Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Mortgage Partner in Knoxville, TN
Summit South Mortgage has been a trusted mortgage provider in Knoxville, TN since 2002. Our team combines extensive industry experience with a commitment to personalized service, offering tailored financing solutions for residential and commercial clients. With expertise in conventional and government loans, we prioritize competitive rates, transparent communication, and seamless transactions. Our leadership in local mortgage markets, coupled with community-focused initiatives, reflects our dedication to empowering clients through responsible lending practices and exceptional customer support. Services
Residential Mortgages
Commercial Mortgages
Private Equity Lending
Mortgage Refinancing
Credit Improvement Guidance
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer 22+ years of local mortgage expertise and over $750M closed in loans.
- Our team provides personalized financing solutions tailored to individual client goals.
- We maintain transparent processes with no hidden fees or surprises.
- Our staff includes certified professionals with decades of combined industry experience.
- We support East Tennessee communities through partnerships like Family Promise and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Associations and certifications
- National Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS)
What people say
Smooth sailing
Professional and knowledgeable
Highly recommend
Lock us in at .5% lower
Work with your best interest
Services
Residential Mortgages
We specialize in residential mortgage solutions for first-time buyers, experienced homeowners, and investors. Our services include purchase loans, refinancing options, and fixed-rate financing for primary residences or rental properties. With extensive underwriting experience and access to multiple lenders, we secure competitive rates tailored to individual financial situations while maintaining transparent communication throughout the process.
Commercial Mortgages
Our commercial mortgage division provides financing for owner-occupied and income-producing properties. We work with businesses of all sizes to secure short-term, construction, or long-term financing through diverse capital sources. Our team leverages real estate investment experience and relationships with multiple investors to structure competitive financing solutions for various property types including retail, office, and industrial spaces.
Private Equity Lending
We offer private equity lending solutions for clients seeking alternative financing options. Our expertise includes USDA business and industry loan programs, providing flexible terms for commercial projects. With ownership experience in real estate investments, we understand complex financing needs and deliver tailored structures that align with borrowers' investment strategies and long-term business objectives.
Mortgage Refinancing
Our refinancing services help clients reduce monthly payments, shorten loan terms, or access equity for major expenses. We analyze current mortgage terms to identify savings opportunities, including rate reduction, debt consolidation, or home improvement financing. Through personalized consultations, we explain refinancing benefits and guide clients through the process to achieve their financial goals.
Credit Improvement Guidance
We provide actionable credit improvement strategies including authorized user strategies, debt reduction plans, and new credit account management. Our team explains how credit utilization affects mortgage eligibility and offers practical steps to strengthen credit profiles. This guidance helps potential homebuyers access better loan terms and qualify for competitive mortgage products.
People
Lou Browning
President and CEO
Lou founded Summit South Mortgage in 2002 and has over 15 years of mortgage experience, closing $750M+ in loans. A University of Tennessee graduate, he combines local market knowledge with strategic leadership to maintain the company's community-focused approach.
Chris Carini
Mortgage Broker
Chris provides residential and commercial mortgage solutions with nine years of experience. Known for superior customer service, he develops lasting relationships through referrals, prioritizing clients' long-term financial needs while maintaining Knoxville community connections.
Melanie Noe
Loan Processing Manager
Melanie oversees mortgage operations and compliance with 20+ years of industry experience. Her expertise in loan processing and commitment to quality service ensures smooth transactions, balancing regulatory requirements with personalized client support since joining in 1998.
Questions
What types of mortgage services do you offer?
We provide residential mortgages, commercial loans, and private equity lending solutions, including refinancing options and credit improvement guidance for homebuyers.
How can I improve my credit score for mortgage approval?
We recommend becoming an authorized user on strong accounts, opening secured credit lines, and reducing existing debt to improve credit profiles before applying.
Are there financing options for investment properties?
Yes. We offer financing for rental properties with up to four units, including investment analysis and long-term fixed-rate options.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Knoxville, TN and surrounding East Tennessee communities, with commercial financing available throughout the region.
What are your business hours?
Our office operates Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and is closed on weekends.
Reviews (3)
Mark Griffey
Nov 13, 2019
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Lou Browning is the best mortgage guy in the area. He has done 2 deals for me and everything was very easy
I highly recommend Lou and his team
I highly recommend Lou and his team
Ashley Jaccard
Jul 21, 2016
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I highly recommend Summit South Mortgage. We recently refinanced our construction loan into a fixed mortgage through them. My husband and I are both business owners and we found the refinancing process more tedious and difficult then we anticipated. We decided to work with Summit South Mortgage after jumping through hoops with another bank. What a great experience!!!! The entire staff is very professional and knowledgeable and the whole process was pretty "smooth sailing". I was expecting last minute scrambles based on my previous experience, but that was not the case at all. They were even able
Branden Dillon
Jul 01, 2016
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Wife and I had a difficult loan and ran in to problem after problem during the closing process and Lou was right there with us every step.
