Browse verified professionals and recent local articles from across the state.
Jeffrey Claeson
Sales Associate
James Gay
Branch Leader | Senior Loan Officer
Mitchell Blyler
Mortgage Loan Officer | 2074110
Paula Horne
Paula Horne, Realtor
Jake Ellison
Jake Ellison | Mortgage Loan Officer | VA & First-Time Homebuyer Specialist | GA, FL, AL
Mike Grace
Branch Manager | Mortgage Loan Originator
Ruben Navarro
Mortgage Loan Originator | NMLS# 2474492
Lacey Shepard
Broker
Ron Ross
Mortgage Loan Originator
Deric Garcia
Mortgage Loan Officer
Muscogee County vs. Russell County Property Taxes: What They Do to Your Monthly Payment
The same $250,000 house costs about $200 more a month in Columbus than in Phenix City, and it isn't the rate. Georgia taxes 40% of your home's value. Alabama taxes 10%. Here's the math, and what it does to how much house you qualify for.
Prequalified or Pre-Approved? What Columbus and Phenix City Sellers Actually Want to See
Prequalified and pre-approved are not the same thing, and around Columbus and Phenix City that difference can cost you the house. Here's what each one means, what it takes to get a real pre-approval, and what can quietly break one later.
Columbus, GA or Phenix City, AL: What Changes About Your Mortgage When You Cross the River
Plenty of buyers here shop both sides of the Chattahoochee, then get surprised when the same price produces a different payment. The loan program doesn't change at the state line. The license, the assistance programs, the tax math and the closing table all do.
6 VA Loan Myths That Cost Columbus and Phenix City Buyers Money
Fort Benning makes the Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL market one of the most VA-heavy housing markets in the country. Yet six myths keep local buyers from using the benefit they earned, or using it well. Here's what's actually true.
How to Choose the Best Real Estate Agent in Johns Creek, Georgia
Buying or selling in Johns Creek? Here are the seven factors that matter most when choosing an agent, and the questions to ask before you commit.
Georgia Dream Peach Select VA: A Lower-Rate Option for Eligible VA Homebuyers
A concise look at Georgia Dream Peach Select VA, including how its special first-mortgage rate works, who may qualify, key income and credit requirements, and how it compares with traditional VA financing.
Thinking About Using a VA Loan? Start With These 5 Questions
Thinking About Using a VA Loan? Start With 5 Questions. Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you're also trying to understand how your VA benefits fit into the process. The good news is that most of the questions I hear have straightforward answers.
Fuel and Finance: How Oil Prices Drive Interest Rates (2026)
Impact of oil prices affecting interest rates
What to Fix Before Selling a Home in Alpharetta, GA
Alpharetta sellers: here's how to prioritize pre-sale repairs that maximize buyer appeal without overspending. A local agent's practical guide.
7 Steps to Prepare Your Johns Creek Home for Sale
Ready to list? Follow these 7 practical steps from Johns Creek expert Kami Pyvand to prepare your home for a successful sale in today's market.
Georgia Dream Standard: More Than Just Down Payment Assistance
Georgia Dream Standard is often associated with down payment assistance, but the program also includes a DCA-set first mortgage rate. Here’s what Georgia homebuyers should understand about how the two can work together.