The Starter Home — $155,000
Programs Used: Ingham County DPA + MI 10K DPA. Total Assistance: ~$25,000. Out of Pocket: ~$800.
About Ben Clark
I'm Ben Clark, a mortgage banker with Dart Bank serving the Mid-Michigan area. I specialize in helping families find the right financing solution, especially when they think homeownership might be out of reach.
Down payment is one of the biggest barriers I see for buyers, and a big part of what I do is connect people with down payment assistance programs and lending options they didn't know existed.
I've built my career on clear communication and a no-pressure approach. My job isn't to sell you a loan. It's to make sure you understand every option available to you and feel confident from application to closing.
Why Work With Ben
- Transparent Process: No hidden fees or surprise costs. You'll know exactly what to expect at every stage of your loan.
- Local Expertise: Deep knowledge of Michigan markets means better guidance on neighborhoods, values, and timing.
- Fast Pre-Approval: Get pre-approved quickly so you can shop with confidence and make competitive offers.
- Flexible Programs: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo — we match the right program to your situation.
500+ Families Served · 4.9 Star Rating · $150M+ Funded
Loan Products
Purchase Transactions
Standard purchase loans plus access to specialized and local programs. Programs include: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA RD, MSHDA DPA, Ingham County DPA, DSCR, Bridge Loans, First Time Buyer, Investment Property, Second Home, Vacant Land, and Physician Loans.
Construction Loans
Construction and renovation loans, from ground-up builds to major updates.
Refinancing Loans
Refinance options to adjust rate, term, or monthly payment.
Accessing Equity
Equity solutions for renovations, debt consolidation, or future goals. Products: HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit), Closed End Equity Loans.
Lansing Down Payment Assistance Programs
Most Lansing renters who think they can't buy a home — can. Multiple DPA programs exist that can be stacked together.
Ingham County DPA — Up to $30,000
County-wide down payment assistance for homebuyers in Ingham County. Uses gross income for qualification, not W-2. Available to buyers working in Ingham County even if purchasing outside city limits.
City of Lansing HOMES — Up to $14,999
City-wide down payment assistance for buyers purchasing within Lansing city limits. Does not disqualify based on Section 8 history.
MSHDA First-Generation DPA — Up to $25,000
State-wide program for first-generation homebuyers in Michigan, including foster care graduates. Waitlist can be 400+ deep.
MI 10K DPA Loan — Up to $10,000
State-wide down payment assistance loan that can be combined with other programs. Works in MSHDA targeted areas.
Program Stacking
A key part of Ben's value is knowing which programs can be combined, which are grants vs. loans, and the timing/waitlist strategies for each. Not every lender has access to every program.
Real Buyer Case Studies
The Growing Family — $220,000
Programs Used: MSHDA First-Gen + City of Lansing HOMES. Total Assistance: ~$35,000. Out of Pocket: ~$1,200.
The Smart Investment — $185,000
Programs Used: Ingham County DPA + MSHDA MI 10K. Total Assistance: ~$30,000. Out of Pocket: ~$950.
Client Reviews
"Ben was amazing to work with! Helped us so much during a difficult time when other lenders turned us away. He went above and beyond."
"Ben was incredibly easy to work with and very responsive. He made the home buying process easy for a first-time home buyer. Highly recommend!"
"Ben was super helpful and very responsive. A great experience from start to finish."
"Wonderful experience working with Ben! He walked us through every step and made the whole process feel easy."
"Ben was outstanding to work with. His knowledge and attention to detail made the entire process smooth and stress-free."
Free Virtual Workshop
Ben hosts free 60-minute virtual workshops (capped at 25 attendees) covering:
- Rent vs. buy math for the Lansing market
- How lenders evaluate credit, income, and assets
- Deep dive on which DPA programs you qualify for and how to stack them
- Live Q&A
About Dart Bank
Dart Bank is a Michigan-based community bank established in 1925 (NMLS #406384). They offer competitive mortgage rates with local underwriting authority, meaning faster answers and fewer surprises during the loan process.
Contact
Ben Clark, Mortgage Banker, Dart Bank. NMLS #2009462.
Phone: (517) 974-8591
Email: btclark@dartbank.com
Service Area: Greater Lansing, MI and Mid-Michigan