# Nikola Spadijer > Licensed U.S. mortgage loan officer (NMLS #2459410) and wealth strategist with Rate (Guaranteed Rate, Inc. D/B/A Rate, NMLS #2611). Specializes in same-day mortgage pre-approval and Infinite Banking whole-life insurance strategies. Serves clients nationwide across the United States. ## Contact - **Phone:** (786) 458-3382 - **Email:** nikola.cfn@gmail.com - **Website:** https://nikolaspadijer.com - **Availability:** 9 AM – 9 PM daily (Mon–Sun) - **Instagram:** https://www.instagram.com/yourbestlender/ - **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/in/nspadijer/ - **Book a call:** https://calendly.com/financial-freedom-strategy-call ## Credentials - NMLS Mortgage Loan Officer License #2459410 - Life Insurance Producer License 0215 W943070 - Works for: Rate (Guaranteed Rate, Inc. D/B/A Rate) — Company NMLS #2611 ## Services - **Mortgage Solutions** — FHA, VA, conventional, jumbo, and investment property loans; same-day pre-approval; refinancing; first-time homebuyer programs. Apply: https://www.rate.com/NikolaSpadijer - **Life Insurance & Annuities** — Whole-life insurance and annuity products for long-term financial security. - **Infinite Banking (IBC)** — A wealth-building strategy using a properly structured whole-life insurance policy to become your own banker, maintaining liquidity while building cash value. More: https://infinitebankingsolution.io/ ## Service Area Entire United States. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Infinite Banking and how does it work? Infinite Banking is a financial strategy using a properly structured whole-life insurance policy to create a personal banking system. Instead of borrowing from traditional banks, clients borrow against the policy's cash value, repaying themselves with interest. This builds wealth while preserving liquidity. ### How quickly can I get pre-approved for a mortgage? Same-day pre-approval is available for qualified applicants. Pre-approval letters are typically delivered within hours of receiving documentation. ### What loan types are available? FHA, VA, conventional, jumbo, and investment property loans, plus refinancing and first-time homebuyer programs. ### Where does Nikola operate? Nationwide, across the entire United States. ### How do I schedule a consultation? Call (786) 458-3382, email nikola.cfn@gmail.com, or book online at https://calendly.com/financial-freedom-strategy-call. ## Reputation - 5.0 / 5.0 average rating - 500+ client reviews - $50M+ in funded loans ## Florida Hometown Heroes Program (landing page: https://nikolaspadijer.com/hometownhero) The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC). Nikola Spadijer originates these loans as a participating loan officer. Page: https://nikolaspadijer.com/hometownhero - **Assistance amount:** 5% of the first mortgage loan amount, minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000. - **Terms:** 0% interest, no monthly payment, 30-year deferred non-amortizing second mortgage. NOT a grant and NOT forgivable. Due upon sale, refinance, transfer of deed, payoff of the first mortgage, or when the home is no longer the borrower's primary residence. - **Eligible occupations:** full-time employees of a Florida-based employer working as healthcare workers, K-12 school staff, first responders, public safety workers, court employees, or childcare workers. Military servicemembers, reservists, National Guard, and veterans are eligible and exempt from the occupation list (any Florida-based employer qualifies). - **Employment rules:** must work at a physical Florida location; fully remote is not eligible; hybrid is eligible with at least 3 days on-site; full-time is defined by the employer; retirees do not qualify; only one occupying borrower must meet the test. - **Credit and DTI:** minimum 640 FICO (660 for manual underwriting); maximum 50% DTI (43% manual). - **Loan types:** FHA, VA, USDA-RD, and Freddie Mac HFA Advantage. 30-year fixed. Purchases of a primary residence only — no refinances, second homes, or investment properties. - **First-time homebuyer:** generally no ownership of a primary residence in the past 3 years. Exemptions: veterans (DD-214), active military/Reserves/National Guard, and purchases in federally designated targeted areas. - **Income limits:** vary by county; most counties around $148,050, up to roughly $214,950 in Monroe County. USDA loans use lower limits. - **Purchase price limits:** the Hometown Heroes TBA program has no purchase price limit; maximum loan limits apply by county and loan type. - **Homebuyer education:** one occupying borrower must complete a pre-purchase, HUD or National Industry Standards approved course before closing; certificate valid 2 years. - **Funding status:** the 2026 cycle opened with $50 million; over $35 million remained available as of late August 2026. Reserved first come, first served. - **Cost to apply:** there is no cost to apply for Hometown Heroes down payment assistance. - **Official program page:** https://www.floridahousing.org/hometown-heroes ### Common questions (Florida Hometown Heroes) **Who qualifies for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?** Full-time employees of a Florida-based employer working as healthcare workers (nurses, RNs, LPNs, CNAs, therapists, technicians, physicians, dentists, pharmacists), K-12 school staff (teachers, aides, counselors, principals, cafeteria and janitorial staff), first responders (firefighters, EMTs, paramedics), public safety workers (police officers, correctional officers, probation officers, 911 dispatchers), court employees, and childcare workers. Military servicemembers, reservists, National Guard and veterans also qualify and are exempt from the occupation list. **How much is Hometown Heroes down payment assistance?