Empire Team

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Empire Team Lenders

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About Empire Team

We’re unique because of our longevity!  We’ve been in the mortgage industry for quite a while and have served as The Empire Team for the last eight years.  We complement each other’s strengths and work together to serve our clients.  Most of our clients are first-time home buyers. It gives us such a feeling of fulfillment to help and guide them during the entire process so that they feel confident and comfortable in making a decision that fits their unique needs the best. Words that are used most often to describe our team and the level of service we provide are experts, patient, and accurate.  This is not a reputation you come by overnight.  It’s a proven means of doing consistent business time and again for each and every client.  We are experts in our market because we are local; we know the neighborhoods; we understand the ebb and flow of the market and have a deep understanding of the products we offer.  Since most of our clients are first-time home buyers, we feel that education is the key element in their home-buying journey.  We are in the process with each applicant from the beginning to the end, making sure they understand what is going on and why.  When serving all parties in the loan process, the client and agents alike, we make it a priority to be available to answer questions in a timely manner and speak to the questions being asked, expertly!

Reviews

5
Ratings
347
Total Reviews

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BirdEye.com
M
Matthew Kiefer
Posted on July 20, 2026
5.0
I had a great experience working with Brian and his team for our refinance transaction. Communication was top notch and couldn't have been happier with the process.
M
Matthew Kiefer
Posted on July 20, 2026
5.0
Great working with Brian and his team. Communication was top notch and they made the experience stress free.
J
Jeremy Paz
Posted on July 13, 2026
5.0
Brian was awesome. He made all the things happen. He communicated daily and kept me in loop throughout the entire process. I couldn’t be for the friend that gave me his contact info. Thanks Brian!
C
Carla Rice
Posted on July 4, 2026
5.0
Brian and his team did an outstanding job with our cash-out refinance. The entire process was handled professionally and efficiently, and they kept us informed every step of the way. They were always available to answer questions and made what could have been a complicated process feel easy. We appreciate their hard work and highly recommend Brian and his team to anyone considering a refinance or home loan.
S
Sean Preston
Posted on July 3, 2026
5.0
Brian has been awesome answering any and all questions I had. I appreciate how quick he handled things and how detailed his explanations were.
T
Tamika Hibbert
Posted on July 1, 2026
5.0
Brian was excellent throughout the entire process. He made the homeowners' experience seamless and positive by providing exceptional support every step of the way. His professionalism, responsiveness, and dedication helped make the entire journey a great experience.
M
Mykell Price
Posted on July 1, 2026
5.0
Brian was absolutely amazing. He helped my clients and I get to the finish line. We stayed on the phone for hours to get this done. Thank you Brian!
P
Philip Kim
Posted on June 30, 2026
5.0
Working with Brian was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Coordinating an out-of-state move and navigating a new construction timeline can be incredibly stressful, but Brian made the entire financing side seamless. He was proactive, highly organized, and always kept us in the loop so there were no surprises at closing. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and reliable lender.
C
Carla Rice
Posted on June 27, 2026
5.0
Brian and his team did an outstanding job with our cash-out refinance. The entire process was handled professionally and efficiently, and they kept us informed every step of the way. They were always available to answer questions and made what could have been a complicated process feel easy. We appreciate their hard work and highly recommend Brian and his team to anyone considering a refinance or home loan.
C
Carla Rice
Posted on June 24, 2026
5.0
Brian and his team did an outstanding job with our cash-out refinance. The entire process was handled professionally and efficiently, and they kept us informed every step of the way. They were always available to answer questions and made what could have been a complicated process feel easy. We appreciate their hard work and highly recommend Brian and his team to anyone considering a refinance or home loan.
S
Sam Aumann
Posted on June 8, 2026
5.0
Brian helped making our home buying experience easy and stress free. He was extremely communicative and informative about our options so we felt empowered to make the decision that was right for our family. I never felt pressured into making a decision and felt that he truly wanted what was best for us.
C
Charles Mongelli
Posted on June 1, 2026
5.0
