corridors and historic district. Inventory spans early-20th-century homes, mid-century ranches, and pockets of newer subdivision builds. Lot sizes step up as you move outward from the historic grid, household compositions are mixed — the 2020 census recorded roughly 1,433 households in the city with about 31.6% raising children under 18 and another 18.7% with at least one resident age 65 or older living alone. Your local loan expert can explain how underwriting treats this.
Walkability: Walkable to neighborhood amenities in the inner blocks; outer blocks shift to drive-oriented patterns. Ask Edward what documentation this will require.
Buyer fit: Common among year-round residents wanting a steady community footprint outside the historic-district price band — including first-time buyers, families, downsizers, and retirees who want city services and the school district nearby without paying the downtown or lake-front premium. Your loan officer can tell you if this affects your timeline at all.
Financing note: Value varies block by block here, and Edward Kalavitz prices the specific address rather than the postcode. Ask your broker which pockets appraise most consistently.
Property Types in Clare
Single-Family Homes
The core of the local inventory. Stock ranges from late-19th-century and early-20th-century homes inside the historic district and adjacent blocks, through mid-century ranches in the school-area subdivisions, to newer parcels along the highway and water corridors. The broader residential blocks generally run in the $200K to $400K band, with downtown-historic and lake-adjacent parcels reaching higher as character, lot, and water access stack into the price. As your local mortgage expert, Edward keeps the lending and the buying on one schedule.
Condos & Townhouses
A moderate condo and townhouse layer rather than a deep one — typical for a community of this scale. These units pull two main buyer types: downsizers shedding yard maintenance after years in a single-family home, and first-time buyers stepping into ownership at a lower entry price than the single-family bands require. Inventory turns less frequently than the single-family market, which means timing and patience matter. Your mortgage expert can confirm the current figure rather than an estimate.
New Construction
New construction here is a moderate market rather than a major one — pockets of newer parcels appear along the highway corridors, in the outer school-area subdivisions, and on selected lake-and-river-adjacent lots. Build cycles can take longer than in the larger metro markets, and lot inventory drives much of what actually gets delivered. Buyers wanting new should plan around availability rather than expecting a steady production-builder flow. Bring your questions on this to your local loan expert early in the process.
Investment Properties
The rental demand pattern here is anchored by two real drivers: the multi-highway corridor (workers and through-traffic-serving employment) and the daily-commute connection south to Mount Pleasant for Central-Michigan-University-related households. Investors evaluating any specific property should weigh those two demand streams against unit condition, location relative to the school district, and the depth of the local rental pool — which is smaller than in metro markets. Edward can show you the difference in real dollars.
Waterfront Homes
Two water threads define the local waterfront category: Lake Shamrock and the south branch of the Tobacco River. Lake parcels carry year-round and seasonal stock with direct frontage; river-corridor parcels lean toward larger wooded lots with moving-water exposure. Both pull premium pricing relative to comparable inland-only parcels, and both reward buyers who walk the actual property in season before committing — water character shifts noticeably across the year. Ask your loan officer which loan programs treat this most favourably.
Luxury Homes
The higher end of the local market concentrates in two places: larger-parcel residential just outside the central grid (where lot size, build quality, and finish stack into the price) and the Lake Shamrock-adjacent inventory at the upper end of the waterfront band. The market here is smaller and more episodic than in metro Michigan submarkets — patient buyers with a clear specification do better than buyers looking to compare three luxury options on the same weekend. Edward Kalavitz can tell you what a seller is likely to accept here.
Financing note: Programme fit depends on build type and condition. Your broker matches the loan to the property, and as your local mortgage expert, Edward flags repair-escrow risk before the appraisal, not after.
Clare Schools & Education
Education for the area is anchored by the local public-school district, with parochial and private options in the broader Clare-and-Isabella-county region and Central Michigan University in nearby Mount Pleasant providing higher-education access within a short drive.
Clare Public Schools
The public district that serves the city plus surrounding southeastern Clare County and northeastern Isabella County. The district is the major institutional employer in town and one of the daily commerce anchors that keeps the residential blocks feeding into a single, consistent enrollment footprint. With roughly 1,433 households in the city — about 31.6% of them raising children under 18 according to the 2020 census — the district shapes a meaningful slice of the family-housing demand pattern across the named neighborhoods. District assignment for any specific property is verified case by case; Edward confirms district and enrollment options as part of the buyer consultation. As your local mortgage expert, Edward can answer this without a referral.
