Mortgage Broker in Farmington Hills, MI
Farmington Hills is not just a market Kirk Chivas serves — it is the community where he grew up, went to school, bought his first home, and where his family still has deep roots today. First Commerce Financial brings nearly 30 years of mortgage experience and a lifetime of personal familiarity to every Farmington Hills transaction. Wholesale rates, zero junk fees, same-day pre-approvals. NMLS #137512.
Get Pre-Approved Today — It Is Free— Kirk Chivas, Co-Founder, First Commerce Financial
My family moved to Farmington Hills in 1976. I was four years old. I grew up on the streets of this community — went to Beechview Elementary, Dunckel Middle School, and graduated from North Farmington High School. I spent my childhood exploring the woods, streams, parks, and hills that make Farmington Hills unlike any other suburb in Metro Detroit. Those are memories I carry with me every day.
In 1996 — the same year I started my mortgage career — I bought my first home right here in Farmington Hills. A small ranch for $135,000. I put everything I had into that home — sweat equity, weekends, every spare dollar — and sold it two years later for $170,000. That $35,000 in equity funded my next chapter and taught me firsthand what homeownership can do for a family's financial future.
Today my oldest daughter lives in Farmington Hills — close to the University of Detroit Mercy where she is completing her CRNA program, and close to us so we can help with our six-month-old grandson. My wife Jennifer has one of her three Michigan offices right here in Farmington Hills. This community is woven into every chapter of my life. When I help a family buy a home here I am not reading from a script. I am talking about a place I genuinely love.
Why Farmington Hills is One of Metro Detroit's Most Beloved Communities
Farmington Hills has earned its reputation over decades — not through marketing but through the lived experience of the families who choose it and stay. Kirk is one of those people. Here is what makes Farmington Hills genuinely special:
🌳 Nature in a Suburban Setting
What sets Farmington Hills apart from most Metro Detroit suburbs is its remarkable natural character. Hills, streams, woods, and parks are woven throughout the community in a way that feels rare for a city of its size. Heritage Park, Maybury State Park, and the Farmington Hills nature preserve system give residents access to genuine natural beauty minutes from their front door. Kirk spent his childhood exploring these spaces — and they remain one of the community's most distinctive qualities.
🎓 Farmington Public Schools
The Farmington Public School district — which serves Farmington Hills — is one of the most respected districts in Oakland County. North Farmington High School, Harrison High School, and Farmington High School each have strong academic programs, competitive athletics, and a long tradition of sending graduates to top universities. For families with children this school district is often the deciding factor — and it has been drawing families to Farmington Hills for generations.
🚗 Location and Access
Farmington Hills sits at the crossroads of some of Metro Detroit's most important corridors. Interstate 696, M-5, and Orchard Lake Road provide easy access to downtown Detroit, Troy, Southfield, Ann Arbor, and the western suburbs. The University of Detroit Mercy — where Kirk's daughter is completing her CRNA program — is minutes away. Multiple major hospitals, corporate campuses, and employment centers are all within easy reach.
🏠 Housing Variety
Farmington Hills offers one of the broadest ranges of housing options in Oakland County — from entry-level condos and townhomes to sprawling custom estates. Colonial neighborhoods, ranch homes, mid-century properties with mature trees, and newer construction developments all coexist throughout the city. Whatever your budget and lifestyle, Farmington Hills almost certainly has something that fits.
💼 Employment and Business
Farmington Hills is home to major corporate presences including Bosch, Nissan North America, and dozens of automotive and technology companies. The city's business-friendly environment and central Oakland County location make it a hub for professional employment — which supports consistent housing demand and long-term property value stability.
💛 Community and Character
Farmington Hills has something that cannot be manufactured — genuine community character built over generations. Neighbors who have lived here for decades. School traditions that span generations. A mix of long-time residents and newcomers who all discover the same things Kirk discovered as a child: this is a community worth putting roots in.
The Power of Homeownership — Kirk's First Home Story
Kirk bought his first home in Farmington Hills in 1996 for $135,000. He was 24 years old and had just started his mortgage career. He put everything he had into that small ranch — weekends, sweat equity, every spare dollar — improving the home while building his career.
Kirk's First Farmington Hills Home — The Numbers
That $35,000 in equity — built through a combination of market appreciation and personal investment in the property — was the foundation of Kirk's financial life. It funded his next home, his next chapter, and ultimately his career helping thousands of other families do exactly the same thing.
This is what homeownership does. It is not just a place to live. It is a financial building block that compounds over time. Kirk has been telling this story for nearly 30 years because it is true — and because Farmington Hills is the place where it started for him.
