First-Time Buyer Guide
Why own, the 7-step path, the document checklist and the do’s and don’ts — read it here, no download.
Branch Manager · NMLS #1428920
Michael Murcia
Where do you want to start?
Pick a path. Michael takes it from there.
4.97★average rating
177client reviews
2states licensed
Tinton Falls, NJhome office
Loan Programs
Popular loan programs.
Not sure which fits? Ask Michael — it is free, and there is no obligation.
From 3% down
Conventional Loans
Competitive rates and flexible terms for buyers with solid credit — the classic path to homeownership.
Best for: Credit 620+, 3% or more down, primary homes, second homes and investments.
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3.5% down
FHA Loans
Lower down payments and more forgiving credit requirements — a favorite for first-time buyers.
Best for: First-time buyers, credit from 580, 3.5% down.
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0% down
VA Loans
No down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance for those who served.
Best for: Veterans, active-duty service members and eligible surviving spouses.
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0% down
USDA Loans
100% financing for homes in eligible rural and suburban areas.
Best for: Moderate-income buyers outside major metros.
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Rate & Term Refinance
Swap your current loan for a better rate or a shorter term without taking cash out.
Best for: Homeowners whose rate is above today’s market.
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Cash-Out Refinance
Refinance for more than you owe and take the difference in cash.
Best for: Big projects, tuition, or paying off high-interest debt.
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Renovation Loans
One loan for the home and the improvements — the easiest way to afford the renovation on a home you’re buying.
Best for: Fixer-uppers and homes that need work before move-in.
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62+
Reverse Mortgage
Convert part of your equity into cash while you stay in your home. What it is, and the common misconceptions.
Best for: Homeowners 62+ who want income from their equity.
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About Michael
Meet Michael.
As a mortgage lender based out of Monmouth County, my team and I have helped hundreds of families with their home purchases and refinances. We’ve funded homes from Sussex County down to Cape May. Our wide array of mortgage products allows us to help buyers and homeowners of all kinds. In 2023 alone, we closed Conventional, JUMBO, VA, NJHMFA First-Time Buyer, 203k Renovation and DSCR loans. All loans are processed and underwritten in-house with our knowledgeable support staff. I truly enjoy helping families achieve homeownership and creating financial well-being for their future.
On a personal note, I am a Monmouth County native, love spending time with my wife and sons, and run the Tinton Falls Wrestling Club. When not in the office helping families with mortgages, you’ll find me with my family somewhere by the water fishing or in the woods hiking.
Testimonials from Dennis & Sasha
Licensed in 2 states
NJPA
What clients say about Michael
4.97
177 client reviews
Verified client reviews via Experience.com
Communication and easy to work with
J
JOSEPH F
KEYPORT, NJ
Mike and team were easy to work with, very communicative, explained things well, and always got back to me quickly. Highly recommend!
J
JESSICA F
KEYPORT, NJ
Mike and the team were very helpful and responsive throughout the mortgage process. As first-time homebuyers, Mike was always available to walk us through the various stages of the process and answer any questions we had, which helped keep our anxieties at bay.
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MATTHEW S
ABERDEEN, NJ
Very helpful
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ANDREA F
HOWELL, NJ
super competitive rate transparent process and very flexible.
S
SHANTANU D
JERSEY CITY, NJ
Mike and Angela were amazing throughout the entire process! They were very prompt in communicating timelines and things they needed, allowing us to close fast! Would highly recommend!
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SEONG L
ROSELAND, NJ
I had a great experience working with Mike and his team throughout the home-buying process. They were professional, responsive, and always willing to answer my questions. They made everything clear and helped the process go smoothly from start to finish. I truly appreciated their guidance and would gladly recommend them to others.
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VICTORIA M
SAYREVILLE, NJ
Thank you for everything!!
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HEATHER S
BRICK, NJ
We had such a good experience working with Michael. It was clear he cared about us as people and wanted to make sure we had the best loan we could get for our financial situation. 10/10 would work with him again.
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NILS E
KEYPORT, NJ
Mike was always responsive and professional, and his expertise was invaluable during the loan process thank you Mike!
B
BENJAMIN S
PORT MONMOUTH, NJ
everyone was helpful, responsive, and extremely pleasant!
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EMILY S
EATONTOWN, NJ
It was such an incredible experience to work with Michael in securing a mortgage for our first home. What should have been a stressful process was made a lot simplier with his constant attention even after hours. I am so grateful we we're able to work together and can now call ourselves HOME OWNERS!
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ANTHONY F
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ
Mike was so easy to work with and always available to answer my questions
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DARLENE K
WALL, NJ
Great communication made things as simple as possible. Answered questions when asked.
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LEAH L
TINTON FALLS, NJ
As a first-time homebuyer, I came into the process with a lot of questions and very little experience. Angela and Mike were incredibly responsive, patient, and supportive from start to finish. They took the time to explain each step clearly and made sure I felt prepared and confident throughout the entire loan process. What could have been overwhelming ended up being a smooth and pleasant experience. I’m very grateful for their guidance and would highly recommend them to anyone, especially first-time buyers.
D
DAVID T
RED BANK, NJ
Michael and Nicole were so helpful throughout the whole process. Making it as easy as possible to get the loan. I would definitely recommend Advisors Murcia group to anyone purchasing or refinancing a home.
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MICHELLE C
JACKSON, NJ
The team was outstanding from start to finish. Very kind, friendly and eager to help. The entire process was very smooth and pleasant. I highly recommend them.
