No junk fees. Wholesale rates. And a team that has worked the Kensington Valley corridor for decades — including five years living in Brighton Township itself.
Brighton, Green Oak Township, Hamburg Township, Genoa Township, and the broader Livingston County market are what people mean when they talk about getting out of Oakland County for more space, bigger lots, lakes, and a different pace of life. If that is what you are looking for, we know this market and we are ready to help you get there.
Get Pre-Approved — It's FreeFirst Commerce Financial co-founder Ken Turkington lived in Brighton Township from approximately 1999 to 2004 — during a period when many Oakland County families were making exactly the move that Brighton buyers are making today. More space. Bigger yards. Lakes. A quieter community feel with easy access back to the metro. Ken made that move himself before most people were talking about the Kensington Valley corridor the way they do now.
Ken Turkington lived in Brighton Township from approximately 1999 to 2004. He knows firsthand why families make the move from Oakland County to Livingston County — the larger lots, the rural feel, the lakes, the breathing room you simply cannot find at the same price point in Novi or Commerce Township. He was living this before it became a trend.
Kirk Chivas has been working the Southeast Michigan mortgage market since 1997 and currently lives in Lyon Township — right on the Oakland/Livingston County border. The Kensington Valley corridor between New Hudson, South Lyon, Brighton, and Howell is the market he drives through every day. He knows what is happening in this market in real time.
Together, Ken and Kirk bring direct residential experience and decades of mortgage expertise to the Brighton and Livingston County market. This is not a market they serve from a distance — it is one they have lived in and driven through for the better part of 30 years.
Why Buyers Choose Brighton & Livingston County
People do not end up in Brighton by accident. They choose it — deliberately, after comparing it to Oakland County alternatives and deciding that the trade is worth it. Here is what they are getting:
Space & Larger Lots
Brighton Township is known for bigger yards, wooded lots, and properties on acreage that would cost significantly more in Oakland County. It is a rural feel with suburban access — and that combination is hard to find.
Lakes Throughout the Area
Brighton Lake, Ore Lake, Woodland Lake, Fonda Lake, Clark Lake, Bishop Lake, and dozens more throughout Livingston County. Many are primary residence lake communities — families on the water year-round, not seasonal cottages.
Lower Livingston County Taxes
Livingston County property taxes are noticeably lower than most Oakland County communities. For buyers comparing Brighton to Novi or Commerce Township at similar price points, the tax difference matters over time.
Brighton Area Schools
Brighton Area Schools is highly rated — Brighton High School scores 10/10 on GreatSchools. For families making the move from Oakland County, school quality is non-negotiable, and Brighton delivers.
Outdoor Recreation
Brighton State Recreation Area, Island Lake State Recreation Area, Kensington Metropark, and Mount Brighton ski resort are all within minutes. This is what outdoor-focused families are coming for.
Quaint Downtown Brighton
The Mill Pond boardwalk, local dining, boutique shops, and community events make downtown Brighton a destination — not just a pass-through. It is part of what makes the community feel like a place, not just a suburb.
The Brighton & Kensington Valley Corridor
When we talk about the Brighton market, we mean the full Kensington Valley corridor — the interconnected communities that stretch from New Hudson and South Lyon on the Oakland County border through Brighton Township, Genoa Township, Green Oak Township, Hamburg Township, and into Howell. This is how buyers actually shop this market, and it is how we serve it.
The corridor runs along I-96 and US-23, making it accessible to both Metro Detroit to the east and Ann Arbor / Washtenaw County to the south. Many buyers in this market commute to Oakland County, Wayne County, or Washtenaw County while enjoying Livingston County's more spacious lifestyle and lower tax rates.
USDA Loans — A Hidden Advantage in This Market
Some addresses in Brighton Township, Green Oak Township, Hamburg Township, and surrounding Livingston County communities qualify for USDA Rural Development loans — which means zero down payment financing for eligible buyers. This is one of the most underutilized loan programs in Southeast Michigan, and it applies to more addresses in this corridor than most buyers realize.
We check USDA eligibility for every client purchasing in Livingston County. If your specific address qualifies, we will tell you — and we will help you use it. We will not steer you toward a higher-fee loan when a zero-down option is available to you.
Why Brighton Buyers Choose First Commerce Financial
We Know This Market from the Inside
Ken lived in Brighton Township. Kirk lives on the Oakland/Livingston County border right now. We are not serving this market from a call center in another state — we drive these roads, we know the communities, and we understand why buyers make the move to Livingston County.
Wholesale Rates — Not Retail Markup
As an independent mortgage broker, we shop dozens of wholesale lenders to find the lowest rate available for your specific situation. In a market where median home prices are around $398K–$445K and moving upward, a better rate makes a real difference in your monthly payment and long-term cost.
