HOME LOANS & FINANCING
Temecula Mortgage Loan Originator | Home Loans & Refinancing
Get clear guidance on home loans, refinancing, and financing options from a Temecula-based California Real Estate Broker & Mortgage Loan Originator. Whether you’re buying, refinancing, or just figuring out your next step, Michael can help you understand your options and move forward with confidence.
California Real Estate Broker & Mortgage Loan Originator
DRE #01918167 | NMLS #2501919
- Purchase and refinance options
- Loan programs for a variety of financing needs
- Guidance from application through closing
400+ Homes Sold
5.0 ★ · 130+ Google Reviews
Serving Temecula Valley Since 2012
Home Loan Programs
These are the financing options Michael works with most often for buyers and homeowners in Temecula Valley and throughout California.
Home Purchase Loans
Conventional
Conventional loans are the most common financing for buyers with steady income and established credit. When the loan amount stays at or below the county conforming limit, terms are usually more flexible than jumbo financing. They can be used for primary homes, second homes and investment properties.
FHA
FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration and are a common path for first-time buyers. Qualifying guidelines are generally more flexible than conventional financing, and down payments can be as low as 3.5% for eligible borrowers. FHA mortgage insurance is required.
VA
VA loans are available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members and certain surviving spouses. Qualified borrowers may be able to purchase with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. Eligibility is confirmed through a Certificate of Eligibility.
Jumbo
Jumbo financing is used when the loan amount is above the conforming limit for the county. Credit, reserve and documentation requirements are typically stricter than conventional loans. It comes up often on higher-priced homes across Southern California.
Other Financing Options
Refinance
Refinancing replaces your current mortgage with a new one. Homeowners refinance to change their rate or term, remove mortgage insurance, or access equity. Whether it makes sense depends on your existing loan, your goals, and how long you plan to stay in the home.
HELOC
A home equity line of credit lets you borrow against the equity you have built and draw funds as you need them. It is often used for home improvements, consolidating higher-interest debt, or keeping a reserve available. Limits, terms and qualifying vary by program.
Not sure which loan fits?
How the Loan Process Works
Every file is a little different, but the path is the same. Here is what to expect from the first conversation through to funding.
STEP 1
Start the application
You complete a secure application and share the basics — income, assets, and what you are trying to do. This is where you find out what you actually qualify for, before you start writing offers.
STEP 2
Review your financing options
We go through the programs you are eligible for and compare how each one affects your down payment, monthly payment and cash to close, so the decision is yours and it is an informed one.
STEP 3
Submit documents and complete underwriting
You provide supporting documentation and an underwriter reviews the file. Additional items are commonly requested along the way — responding quickly is the single biggest thing you can do to keep things moving.
STEP 4
Final loan approval
Once the underwriting conditions are satisfied, the loan receives final approval and closing documents are prepared.
STEP 5
Closing and funding
You sign, the loan funds, and the transaction records. On a purchase, that is the point the home becomes yours.
Why Work With Michael
Real estate and mortgage experience in one place
Michael is a licensed California real estate broker and a mortgage loan originator. The person helping you understand your financing also understands the transaction it has to fit inside.
Guidance that considers both the financing and the purchase
Loan structure is not separate from writing a strong offer. Down payment, program choice and timing all affect how your offer is received, so they get looked at together.
Clear communication throughout the process
You will know where your file stands and what is needed next. No guessing, and no chasing someone down for an update.
Local Temecula Valley knowledge, California-wide financing
Temecula Valley is home — Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore and the surrounding communities. Financing is available throughout California where applicable.
Michael Marchena — California Real Estate Broker & Mortgage Loan Originator
DRE #01918167 | NMLS #2501919
Estimate Your Monthly Payment
Enter a home price, down payment and interest rate to get a rough idea of a monthly principal and interest payment. It is an estimate — taxes, insurance, HOA dues and the specifics of your loan will change the real number.
Know Your Current Loan Limits
Loan limits set the point where a loan stops being conforming and becomes jumbo, and they are different for conventional and FHA financing. They are set by county, they change each year, and they have a real effect on your down payment, your options and how much house you can realistically buy.
Riverside County covers Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, Canyon Lake and Hemet. We keep the current figures in one place so they stay up to date.
Financing Resources
Useful background reading while you work out what makes sense for you.
Riverside County Loan Limits
The current conventional, FHA and VA limits for Riverside County, updated each year.
Mortgage Calculator
Run different price points, down payments and terms to see how the monthly payment moves.
Steps to Buying a Home
The full purchase process from first search through closing, in plain language.
Thinking About Buying
What to think through before you start looking, and how the financing side fits in.
First-Time Buyer Tips
Short guides and videos covering the questions first-time buyers ask most often.
Financing Questions, Answered
How do I get pre-approved?
You complete an application and provide documentation covering income, assets and credit. Michael reviews it and, if the file supports it, issues a pre-approval letter showing what you qualify for. A pre-approval is not a commitment to lend — final approval depends on a completed application, underwriting, and the property itself.
What credit score do I need?
It depends on the program. FHA financing generally allows lower scores than conventional, VA has its own guidelines, and individual lenders set their own additional requirements. Credit is only one piece of the picture alongside income, debts, assets and the property. Rather than guess, it is worth having your situation reviewed.
How much down payment do I need?
Conventional financing can start below 20% down, FHA can be as low as 3.5% for eligible borrowers, and eligible VA borrowers may not need a down payment at all. Putting less down usually means mortgage insurance and a higher monthly payment, so the right number depends on your goals — not just the minimum allowed.
What loan programs might I qualify for?
That comes out of your application. Michael works with conventional, FHA, VA and jumbo financing for purchases, along with refinancing and home equity lines of credit. Eligibility depends on your credit, income, assets, the property, and current program requirements.
Can I get financing if I already own a home?
Yes. Homeowners refinance, buy a second home or an investment property, or use a home equity line of credit while keeping their existing mortgage in place. If you are buying and selling at the same time, the timing and structure matter — that is worth talking through early.
How long does the loan process usually take?
It varies with the program, how complex the file is, and how quickly documentation comes back. Rather than quote a number that may not hold for your situation, Michael will give you a realistic timeline once he has reviewed your file, and tell you what would move it along faster.
What documents should I prepare?
Most files start with recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, and recent bank or asset statements. Self-employed borrowers, retirees and anyone with rental income will have a slightly different list. You will get a specific list once your application has been reviewed.
Can Michael help with both the home purchase and the financing?
Yes. Michael is a licensed California real estate broker and a mortgage loan originator, so he can represent you on the real estate side with Marchena Home Team and act as your loan originator on the financing side. You are never required to use both — some clients use one, some use both.
Have a Question About Financing?
Send a few details and Michael will follow up. This is not an application and there is no obligation.
MORTGAGE CONTACT & LICENSING
Talk with Michael About Your Financing Plan
Michael Marchena — California Real Estate Broker & Mortgage Loan Originator
DRE #01918167 | NMLS #2501919
Mortgage services provided through Perez Consulting Inc. DBA Top Loan Fundings | NMLS #1943565
Pre-approval is not a commitment to lend. Loan approval and available terms depend on a completed application, credit, income, assets, property eligibility, underwriting, and applicable program requirements.
- Equal Housing Lender