|
Wednesday, March 12, 2003 Mortgage office is a family affair In an era when longterm business relationships have become rare, the husband-and-wife team of Frank and Karen Bennett are familiar names to many in the Fayette County area who need help with mortgage loans. With combined mortgage banking experience of more than 20 years, they not only offer their clients expertise in handling home loans, but they are also able to give valuable insight into the building and real estate fields. Frank Bennett, who came to Fayette County in 1987 and joined Griffin Financial Services two years later, now serves as vice president of production for GFS. Over the years, he has personally handled hundreds of home loans, with 2002 being his highest production year, in addition to supervising a staff of mortgage bankers, processors, underwriters and other members of the support team. During his 16 years in the mortgage business, he has not only helped families and individuals with home purchases and refinancings, but he hasalso worked with and developed long term relationships with many local builders. "At Griffin Financial Services, we have always been extremely aggressive in providing construction lending for local builders and homebuyers," he said. "I've really enjoyed the opportunity to give assistance throughout the home building process, then be able to help the homebuyer achieve the American Dream of home ownership," he said. Karen Bennett, who joined her husband in the mortgage loan field four years ago, has a five-year background as a real estate sales associate. She was active as an agent in Fayette and Coweta Counties for two Fayette-based realty firms, representing several local builders and serving as the marketing agent in two residential communities in Fayette County. This experience in both mortgage lending and real estate sales allows her to understand both sides of the home purchase process and the importance of prompt and courteous service. "As a former agent, I can understand the frustrations sometimes felt by agents and homebuyers. With my business background, I can usually determine what the agents and homebuyers are looking for, and I can therefore help eliminate many problems," she said. The work experience that this husband-and-wife team shares affords them the ability to handle the lending needs of even the most unusual circumstances. They note that they are well aware of the heightened competition and commit themselves to respond to agents, builders and their customers with special attention to detail and service. They express pride in what they term the competitive advantages that Griffin Financial Services offers, including the security of sophisticated lending resources combined with the convenience of a local mortgage company. Increased technology, including the use of the internet, has helped to expedite the loan process. Applications can be made online, and while in past years the process of application to closing could have taken as long as 60 days, this can now be done in an average of two weeks. Still, even with the advantages of modern technology, the Bennetts have found that most loans still need a personal touch to guide them through from the initial loan application to the final meeting at the closing table. The Bennetts said they want to thank all of the people they have had the pleasure of working with over the years. "With the help of these friends, we've continued to be top competitors. We are proud of our customer service, and we believe that helping homeowners with a friendly approach is the key to the success we've enjoyed," they said, noting that over ninety percent of their business is the result of a personal referral from a past customer. Residents of Fayette County since 1987, Frank and Karen Bennett have been extremely active in community life. They participate in youth athletics, including baseball, football and wrestling. Frank Bennett, a former college wrestler, has coached in his two sons' youth wrestling and baseball programs, and he has served as a wrestling official. For the past three years, he has run the Fayette Youth Wrestling Club, a program for ages 5 through 14, and the local wrestlers were runners-up in the state the last two years. Older son Nick, 15, has wrestled two years for Starr's Mill High School's varsity team, while Mac, 10, is a student at Peeples Elementary School and is in the Fayette Youth Wrestling Club program. Karen Bennett has an active interest in supporting Nick and Mac's activities and in trying to stay involved in their schools. To discuss ways of saving money on a refinance, equity line or new purchase, Frank and Karen Bennett can be reached at Griffin Financial Services' Fayetteville office at 160 Bastille Way (Suite D) or by calling 770-460-4800. Their Web address is www.griffin-financial.com/frankb.
|
||