Zero Junk Fees
No processing fees, no administrative fees, no surprises at closing. What we quote is what you pay. Livingston County buyers are often making a deliberate financial decision to get more for their money — we respect that by being completely transparent about costs from day one.
USDA, FHA, VA, Conventional, and Jumbo — All in One Place
The Brighton and Livingston County market serves a wide range of buyers — from first-timers using USDA zero-down financing on a starter home in Green Oak Township to move-up buyers purchasing lakefront properties over $750K. We have the loan programs and lender relationships to serve all of them.
Mortgage Programs for Brighton & Livingston County Buyers
USDA Loans
Zero down payment for eligible addresses in Brighton Township, Green Oak, Hamburg, and surrounding areas. More addresses qualify than most buyers realize — we check every time.
Conventional Loans
The most common choice for Brighton area buyers. Competitive rates for qualified buyers at the median price points throughout Livingston County.
FHA Loans
3.5% down payment options for buyers with a range of credit profiles. Good option for first-time buyers entering the Brighton market.
VA Loans
Zero down payment loans for eligible veterans and active-duty military. Brighton and Livingston County have a strong veteran community.
Jumbo Loans
For lakefront properties and custom estates on acreage that exceed conventional loan limits. We compete strongly on jumbo rates.
Refinance
Rate-and-term or cash-out refinances for existing Brighton and Livingston County homeowners. We shop wholesale lenders to find your best option.
What Brighton & Livingston County Buyers Should Know
Verify your school district before you sign. Brighton Township is primarily served by Brighton Area Schools, but parts of the township fall under Hartland Consolidated Schools or other districts depending on the address. Always confirm school assignment with the district before making an offer — it affects both your family's plans and the resale value of the property.
Livingston County taxes are genuinely lower. This is not just marketing language — property taxes in Livingston County are measurably lower than Oakland County communities at comparable price points. We factor the full carrying cost into every pre-approval so you see the real monthly picture.
USDA eligibility is address-specific. Not every address in Livingston County qualifies for USDA financing, and eligibility maps change periodically. We check every client's specific address — do not assume you do or do not qualify until we verify.
The market moves quickly. Despite having more inventory than Oakland County communities, well-priced homes in Brighton Area Schools are still averaging under two weeks on market. Having a pre-approval in hand before you start looking is essential.
Acreage properties have unique financing considerations. Larger lots and properties on acreage sometimes have well and septic systems rather than municipal utilities. These factors affect appraisals and sometimes require specific lender approval. We know how to navigate these situations — they are common in this market and we have handled them many times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Ken actually live in Brighton Township?
Yes. Ken Turkington lived in Brighton Township from approximately 1999 to 2004. He made the same move that many Oakland County families make — choosing Livingston County for more space, bigger lots, and a different lifestyle. Kirk Chivas currently lives in Lyon Township right on the Oakland/Livingston County border, and knows the Kensington Valley corridor well from both sides of the county line.
Do USDA loans really apply in Brighton Township?
Yes — some addresses in Brighton Township and surrounding Livingston County communities qualify for USDA Rural Development loans, which offer zero down payment financing for eligible buyers. Eligibility is address-specific and the maps change periodically. We check every client's address as part of our standard process. If you qualify, we will tell you — and we will help you use it.
What is the difference between the City of Brighton and Brighton Township?
The City of Brighton is a small incorporated city centered around downtown and the Mill Pond area. Brighton Township surrounds it and is a much larger area with a more rural character — bigger lots, more wooded properties, lake communities, and acreage. Most buyers drawn to Brighton's lifestyle are actually purchasing in the township, not the city. Both areas are served primarily by Brighton Area Schools.
What communities do you serve in the Kensington Valley corridor?
All of them. Brighton, Brighton Township, Green Oak Township, Hamburg Township, Genoa Township, Howell, Hartland, Pinckney, South Lyon, Lyon Township, New Hudson, Milford, and all of Livingston County. If you are buying or refinancing anywhere in this corridor — or anywhere in Michigan — we can help.
Are lake homes in Brighton financed as primary residences?
The majority of lake properties in Brighton and Livingston County are primary residences — families living on the water year-round. This means conventional financing applies in most cases, which gives buyers access to the best available rates. We will confirm the financing approach for your specific property and make sure you understand your options before you make an offer.
Ready to Buy in Brighton or Livingston County?
Talk directly with Ken or Kirk — two people who have lived in this corridor and know why buyers make the move. Straight answers about what you qualify for, whether USDA applies to your address, and what your mortgage will actually cost. No pressure, no obligation.
Start Your Free Pre-ApprovalOr call us directly at (248) 459-5511
First Commerce Financial | Licensed Michigan Mortgage Broker | NMLS #137512 | Serving Brighton, Brighton Township, Green Oak Township, Hamburg Township, Genoa Township, Howell, Hartland, and all of Livingston County
