About Investor Loans Florida
We're the investor-lending arm of Mike Certo's team at Cornerstone First Mortgage: a direct lender, licensed in all 50 states, with 23 years of residential lending behind the desk.
Who we are
Investor Loans Florida is run by Mike Certo, Branch Manager at Cornerstone First Mortgage (NMLS #173855), and the team around him. Mike has originated residential mortgages for 23 years, through two rate cycles, one housing crash, and every flavor of investor market in between. He holds NMLS #260555, and Cornerstone lends as a direct lender in all 50 states and DC.
This site exists because investor lending is where generic mortgage advice fails hardest. A Florida rental deal turns on things most loan officers never touch: whether the insurance premium leaves room in the ratio, whether the city's STR ordinance is a grandfathered ban or a simple registration, whether the condo's reserves pass agency review, whether the LLC transfer resets the tax assessment. We work those questions all week.
How we work
- Real numbers, no salesy script. We run the actual PITIA against realistic rent before you offer, insurance included, and we'll tell you when a deal doesn't pencil.
- You always know where you are in the loan process. Communication is the thing our clients mention most, and we guard that reputation.
- Verified facts, dated. Every figure on this site traces to a source and carries its verification date. When a rule is in motion (Amendment 3's November 2026 vote, SB 264, the new series LLC), we say so instead of rounding to a comfortable answer.
- Direct lender. Underwriting, docs, and funding under one roof.
What we lend
DSCR purchases and refinances, investor cash-out, short-term-rental and condo financing, bank-statement loans for the self-employed, foreign-national programs, and conventional investor loans, all across Florida. Start with the programs page, the DSCR guide, or just send us the deal.
Mike Certo · NMLS #260555 · Cornerstone First Mortgage NMLS #173855 · Equal Housing Lender. Educational content, not a loan commitment and not legal, tax, or insurance advice. City and county STR rules, tax figures, and insurance requirements change; verify current requirements with the city, your association, your CPA, or a Florida real estate attorney before you buy. Loans are subject to buyer and property qualification.