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Megachurch’s role in Rev. Kinloch’s $1.3M suburban home draws scrutiny amid Detroit mayoral race – Detroit Metro Times
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The Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., senior pastor of a megachurch and a candidate for Detroit mayor, quietly lived in a $1.3 million home in the far-flung suburbs for most of the past 12 years.
Now records shared with Metro Times raise serious questions about how he acquired the opulent home, his church’s central role in the purchase, and his lavish lifestyle.
During the campaign, Kinloch has highlighted his position as senior pastor of Triumph Church, which has more than 40,000 members and seven locations, including two in Detroit with long-delinquent water bills.
Triumph Church bought the 5,177-square-foot house in Oakland Township in April 2013 for $841,600, financing the purchase with a $631,200 mortgage, which Kinloch signed on behalf of the church, according to the deed and mortgage records. That left roughly $210,000 to be covered in cash.
Nine months later, in January 2014, the church sold the property to Kinloch for the same price, and he also financed his purchase with a $631,200 mortgage, leaving $210,000 to be paid in advance, according to deeds and mortgage records. Triumph Church officials declined to say who paid the remaining $210,000 when Kinloch acquired the house.
State law requires nonprofit officers to act in the church’s best interests and scrutinize insider transactions. Federal tax law forbids “private inurement,” or unreasonable personal benefits to insiders.
In the same month they bought the house, Kinloch and his wife Robin Kinloch secured another $84,000 mortgage for the home, records show. Then in March 2023, the Kinlochs opened a $725,000 revolving-credit mortgage.
In 2016, two years after Triumph Church sold the house to Kinloch, its church on Joy Road in Detroit began falling behind on its water bills. The delinquency reached more than $60,000 in 2020.
Metro Times obtained the deeds and mortgage records from Highland Park activist Robert Davis, who on Thursday requested an investigation by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. Davis points out that state law allows a church to buy a house for the pastor to live in, but the church must remain the owner.
Davis also alleges that the sale to Kinloch and the subsequent mortgages amounted to an unlawful inurement because a tax-exempt group — the church — improperly gave a private financial benefit to an insider — Kinloch.
“As evidenced by the number of personal loans and mortgages Solomon Kinloch Jr. and his wife, have been able to procure and secure as a result of their personal ownership of the home located at 5629 Mystic Lane in Oakland Township, Solomon Kinloch Jr. has substantially benefited financially from Triumph Church’s sale of the Oakland Township property home to him,” Davis wrote in the complaint. “Solomon Kinloch Jr.’s and Triumph Church’s unlawful real estate transactions have now put Triumph Church’s 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in serious jeopardy.”
Davis also questions how Kinloch managed to secure three mortgages that together exceed the value of the home. Davis argues the $725,000 revolving-credit line appears out of step with typical loan-to-value (LTV) limits. Using the $1.3 market value and an assumed $450,000 balance on the 2014 mortgage, Davis said an 80% combined LTV would cap available credit near $558,000, or about $200,000 less than the recorded credit limit. Davis points to Bankrate, which says “homeowners can never borrow the full amount of their equity – they must leave around 20% of it in the home.”
The Kinlochs secured the revolving-credit mortgage through Community Financial in Plymouth, which did not respond to Metro Times’s questions about the loan.
Metro Times asked the Kinloch campaign and church leaders about the sale and mortgages, but they would not answer most questions.
It’s also unclear if Kinloch notified the lenders that he had multiple liens against him. Between 2006 and 2022, at least nine liens were placed against Kinloch, most of which were for delinquent taxes. Those liens totaled more than $168,000, according to The Detroit News in February.
That matters because lenders and federal law typically require borrowers to disclose liens. Mortgage applicants must list debts and judgments on the loan applications, and making false statements to a bank to secure money from a lender is a federal crime.
Dan Lijana, spokesman for Kinloch’s campaign, noted that banks search for liens, and if there were any, “the purchase would not have been completed.” But public records show that Kinloch had five liens for delinquent state income taxes, totalling more than $53,000, from 2011 to 2022.
Dora Brown, who is the church’s chief financial officer, appears on the warranty deed for the house, but she didn’t return messages seeking comment.
Davis says the house and the questionable financial transactions are important to the race because Kinloch often refers to his leadership of the church on the campaign trail. He says the pattern of debt and transactions raises serious questions about transparency and accountability.
