Mortgages on real estate may be foreclosed in the following manner:

(1) Any person who applies and who is entitled to foreclose the mortgage shall, by himself or his attorney, petition the superior court of the county wherein the mortgaged property is located, which petition shall contain a statement of the case, the amount of the petitioner's demand, and a description of the property mortgaged;

(2) Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall grant a rule directing that the principal, the interest, and the costs be paid into court. The rule shall be published twice a month for two months or served on the mortgagor or his special agent or attorney at least 30 days prior to the time at which the money is directed to be paid into the court; and

(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Code section, where the land covered by the mortgage shall consist of a single tract of land divided by a county line or county lines, the mortgage may be foreclosed on the entire tract in either of the counties in which part of it is located; but, if the mortgagor shall reside upon the land, the mortgage shall be foreclosed in the county of his residence.