Three Generations of Connection to Farmington Hills
Kirk grew up here. His daughter lives here now — completing her CRNA program at the University of Detroit Mercy and raising Kirk's six-month-old grandson nearby. Jennifer has a Lactation Loop office here. This is not a market First Commerce Financial serves from a distance. It is a community woven into the fabric of the Chivas family across multiple generations.
When you work with First Commerce Financial on a Farmington Hills purchase you are working with someone who has walked these streets, attended these schools, bought a home here, and watched this community grow for nearly 50 years. That context does not come from a database. It comes from a life.
Loan Programs for Farmington Hills Buyers
Conventional Loans
The most common program for Farmington Hills buyers across all price points. Available with as little as 3-5% down for first-time buyers and 20% down to eliminate PMI. We access competitive conventional pricing from dozens of wholesale lenders — typically better than what retail banks offer.
FHA Loans
For first-time buyers or those with lower down payments entering the Farmington Hills market at entry-level price points. FHA allows 3.5% down with a 580+ credit score. A strong option for buyers who are ready to own but still building their savings.
Jumbo Loans
For Farmington Hills luxury homes that exceed conventional loan limits. We access competitive jumbo pricing from multiple wholesale lenders — critical for buyers purchasing in the higher price tiers of this market.
VA Loans
Eligible veterans and active-duty military can purchase in Farmington Hills with zero down payment and no PMI. A lifetime benefit that is often underutilized — we help veterans understand and maximize every aspect of their VA loan eligibility.
Move-Up Buyer Programs
Many Farmington Hills buyers are moving up from starter homes in nearby communities. We help coordinate the timing of your sale and purchase so you are not caught between two mortgages — and we get you pre-approved so you can move fast when the right home comes up.
Refinance
Whether you want to lower your rate, shorten your term, or access equity built over years of Farmington Hills appreciation — we offer rate and term refinances, cash-out refinances, and streamlined options for FHA and VA borrowers.
Farmington Hills and Neighboring Communities
Free Tools for Farmington Hills Buyers
🏠Purchase Power Calculator — How Much Home Can You Afford? 🧮Mortgage Calculator — Estimate Your Full Monthly Payment 💰Closing Cost Estimator — Michigan-Specific Fee Breakdown 📊Free Housing Market Report — Search Any Farmington Hills Zip Code ✅How to Get Pre-Approved — Step by Step Guide 🔧All Free Tools and CalculatorsWhat school district serves Farmington Hills?
Most of Farmington Hills is served by Farmington Public Schools — one of the most respected districts in Oakland County. The district includes North Farmington High School, Harrison High School, and Farmington High School. A small portion of Farmington Hills falls within the Clarenceville School District. When evaluating specific properties, always confirm the school district boundary for that address — it can vary by street and subdivision.
How competitive is the Farmington Hills real estate market?
Farmington Hills is a consistently competitive market — particularly in the spring and early summer selling season. Well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods move quickly. Being pre-approved before you start touring is essential. We issue same-day pre-approvals and can provide property-specific letters for any home you are making an offer on — which is cleaner and more compelling to sellers than a letter showing your maximum approval amount.
What is the average home price in Farmington Hills?
Farmington Hills has one of the broadest price ranges of any Oakland County community — from condos and townhomes in the $200,000-$350,000 range to single-family homes spanning $350,000 to well above $1,000,000 for luxury estates. The median single-family home price typically falls in the $400,000-$550,000 range depending on market conditions. Use our free Housing Market Report to see current data for any specific Farmington Hills zip code.
How long has First Commerce Financial been doing loans in Farmington Hills?
Kirk Chivas bought his first home in Farmington Hills in 1996 — the same year he began his mortgage career. He has been originating loans in this community for nearly 30 years. His family has lived here, his daughter lives here today, and his wife has a professional office here. This is not a market we discovered recently. It is a community we have been part of for most of our lives.
Further Reading
- Free Mortgage Tools and Calculators — All Our Free Resources
- Mortgage Broker in Michigan — Licensed Statewide
- Mortgage Broker in Novi, MI
- Mortgage Broker in Northville, MI
- Mortgage Broker in Royal Oak, MI
- First-Time Homebuyer Checklist and Guide — 2026
- How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage — Step by Step
Ready to Buy or Refinance in Farmington Hills?
Talk directly with Kirk. He grew up here, bought his first home here, and his family still calls Farmington Hills home today. Wholesale rates, zero junk fees, same-day pre-approvals. No pressure, no obligation — just straight answers from someone who genuinely knows and loves this community.
Get Your Free Pre-Approval Today