Carol Schretter to receive Georgia DCA 2025 Homebuyer Advocate Award

BankSouth Mortgage loan officer Carol Schretter has been selected for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs 2025 Homebuyer Advocate Award for long-term, community-centered advocacy that helps Georgia renters prepare for first-time homeownership.

BankSouth Mortgage is proud to share that Carol Schretter will be honored by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) with its 2025 Homebuyer Advocate Award during DCA’s Fall Conference in November.

“Carol meets people where they are and walks with them until the process makes sense,” said Kim Nelson, CEO of BankSouth Mortgage. “That steady, community-centered commitment turns information into real opportunity for first-time buyers across Georgia.”

About the award: The Homebuyer Advocate Award recognizes professionals whose sustained work expands access to first-time homeownership through community partnerships, education, and responsible guidance.

Carol’s advocacy is defined by showing up in trusted community spaces and making information clear and usable. She collaborates with housing counselors and civic groups to bring homebuyer education to renters, clarifies affordability and credit readiness in plain language, and helps eligible households understand how state-supported resources may fit into a purchase plan. The emphasis is on access and readiness so families can make informed decisions on a timeline that fits their goals.

Carol’s work continues beyond any single stage or ceremony. This award celebrates years of steady advocacy that helps renters become prepared, confident first-time buyers, and it reflects the standard she sets for herself and for our teams across Georgia.