Private & Parochial Options
The broader Clare-and-Isabella-county area carries a working set of private and parochial school options outside the public district. Families considering these routes typically weigh program fit, transportation distance from the home address, and tuition structure against the local public-school option. For buyers prioritizing a particular private or parochial program, the actual drive from a candidate home matters as much as the program itself — a property that adds 15 to 25 minutes each way to a school commute changes the daily-life math meaningfully. Edward maps candidate properties against the buyer’s preferred school options as part of the consultation rather than treating it as a separate step. Your mortgage expert can check this against today’s guidelines.
Higher Education — Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant — roughly 25 minutes south by drive — anchors higher-education access for the area. The university supports daily commuter ties for both students and staff, and its presence is a key reason the US-10/US-127 corridor has steady commuter demand from local residential blocks. For homebuyers, CMU matters in three ways: as an employment destination, as a draw for college-age renters in the broader market, and as a cultural anchor whose events, athletics, and continuing-education programs are accessible within a short drive. Soaring Eagle and the broader Mount Pleasant employment base add to that same corridor pull. This is a question for your local loan expert before you start looking.
School district boundaries cross municipal lines and assignments shift periodically. Confirm exact district assignment for any specific property with Edward — he verifies district and enrollment options as part of the buyer consultation.
Financing note: District lines move value street by street, and Edward prices from the appraised address rather than the mailing town. Ask your loan officer to confirm the district before you write the offer.
Cost of Living & Property Taxes in Clare
One of the biggest advantages of Clare Michigan real estate is affordability relative to comparable metro areas. Here’s what it costs to live in Clare.
18 mills
Removed by PRE
$45,000
Median Household Income
~50%
Taxable Value of Market
Property Taxes
Clare property taxes are calculated on a home’s taxable value — roughly 50% of market value in Michigan — multiplied by the local total millage rate (city or township + county + school + intermediate school district). Your exact tax depends on the specific property and jurisdiction within the Clare area; Edward provides a precise estimate for any home you’re considering.
If the home is your primary residence, file the Michigan Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) — it removes 18 mills (the local school operating millage) from your tax bill. On an average-priced Clare home, the PRE saves roughly $1,100 per year, typically 30–40% of total property taxes. The PRE is filed once at closing and stays in effect as long as you live in the home.
Cost Comparison
Michigan offers among the lowest costs of living in the Great Lakes region. Housing, property taxes, and — since the 2020 no-fault auto insurance reform — vehicle insurance all run below national averages, and Michigan has no local income tax in most jurisdictions. For buyers relocating from higher-cost metros, that combination means a given budget reaches noticeably further in Clare than in comparable out-of-state markets.
Within Clare, the real cost variable is neighborhood and property type rather than the city overall. Edward walks buyers through total monthly cost — mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities — for any specific Clare home so the comparison is grounded in real numbers, not averages.
Financing note: Taxes and insurance are escrowed into the monthly payment and counted in your ratios, so Edward Kalavitz builds them in from the start rather than surprising you at closing.
Clare Market Trends
Understanding market trends helps buyers and sellers make better decisions in the Clare Michigan real estate market. Here’s what the data shows.
Key Trends for 2026
Prices rising steadily
Clare home values continue to appreciate, outpacing the national average.
Low inventory
Current supply is well below a balanced market (typically 4–6 months), meaning demand significantly exceeds available homes.
Fast-moving market
Well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods sell in under 2 weeks. Buyers need pre-approval ready.
Spring/summer peak
Historically, Clare sees the strongest buyer activity from April through August.
New construction increasing
Developers are adding inventory in suburban areas, but supply still lags demand.
Financing note: Trends move faster than published averages, which is why your broker reprices weekly. Your mortgage expert can tell you what is actually closing in Clare right now.
Clare Michigan Mortgage Broker Loan Programs
Your local loan expert offers the full range of Michigan mortgage programs for Clare County buyers. Edward compares all programs across multiple wholesale lenders to find your best fit.
