Matt Kennedy at Guaranteed Rate Affinity NMLS 218030

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Matt Kennedy at Guaranteed Rate Affinity NMLS 218030

I am a VP of Mortgage Lending NMLS # 218030 at Guaranteed Rate Affinity NMLS # 1598647. A key factor in Matt's success is his availability.

Matt Kennedy brings speed, accountability, and a personal touch to every client interaction. Specializing in residential lending on the North Shore and across Chicagoland, he is committed to making the home loan process as comfortable and seamless as possible. Whether he is working with first-time homebuyers or seasoned homeowners, Matt offers expert guidance in securing conforming, jumbo, FHA, an

d VA loans with precision and confidence. "The feeling of helping someone achieve homeownership or save money in certain circumstances drove me to the business," he says. Before diving into the lending process, Matt takes the time to understand his clients' personal and financial goals. He then customizes a solution that best aligns with their needs and helps them achieve their objectives. His greatest professional achievement to date is helping nearly 100 clients secure home financing in a challenging market. "During the tough times, I focused on staying in front of my referral partners. This led to gained market share and trust with my referral partners and real estate offices," he says. "I answer and return phone calls, take calls at night or on weekends when other loan officers don't," he says. "My availability allows me to earn trust and comfort with the client, and they know that I am here to help whenever they need it." His approachable, calm demeanor further sets clients at ease, and most of his business comes through word-of-mouth referrals. Outside of work, Matt is an avid sports fan, enjoying football, baseball, basketball, and golf. Above all, he treasures spending time with his wife, Ioanna, and their two sons, Johnny and Will.

05/20/2026

Think your credit score is stopping you from buying a home? Think again. 👀

There are so many credit myths floating around that cause buyers to either delay the process, overpay, or assume they don’t qualify at all.

Here are 3 of the biggest myths I hear all the time:
❌ “Checking my credit will ruin my score”
❌ “I need perfect credit to buy a home”
❌ “Paying off collections automatically boosts my score”

The truth? Knowing how credit actually works can save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress when it comes to getting approved.

Your credit may impact your options, but it doesn’t always disqualify you.

If you’re thinking about buying a home, let’s review where you stand and build a game plan.

Contact me today by clicking the link in my bio!

05/01/2026

Buying a second property? The loan you get depends on how you plan to use it—and most people don’t realize there are major differences until it’s too late.

A second home (like a vacation property) can often be financed with as little as 10% down and is treated more like a primary residence if you meet the requirements.

An investment property is different—it’s meant to generate income, so lenders require more down (typically 15–25%), higher rates, and cash reserves.

Same goal, different strategy. If you’re thinking about buying a second home or investment property, let’s make sure you’re set up correctly from the start. Link in my bio to contact me today!

04/28/2026

Self-employed and told you don’t qualify for a mortgage? That’s usually not the full story.

There are actually several ways lenders can qualify your income beyond just W-2s.

We can use tax returns (often a 2-year average of net income), bank statements to calculate cash flow, CPA-prepared P&Ls if your latest year was stronger, or even asset-based lending if you’ve built up significant savings or investments.

Yes, the structure matters—and sometimes rates are slightly higher—but self-employed borrowers absolutely have options.

If you’re self-employed and thinking about buying, let’s talk through the best way to get you approved. Contact me today! Link in bio!

04/14/2026

⏳ Waiting for rates to drop? Think again.

Trying to time the market is tricky; rates go up faster than they go down, and even a small increase can add hundreds to your monthly payment. Meanwhile, home prices and competition keep rising.

The smartest buyers focus on what they can control: get pre-approved, know your budget, and find the right home.

📩 Don’t wait — contact me today to see your options. You may be closer than you think. Link in bio to learn more!

04/06/2026

💸 Think you know your DTI? Think again.

Debt-to-income ratio isn’t just a number; it could make or break your mortgage approval.
Example: $6,000 income / $3,000 debt = 50% DTI. Most lenders want it under 50%. Too high? You might not qualify.

📩 Worried about your DTI? Contact me, and we’ll walk through it step by step. Link in comments!

03/31/2026

💍👶 Life changes happen… can they affect your mortgage?

Most are fine, getting married, having a baby, or even a new job. The key is that they don’t impact your qualifications.

📩 Thinking about a big change before closing? Contact us first, we’ll make sure it’s all good! Link in bio to learn more!

03/30/2026

🎙️ New episode of the Mining for Gold Podcast is out now.

Jon and I sat down with our longtime friend Andrew “Newms” Newman to talk about rewards, loyalty, and the future of consumer engagement.

We dive into:
💳 How loyalty programs like Rate Rewards are changing the game
🤝 The power of engaging customers in meaningful ways
📈 Trends shaping the future of financial tech
⚡ Insights on building programs that actually work

It’s a great conversation about innovation, strategy, and what it takes to stay ahead in today’s market.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: Link in bio!

03/18/2026

There are about 10 things you need to do when buying a home.

But honestly…
Just do #1: Call us. 📲
We’ll help guide you through the other 9. 🏡

Buying a home is a big step — but the process doesn’t have to be complicated.

03/12/2026

Lower rate = automatic savings… right? 🤔

Not always.

Refinancing can lower your monthly payment, but it can also reset your loan timeline and increase the total interest you pay over time. That’s why it’s important to look at the break-even point, closing costs, and how long you plan to stay in your home before making a decision.

Refinancing is a powerful financial tool — but only when it actually works in your favor.
If you’re considering a refi, let’s run the numbers together and see if it truly makes sense for your situation.

📩 Send me a message or click the link in bio to start the conversation.

01/23/2026

Real stories. Real experiences. Real impact.
Helping clients feel confident every step of the way is why we do what we do. 🤍

Address

1800 W Larchmont Avenue
Chicago, IL
60613

Website

https://www.grarate.com/loan-officer/mattkennedy

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