GA Lending Team

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GA Lending Team Lenders

Christie Paulk
Loan Officer
NMLS ID#: 588635
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Cathy Thompson
Loan Officer
NMLS ID#: 1110181
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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

4.84
Ratings
412
Total Reviews
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E
Edna M M
HULL - GA
Posted on November 18, 2023
5.0
for Christie Paulk
verified-review
Hands on approach when help was needed. she was very prepared with needed information. Always had a pleasant attitude no matter how many time i asked questions. All around ready able prepared and kind.i appreciate her help
A
Ariel C G
ATHENS - GA
Posted on September 25, 2023
5.0
for Christie Paulk
verified-review
Christie was outstanding to work with. She makes the process of applying for a mortgage easy and clear. I would recommend her to anyone!
Reply from Christie Paulk
Thank you so much for your kind words, Ariel! It was such a pleasure working with you. I genuinely appreciate your recommendation and look forward to working with you again in the future. Best regards, Christie Paulk.
J
Jeremy S C
Bethlehem - GA
Posted on September 25, 2023
5.0
for Christie Paulk
verified-review
The whole team at Bank South was very responsive and listened to my needs and gave honest advice and recommendations throughout the whole process. They made buying a home as stress free and easy as they could and talked to me every step of the way!
Reply from Christie Paulk
Thank you so much for your positive feedback, Jeremy! It's gratifying to know that we were able to make your home buying journey stress-free and straightforward. Thank you very much for your kind words and the excellent rating. Should you need any further assistance, feel free to reach out. Warm regards, Christie Paulk.
H
Holly E P
LAVONIA - GA
Posted on September 22, 2023
5.0
for Christie Paulk
verified-review
Christie and her team did a wonderful job helping me get my home! I would recommend them to anyone.
Reply from Christie Paulk
I'm overjoyed for you Holly! Helping you secure your home was our utmost priority, and we're glad we could get it done. Your recommendation means a lot to us. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for choosing BankSouth Mortgage. We're here for any future needs. Best, Christie Paulk.
T
Travis H B
ATHENS - GA
Posted on September 21, 2023
5.0
for Christie Paulk
verified-review
Thanks for your help!
Reply from Christie Paulk
It was a pleasure working with you, Travis. If you need any further assistance, feel free to reach out anytime. Best, Christie Paulk.
C
Chandler S B
STATHAM - GA
Posted on December 3, 2023
5.0
for Cathy Thompson
verified-review
Cathy was phenomenal. She went above and beyond to set me up with the best case scenario for my loan. She was personable and truly wanted to help in anyway she could. I would highly recommend her!!
A
Alecia D B
BOGART - GA
Posted on December 2, 2023
5.0
for Cathy Thompson
verified-review
Cathy referred me to a great realtor and kept in contact with me about everything I needed to know.
R
Robert B B
LEXINGTON - GA
Posted on November 2, 2023
5.0
for Cathy Thompson
verified-review
BankSouth was outstanding. Their flexibility, friendly team, and communication made the mortgage process smooth and enjoyable. They tailored a mortgage plan to my needs, had a welcoming team, and kept me informed at every step. Highly recommended!
E
Erin W
WATKINSVILLE - GA
Posted on October 22, 2023
5.0
for Cathy Thompson
verified-review
Cathy and her team were extremely prompt in communication and got the loan done with no issues. They were patient with all of our questions throughout the whole process. Would absolutely recommend them to anyone needing a mortgage.
J
James A S
WATKINSVILLE - GA
Posted on October 16, 2023
5.0
for Cathy Thompson
verified-review
Cathy helped coordinate everything for us and made it very easy to navigate the steps of acquiring the loan. Thanks!
Reply from Cathy Thompson
Thank you for trusting us and letting us be a part of your special purchase. Congratulations to you both on this new adventure.

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?

 
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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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