Does fat tend to burn off more in some areas than others? I ask because thanks to swimming I've lost a noticeable amount of fat loss on my arms, legs, thighs and around my back and ribs yet I still have love handles and some flub on my belly..

Where your body stores its fat is a genetic trait, indicative of your body-type.  How much fat you store is a function of your diet and activity level, primarily the rate at which you metabolize (burn off) your intake of nutrients and fats which -again- can be influenced by your genetics, but regular cardio exercise is usually effective in raising metabolism.  Fat is burned from the sum total stored by the body, spot fat reduction is a myth.