Your Florida Mortgage Specialists

TOP 3 Reasons to Stop Renting & Buy Your Own Home

September 10th, 2019 by Inlanta Staff

Is it time to leave renting behind and purchase a home to call your own?

There are many advantages to becoming a homeowner in 2020.  We are sure you have seen the news, interest rates have dropped to all-time lows once again, making homeownership more affordable than many rising rent payments. When considering buying a home you want to evaluate your current circumstance and stage in life. Buying a home is not always right for each situation. Read the rest of this entry »


What is a S.M.A.R.T. Mortgage Consultation?

April 22nd, 2019 by Ima Admin

At Inlanta Florida, we think “outside the bank” with our S.M.A.R.T. Mortgage Consultation. S.M.A.R.T. stands for consultations that are: Strategic, Mindful, Authentic, Results-oriented, and Timely. It takes more than great rates to make a great mortgage. It takes the right team, the right product and the right process to set you up for future financial success. Inlanta is different in that we listen, we assess your unique circumstances and goals, and then we find the right fit for your financial future.

The right mortgage program can mean the difference between actually closing on your dream home or watching it drift away due to a bureaucratic quagmire and shoddy planning. It can mean the difference between sending your kids to college one day or saddling them with debt because you were talked into a low-rate ARM that ballooned. You need a partner who can guide you through the dizzying array of mortgage products to help you find the right, affordable fit that won’t leave you house-poor but won’t have you leave money on the table either.

So start S.M.A.R.T. – talk to one of our specialists today!


What’s the Right Time To Look Into Your Credit?

March 22nd, 2019 by Ima Admin

Are you a renter who hopes to one day own your dream home? Are you looking to move up from your starter home? Did something catch your eye driving by?

If you think you’ll even LOOK at a house for sale in Florida this year – or next — it’s time to take a closer look at your “real” credit score. That’s because you need to ensure your financial ducks are in a row BEFORE you can house-hunt with a mortgage pre-approval in hand. Read the rest of this entry »


The Best Way to Use Your Tax Refund

February 26th, 2019 by Inlanta Staff

A Down Payment on a New Home is the Best Option for your Tax Refund!

The tax season is well underway.  If you are receiving a refund, have you planned what you are going to do with it?  Utilizing your tax refund towards the purchase of a new home is a great long-term investment.  Typically, there is a minimum down payment of 3.5-5% on the purchase of a primary residence. The thought of this large down payment is one of the biggest challenges for home buyers to overcome.

One benefit of tax season is being able to utilize your IRS or State tax refund for a down payment. In some cases a refund is also helpful to pay off outstanding debts or credit cards to improve credit or qualify for a larger mortgage.  The most important step is start a conversation, where we can review your situation to know the best way for you use your refund and get you closer to a new home. Read the rest of this entry »


Get the Score on Credit Scores

January 22nd, 2019 by Ima Admin

There are lots of places on the internet to learn your credit score. But if you’re planning to purchase a new home, these online scores don’t tell the whole story. A consumer score is meant to be educational. All information is the same that will be found on a mortgage report, but the weight given in scoring is completely different. The idea is that the consumer can see how they compare to national averages and can catch errors. Mortgage scores are based on FICO Scores, which have many different versions and the newest model is rarely used right away in the industry.

Generally speaking, myfico.com is the only source to get your true “mortgage” scores. Of the FICO scores, there are different types of scores used by auto lenders, credit card companies, and mortgage companies.

  • FICO Credit can range from no credit to scores between 300 and 850
  • 750+ is considered excellent credit
  • There are 3 Bureaus who report credit that all banks use to determine credit worthiness. They are: Experian, Equifax, and Transunion.
  • However, the types of free online scores most consumers see are actually different than what a lender uses.

Need help getting ready to apply for a pre-approval or mortgage? Contact one of our S.M.A.R.T. Mortgage Specialists today.


5 Questions to Ask your Bank BEFORE applying for a mortgage

September 9th, 2018 by Ima Admin

Make sure to ask your bank these 5 questions before applying for a mortgage.  We know the many great services they offer, but we specialize ONLY in mortgages, which gives you an upper hand.

#1: Will I be pre-approved or pre-qualified?