“He’s made the church a centerpiece of this campaign,” Davis says. “He also said he would continue to serve as the senior pastor while serving as mayor. His track record as the head of that church is relevant. So all the business dealings and transactions are relevant. He’s made them relevant.”
For most of the past three decades, Kinloch has lived in Oakland County. In March 2024, he registered to vote in Detroit and moved into a downtown condo with his brother, Wayne County Commissioner Jonathan Kinloch. He later relocated to another apartment in the same complex in the Greektown area, where he says he now lives.
Kinloch finished second in the August primary with 17.4% of the vote, far behind Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, who won with 50.8%. Sheffield and Kinloch advanced to the general election on Nov. 4.
Sheffield has also nearly doubled Kinloch’s fundraising. Between July 21 and Aug. 25, she raised more than $206,000, compared to his $116,000.
The home purchase and mortgages are the latest controversy dogging Kinloch’s campaign. In late July, the Detroit Free Press reported that Kinloch pleaded guilty to assaulting his first wife after threatening her with a butcher knife and beating her with its handle, according to police.
While his campaign and church leaders dodged many questions, Lijana said the focus should be on affordable housing in Detroit.
“If we want to talk about housing in this race, let’s talk about the housing affordability crisis that’s exploded over the last 12 years in Detroit or the poverty rate, the highest it’s been since 2017.”
In his complaint to authorities, Davis said he hopes legal action is taken against Kinloch and the church.
“I pray that both the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office open independent investigations to determine whether Solomon Kinloch Jr.’s and Triumph Church’s suspicious and questionable real estate transaction pertaining to the home located at 5629 Mystic Lane in Oakland Township, MI violated any applicable civil and/or penal laws codified in the State of Michigan or the IRS Code governing 501(c)(3) tax-exempt church and religious organizations,” Davis wrote.
The Michigan Attorney General’s Office confirmed it received Davis’s complaint but declined to comment “at this time.”
Metro Times is awaiting a response from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
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Steve Neavling
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Canadian home sales hit four-year August high as fall market heats up – MoneySense
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The association said there were 40,257 home sales across the country last month, up 1.9% from 39,522 in August 2024. Home sales also rose 1.1% on a month-over-month basis, marking the fifth straight monthly increase. Transactions have risen a cumulative 12.5% since March.
Toronto slows, but other major markets drive gains
Unlike in recent months when gains were led overwhelmingly by the Greater Toronto Area, sales in that region were down slightly month-over-month in August. But the association said this was more than offset by higher sales in Montreal, Greater Vancouver and Ottawa.
CREA senior economist Shaun Cathcart said the upward trend in activity could accelerate this fall as the season usually brings a surge of new supply. “Part of what drives sales at different points in the year is the availability of a lot of fresh property listings for buyers to buy. For the fall market, that always happens right at the beginning of September, and this year was no exception,” he said in a press release. “If last year is any kind of guide, then there is the potential that sales could really pick up in the next month or so depending on how many buyers are drawn off the sidelines, particularly if we see a September rate cut by the Bank of Canada.”
The central bank is set to announce its latest interest rate decision on Wednesday. Financial markets expect the Bank of Canada to cut its policy rate by a quarter point to 2.5%, ending a streak of three consecutive holds.
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Atlantic sales slightly ahead of last year despite challenges
There’s been “muted momentum” as of late in Atlantic Canada, said Halifax-based broker Matt Honsberger, who noted the region experienced a downturn earlier in the year due to uncertainty related to tariffs. Honsberger, president and owner of Royal LePage Atlantic, referred to the Maritime housing market as a “kiddie-coaster” when compared with the larger swings of Toronto’s roller-coaster market. He said Atlantic Canada has seen “much less significant” ups and downs from the U.S.-Canada trade war.
“We were of course affected by tariffs. People just become uncertain and when you’re uncertain you don’t make a big purchase, so we definitely expected a busier spring than we got,” said Honsberger. “But at this point in the year given everything that’s gone on, to be slightly ahead of where we were this time last year in terms of the number of trades, I think we’ll all take it. Hopefully we’ll continue to build momentum into next year as people get more and more comfortable with the geopolitical environment.”
