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 USDA-eligible areas and smaller Arizona communities
- 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.