🏠 Conventional Loans Featured
№ 01- As low as 3-5% down — about $6,450–$10,750 at Clare’s average
- PMI drops automatically at 20% equity
- Best long-term structure for buyers with 620+ credit
- Wholesale rates from dozens of lenders compared simultaneously
🏡 FHA Loans Featured
№ 02- 3.5% down — approximately $7,525 at Clare’s average of about $215,000
- Credit scores as low as 580 accepted
- Seller can contribute up to 6% toward closing costs
- Flexible income and debt-to-income guidelines
🌾 USDA Loans Option
№ 03- Zero down payment for qualifying Clare-area rural addresses
- Below-market interest rates for income-eligible buyers
- Edward verifies eligibility at no cost
- Income limits apply — Edward reviews Clare County limits at consultation
💎 Jumbo Loans Option
№ 04- Available for Clare properties exceeding the conforming loan limit
- Competitive wholesale jumbo rates from multiple lenders
- Typically requires 700+ credit and 10-20% down
- Ideal for premium Clare County properties
🎖️ VA Loans — Zero Down for Clare Veterans
№ 05- 0% down payment — no PMI ever required
- Available to veterans, active duty, and eligible surviving spouses
- Competitive rates that routinely outperform conventional options
- Edward is experienced with VA loan processing statewide
🔄 Refinance Options
№ 06- Rate-and-term refinance to reduce your monthly payment
- Cash-out refinance to access accumulated home equity
- Conventional, FHA Streamline, and VA IRRRL options available
- Edward calculates your break-even before recommending any refinance
📄 Bank Statement Loans
№ 07- 12-24 months of bank statements in place of tax returns
- Ideal for self-employed Clare residents and business owners
- Available for purchase and refinance transactions
📊 DSCR Loans
№ 08- Qualify based on rental income — not personal income
- Ideal for Clare County investment property purchases
- No employment verification or tax returns required
🔧 Renovation Loans
№ 09- Finance purchase plus renovation costs in one loan
- FHA 203(k) and conventional renovation options available
- Ideal for older Clare-area residential properties
🏦 MSHDA Down Payment Assistance
№ 10- Up to $10,000 in down payment help from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority
- Income limits apply and vary by household size and county
- Can be combined with FHA or Conventional financing on an eligible purchase
- Edward checks your eligibility at the consultation — before you shop, not after
🔄 FHA Streamline Refinance
№ 11- For homeowners who already hold an FHA loan — refinance without a new appraisal in most cases
- No income documentation and no new credit underwriting on the standard non-credit-qualifying path
- Requires a net tangible benefit — the refinance has to measurably improve your position
- Edward reviews whether your current FHA loan qualifies at no cost
Clare Michigan Mortgage Broker — Your 5-Step Process
Your loan officer has refined a clear, efficient process over 25+ years of Michigan lending.
Step 1: Free Consultation & Pre-Approval
Call Edward Kalavitz at (616) 633-3692 or apply online. Edward compares all programs simultaneously and identifies the best fit. Pre-approval letters are typically ready within 24 hours.
Step 2: House Hunting in Clare
Pre-approval in hand, you evaluate Clare properties with confidence. Your broker can also serve as your licensed realtor — running live payment scenarios as you compare properties across Clare County.
Step 3: Loan Application & Rate Lock
Once your offer is accepted, your mortgage expert completes the formal loan application and locks your rate — comparing pricing across all wholesale lenders for your best available terms.
Step 4: Processing & Underwriting
Edward manages the complete pipeline — appraisal, title, underwriting submission, and clearance — keeping your Clare transaction on track through every approval step.
Step 5: Closing Day — Welcome Home to Clare
On closing day, your local loan expert ensures every document is accurate and all fees are verified. You sign final documents and officially become a Clare homeowner.
Edward’s Selling Advantage
Selling Your Home in Clare
Selling a home in Clare in 2026 rewards preparation. Accurate pricing from day one, professional presentation, and strategic timing are what separate listings that attract strong offers from those that linger on the market. Edward’s dual-license perspective — licensed Realtor and Mortgage Loan Originator — means he prices with both sides of the transaction in view, and can pre-qualify incoming buyers to keep your closing on track. Worth asking your mortgage expert how this fits your down payment plan.
As your listing agent, Edward Kalavitz handles every step of the local selling process — comparative market analysis using current Clare comps in your specific neighborhood, professional pricing strategy informed by 25+ years of Michigan real estate experience, MLS listing on the Edward’s statewide MLS network (Water Wonderland Association, Realcomp II Limited, Northern Great Lakes MLS, MiRealSource, MichRIC, and Greater Regional Alliance of REALTORS (GRAR)), professional photography and digital marketing, open house scheduling, offer negotiation, and full coordination through inspection, appraisal, and closing. Your local loan expert can put a real figure to this rather than a range.