Canada’s average home price up 1.8% year-over-year
CREA said new listings were up 2.6% month-over-month nationally in August. There were 195,453 properties listed for sale across Canada at the end of August, up 8.8% from a year earlier. The actual national average sale price of a home sold in August was $664,078, up 1.8% from a year ago. CREA’s own home price index, which aims to represent the sale of typical homes, ticked 0.1% lower between July and August 2025.
TD economist Rishi Sondhi said improving demand should contribute to the continued growth of average home prices. He said supply and demand conditions are still “relatively tight” across several provinces. “In contrast, market balances favour buyers in B.C. and Ontario,” Sondhi said in a note. “However, average home prices in these markets have been lifted by the outperformance of more expensive housing in recent months, and we assume this trend will continue in coming months.”
Honsberger said despite renewed demand, it’s important that sellers price their properties appropriately as the market isn’t yet seeing all-out bidding wars.
“What we’re hearing from clients is that sellers still want to potentially overprice their property a little bit and buyers are just saying, ‘I’m not interested. I’ll just wait it out,’” he said. “It’s still a healthy market … If you put it on at the right price now, you should expect some level of activity, and you should probably expect to sell it in a reasonable amount of time.”
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Federal Reserve to announce interest rate cut amid economic slowdown, pressure from President Trump
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Federal Reserve to announce interest rate cut amid economic slowdown, pressure from President Trump
The Federal Reserve is set to announce an interest rate cut this week in response to a slowing economy, making clear it is not surrendering to President Donald Trump’s demands.
Updated: 7:42 AM PDT Sep 14, 2025
The Federal Reserve is expected to announce a long-awaited interest rate cut this week, responding to a slowing economy as opposed to yielding to President Donald Trump’s demands. Recent data shows hiring is slowing and unemployment is ticking up, which would normally call for an interest rate cut. Lower interest rates make borrowing money for things like cars and credit cards cheaper. At the same time, inflation remains stubbornly high, which is usually solved by keeping interest rates where they are and leaving costly prices up.With a big decision facing the Fed, added pressure from President Trump isn’t helping. Experts say his repeated calls for the Fed to lower interest rates are damaging the agency’s independence and credibility, spooking investors and the market. “If the Fed is politicized and they’re acting based upon political pressures rather than accurate economic data, that’s going to send messages throughout the economy that maybe what they’re doing isn’t really good for the economy, and maybe it doesn’t come from a solid place of evidence,” political analyst Todd Belt said. “It will introduce even more uncertainty in the economy, and uncertainty is the enemy of business planning.”President Trump’s tariffs have also injected lots of uncertainty in the market, and economists say that, in turn, will further drive up inflation.In a further escalation involving the president and the Fed, last week, a federal judge blocked Trump’s unprecedented attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, alleging mortgage fraud. Now, the administration is appealing and is pushing the courts for an emergency ruling before the Fed’s big interest rate decision this week. But a big twist could undermine the administration’s case, as the Associated Press reports that Cook previously referred to the property in question as a “vacation home,” which would contradict the White House’s accusations of fraud.Watch the latest on the Federal Reserve:
WASHINGTON —The Federal Reserve is expected to announce a long-awaited interest rate cut this week, responding to a slowing economy as opposed to yielding to President Donald Trump’s demands.
Recent data shows hiring is slowing and unemployment is ticking up, which would normally call for an interest rate cut. Lower interest rates make borrowing money for things like cars and credit cards cheaper.
At the same time, inflation remains stubbornly high, which is usually solved by keeping interest rates where they are and leaving costly prices up.
With a big decision facing the Fed, added pressure from President Trump isn’t helping. Experts say his repeated calls for the Fed to lower interest rates are damaging the agency’s independence and credibility, spooking investors and the market.
“If the Fed is politicized and they’re acting based upon political pressures rather than accurate economic data, that’s going to send messages throughout the economy that maybe what they’re doing isn’t really good for the economy, and maybe it doesn’t come from a solid place of evidence,” political analyst Todd Belt said. “It will introduce even more uncertainty in the economy, and uncertainty is the enemy of business planning.”
President Trump’s tariffs have also injected lots of uncertainty in the market, and economists say that, in turn, will further drive up inflation.
In a further escalation involving the president and the Fed, last week, a federal judge blocked Trump’s unprecedented attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, alleging mortgage fraud.
