Mortgage

If you are planning to get a mortgage, your first step should be to get preapproved. After you get preapproved, you can make an offer on a property with confidence because you know your finances are in order.Additionally, the preapproval process removes uncertainty by ensuring that you clearly understand each step and the costs associated with getting a mortgage. Our lenders will explain and ensure that you are comfortable with the entire process from the very beginning.

There are a few key things you should do to make getting a mortgage easier. The first is to make sure your credit scores are as high as possible and that your finances are in order. It is very important to ensure you have stable income and it is helpful to minimize your other debt. You will also want to ensure that you have funds available to cover the down payment and closing costs of your mortgage. Finally, you want to gather key documents, such as W2s, paystubs, bank statements, and tax returns so they are readily available. Our loan officers will explain the entire process and help you determine where you stand.

We offer a full suite of mortgage products for homebuyers, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, USDA loans, jumbo loans, professional loans, and construction-to-permanent financing. Whether you’re buying your first home, your dream home, refinancing, or building, our local team can help you find the right solution.

Choosing a local Georgia community bank means working with lenders who understand the local market, property values, and lending landscape. At our bank, all mortgage applications, underwriting, and decisions are handled locally resulting in faster responses, personalized service, and decisions made by people who know your community.

Yes. Unlike many larger lenders, we keep the entire mortgage application through closing process in-house. That means your application is reviewed, underwritten, and approved right here in Georgia by experienced local professionals who understand your needs and your market.

With us, you’re not just a number. You’ll work directly with a local mortgage lender who guides you through the process from start to finish. Because we handle the entire application and approval process in-house, we can often move faster, communicate more clearly, and provide a more personalized experience than national lenders or online-only platforms.

You can start your mortgage application online, over the phone, or by visiting one of our local branches. No matter how you begin, a local lender will work with you every step of the way—from application to closing.

Yes. We offer fast, local pre-approvals so you can shop for a home with confidence. Because our team is based in Georgia, we can often provide quicker turnaround times and more responsive service than out-of-state or online-only lenders.

Credit score requirements vary depending on the loan type, but we offer options for a wide range of borrowers. Our local lenders will work with you to understand your financial situation and help you find a loan that fits your needs.

Yes. We offer mortgage solutions designed specifically for first-time homebuyers, including low down payment options and guidance throughout the process. Our team is here to make homeownership more accessible for Georgia residents.

The timeline can vary, but because we handle underwriting and decisions locally, we’re often able to close loans more efficiently than larger institutions. Your lender will provide a clear timeline and keep you informed every step of the way.

Yes. One of the biggest advantages of working with our bank is consistency. You’ll have a dedicated local home lender who knows your file and stays with you from application to closing.

Absolutely. Because we make lending decisions locally, we’re often able to take a more flexible, common-sense approach than large, automated lenders. We look beyond the numbers to understand your full financial picture.

The amount that you can borrow depends on a combination of several factors such as your income, debt, assets, and credit score. Give us a call, and we can help you determine exactly how much you can afford.

With a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate stays the same during the life of the loan. With an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), the interest changes periodically, typically in relation to an index. While the monthly payments that you make with a fixed-rate mortgage are relatively stable, payments on an ARM loan will likely change. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of mortgage, and the best way to select a loan product is by talking to us.

Each mortgage type has different advantages and disadvantages, so there is no simple formula to determine the type of mortgage that is best for you. This choice depends on a variety of factors, including your current financial picture, credit score and your preferences.  Our team of local mortgage lenders can help you evaluate your options and help you make the most appropriate decision.

For most homeowners, the monthly mortgage payments include four separate parts:

• Principal & Interest: Portion of payment that goes towards the loan balance plus what the lender charges for lending the money. 
• Escrow: Monthly payments are normally made into an account that holds funds for items like hazard insurance and property taxes. This feature is sometimes optional, in which case the fees will be paid by you directly to the County Tax Assessor and your property insurance company.

The amount of cash needed depends on several items.  Generally speaking, you will need to supply:

• Down Payment: A percentage of the cost of the home that is due at closing
• Closing Costs: Costs associated with processing paperwork to purchase or refinance a house
• Pre-paid Costs: Costs associated with establishing homeowners insurance and paying prepaid interest
• Escrow: Funds required to establish the account from which future property taxes and homeowner’s insurance will be paid.  Sometimes escrow is optional.