A mortgage professional who actually calls you back.
Most of what we do is help Arizona homeowners make complicated moves feel manageable. Usually that means solving one of two problems: the down-payment cash is trapped in the current home, or qualifying with two mortgage payments becomes difficult. That's what this entire site is built around.
Local Arizona guidance, backed by a national mortgage platform
Mike Certo runs the Phoenix branch of Cornerstone First Mortgage, LLC — a full-service mortgage lender lending in 49 states + Puerto Rico under NMLS #173855. Because underwriting, processing, and funding are handled in-house, clients typically get faster communication, fewer handoffs, and more direct accountability throughout the process.
What we focus on
We primarily help:
- Arizona homeowners trying to buy before selling
- Buyers competing against non-contingent offers
- Move-up buyers needing access to current-home equity
- Homeowners struggling to qualify with two mortgage payments
- Arizona relocations and higher-end jumbo financing
Our approach
We got tired of watching Arizona homeowners lose houses because their offer depended on selling first. We also saw national "buy before sell" companies charging massive fees for solutions that should have been simpler and more transparent. This site exists to solve those problems in a cleaner, more affordable way.
What we won't do
- Push you into a product that doesn't fit
- Pressure you into moving faster than you should
- Force you to use a specific Realtor
- Hide pricing or markups inside the program
Cornerstone First Mortgage at a glance
- Licensed: NMLS #173855 — verify at NMLS Consumer Access
- Experienced: Phoenix branch led by Mike Certo, 23+ years in mortgage
- Local: Arizona-focused for this program; statewide service
- Stable: Full-service mortgage lender, 49 states + Puerto Rico
- In-house processing: underwriting and funding handled internally — no third-party handoff delays
Ready to see if Buy Before You Sell fits?
A quick 20-minute conversation can usually tell us whether equity, qualification, or timing is the real issue — and whether either solution actually fits your situation.
Book a free consultation