Ken Turkington grew up in Fowlerville, Michigan — on a dirt road with plenty of land, room to breathe, and the kind of small-town upbringing that stays with you for life. His dad was a plumber. His mom worked for the State of Michigan in the USDA department. He played baseball, football, and basketball at Fowlerville High School, excelled in the classroom, and built friendships there that have lasted decades. He still talks to his crew from those days.
Kirk Chivas has his own connection to this corridor — his father attended Michigan State, his oldest daughter graduated from MSU, and his youngest son is there right now. The stretch of I-96 between Brighton and East Lansing is not just a market to Ken and Kirk — it is personal territory.
As an independent mortgage broker licensed in Michigan since 2007, we shop your loan across 20+ wholesale lenders to find the best rate available for your specific situation — with zero junk fees and complete transparency from day one.
Get Pre-Approved — It's FreeLivingston County — Where Metro Detroit Meets Small Town Michigan
For decades, Livingston County has been the landing spot for Metro Detroit families who want more — more land, more space, more breathing room, and a slower pace of life without sacrificing access to major employment corridors. The I-96 connects this area to Detroit to the east and Lansing to the west, making it genuinely accessible from two of Michigan's largest employment centers.
Howell has grown into a vibrant small city with a quaint downtown that has drawn real investment and community pride. Fowlerville remains the kind of small town where people know each other — the kind of place Ken Turkington grew up in and carries with him. Webberville sits quietly in between, part of the agricultural and residential fabric of the county.
The Metro Detroit Sprawl — Why Buyers Are Coming to Livingston County
The story of Livingston County's growth is the story of Metro Detroit pushing west. Buyers who are priced out of Oakland County — or who simply want more land, a bigger yard, and a quieter neighborhood — are finding that Livingston County delivers exactly that at a price point that still makes financial sense.
A buyer who might get a quarter-acre lot in Novi or Commerce Township can often find an acre or more in the Howell or Fowlerville corridor for the same money. That value equation, combined with strong Livingston County schools and the I-96 access that keeps commuting manageable, has made this one of the most consistent growth corridors in all of Michigan.
🏛 Fowlerville
Ken Turkington's hometown. A small agricultural community in eastern Livingston County with a genuine small-town character that has held onto its identity even as the county has grown around it. Ken grew up on a dirt road here, played three sports at Fowlerville High School, and still knows what it means to be from a place like this. When he works with buyers in Fowlerville, he is not reading from a market report.
Ken's Hometown🏛 Howell
The Livingston County seat and the fastest-growing community in the area. Howell has developed a charming downtown with local restaurants, shops, and community events that give it a small-city feel people actively seek out. New construction activity has made Howell a destination for buyers relocating from Metro Detroit who want more space without sacrificing amenities. A community that is growing with intention.
County Seat🏛 Webberville
A small Ingham County community that sits between Fowlerville and East Lansing — part of the quiet agricultural corridor that connects Livingston County to the Lansing metro. Webberville attracts buyers who want genuine rural character with reasonable access to both the Lansing employment base and the I-96 corridor. Modest, unpretentious, and exactly the kind of community that gets overlooked by buyers who then discover it and never leave.
Rural CharacterKen's Story — Fowlerville Raised
— Ken Turkington, Co-Founder, First Commerce Financial | NMLS #137873
I grew up on a dirt road in Fowlerville. My dad was a plumber. My mom worked for the State of Michigan in the USDA department. We had land, we had space, and we had the kind of upbringing where you were outside more than you were inside and you knew your neighbors by name.
I played baseball, football, and basketball at Fowlerville High School. I worked hard in the classroom. I built friendships there that I still have today — guys I grew up with who are still part of my life even though I have lived in Arizona for years. That is what small towns do. They stick with you.
When I work with buyers who are moving to Fowlerville or Howell or the Livingston County corridor, I understand exactly what they are looking for — because I grew up in it. The land. The pace. The community feel. The sense that your neighbors are real people who will show up when you need them. That is not something you find in a market report. That is something you know from living it.
Kirk's Connection — A Michigan State Family
— Kirk Chivas, Co-Founder, First Commerce Financial | NMLS #160828
My dad went to Michigan State. My oldest daughter graduated from MSU. My youngest son is there right now. The East Lansing corridor — and the stretch of I-96 that connects Livingston County to the MSU campus — is territory I know personally and care about deeply.
When buyers are relocating to the Howell or Fowlerville area because of the MSU connection, or because they want to be within reasonable distance of East Lansing while still having the land and space that Livingston County offers, I understand that calculus completely. It is the same one my own family has made.
The I-96 Advantage — Between Two Major Corridors
One of the things that makes Livingston County genuinely special is its location. Fowlerville, Howell, and Webberville sit in a corridor that is legitimately accessible from multiple directions:
- Detroit Metro to the east — I-96 connects Livingston County to Metro Detroit's employment base, making it a viable commuter corridor for buyers who work in Oakland County or Wayne County
- Lansing to the west — Michigan's state capital and a major employment center for state government, healthcare, and manufacturing
- East Lansing and MSU — Michigan State University and its surrounding community, a significant employer and cultural anchor for mid-Michigan
- Brighton to the east — one of Oakland County's fastest-growing communities, just down I-96, adding to the value equation for buyers who want Livingston County land prices with Brighton-area access
There are not many places in Michigan where you can genuinely say you are equidistant from Detroit and Lansing with I-96 access in both directions. Livingston County is one of them — and buyers who discover that tend to act on it.