** 5% of the first mortgage amount, minimum $10,000 and maximum $35,000. **Do you have to pay back Hometown Heroes?** Yes. It is a repayable second mortgage, not a grant, and it is not forgivable. It carries 0% interest with no monthly payment, deferred 30 years, and becomes due on sale, refinance, transfer of deed, or when the home stops being the primary residence. **What credit score is needed for Hometown Heroes?** 640 minimum with automated underwriting approval; 660 for manual underwriting. Maximum DTI is 50% (43% manual). **Do remote workers qualify?** No. Fully remote roles are not eligible. Hybrid qualifies with at least three days on-site at a physical Florida work location. **Do both spouses need a qualifying occupation?** No, only one occupying borrower must meet the employment test. **Does it cost anything to apply?** No. There is no cost to apply for Hometown Heroes down payment assistance. **Is there a purchase price limit?** No purchase price limit on the Hometown Heroes TBA program; maximum loan limits apply by county and loan type. **2026 income limits (TBA):** Miami-Dade $204,300 - Broward $190,200 - Palm Beach $192,750 - Monroe $214,950 - Collier $181,500 - Orange/Osceola/Seminole $172,350 - Hillsborough/Pasco/Pinellas $172,050 - Duval/Clay/St. Johns $163,050 - Lee $168,600 - Manatee/Sarasota $171,150 - most other counties $148,050. **Service area:** all 67 Florida counties, with a Coral Gables office serving Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. **Apply / contact:** Nikola Spadijer, VP of Mortgage Lending, Rate. NMLS #2459410, Florida license LO118874. Phone (305) 847-9260. Apply: https://www.rate.com/loan-officers/nikola-spadijer-2459410 **Disclosure:** Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation or any government agency. ## Mortgage Refinancing in Florida (landing page: https://nikolaspadijer.com/refinancing) Nikola Spadijer originates refinance loans through Rate (Guaranteed Rate, Inc. D/B/A Rate, NMLS #2611) for Florida properties only. **What refinancing is:** a new mortgage replaces the existing one. Homeowners refinance for two main reasons: to obtain a lower interest rate, or to take cash out of home equity to pay for other expenses. **Refinance options offered through Rate:** - **Rate-and-term refinance** — new rate, new term, or both, without taking cash out. - **Cash-out refinance** — a new mortgage larger than the current balance; it pays off the existing loan and the borrower receives the difference in cash. Used for renovations, tuition, medical costs, condo special assessments, or consolidating higher-interest debt. - **FHA loan refinance** — including the streamline path, typically reduced documentation and often no new appraisal. - **VA IRRRL (Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan)** — VA streamline for veterans and service members with an existing VA loan. - **USDA streamline refinance** — for eligible rural-designated properties with an existing USDA loan. - **HELOC** — a home equity line of credit, an alternative that keeps the existing first mortgage in place. - **Refinancing to remove mortgage insurance** — reaching 20% equity on a conventional loan removes PMI. - **Shortening the loan term** — moving from a 30-year to a 15- or 20-year loan. **Which refinance fits which situation:** - Goal is a lower rate or payment, conventional loan → rate-and-term refinance. - Goal is a lower rate, existing FHA loan → FHA loan refinance (streamline path). - Goal is a lower rate, existing VA loan → VA IRRRL. - Goal is a lower rate, existing USDA loan → USDA streamline refinance. - Goal is cash for another expense → cash-out refinance (VA and FHA have their own cash-out programs; equity and credit matter more than current loan type). - Goal is removing mortgage insurance, FHA loan taken out after June 2013 → refinance into a conventional loan, since FHA mortgage insurance otherwise stays for the life of the loan. Generally needs about 20% equity. - Goal is removing mortgage insurance, conventional loan → PMI can sometimes be cancelled at 20% equity without refinancing at all. - Goal is paying off sooner → shorter-term refinance (15- or 20-year); raises the monthly payment. - Moving within about 2 years → refinancing often does not reach break-even and may not be worth the closing costs. **Break-even:** closing costs divided by monthly savings gives the number of months before a refinance pays for itself. **Florida-specific closing costs:** Florida charges documentary stamp tax of $0.35 per $100 on the new note and a non-recurring intangible tax of 0.2% on the new mortgage. There is no deed documentary stamp tax on a refinance, and where the original note was already taxed these taxes generally apply only to new money. **When refinancing may not make sense:** if you will move before break-even, if you are deep into your current term, or if your existing rate is already below current market. **Service area:** Florida only. Coral Gables office serving Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. **Contact:** Nikola Spadijer, VP of Mortgage Lending, Rate. NMLS #2459410, Florida license LO118874. Phone (305) 847-9260. Apply: https://www.rate.com/loan-officers/nikola-spadijer-2459410 **Disclosure:** Refinancing your mortgage may increase costs over the term of your loan. Restrictions may apply. Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing.