The Phoenix mortgage banker who actually finances portfolios.
Mike Certo runs the Phoenix branch of Cornerstone First Mortgage. A meaningful share of what we do here is help Arizona real-estate investors scale — through the conventional 10-property cap, into DSCR territory, and into short-term rental and portfolio programs that most retail mortgage desks can't reach.
Why this site exists
Most mortgage brokers can do a conventional investor loan up to property #10. After that, the conversation gets vague and the file slows down. Investors who are actively scaling portfolios need a financing partner who routinely does DSCR, portfolio, and short-term-rental work — and can transition them between conventional and non-agency lanes without losing momentum.
Who we are
Cornerstone First Mortgage, LLC is a full-service mortgage bank headquartered in San Diego, CA, lending in 49 states + Puerto Rico under NMLS #173855. The Arizona Investor Loans desk is run from Mike Certo's Phoenix branch.
What we do daily
- Conventional investor financing through Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac (properties 1–10).
- DSCR loans across 1–4 unit and select 5–10 unit properties.
- Short-term rental financing for Airbnb / Vrbo properties — both long-term-rent and STR-history underwriting paths.
- Cash-out refinances structured for portfolio recycling (BRRRR investors).
- Portfolio and blanket loans for investors past the conventional 10-property cap.
- Bank Statement Investor loans for self-employed borrowers needing personal-income qualifying on investor properties.
What we won't do
- Push you onto DSCR when conventional pricing is sharper for your file.
- Quote a rate we know won't fund.
- Pretend a property's STR income will work when the city has a clear ordinance against it.
Talk to someone who's done this at portfolio scale.
20-minute call. Bring your existing portfolio + target property and we'll model the cleanest path.