Nearly 20 years ago, Michael Murray, senior vice president of mortgage lending with Proper Rate, a Guaranteed Rate company, was working as an executive recruiter as a fresh college graduate. Around that time, one of his colleagues left to start a mortgage brokerage and offered Murray a 5% stake in the company in order to join and start recruiting more staff while learning the business of being a loan officer. While it was a jump, Murray says it was his best one yet — quickly realizing that he loved client interaction and focusing on loan origination. His first clients? His mom and dad.

“I helped them refinance, then helped a neighbor, and it grew from there,” he remembers. “Small beginnings, but we have closed over $100,000,000 in loan volume in 2020 and 2021. As the market has changed in 2022, my team and I are well positioned to take advantage of the purchase market and look to close over $80 million in purchase business alone.” For this and other reasons, he has been a part of Guaranteed Rate/Proper Rate’s President’s Club for over 10 years, and their Chairman’s Circle for the last two years.”

“My borrowers know what to expect at every stage of the transaction,” he says of his seamless style. “Communication is paramount, with detailed explanations and expectation-setting so that they are ready.” His relaxed, adaptable business style, plus the cohesive team he’s built, earns repeat and referral business galore. And he stays with clients well beyond the transaction itself.

“We follow up with them at regular intervals to answer any questions they have after closing,” he notes. Particularly in a competitive market like today’s, Murray says his approach is all about preparing clients for the realities of multiple offers and going over asking price. “I let them know every solution we have in place to help support them.”

An active family man and father of three, Murray says his giving spirit and familiarity is part of how he has been successful.