Most Clare sellers find that listing in April through August captures the strongest buyer activity — but well-priced homes sell year-round in this market.
Edward’s dual license as both a Michigan Realtor (#6501386956) and Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS #138424) gives sellers a meaningful advantage that single-licensed agents simply can’t match.
When offers come in, Edward immediately vets each buyer’s financing strength with a lender’s eye — flagging weak pre-approvals before you accept an offer that might fall through, identifying buyers whose lock periods are about to expire, and reducing the risk of a deal collapsing in underwriting two weeks before close. In a fast market like Clare, fewer fall-throughs means faster, more certain closings.
Before you list, run the numbers. Edward’s Seller Net Sheet Calculator shows your estimated proceeds after agent commissions, title fees, transfer taxes, and remaining mortgage payoff — so you know exactly what you’ll walk away with before you sign a listing agreement. For a free home valuation and listing strategy consultation, call Edward at (616) 633-3692.
Financing note: Most Clare sellers are buying again, and Edward can time the sale against the purchase. As your local mortgage expert, Edward runs both sides together so you see one number. You are never required to use your loan officer for the sale as well.
Why Choose This Clare Michigan Mortgage Broker
Edward Kalavitz brings over a quarter century of lending and real estate expertise to every Clare County transaction.
Edward compares Conventional + FHA across dozens of wholesale lenders simultaneously — ensuring every Clare buyer gets the best available rate and program structure.
Edward Kalavitz
Edward’s Local Take on Clare
I’ve spent 25+ years working across Michigan markets, and the city of Clare consistently rewards buyers who know what they want before they walk in the door. The community has three real strengths that pull different buyer types: the National Register historic downtown with its well-known bakery, the multi-highway crossroads position, and the surrounding lake, river, and school-district pockets.
Here’s how I help buyers think about the city by priority. Tell me what matters most, and I’ll match it to the right neighborhood inside this footprint instead of working backwards from a listing.
Edward Kalavitz
Watch: Meet Edward
Get to know Edward Kalavitz — learn how he helps Clare Michigan families buy, sell, and finance homes with dual-licensed real estate and mortgage expertise.
Nearby Cities
Exploring the Clare Michigan real estate market but open to nearby communities? These cities are all within a short drive and offer different price points and neighborhood character — explore each one’s listings below.
What Clients Say About Working with Edward
These are verified Google reviews from Edward’s Google Business Profile. Edward is dual-licensed — Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS #138424) and Michigan Realtor — so reviewers include both financing and real estate clients.
“Very Professional and Thorough”
“Edward’s is very professional and thorough. Had a great experience working with him. Everything went very smooth.”
“Great to Have 2 in 1”
“Ed was very responsive, knowledgeable, and made our first home buying experience great! He’s a relator and lender, which was great to have “2 in1”. We were able to look at houses and run number the same day. He was very flexible with times we needed to set up showings, as well as very informative and organized with paperwork! I appreciate his expertise greatly!” Your broker can tell you how sellers here typically handle it.
“Works Hard 24/7”
“Ed is wonderful to work with! He is very thorough, experienced, and friendly. Ed works hard 24/7 to give you the best mortgage experience and is always able to help with whatever you need!”
“Above and Beyond”
“Edward is a great relator and loan officer. He helped my fiance and I buy our first home. We called him back when we were ready to sell and buy our forever home. He again went above and beyond to make the process swift and easy. I recommend him to my friends and family who are looking into buying, selling or refinacing their home!”
“Closing Came Sooner Than Anticipated”
“Edward was up front, professional and most helpful in first determining if I was a good candidate for a mortgage re-Fi. My case was Probably not the easiest, however, he made my “homework” manageable. The closing came sooner than anticipated, thanks to his perseverance, knowledge and professionalism.”
“Not Only My Realtor — My Friend”
“Edward was an excellent help in the most stressful time of my life. My son passed away in 2018 and I had to sell his home. Edward alleviated some stress by being patient, organized and communicated thoroughly the entire process. He not only was my realtor/loan officer but he was my friend! Highly recommend him for any home needs!”
Clare Commute & Transportation
The community sits at a working multi-highway crossroads in central-Lower-Peninsula Michigan, paired with a local airport. The combination drives the city’s longstanding Crossroads-of-Michigan and Gateway-to-the-North identities.
