Call 813-766-1048 or email me Taylor.Ard@GRARate.com for more information on any of these topics or homes.
Looking for the best Florida homebuying and mortgage advice? Hosted by Taylor Ard (NMLS 370856), Loan Officer with Guaranteed Rate Affinity, this channel helps you navigate Florida home loans, down payment assistance, interest rates, and FHA, VA, Jumbo, and self-employed options.
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(888) 844-9888 • grarate.com Equal Housing Lender
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Taylor Ard, Guaranteed Rate Affinity
🥧 Before you search homes for sale, know this: your car payment, credit cards, and loans are already slicing into your monthly income — before a lender ever looks at your file. This is called your debt-to-income ratio, and it’s one of the biggest factors in getting approved for a home loan. The smaller those slices, the more buying power you have.
🏠 Every mortgage lender asks ONE question: after all your monthly debts go out, is there enough left over for a house payment? That’s it. That’s the math behind qualifying for a home loan. It’s not just about your credit score — it’s about breathing room. If you’ve been wondering whether you can afford to buy a house or how to get pre-approved for a mortgage, this is where the conversation starts. 📩
📊 Most first-time home buyers focus only on their credit score — but lenders look at TWO things. Your credit score shows the past: did you pay your bills on time? Your income pie shows the future: can you actually afford something new? You need both to get approved for a mortgage. The good news? Both are things you can work on, starting right now. Ready to find out where you stand? 📩
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Taylor Ard, Guaranteed Rate Affinity
The Future of Downtown Lakeland: Insights from the CRA Meeting 🏙️✨
Big things are happening in the heart of our city! I’m Taylor Ard with Top Flite, and I recently had the pleasure of attending the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Act (CRA) meeting held at the beautiful Joinery. Between the stunning views of Lake Mirror and the high-energy discussion, one thing is clear: Downtown Lakeland is on the move.
The meeting brought together local business leaders to dive deep into the future of our downtown area. The CRA shared their vision for growth and development, while fielding important questions from the people who keep our local economy thriving.
Why does this matter to you? As a mortgage loan officer, I know that a vibrant, developing downtown doesn't just mean more places to eat and shop—it means increased property values, a stronger community, and a better environment for homeowners and business owners alike.
What’s inside this slideshow:
• 📸 Scenes from the discussion at The Joinery.
• 🏞️ That iconic Lake Mirror backdrop.
• 🤝 Networking with the leaders shaping our city's skyline.
Stay informed, stay involved, and let’s grow Lakeland together!
Connect with me:
📍 Taylor Ard | Top Flite Financial
🏡 Helping you navigate the Lakeland market, one home at a time.
💬 Have questions about how downtown growth affects your property value? Drop them in the comments!
#LakelandFL #DowntownLakeland #CRA #TopFlite #MortgageLife #CommunityGrowth #TheJoinery #LakeMirror #SupportLocal
5 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Taylor Ard, Guaranteed Rate Affinity
⚠️ Only ~$14 Million Remaining!
If you are a Police Officer, Firefighter, Teacher, or Healthcare Worker looking to buy a home in Florida, you need to see this now.
The 2025 Hometown Heroes funds are draining rapidly, and with only half the budget of last year, they will likely be gone weeks from now.
Here is the reality:
The state allocated $50M this fiscal year (down from $100M last year). As of this week, we are down to roughly $14M remaining. Once this money is reserved, the program closes until July 2026.
What you could miss out on:
🏠 Up to $35,000 in Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance.
💰 5% of your total loan amount.
📉 0% interest on the assistance loan (deferred until you sell/refinance).
Who is eligible right now?
Full-time Florida employees in specifically targeted fields:
* 👮♂️ Law Enforcement & Corrections
* 🚒 Firefighters & Paramedics
* 👩🏫 Educators (K-12 & Classroom)
* 👩⚕️ Healthcare Professionals (Nurses, CNAs, etc.)
* 🎖️ Active Military & Veterans
👉 CHECK THE OFFICIAL FUND STATUS
HERE:
www.floridahousing.org/live-local-act/hometown-her…
The Bottom Line:
Do not wait for interest rates to drop further if it means missing out on $35k in assistance. If you are "thinking about it," you need to get pre-approved and under contract immediately to reserve your funds before the meter hits $0.
Have you checked your eligibility yet? Let me know in the comments! 👇
#FloridaRealEstate #HometownHeroes #FloridaHousing #FirstResponders #TeacherLife #NurseLife #Police #Firefighter #DownPaymentAssistance #FloridaHomes #RealEstateTips #BuyAHome #HousingMarket
9 months ago | [YT] | 0
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