Mortgage Lender in Highland, MI
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Highland Township is eleven miles west of the Waterford office, where Oakland County starts to feel rural. Highland Recreation Area covers nearly 6,000 acres of it, Duck Lake and a scatter of smaller waters sit through the middle, and the housing runs to acreage rather than subdivisions. Buyers here are usually trading density for land, and they are almost always financing a property with a well, a septic field, or both.
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Highland’s two ZIPs behave like different markets. Redfin reported a median sale price near $366,000 in 48356 and about $596,000 in 48357 as of February 2026, a gap driven by different mixes of lake frontage, acreage and newer site-condo inventory rather than by any difference in desirability. 48356 is the more affordable and more established side.
Redfin reported a median sale price of about $596,000 in 48357 as of February 2026, against roughly $366,000 in neighboring 48356. That is a very wide gap for one township and it reflects what is selling rather than what land is worth: newer builds on acreage dominate 48357’s transactions. Oakland County’s median over the three months to July 2026 was about $397,000 for comparison.
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Highland Real Estate & Mortgage Overview
Most of this township is on well and septic, and that shapes which loan fits. A conventional appraisal typically passes them without comment, while FHA and VA require a well test, a septic inspection, and a minimum separation between well and field. Schedule both early. A separation failure is one of the few defects that cannot be cured in the final week of a transaction. Acreage brings a second issue: a larger parcel can carry an outbuilding, a pole barn or a second structure, which changes how an appraiser treats value and can push a property outside standard residential guidelines entirely. Flag outbuildings to your lender before the appraisal is ordered, not after it comes back.
What it's Like to Live in Highland
48356 by land and water:
- Duck Lake and lake frontage ($450,000 to $800,000): limited supply, strong resale.
- Acreage parcels ($350,000 to $600,000): the reason most buyers come here, and the files that need the well and septic work above.
- Established off-water housing ($280,000 to $400,000): the bulk of the ZIP.
- Highland Recreation Area edge ($320,000 to $550,000): wooded, quiet, and a longer drive to the M-59 corridor.
48357 by parcel type:
- Lake frontage ($550,000 to $1M+): limited supply, the strongest resale in the township.
- New construction on acreage ($500,000 to $800,000): most of the recent sales volume and most of the median.
- Established acreage parcels ($400,000 to $650,000): the well and septic files.
- Older off-water housing ($300,000 to $430,000): the affordable end of this ZIP.
Highland covers residential ZIP codes 48356 and 48357.
The Process
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- Explore Your Loan Options - We take the time to explain the different mortgage programs you qualify for, including fees, taxes, and insurance.
- Customize Your Rate - We work with top lenders to ensure you get a mortgage rate that fits your financial goals.
- Fast & Easy Pre-Approval - Get pre-approved in minutes and gain the confidence to shop for your dream home!
Find the Right Agent & Start Shopping for Your Dream Home!
- Expert Representation - Agent compensation is agreed in writing before you start touring, so you know that cost up front and can build it into your offer.
- Seamless Home Research - We’ll connect you with a trusted agent to make your homebuying journey as smooth as possible.
- The Fun Begins - Shopping for your new home is an exciting experience-picture your future, explore possibilities, and find the perfect fit for your family.
Make an Offer & Close on Your Mortgage - Fast!
- Strategic Offer Support -We collaborate with your agent to ensure your offer is as strong as possible.
- Fast & Efficient Closing - Once your offer is accepted, we work to close your mortgage in less than two weeks.
- Move Into Your Dream Home - Before you know it, the keys are in your hand and you’re settling in!
Highland Mortgage FAQ's
Why do Highland's two ZIP codes show such different prices?
Redfin reported a median sale price near $366,000 in 48356 and about $596,000 in 48357 as of February 2026. The gap comes from different mixes of lake frontage, acreage and newer site-condo inventory, not from one side being more desirable than the other.
Why is 48357 so much more expensive than 48356?
Redfin reported a median sale price near $596,000 in 48357 against roughly $366,000 in 48356 as of February 2026. The gap is inventory mix, not desirability: 48357’s sales skew to newer construction on acreage and lake frontage, while 48356 holds more of the township’s older established housing.
Can I finance a home on well and septic?
Most of this township is on well and septic, and that shapes which loan fits. A conventional appraisal typically passes them without comment, while FHA and VA require a well test, a septic inspection, and a minimum separation between well and field. Schedule both early. A separation failure is one of the few defects that cannot be cured in the final week of a transaction.
Will I need a jumbo loan in 48357?
Often, yes. At a median near $596,000 a meaningful share of purchases land above the Oakland County conforming limit. Jumbo financing asks for stronger credit, more reserves and usually a larger down payment, so confirm which side of the limit your price sits on before writing an offer.
Does a pole barn or outbuilding affect the loan?
It can. A large outbuilding changes how an appraiser treats value and occasionally pushes a property outside standard residential guidelines. Tell your lender about any outbuilding before the appraisal is ordered rather than after.
Does a pole barn affect the appraisal?
It can. A large outbuilding changes how an appraiser treats value and occasionally pushes a property outside standard residential guidelines. Tell your lender before the appraisal is ordered rather than after it comes back.
What will property taxes run here?
A Michigan tax bill is built on taxable value, which is about half of market value and capped until the property changes hands. Buy a home that has been in one family for years and that cap disappears the following year, taking the low bill with it. Budget from your purchase price, file the Principal Residence Exemption as an owner-occupant, and confirm millage with the township, since it varies by school district here.
Which school district serves Highland?
Huron Valley Schools serves the township. Confirm the assignment for a specific address, since boundaries do not follow ZIP lines.
Our Service Areas
Michigan Counties We Serve: Genesee, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saint Clair, Washtenaw, Wayne
If you’re in or around any of the locations listed above, Align Lending  has you covered! Contact us to make a service appointment now!