We had an excellent experience working with Brian Williams at BankSouth Mortgage. From our very first conversation, Brian was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly responsive. What impressed us most was his communication throughout the entire process. Brian kept us informed every step of the way, answered our questions promptly, and made sure we always knew what to expect next. His attention to detail and willingness to help made what could have been a stressful process feel smooth and manageable. Brian also worked quickly and efficiently to keep everything moving forward, helping us stay on track and meet important deadlines without any surprises. If you’re looking for a mortgage professional who is communicative, reliable, and truly committed to providing exceptional service, I highly recommend Brian Williams and the team at BankSouth Mortgage. We are grateful for all of his hard work and would not hesitate to work with him again in the future.
C
Chad Mongelli
Posted on June 1, 2026
5.0
We had an excellent experience working with Brian Williams at BankSouth Mortgage. From our very first conversation, Brian was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly responsive. What impressed us most was his communication throughout the entire process. Brian kept us informed every step of the way, answered our questions promptly, and made sure we always knew what to expect next. His attention to detail and willingness to help made what could have been a stressful process feel smooth and manageable. Brian also worked quickly and efficiently to keep everything moving forward, helping us stay on track and meet important deadlines without any surprises. If you're looking for a mortgage professional who is communicative, reliable, and truly committed to providing exceptional service, I highly recommend Brian Williams and the team at BankSouth Mortgage. We are grateful for all of his hard work and would not hesitate to work with him again in the future.
S
Sharde Black
Posted on May 31, 2026
5.0
Brian made the process simple and efficient. He made sure we had all the right documents and helped us get approved quickly. His knowledge, responsiveness, and professionalism made the experience easy from start to finish.
J
Jennifer Wilson
Posted on April 6, 2026
5.0
Brian was excellent and so easy to work with. He was responsive and helpful with any questions we had.
D
Dennis Dent
Posted on April 4, 2026
5.0
From the moment we talked, I knew I was going to work with him. Although I've never met him in person, he seemed genuine. I enjoyed working with him. As a first-time buyer, he explained everything in detail and took his time. He was always available to answer or listen to any questions or concerns. I will definitely recommend him and work with him again.
N
Nishanth Raja
Posted on April 1, 2026
5.0
Brian is an amazing loan officer to work with! My wife and I were first time home owners and Brian helped us so much by being detailed, transparent and thorough about each and every step in the loan process. We highly recommend him to anyone looking to work with a personable and knowledgeable loan officer. Thank you so much Brian!
M
Malena Raja
Posted on March 25, 2026
5.0
My husband and I are first-time homebuyers, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience working with Brian as our mortgage officer. From the very beginning, he was incredibly hands on and took the time to clearly explain every step of the process, which made everything feel so much less overwhelming. Brian was always responsive, patient, and willing to answer all of our questions—no matter how small. What truly stood out was his dedication and care; he even showed up to our closing to support us, which meant so much and speaks volumes about his commitment to his clients. We’re so grateful for everything he did to help us through this journey and would highly recommend him to anyone, especially first-time homebuyers!
P
Pina Vetrano
Posted on February 14, 2026
5.0
I cannot recommend Brian Williams at BankSouth highly enough! From start to finish, Brian was a true professional who prioritized my clients best interests. Not only did he manage to save my client money on his financing, but his dedication was unmatched. What stood out most was his accessibility—Brian was available even on the weekends and always made it a point to return our calls promptly. If you're looking for a lender who is responsive, honest, and truly works for you, Brian is the person to call.
P
Pina Vetrano
Posted on February 9, 2026
5.0
I cannot recommend Brian Williams at BankSouth highly enough! From start to finish, Brian was a true professional who prioritized my clients best interest. Not only did he manage to save my client a good amount of money on his financing, but his dedication was unmatched. What stood out most was his accessibility—Brian made himself available at all times and always made it a point to return our calls promptly, no matter how busy he was. Due to this transaction being a contingency purchase and sale, he made a stressful process feel manageable and transparent. If you're looking for a lender who is responsive, honest, and truly works for you, Brian is the person to call! Thank you Brian … we did it !
5
Ratings
319
Total Reviews

Powered By

BirdEye.com
T
Troy Blume
Posted on June 15, 2026
5.0
Couldn’t have asked for a more responsive and easy to work with lender, Shachi and Sheila are a dream team!
M
Mr.F
Posted on June 2, 2026
5.0
We had a wonderful experience working with Shachi Bhardwaj at BankSouth Mortgage. From start to finish, Shachi was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly responsive. She was always available to answer our questions, explain the process, and provide guidance whenever we needed it. Buying a home can be stressful, but Shachi made the mortgage process smooth and easy to understand. Her dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to excellent customer service truly exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend Shachi to anyone looking for a mortgage loan officer who genuinely cares about her clients and goes above and beyond to help them succeed. Thank you, Shachi, for making our home-buying experience such a positive one!
S
Sal DiLorenzo
Posted on May 30, 2026
5.0
Shachi is a highly professional loan officer. She is there every step of the way to guide and advise through the entire origination process. I highly recommend her services.
N
Narayanan Subramanian
Posted on May 10, 2026
5.0
Right from the start, Shachi Bhardwaj was involved in the mortgage loan process, guiding us through the offerings. She and her team made sure that document requests were made up front, giving us time to gather the material. Shachi and her team responded to queries right away. Their customer facing application for uploading and downloading documents are excellent. It is extremely easy to exchange documents. For purchase of residential property, getting mortgage used to take 1-1/2 to 2 months. Shachi and her team completed the process in about 3-1/2 weeks! That speaks volumes about their efficiency!
M
Manjula Subramanian
Posted on May 10, 2026
5.0
Right from the start, Shachi Bhardwaj was involved in the mortgage loan process, guiding us through the offerings. She and her team made sure that document requests were made up front, giving us time to gather the material. Shachi and her team responded to queries right away. Their customer facing application for uploading and downloading documents are excellent. It is extremely easy to exchange documents. For purchase of residential property, getting mortgage used to take 1-1/2 to 2 months. Shachi and her team completed the process in about 3-1/2 weeks! That speaks volumes about their efficiency!
P
Pablo Biswas
Posted on March 30, 2026
5.0
Thank you Shachi, Sheila and Tyler. With out your help our new home would not be possible. Thank you Bank South team!!!
J
J H
Posted on February 20, 2026
5.0
Shachi and her team were excellent and supportive through the entire process. She was always available to answer my many questions, explained everything so well, and made everything very smooth. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone buying a home - especially a first time buyer.
A
Alan Sutton
Posted on December 22, 2025
5.0
J
Jami Guinter
Posted on September 8, 2025
5.0
Shachi provided excellent service. She is responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares. I would highly recommend her.
J
Jami Guinter
Posted on September 8, 2025
5.0
Shachi provided excellent service. She is extremely knowledgeable, responsive and genuinely cares. I will definitely reach out to her again when I need another home loan.
S
Saurabh Warke
Posted on July 31, 2025
5.0
A Heartfelt Thank You to BankSouth Mortgage and Shachi’s Incredible Team Navigating the U.S. mortgage process as a newcomer from Canada with no local credit history felt daunting and, at one point, almost impossible. Every lender we approached either declined us outright or didn’t take the time to understand our unique situation. That changed the moment we connected with Shachi and her team at BankSouth Mortgage. From the very beginning, Shachi stood out not just as a mortgage expert, but as someone who genuinely cared. She took the time to thoroughly review our Canadian credit history, understood the nuances of our financial background, and built a strong, compelling case for our mortgage approval. It was her unwavering belief, attention to detail, and persistence that turned our dream into reality. Because of Shachi and her dedicated team, we are now proud homeowners in the U.S. The entire process from initial consultation to final closing was handled with transparency, integrity, and professionalism. It was smooth, stress-free, and most importantly, built on trust. To anyone new to the country, uncertain about securing a mortgage this is the team you want by your side. They don’t just process loans they make possibilities real. Thank you, Shachi and BankSouth, for giving us more than a home, you gave us a new beginning.
P
Prachi Mishra
Posted on April 28, 2025
5.0
Shachi was amazing to work with! As first time home buyers, I was anxious about the process but Shachi was incredibly helpful throughout, often offering guidance and clear reminders & communications through her wonderful newsletters. She made the loan process much more simplified and clear. We are so thankful to have worked with her
P
Prachi Mishra
Posted on April 28, 2025
5.0
Shachi was wonderful! She provided so much guidance throughout. It can be difficult to navigate the home loan process especially as first time home buyers but Shachi did a wonderful job providing insight on the rates and was an incredibly clear communicator. Would highly recommend!
M
Michael V
Posted on April 1, 2025
5.0
We just closed on a refi with BankSouth Mortgage and the second home loan Shachi Bhardwaj and her team helped us with. It has been a pleasant, personalized experience and cost effective transaction from A-Z. Shachi is definitely an experienced professional to have in your corner and I can recommend her to anyone that is looking for assistance with their next real estate transaction.
T
T. Wheeler
Posted on January 26, 2025
5.0
The entire staff at BankSouth went above and beyond in proficiency. Shashi and Sheila were unbelievable in their communication and dedication to making us homeowners.
J
James Cobb
Posted on January 1, 2025
5.0
Shachi was incredible to work with.
N
Nitu Sharma
Posted on December 3, 2024
5.0
We wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for Shachi and her exceptional team. From the very start of our mortgage financing journey in early November 2024, Shachi proved to be a top-notch professional. Her deep understanding of the mortgage financing business, combined with her commitment to fully understanding and catering to our needs and goals, made all the difference. Thanks to Shachi's guidance and regular updates throughout the process, we were able to close on our home just a day before Thanksgiving—a truly special moment for us! Her dedication ensured that we felt supported every step of the way. We would also like to commend her team, who are/were equally impressive and deserving of recognition. Their professionalism and expertise complemented Shachi’s efforts beautifully. We highly recommend Shachi without reservation!
P
Phil Veasley
Posted on November 28, 2024
5.0
Smooth straightforward process
P
Phillip Veasley
Posted on November 21, 2024
5.0
Best real estate transaction experience to date
V
Varun OBEROI
Posted on September 3, 2024
5.0
We had a wonderful experience working with Shachi and her team. Shachi is knowledgeable, responsive and takes the time to explain the entire process from beginning to end. Her commitment was evident from Day 1 resulting in a smooth closing on our home. I would highly recommend her to anyone for their home loan needs.

The Mortgage and Lending Services You Need

There are a lot of different types of mortgages out there. Our job is to find you the right one. We’ll help you understand how your home financing works for you when you close and for decades to come.

Your mortgage isn’t far away. A customized mortgage plan puts you in control with down payments and mortgage payments that make sense for your lending needs. You can take the steps to this investment in your future.

It’s your life. It’s your future. We’re here to make it happen for you.

Multiple, standard mortgage options for qualifying homebuyers and homeowners.

Create your dream home with a loan that provides funds to cover the cost of building or rehabilitating a home.

Mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration requiring lower minimum credit scores and down payments - especially popular with first-time homebuyers.

A USDA home loan helps low to moderate income families buy affordable homes in rural areas.

Replace your old mortgage with a new one to lower your rate, reduce your loan term, or cash out home equity.

Special financing for military veterans, service members, and surviving spouses offering favorable terms with options to buy, build, renovate, or refinance a primary residence.

VA loans, USDA loans, FHA loans and other options that help buyers finance their new home while putting less money down.

For buyers considering higher-end properties – Jumbo loans can help provide the financing you need.

Want to fix up your existing home? A renovation loan gives you the funds to make those renovations updates to your home.

Mortgage Ready When You Are with ReadyLoan®

What can ReadyLoan® do for you?

Explore your mortgage options with calculators that help you understand how much you may qualify to borrow and what future payments might be look like.

Ready to look for a home? A preapproval gives you – and sellers – confidence that you’re ready for the next step.

Apply anytime and anywhere - from your phone or tablet. No waiting, No paper. No need to visit a loan office.

Submit required documents and forms through our state-of-the-art app with our encrypted and secure portal.

Check the status of your mortgage and see what steps are ahead in the process.