Now, the administration is appealing and is pushing the courts for an emergency ruling before the Fed’s big interest rate decision this week. But a big twist could undermine the administration’s case, as the Associated Press reports that Cook previously referred to the property in question as a “vacation home,” which would contradict the White House’s accusations of fraud.
Watch the latest on the Federal Reserve:
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Citizens JMP Maintains a Buy Rating on BeOne Medicines (ONC)
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BeOne Medicines Ltd. (NASDAQ:ONC) is one of the top high growth international stocks to buy right now. On September 9, Citizens JMP analyst Reni Benjamin reiterated a Buy rating on BeOne Medicines Ltd. (NASDAQ:ONC) and set a price target of $348.00.
On August 29, BeOne Medicines Ltd. (NASDAQ:ONC) announced positive topline results for Sonrotoclax in Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), stating that the study met its primary endpoint of overall response rate (ORR) and exhibited clinically meaningful responses in rare B-cell lymphoma with considerable unmet need.
Management added that BeOne Medicines Ltd. (NASDAQ:ONC) would submit the data to global regulatory authorities for their review and potential approval.
Domiciled in Switzerland, BeOne Medicines Ltd. (NASDAQ:ONC) is a global oncology company that discovers and develops affordable, accessible, and innovative treatments for cancer patients.
While we acknowledge the potential of ONC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
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Can You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early with Extra Payments?
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Buying a home is one of the biggest financial milestones, and for many people, the monthly mortgage payment quickly becomes just another line in the budget. If you’ve ever wondered whether paying off your mortgage early is possible, the answer is yes, and it can be a smart way to save on interest and gain peace of mind.
In this Redfin article, we’ll break down what early mortgage payoff really means, when it makes the most sense, and strategies you can use, like making extra payments, to pay down your loan faster. Whether you’re building a life in a house in Los Angeles, CA or settling into a home in Dallas, TX, understanding your options can help you make the best financial decision for your future.
Can you pay off your mortgage early?
Yes, most lenders allow you to pay off your mortgage ahead of schedule by making extra payments, increasing your monthly payment, or paying the loan in full. In the U.S., most mortgages don’t have prepayment penalties, but some do – so confirm with your lender before moving forward.
How to pay off your mortgage early
If you’ve decided early repayment is right for you, here are some practical ways to do it:
- Make extra principal payments: Add a little extra toward the principal each month or make an additional payment once or twice a year.
- Round up your payments: Instead of paying $1,250, round it up to $1,300. Those small amounts add up over time.
- Switch to biweekly payments: Paying every two weeks instead of monthly results in 26 half-payments, which equals 13 full payments each year instead of 12. This works out to roughly one extra monthly payment each year.
- Apply windfalls: Use tax refunds, bonuses, or side hustle income to pay down your mortgage balance.
- Refinance to a shorter term: A 15-year mortgage has higher monthly payments but significantly less interest over the life of the loan.
>>Also read: How to Lower Your Mortgage Payment
Example: How much you could save with extra payments
Let’s say you have a $300,000 mortgage at a 6% interest rate on a 30-year loan. Here’s how much faster you could pay it off, and how much interest you’d save, by making extra payments:
Extra Payment Strategy Loan Paid Off In Interest Paid Total Interest Savings No extra payments 30 years $347,515 $0 $100 extra per month ~26 years $296,301 $51,214 $250 extra per month ~22 years $248,210 $99,305 $500 extra per month ~18 years $196,275 $151,240 Biweekly payments* ~25 years $287,916 $59,599 *Biweekly = 26 half-payments per year, which equals 13 full payments instead of 12.This produces savings similar to making one extra monthly payment each year.
>>Also read: How Much Does Interest Rate Affect Monthly Payment?
When does paying off your mortgage early make sense?
Paying off your mortgage early is most beneficial if:
- You have a high interest rate and refinancing isn’t an option.
- You’re nearing retirement and want to eliminate monthly housing costs.
- You have stable income and strong emergency savings, so you won’t be cash-strapped after paying extra.
- You value peace of mind and financial security over maximizing potential investment returns.
On the other hand, if your mortgage has a low interest rate and you could earn more by investing your money elsewhere, it may make sense to stick with your regular payments while building wealth in other ways.