US-10 & US-127
U.S. Routes 10 and 127 converge here, and each one carries a business route — Bus. US-10 and Bus. US-127 — through the downtown area. Together they form the primary east-west and north-south through-corridors for the city. Commutes south toward Mount Pleasant land at about 25 minutes; trips east toward Midland sit around 45 minutes; and the corridor opens cleanly toward Cadillac and the broader Northern Michigan region heading north. This is where having a Clare Michigan mortgage broker who knows the area helps.
M-115
State highway M-115 also runs through the city, adding a third major routed corridor on top of the two U.S. routes. For commuters and through-travelers, that means three named highways converging in one footprint — a level of connectivity uncommon for a community of this population size. The historic junction of the Ann Arbor and Pere Marquette railroads paired with this highway convergence is what built the original Crossroads-of-Michigan identity in the first place. Your mortgage expert can confirm eligibility before you get attached to a house.
Clare Municipal Airport
The local municipal airport provides general aviation access without requiring a drive to a regional commercial field. For business travelers who use general aviation, owners of small aircraft, and households where private-aviation access matters for either profession or family logistics, having the field inside the city footprint is a meaningful asset. Commercial-air trips remain a drive away — but the local field handles the routine general-aviation demand.
Gateway-to-the-North Position
The Gateway-to-the-North nickname captures a real travel-pattern reality: this is one of the working entry points for vacationers and seasonal residents heading from southern Michigan toward Northern Michigan recreation country. That position drives steady through-traffic retail and hospitality demand, supports a measurable tourism layer in the local economy, and shapes the rhythm of weekend traffic on the corridor — context that matters when buyers evaluate properties near the through-routes. Ask your local loan expert whether a different programme suits you better.
Financing note: Freeway access is a recognised location factor in the appraisal, and Edward sees it in the comparables. Your loan officer will also fold the true cost of a longer commute into what you can carry.
Where Clare Sits on the Map
Approximate drive times to other markets buyers commonly compare to Clare. Times reflect typical non-rush conditions; commute hours add 15–30%.
Clare Lifestyle, Entertainment & Recreation
Day-to-day life here is shaped by three durable threads: the National Register historic downtown, the Irish-heritage Shamrock identity tied to the county’s namesake in County Clare, Ireland, and the multi-highway position that gives the city its Crossroads-of-Michigan, Gateway-to-the-North, and City-of-Festivals nicknames. Together they produce a cultural identity that is unusually specific for a community of roughly 3,250 residents.
Multi-Identity Heritage
Three nicknames carry the city’s identity: Crossroads of Michigan (from the highway and rail convergence), Gateway to the North (from the position on the route north toward vacation country), and City of Festivals. Few communities of this size carry one distinctive nickname — carrying three is rare in Michigan and reflects how layered the local identity actually is across heritage, geography, and seasonal-event tradition.
Cops & Doughnuts Bakery
The police-officer-owned bakery that opened in 2009 in the historic 1896 Clare City Bakery building has become a regional tourism anchor. For residents, it’s a recognizable downtown destination that draws steady visitor traffic year-round; for the broader downtown economy, it’s a working draw that supports adjacent storefronts and the National Register district more generally. Few small-town Michigan downtowns carry a single business with that kind of name recognition outside the local market. Edward Kalavitz can talk this through in plain language.
National Register Historic Downtown
Two properties hold places on the National Register of Historic Places — the Clare Downtown Historic District and the Clare Congregational Church. The downtown district anchors heritage character at the daily-life level — the building stock, the streetscape, and the walkable grid that residents and visitors actually experience. For buyers prioritizing historic-district living, that anchoring is what makes the downtown-and-adjacent residential blocks read the way they do. As your local mortgage expert, Edward would want to see your figures first.
Shamrock & Irish Heritage
The county’s name traces to County Clare in Ireland, and that Irish-heritage thread shows up locally in the Shamrock identity, in Lake Shamrock itself, and in the seasonal festival rhythm that helped earn the City-of-Festivals nickname. For residents, it’s a cultural through-line that runs across the year rather than a once-a-year theme — and for newcomers, it’s one of the recognizable hooks that gives the city a distinct sense of place inside central Michigan. Your broker can tell you what changes and what does not.
Financing note: Walkable amenities read as a resale strength, and your mortgage expert counts that in the comparables.
