
Senior Mortgage Banker, Shannon Bradshaw, receives seventh Five Star award
Company News
BankSouth Mortgage Senior Mortgage Banker, Shannon Bradshaw, has been named a 2022 Five Star Mortgage Professional award winner, marking her seventh such recognition in 10 years.
Bradshaw is the only Georgia-based loan originator to have…

Fighting Inflation, Rate Impact
Rates, TipsLooking to purchase or refinance a home? It may pay to act before rates rise further!
Here’s why:
On November 22, President Joe Biden announced the re-nomination of Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell. Both said they are focused…

What Can Cause Inflation?
Market News, TipsCAUSE: More money floating around the economy
EFFECT: Rising prices on goods and services (recent example: lumber)
Inflation impacts the housing market because rising prices on good and services often results in a higher base house price.…

Assessed Value Vs. Appraised Value Vs. Market Value: What’s the Difference?
TipsIf you’re in the market to purchase a home, you’ve probably seen an assessed value, appraised value and a market value in addition to the home’s sales price. What’s the difference?
Simply put, an assessed value is the value determined…

Telemarketing Calls for Mortgages: Why They Occur and How to Prevent Them
Security, TipsWhy am I getting calls for mortgage offers?
Occasionally, we hear from customers that they receive unsolicited offers from other lenders after they apply with us. Their first question is always, “Did you sell my information?” The answer…

Protect Against Wire Fraud
SecurityMortgage wire fraud occurs when a criminal impersonates a real estate closing firm, a lender, or a real estate agent and provides false wiring instructions to a borrower. The goal of this fraud is to have the funds wired directly to the criminal…

The Cost of Waiting to Buy a Home
TipsWaiting to Buy Can Decrease Your Purchase Power
In this uncertain real estate market, many buyers may be playing the waiting game when it comes to purchasing a home. There are advantages and disadvantages to this strategy. Waiting could mean…

Home Buying Mistakes to Avoid
General, Homeowner Benefits, TipsIf you’re thinking about buying a new home soon, you’ve taken the first step to homeownership! Are you excited? You should be! Homeownership is an exciting journey. After all, the home you’ll be in will be YOUR home, not your landlord’s.…

COVID Forbearance: Separating Fact from Fiction
Credit, Loan Assistance, TipsWhat You Need to Know
FACTS
As part of the CARES Act, the federal government states that borrowers with loans owned, guaranteed, or insured by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, and USDA can apply for forbearance for up to 6 months initially…

What is Homestead Exemption?
Homeowner Benefits, TipsHow to Lower Property Taxes with Homestead Exemption
If you have recently closed on a home in the past calendar year, you are able to take advantage of a homestead exemption. A homestead exemption exempts a portion or a flat dollar amount of…

Tips for Quick and Easy Home Improvements
Homeowner Benefits, TipsWe have all seen the home improvement TV shows where the bathroom or kitchen gets an easy update in an hour or less, but when we try to do that in our own home, somehow a whole weekend goes by and we aren’t even halfway done. Well, here are…

Mortgage Refinancing Checklist: Your Ultimate Resource
Mortgage Process, Mortgage Programs, TipsSometimes you need something when you don’t, and other times you think you don’t need something when you do. That’s why we made this list of documents that you may need in order to refinance your mortgage. Every refinance deal is different,…