Pros of paying off your mortgage early
- Save on interest: The faster you pay off your loan, the less interest you’ll pay over time.
- Peace of mind: Owning your home outright can give you financial security and stability.
- Lower monthly expenses: Without a mortgage payment, you free up cash flow for retirement savings, travel, or other priorities.
- Build wealth faster: With no mortgage, more of your income can go toward investing or other financial goals.
>>Also read: When It Makes Sense to Buy Down Your Mortgage Interest Rate
Cons of paying off your mortgage early
While becoming mortgage-free is appealing, it’s not always the best financial decision for everyone.
- Possible prepayment penalties: Some lenders charge fees for paying off your loan early.
- Lost tax deductions: If you itemize, paying off your mortgage could reduce your mortgage interest tax deduction. But this only matters if your itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction – many homeowners already use the standard deduction, so this may not affect you.
- Tied-up cash: Once you pay off your home, your money is tied up in your property. You may have less liquidity for emergencies, investments, or other financial needs.
Mistakes to avoid when paying off your mortgage early
Paying off your mortgage ahead of schedule can be smart, but only if you avoid common pitfalls. Here are mistakes to watch out for:
- Forgetting to specify “principal only”: When you make extra payments, you’ll need to tell your lender to apply them toward your loan principal. Otherwise, they may apply it to future interest or upcoming payments, which doesn’t reduce your balance as quickly.
- Not checking for prepayment penalties: Some lenders charge fees if you pay off your mortgage early. Review your loan documents or ask your lender before making large extra payments.
- Overlooking higher-interest debt: If you carry balances on credit cards or personal loans, focus on those first. Since they usually have higher interest rates than a mortgage, paying them off will save you more in the long run.
- Ignoring your emergency fund: Don’t funnel every extra dollar into your mortgage if it leaves you without savings. Unexpected expenses like medical bills, car repairs, or job changes can create financial stress if you don’t have cash on hand.
- Cutting back on retirement savings: It may feel good to be debt-free, but pulling money away from retirement accounts (especially those with employer matches) may cost you more in long-term growth than you’d save in interest.
- Paying off too aggressively without considering other goals: Homeownership security is important, but so is funding education, travel, or other investments. Make sure your early payoff plan fits into your overall financial strategy.
Frequently asked questions about paying your mortgage off early
1. Is it a good idea to pay off your mortgage early?
It depends on your financial goals. Paying off your mortgage early can save you money on interest and give you peace of mind, but it may not always be the best option if you could earn a higher return by investing your extra funds elsewhere. Consider your long-term priorities before making a decision.
2. How can I pay off my mortgage early without penalty?
Start by reviewing your loan agreement to see if your lender charges a prepayment penalty. If there isn’t one, you can pay extra toward your principal each month, make biweekly payments, or apply bonuses and tax refunds directly to your loan balance. Even small additional payments can help shorten your loan term.
3. Does paying off a mortgage early affect your credit score?
Not significantly, though your mortgage does contribute to your credit mix and length of credit history. Your score may dip slightly when the loan is closed, but your record of on-time payments remains. Over time, being mortgage-free is usually a net positive.
4. Do small extra payments really make a difference?
Yes. Even rounding up your monthly payment or adding $100 each month can shorten your loan term by years and reduce your total interest costs.
5. Can I pay off my 30-year mortgage in 15 years?
Yes, many homeowners choose to pay off a 30-year mortgage faster by making extra payments or refinancing into a 15-year loan. A shorter term often comes with higher monthly payments but significantly less interest paid over the life of the loan.
6. When does paying off your mortgage early make sense?
It often makes sense if you have a higher interest rate, want to retire without mortgage payments, or already have a strong emergency fund and minimal other debt. If your mortgage rate is low, you might benefit more from investing extra money elsewhere.
7. Can you pay off your mortgage early with a lump sum?
Yes. Making a one-time lump-sum payment directly to your principal can reduce your loan balance quickly. Just confirm with your lender that the extra payment is applied to the principal and that no prepayment penalties apply.
8. What is the fastest way to pay off a mortgage early?
The fastest strategies include making biweekly payments, refinancing to a shorter term, or applying large lump sums from bonuses, inheritances, or side income toward your loan principal.
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Marissa Crum
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