As we’ve stated in this previous article, being pre-approved and pre-qualified are two different things and the latter doesn’t have any value when the rubber hits the road. The purpose of a pre-qualification is to give a general idea of what to expect, but nothing is concrete until the more in-depth analysis of the pre-approval process. At Inlanta, we do a lot of the legwork during this step to give you more buying power when it comes time to make an offer. Read the rest of this entry »


Do You Have the Best Mortgage Quote?

August 28th, 2018 by Inlanta Staff

Check Your Current Mortgage Quote

Get a custom review of your current mortgage quote to ensure you are in the best mortgage for your individual situation.  Mortgage quotes are not all created equal.  It is important to take into account your goals today as well as in the future.  Check your current mortgage quote now! Read the rest of this entry »


3 Tips for Choosing the Right REALTOR and Best Mortgage Lender

August 16th, 2018 by Inlanta Staff

Purchasing a home is one of the largest financial decisions of most people’s lives.  When the right REALTOR and Best Mortgage Lender are chosen the process becomes much smoother and you experience a “dream team”.  This team will be one you can trust with not only your financial information but more importantly, they will educate and guide you through the ins and outs of the home buying process.

The mission of the Guild Mortgage Inlanta is to be the Best Mortgage Lender that you trust to not only take care of your home financing but also your family, friends, and community. 

When choosing your “Dream Team” consider the following 3 Tips:

Read the rest of this entry »


Tax Time Down Payment

February 5th, 2018 by Inlanta Staff

Should you be using your Tax Refund for your Down Payment on a new Home?

In preparation for purchasing a home saving for the down payment can be the most challenging piece to the puzzle. Typically there is some sort of down payment or out-of-pocket expense for the home buyer. The average down payment is 3.5% – 5% of the purchase price of the home.  This makes tax time the perfect opportunity to maximize available funds for the down payment on a new home.

An IRS tax refund is a great, acceptable source for a down payment on a new home.  Even a small refund may be enough to provide you with an ideal amount toward a down payment.  The first step would be to begin the mortgage pre-approval process by either applying online, downloading our phone app to apply or simply give us a call: (800) 682-9819.  You can begin with the pre-approval right away, even before your tax return has been filed. Read the rest of this entry »


Guild Mortgage Inlanta – #1 Independent Mortgage Broker in WI

January 18th, 2018 by Ima Admin

number 1 mortgage lender grand rapids mi depicted by charts and world

The Inlanta Florida Home Loan Solutions team is proud to share the news that its parent company, Guild Mortgage Inlanta WI, has been named the #1 Independent Mortgage broker in Wisconsin, where the company is headquartered.

“Our team is delighted to celebrate Inlanta’s 25th Anniversary with the news that our parent company closed the highest number of loans in its home state,” said Inlanta’ Florida Home Loan Solutions branch manager Jonathan Arnold.

As an independent mortgage banker, Inlanta offers a larger variety of loan options such as VA, USDA, and FHA, than is typically offered by most lenders. The Grand Rapids Inlanta team is also able to serve the entire state of Michigan, including underserved rural markets whereas many lenders only focus on the larger loan amounts in bigger metro areas.

About Guild Mortgage Inlanta

Headquartered in Pewaukee, WI, Guild Mortgage Inlanta was established in 1993. The company has grown to over 40 branches in 20 states and over 250 employees. Guild Mortgage Inlanta’s mission is to be the home financing partner that you trust to serve your family, friends, and community. Their team of dedicated mortgage professionals is committed to delivering an exceptional experience using honest and ethical lending practices.
Guild Mortgage Inlanta was named a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplace in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Inlanta has been consistently recognized as one of the “50 Best Mortgage Companies to Work For” by Mortgage Executive Magazine and one of the country’s “Top Mortgage Employers” by National Mortgage Professional.

Grand Rapids Mortgage Branch

Locally, Inlanta branch manager Jonathan Arnold has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by the Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association and was named top producer of all Inlanta branches for the third year in a row last year. Arnold’s teammate, Katrina Cole, was also acknowledged as a “40 Under 40” to watch by the MMLA, for which she serves as President of the West Chapter. Arnold is regularly called upon to share his expertise in the Grand Rapids residential real estate market for investors and homeowners who want to navigate the burgeoning real estate market.

For a jump on the spring market, download this Grand Rapids Real Estate Buyers Guide:

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