Down Payment Assistance Arizona
Deep-dive on every AZ DPA program with real program guidelines, forgiveness rules, and an honest "when DPA isn't the right call" page.
DownPaymentAssistanceArizona.com →
About
The Phoenix mortgage lender who teaches first.
Mike Certo runs the Phoenix branch of Cornerstone First Mortgage. A meaningful part of our work is helping Arizona first-time buyers understand what loan programs realistically fit, how much money they actually need, and the parts nobody explains until closing day.
Why we built this site
Most first-time-buyer information online is either oversimplified ("just put 20% down!") or gated behind a lead form. Neither serves a buyer trying to make a real decision. This site is the honest middle: real loan program details, real tradeoffs, and the parts no one explains — like which loan saves you more over 10 years, when down payment assistance isn't actually the cheaper path, when buying isn't the right move at all, and how the closing-cost line items work.
Who we are
Cornerstone First Mortgage, LLC is a full-service mortgage lender lending in 49 states under NMLS #173855. The Arizona First-Time Buyer practice runs from Mike Certo's Phoenix branch.
What we do
- FHA loans for first-time and credit-rebuilding buyers
- VA loans for service members, veterans, and surviving spouses
- USDA loans for rural and small-town Arizona
- Conventional loans including 3% down first-time buyer programs
- Down payment assistance stacked with any of the above
- Jumbo loans up to $3M+ for higher AZ price points
- Self-employed loans (Bank Statement, P&L Only, 1099, Asset Utilization, DSCR)
- Buy-before-you-sell financing (bridge alternatives, HELOC pairings)
- Investor / DSCR loans for buyers building rental portfolios
Direct
Mike Certo
Branch Manager · Phoenix
Cornerstone First Mortgage
NMLS ID #260555
- Phone: (480) 296-6513
- Email: mcerto@cfmtg.com
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 6 PM AZ time
- Service area: All of Arizona
How we work with first-time buyers
The first-time buyer process should feel less like a transaction and more like a teaching session. Our standard flow:
- 1
Free 20-min call
You explain your situation. We explain what's possible. No credit pull, no commitment, no salesy follow-up.
- 2
Honest loan-type comparison
We model the 2–3 best loan options against your real numbers, including the long-term math (mortgage insurance, refinance opportunity, total cost over 10 years).
- 3
Pre-approval (when ready)
Document checklist, application, credit pull, pre-approval letter you can write offers with. Usually within 24 hours of receiving documents.
- 4
Active support during shopping
We answer your real-estate agent's questions, run scenarios on specific homes, update pre-approval letters for offer-writing.
- 5
Underwriting + close
30–45 days. We handle the lender side. You respond to document requests within 24 hours; we do the rest.
What makes us different
- We're a licensed mortgage lender, not a referral site. Cornerstone originates the loan; we're not handing your information to someone else.
- Honest tradeoff explanations. We'll tell you when DPA isn't the right call, when waiting 60 days for a credit lift is worth it, and when buying isn't the right move at all.
- Approved with all major Arizona DPA programs. Home Plus, Home In 5, Arizona Is Home, Flagstaff CHAP, Chenoa, Arrive, Essex.
- In-house underwriting On the first mortgage, fewer "we have to send it back to the lender" slowdowns.
- Equal Housing Lender. First-time buyers, repeat buyers, every credit profile, every income type, anyone who'd benefit from a real conversation.
Our other Arizona resources
This site is one of several Cornerstone-built educational resources for Arizona homebuyers. Each focuses on a different niche:
Buy Before You Sell Arizona
For homeowners who want to buy their next home before selling their current one. Bridge alternatives, contingencies, equity strategies.
BuyBeforeYouSellArizona.com →Self-Employed Loans Arizona
For 1099 contractors, self-employed business owners, and asset-rich/income-light buyers. Bank Statement, P&L Only, Asset Qualifier, DSCR.
SelfEmployedLoansArizona.com →Arizona Jumbo Loans
For purchases above the conforming loan limit (~$806K+). HNW, executive, physician, super-jumbo financing.
ArizonaJumboLoans.com →Investor Loans Arizona
For buyers building rental portfolios. DSCR, conventional investor financing, short-term-rental loans, beyond-10-property strategies.
InvestorLoansArizona.com →Ready to talk?
20 minutes on the phone. No credit pull, no commitment. We'll figure out which loan fits your situation before we touch your credit.