Clare Healthcare & Medical Facilities
Day-to-day medical access is served by a local hospital plus regional Mount Pleasant and Midland systems within short drives, with academic-system tertiary care reachable downstate when specialty needs warrant it.
MyMichigan Medical Center Clare
The in-town hospital that handles local full-service care — emergency, inpatient, outpatient, and the routine appointment cadence that most households actually use day to day. For buyers evaluating any specific property, having a hospital inside the city footprint is a meaningful factor — particularly for retirees and aging-in-place households, who make up a notable slice of the local population (the 2020 census recorded 20.1% of residents at age 65 or older). Worth raising with your local loan expert while you are still comparing homes.
MyMichigan Medical Center Midland
Located in Midland — about 45 minutes south — this center provides comprehensive specialty care that expands what’s available locally without requiring a downstate trip. For households where a household member needs ongoing specialty oversight, the Midland drive sits inside a comfortable same-day round-trip window from any of the named neighborhoods, which keeps the option practical rather than logistically heavy.
McLaren Central Michigan — Mount Pleasant
Located in Mount Pleasant — roughly 25 minutes south — this hospital provides additional regional care that’s closer than the Midland or downstate options. Between this campus and the in-town MyMichigan facility, most routine and mid-acuity needs can be handled inside a 25-to-30-minute drive band from the residential blocks in the city, which is a meaningful comfort factor for buyers comparing rural-and-small-town Michigan locations against each other. Edward can map this against what you want your payment to be.
Tertiary Referral — Major Academic Systems
For tertiary and quaternary specialty care — the most complex oncology, transplant, cardiac, and neurologic cases — University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and other downstate academic systems are the referral endpoints. These trips are episode-driven rather than routine, but their existence inside a same-day drive from the area matters for households making location decisions around long-term medical risk. Edward factors that referral-pattern context into discussions when buyers raise it. Ask your loan officer to show you the trade-offs before you decide.
Financing note: Premiums and out-of-pocket costs never appear in your debt-to-income ratio, so Edward Kalavitz will show the payment your file qualifies for and the payment your household actually feels.
Clare Michigan Mortgage Broker — Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat is the average home price in Clare, Michigan?
The average home price in Clare is about $215,000 — 39.3% below the Michigan statewide average. Your broker compares all programs to maximize your Clare County purchasing power.
QHow fast are homes selling in Clare, Michigan?
Clare averages 35 days on market — a balanced pace giving buyers meaningful evaluation time. Edward issues pre-approval letters within 24 hours. Your mortgage expert can confirm the current figure for your situation.
QHow much down payment do I need in Clare?
FHA requires about $7,525 (3.5%) at Clare’s average of about $215,000. Conventional starts at 3-5% down (about $6,450–$10,750). VA offers 0% down for qualifying veterans. Your local loan expert reviews every option before finalizing your strategy.
QWhat are closing costs in Clare?
Closing costs typically run 2-5% — approximately $5,200–$10,750 on a $215,000 Clare home. See the closing costs guide. Edward provides a detailed Loan Estimate upfront. As your local mortgage expert, Edward answers this the day you ask.
QWhat credit score do I need to buy in Clare?
FHA accepts scores as low as 580. Conventional requires 620+. USDA requires 640 minimum. Edward reviews your full credit profile and recommends the best-fit program.
QHow long does it take to close in Clare?
Conventional and FHA purchases typically close in 30-45 days from accepted offer. Edward manages the pipeline proactively to keep your Clare transaction on schedule. Ask your loan officer to price your exact scenario rather than an average.
QDoes Edward Kalavitz serve Clare, Michigan?
Yes. Edward Kalavitz is a licensed Michigan mortgage broker (NMLS #138424) serving Clare and all 83 Michigan counties through Private Mortgage Guarantee LLC (NMLS #2033317). Available Monday-Friday 8AM-8PM and Saturday-Sunday 9AM-8PM including every holiday. Edward Kalavitz will put this in writing on your Loan Estimate.
QIs Clare, Michigan a good place to buy?
Clare offers Clare County community character and a $215,000 average that is 39.3% below the Michigan statewide average — with Conventional + FHA financing accessible for a wide range of buyers. Your broker evaluates specific properties and programs for every buyer profile.
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Michigan Loan Programs for Clare Buyers & Homeowners
As your Clare mortgage lender and broker, Edward Kalavitz offers the full range of loan programs — shopped across 12+ wholesale lenders. Explore your options: