GA Lending Team

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GA Lending Team Lenders

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About GA Lending Team

We are unique because we have an extensive background and experience guiding homebuyers through the entire mortgage process, from origination all the way to closing. Our goal when working with a client is that they feel as though they are a partner in the process and that we are with them every step of the way. We want them to feel assured that they have a strong team working together to get them into their new home. It is truly a community here in Athens and the surrounding areas; we know the agents and attorneys by name, and they know us. Words that are frequently used to describe our team are experienced, responsive, reliable, trustworthy, and compassionate. This is not an accident. We make sure to meet the expectations that come with the responsibility those words imply. We are home-grown experts in our community. We live, work, and play here and are proud of our community’s achievements and accomplishments, and we love building it by assisting homebuyers moving into the community. Today’s top need for homebuyers is the need for someone to guide them and advise them on the biggest financial decision they will make. We meet that need! Finally, we make ourselves accessible to our homebuyers and agents alike. We understand the nature of the business and make prompt and timely communication a priority. We look forward to working with you!

Reviews

4.87
Ratings
426
Total Reviews
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K
Karyn F
ATHENS - GA
Posted on February 27, 2024
5.0
verified-review
Everyone involved was very responsive and personable, the process was explained well and the ability to sign documents online was very helpful.
Reply from Christie Paulk
Thank you so much for the kind words, Karyn. Ensuring a smooth and understandable process for our customers is always our top priority at BankSouth Mortgage. I'm really glad to hear that the online document signing feature was helpful for you. If you have any more questions or need further assistance in the future, please feel free to reach out. It was a pleasure working with you!
L
Lauren G
WATKINSVILLE - GA
Posted on February 12, 2024
5.0
verified-review
Christie is amazing! She provided excellent communication and customer service throughout the process. Would definitely recommend!
Reply from Christie Paulk
Thank you so much for your 5-star review, Lauren! It was a pleasure working with you and I'm thrilled for you and your family. Your kind words and recommendation mean a lot to me. If you ever need assistance in the future, don't hesitate to reach out. - Christie Paulk
M
Meiling L H
MONROE - GA
Posted on February 11, 2024
5.0
verified-review
Christie and her team were great! They made the process of converting our construction loan to mortgage easy and were always easy to get in touch with!
Reply from Christie Paulk
Meiling, It was my pleasure to assist with your construction loan conversion. Ensuring the process is smooth and easy for our clients is always our top priority. If you ever have any more questions or need assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks again for choosing BankSouth Mortgage!
J
Jeremy B M
BOGART - GA
Posted on February 3, 2024
5.0
verified-review
Great demeanor, communication, flexibility, and service.
Reply from Christie Paulk
Thank you for your kind words, Jeremy! I'm delighted to hear that you had a positive experience with our communication and service. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything in the future. Thank you for the 5-star review!
A
Angela L
Athens - GA
Posted on January 27, 2024
5.0
verified-review
Christie Paulk was absolutely amazing to work with! She made my home buying experience very easy and streamlined with no surprises along the way. She is the utmost professional with such a calm and pleasant personality. I have worked with many mortgage professionals in the past, but Christie tops them all for so many reasons, but mostly because of her efficiency and most professional demeanor. This was my first purchase moving from one state to another and she would explain the differences in procedures in simple terms so I had no worries whatsoever. Thank you!
Reply from Christie Paulk
Angela, thank you for your stellar review and for your warm comments. I'm so pleased to hear that your home buying process an easy one. It was such a pleasure working with you!! Thank you for trusting me and BankSouth Mortgage with your home buying journey. I am here for any future needs you may have. Sincerely, Christie Paulk.
V
Virginia G
BOGART - GA
Posted on February 24, 2024
5.0
verified-review
Cat and her team were really easy to get in touch with and answered all of my questions quickly and professionally!
D
David G S
COVINGTON - GA
Posted on February 11, 2024
5.0
verified-review
Cathy and the entire team made the process of getting into our new home easy! Communication was exceptional, and all of my questions were answered quickly.
J
Johnnie C I
ATHENS - GA
Posted on January 28, 2024
5.0
verified-review
Answered my questions. This was my first home loan and I was never made to feel ignorant for my questions and was explained in a very kind, and knowledable way.
G
Gregory S
JEFFERSON - GA
Posted on January 11, 2024
5.0
verified-review
Cathy and everyone else at Bank South were very pleasant to work with. They answered all questions in the timeliest manner and helped expedite the process.
A
Alexcia A L
Rome - GA
Posted on January 2, 2024
5.0
verified-review
Cathy and her team have been patient with me for three years and helped to make my dream come true. I am forever grateful.

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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