M
MARIA L
BRICK, NJ
Your office was so patient with a difficult loan appication and a divorce situation.
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GINA G
LONGPORT, NJ
It was a pleasure to work with Michael Murcia and his entire team. Everyone was very responsive, patient with me, and fully explained every detail I needed to know to purchase my home on the shore. This was a very quick turnaround to closing and I never felt worried because I had all of the information I needed and I had experts showing me the way. Thank you all - Michael, Nicole, and Hannah
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PAULINA A
HIGHLANDS, NJ
amazing team to work with!
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GABRIELLE H
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ
As a first time homebuyer Mike made everything easy to understand and walked us through every part of the process. Angela also was fantastic working with us and getting everything pushed along for the close!
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KYLE H
ABERDEEN, NJ
Everyone helpful and clear communication
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ARUN K
LITTLE SILVER, NJ
Great communication and very fast response times. Overall the entire refinance process was quick! Highly recommend Mike and his team!
R
RICHARD M
NORTH MIDDLETOWN, NJ
We are so grateful for Michael Murcia and Team Murcia at Advisors Mortgage Group! Through the whole process Michael truly went above and beyond. From the loan application to closing day, he and his team were very responsive, checked in often, and answered every single question with patience and expertise. The knowledge Michael has of the local area was crucial for us in our search and securing our dream home. Thank you to Michael, Nicole, Angela and the whole team for everything! We highly recommend them to anyone looking for a team that will do all they can for you.
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STEPHANIE M
MATAWAN, NJ
Mike and his team were so helpful and responsive to every request and question I had. They were able to assiste through numerous offer submissions and finally helped me to close on the perfect house. I would not have been able to do it without their support. I would 100% recommend them to any new or experienced home buyer!
M
MARK L
ASBURY PARK, NJ
6 / 25
Free · No obligation
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Plain-English guides from the Advisors Knowledge Base.
Knowledge Base
What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House?
Purchasing a Home and Credit Scores Purchasing a home is one of life’s most significant financial milestones. While factors like income, savings, and …
Read the article
Knowledge Base
How Much Money Can You Borrow With a Home Equity Line of Credit?
A home equity line of credit—better known as a HELOC—can be a smart way to tap into the value of your home. It works like a revolving credit line, sim…
Read the article
Knowledge Base
How to Increase Your Credit Score: 7 Steps to Get Started
Your credit score plays a big role in your financial health—it can impact everything from your ability to get a mortgage to the interest rate you’ll p…
Read the article
Free guides from Michael
Latest market updates
The latest PCE inflation report came in cooler than expected, giving both stocks and bonds a boost. Headline inflation rose just 0.3% for the month, while the year-over-year rate fell from 3.7% to 3.4%, better than forecasts. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, increased only 0.2% and declined from 3.3% to 3.0% annually.
The softer inflation data could reduce pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise rates immediately. New York Fed President John Williams indicated there is no urgency to act following September’s rate hike, although he still expects another increase may be needed later this year.
One area of concern is consumer finances. The savings rate dropped from 4.6% to 4.1%, its lowest level in four years, suggesting consumers continue to spend while saving less.
The inflation report was encouraging for financial markets and showed meaningful progress toward lower inflation, which could help ease some of the upward pressure on interest rates if the trend continues.
Source: MBS Highway
The housing market is shifting in buyers’ favor as more homes become available and competition eases. Redfin reported that,“Sellers outnumbered buyers by 58% in August, the biggest gap in Redfin’s records, driven by a surge in listings and stagnant demand”.
This is the widest gap since Redfin began tracking in 2013. Also interesting is that housing supply reached its highest level in more than a decade, giving buyers more choices and negotiating power.
Affordability remains a challenge, with mortgage rates around 7% and the median existing-home price rising 1.6% year over year. Pending sales and mortgage applications have declined, as high costs and economic uncertainty keep some buyers on the sidelines. Many homeowners are also hesitant to trade their existing low mortgage rates for higher ones.
In some markets, homes are taking longer to sell, prompting sellers to adjust prices and increase marketing efforts. Buyers with substantial cash or home equity are especially well positioned, although the overall sales pace through August remained largely unchanged from last year.
For buyers who are financially ready, greater selection and less competition offer an encouraging opportunity to find a home that fits their needs and budget.
The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, bringing the target range to 3.75%–4.00%. The Fed made the move because they feel that inflation remains elevated, while consumer spending, business investment and the labor market continue to show resilience. Higher rates are intended to slow demand and help return inflation to the Fed’s 2% goal.
Although the Fed does not directly set mortgage rates, its decisions influence the bond market and investors’ inflation expectations. When the Fed hikes rates it can be seen as deflationary since it makes borrowing money more expensive and slows down the movement of money. Bond investors’ arch enemy is inflation so a push from the Fed to fight inflation can garner more attention from investors to purchase more bonds which would help mortgage rates decrease. However, the comments following the policy change put pressure on the bond market since Fed Chair Warsh’s comments were seen as “thin” and he also mentioned inflation is still hanging around.
If inflation cools and the Fed wins the trust of the markets by continuing to fight inflation, we could see rates have a chance to improve, but if the opposite occurs rates could continue their trend and increase more. Oil is also a large factor and if we can get it to drop in price it could also assist mortgage rates to improve.
Source : Federal Reserve
Where to find Michael
Michael works out of our Tinton Falls, NJ – Murcia office. Branch NMLS #2300185.
227 Newman Springs Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724Show map
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