What Buyers in This Market Need to Know
USDA Loans — A Zero Down Option Worth Checking
Parts of Livingston County — including areas around Fowlerville and Webberville — may qualify for USDA Rural Development financing, which offers zero down payment for eligible buyers in eligible areas. With Ken's mother having worked for the State of Michigan in the USDA department, this is a loan program we know particularly well. We check USDA eligibility for every buyer in this corridor — it is one of the most overlooked zero-down options available in Michigan.
Land and Acreage Financing
Many buyers coming to Livingston County are specifically looking for properties with land — something they cannot find at the same price point in Metro Detroit. Properties with acreage sometimes require additional lender review depending on the size of the lot and the property type. As an independent broker with access to 20+ wholesale lenders, we find the right lender for your specific property scenario rather than forcing your situation into a one-size-fits-all box.
New Construction in Howell
Howell has seen meaningful new construction activity as the county has grown. New construction financing has specific nuances — extended rate locks, builder incentive analysis, construction-to-permanent options — that require a lender who knows the territory. We navigate new construction financing throughout Michigan and bring that experience to every Howell buyer we work with.
Mortgage Programs for Fowlerville, Howell & Webberville Buyers
Conventional Loans
The most common choice for Livingston County buyers with solid credit. Competitive wholesale rates across all price points in this market.
USDA Rural Development
Zero down payment for eligible buyers in eligible areas. Parts of this corridor may qualify — we check every buyer. Ken's mom worked for the USDA. We know this program.
FHA Loans
3.5% down for first-time buyers entering the Livingston County market. A strong option for buyers making the move from Metro Detroit rentals.
VA Loans
Zero down payment for veterans and active-duty military. Michigan has a strong veteran population and we handle VA loans throughout the state regularly.
Jumbo Loans
For higher-priced Livingston County properties above conventional loan limits. We work with multiple wholesale jumbo lenders and compete strongly on rates.
New Construction
For Howell's active new construction market. Extended rate locks, builder incentive analysis, and construction-to-permanent options available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Livingston County a good place to buy right now?
For buyers planning to stay 5+ years, Livingston County remains one of the most compelling value propositions in all of Michigan. The combination of land, space, strong schools, and I-96 access continues to drive demand from Metro Detroit buyers. Howell in particular has real momentum as a growing small city. The market has recalibrated from its pandemic peak, which means buyers have more leverage than they did in 2021 and 2022 — but the fundamental demand drivers remain strong.
Does USDA financing work in Fowlerville and Webberville?
Parts of this corridor may qualify for USDA Rural Development financing — which offers zero down payment for eligible buyers. USDA eligibility is based on both the property location and the buyer's income. We check USDA eligibility for every buyer in this area because it is one of the most overlooked zero-down programs available. Call or text us and we will check your specific address and income situation immediately.
What is the commute like from Fowlerville or Howell to Detroit or Lansing?
Fowlerville sits approximately 60 miles west of Detroit and about 25 miles east of Lansing — both accessible via I-96. Howell is slightly closer to both. For buyers who work in the Lansing area or at Michigan State, the commute is genuinely manageable. For Detroit commuters, it is a longer drive but one that many buyers make willingly in exchange for the land and space Livingston County offers. Remote and hybrid work arrangements have made this corridor even more attractive to buyers who only need to be in the office a few days per week.
How quickly can you get me pre-approved for a home in this area?
In most cases same day or next business day. Call or text Ken or Kirk directly at (248) 459-5511 and we will get started immediately. In a market where good properties move, having a strong pre-approval in hand before you start seriously looking is important. We deliver fast, credible pre-approvals that sellers and their agents take seriously.
Do you work with first-time buyers relocating from Metro Detroit?
Absolutely — this is one of the most common buyer profiles we work with in Livingston County. Buyers coming from Metro Detroit who are used to Oakland County prices are often pleasantly surprised by what their budget gets them in Fowlerville, Howell, or the surrounding area. We walk first-time buyers through every step of the process and make sure there are no surprises at the closing table.
Looking for a Michigan mortgage broker who serves the whole state?
First Commerce Financial is licensed throughout Michigan — from Metro Detroit to Northern Michigan lake properties. Kirk and Ken have been working in the Michigan mortgage market since 1997. Wholesale rates, zero junk fees, and direct access to Kirk or Ken — always.
Michigan Mortgage Broker — See All Markets We Serve →Ready to Buy in Fowlerville, Howell, or Webberville?
Talk directly with Ken — someone who grew up on a dirt road in Fowlerville and knows this community from the inside. Wholesale rates, zero junk fees, same-day pre-approvals, and direct access to the people responsible for your loan. No call centers. No junior loan officers. Just straight answers and real numbers.
Start Your Free Pre-ApprovalOr call or text us directly at (248) 459-5511
First Commerce Financial | Licensed Michigan Mortgage Broker | NMLS #137512 | Serving Fowlerville, Howell, Webberville, and all of Livingston County, Michigan | Kirk Chivas NMLS #160828 | Ken Turkington NMLS #137873