Securely communicate with your loan officer and agent if you have questions or need to provide other information.

Review your closing package and sign most documents prior to closing.

Apply Online

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Mortgages Don’t Have To Be Scary

Buying a home is a big deal. You deserve clear language, clear timelines, and clear expectations. At BankSouth Mortgage, we believe that your lender should be on your side.

We’ll make sure you feel comfortable with your choices, confident in your decisions, and informed every step of the way.

Learn how the process will work, meet the people you’ll be working with, and get the information you need to move forward.

What Happens After I Prequalify?

Step 1

Initial Mortgage Consultation

When you begin thinking about buying a home, contact BankSouth Mortgage to get prequalified. A prequalification gives you an estimate of the size of mortgage loan you qualify for based on your credit history, income, and assets. At this time, your mortgage banker will discuss loan options, down payment requirements, and current interest rates. Simply follow this link to securely apply online. This will give your loan officer the preliminary information they need to determine your prequalification. This is also the perfect time to get set up with our electronic portal to make it easier to securely exchange documents and information throughout the mortgage process.

Step 2

Initiate Loan Application

Once you go under contract, we will provide you with an initial list of documentation needed to begin processing your loan. Quickly providing all requested documentation is essential to moving through the loan process without delays. Also, your BankSouth Mortgage expert will discuss locking in your interest rate and encourage you to get a hazard insurance quote from an insurance agent.

Step 3

Disclosures

Once we have a complete application, we will prepare a packet of disclosures for you to sign. Included in these disclosures is the Loan Estimate, which contains information on the cost of your loan. It is very important to review this closely and talk to your loan officer about any questions you may have. Revisions to your loan later on in the process may push your closing date back. It is extremely important for you to sign and return all disclosures within 24 hours from receipt. Any delay with returning your disclosures may delay your closing. Fees for your appraisal will be collected once we have received your disclosures and payment information.

Step 4

Estimated Market Value

Once you have received your Loan Estimate and disclosed your intent to proceed, BankSouth Mortgage will order your title work and appraisal. The appraisal process identifies the market value for the property. These generally take at least 10 days from the date requested to delivery. As soon as we receive the appraisal, we will provide you and your realtor* with a copy.

*We commit to providing timely and accurate information to your realtor when prior authorization is received from you.

Step 5

Loan Processing

Next, the loan moves to a loan processor, who reviews the file to ensure all the proper documentation is included. You may be contacted to provide any outstanding or additional items, and verifications of employment, etc. may be obtained. Once all the requested information is gathered, the loan will be passed on to underwriting so that a final determination can be made. By this point in the process, please try to limit changes to your contract to ensure a smooth closing.

Step 6

Underwriting

An underwriter will investigate the information in the file and make the final decision on the loan approval. Underwriting can take as little as one day and up to two weeks, depending on the type of transaction and market conditions. Because each loan is unique, it is common practice for the underwriter to request additional documentation to support what was submitted in the original file. We will notify you if additional items are needed, as well as when a final decision has been made.

Step 7

Review Your Closing Disclosure

A critical component of the loan process is YOUR confirming receipt by signing the Closing Disclosure (CD) a minimum of 3 business days before closing. This document further reviews the cost of your loan. BankSouth Mortgage makes every effort to send you this document with ample time to review. However, due to the often expedited nature of the mortgage process, you may receive this document close to the third day prior to closing deadline. As soon as you are able to review this document, it is imperative you sign and return it as quickly as possible. Signing only confirms your receipt of the CD. This integral step requires close communication with your lender to ensure an on-time closing.

Step 8

Closing!

Three days after you return your signed Closing Disclosure, you are able to close on your loan! Depending on the amount due at closing, you may need to send a wire to the closing attorney. At the closing, you and the seller will be required to sign the final loan closing documents. After the closing documents are signed, BankSouth Mortgage will wire funds for the amount of the loan to the closing agent. The closing agent will disperse the funds. The deed that transfers the title from the seller to you will be sent to the county in which the home is located to be recorded. You will receive the original deed once it has been recorded along with your owner’s title insurance policy if you purchased insurance at closing.

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