Testimonials

Johanna made the Process As Smooth And Painless As Possible!

Johanna should be rewarded for the service she provided us in obtaining our refi loan. From the moment I first called Cornerstone on May 13th, to the signing of the documents yesterday, she went above and beyond the call of duty in making the process as smooth and painless as possible. We previously had a refi done and that experience was completely opposite to what this one was. In fact, that experience actually soured us from attempting to take advantage of the interest rates in effect today.

She was patient with my lack of computer skills, taking the time to walk me through the online document processing. Whenever I called to seek her advice or ask a question, she was pleasant and professional, and if I called and had to leave a message, she was quick to get back to me. She even, with good humor, collated two-sided pages of documents I had scanned and sent to her one page at a time. She is one of a few professionals I’ve dealt with who explained the world of financial terminology, processes, and procedures in an easily understood manner.

Johanna is an asset to Cornerstone First Financial and we hope she gets the recognition she deserves.

JoAnn & Douglas Lashley

EXCELLENT! Solid Choice For Any Mortgage Refinancing Needs with Ample Loan Offerings & Outstanding Customer Service!

We wanted to refinance our house mortgage and were searching online for good mortgage lenders. Whilst listening to WGTS 91.9 FM, I was made aware that Cornerstone First Financial was sponsoring some of the programs for WGTS. I looked up their website and made contact with Doug Rice. I can truly say it was indeed a pleasure working with Doug on our home refinancing effort. They offer competitive rates on their variety of mortgage refinances. Doug was ably assisted by Santiago who was responsible, reliable, and committed to the needs of his customers. Doug and Santiago were available anytime during the night on the phone for questions and details. Although they have their online portal our refinancing needs were taken care of mainly on over-the-phone service. Doug and Santiago provided me quotes, many calculators, and other tools in double-quick time. I am sure they have a streamlined online application process that allows consumers to close their loans electronically however, my wife and I opted for the in-person closing which went off very well with us. I would rate Cornerstone Financial as “Excellent” and they are a solid choice for any mortgage refinancing needs with its ample loan offering and outstanding customer service. I wish Cornerstone First Financial all the very best in its future endeavors. God bless you all!!!

~ Regards, Selva Raja

I would recommend Cornerstone to everyone who is looking for good, honest and informative financial service!

My son encouraged me to refinance my mortgage, so when I heard of Cornerstone First Financial on my Christian radio station, I gave them a call.

Mark Livingstone answered the phone and everything started moving forward. Mark is very personable. He was very informative to my questions and help me understand the process, which took about four weeks.

His assistant Jenny Yu was also very helpful even in answering my emails very late at night and on the weekends; this was a surprise not the usual 8 to 5 service.

I would recommend Cornerstone First Financial to everyone who is looking for good, honest, and informative Financial Service.

Thank you, Mark, and your team for making this so easy and quick.

~ Carol Carrico

We had great service once again! Cornerstone First provides the best experience!

Initially – a number of years ago – we heard Mark Livingstone on WMAL with advertisements and I think he used to be on Eric Stewart’s real estate show. Recently, for several months or more, I’ve heard your ads on WMAL again. We had great service once again! Cornerstone First provides the best experience. Given the current day challenges with self-employment and COVID-19, I had given up at one point, but you were able to see our refinance through! You all were amazing!

~ Brenda Bryan

Tammie was extremely helpful and was available at all times…

As a first time home buyer, I was very nervous to get started based on stories people had told me about how stressful the process can be. Tammie was extremely helpful and was available at all times whether it was early morning or late at night. Tammie made sure I knew what documents were needed and stayed on top of tasks that needed to be completed in order to close in the time frame I wanted. I had a great experience through cornerstone and Tammie.

~ Ryan Wagner

Tammie is one of the BEST I have EVER worked with!

I worked with Tammie Griffiths at Cornerstone and I cannot say enough good things about her or my experience with her. I am a Real Estate Attorney licensed in Maryland since 1989 and Tammie is one of the BEST I have EVER worked with. She did a great job and followed up to be sure everything was complete. AFTER closing, when everything was done, we encountered a small problem with property taxes which was NOT even a problem for Tammie but she went to great lengths and above and beyond to help us solve the problem. The buyer, the seller, the agents and everyone involved is HAPPY because of Tammie’s hard work and dedication. I would HIGHLY recommend her to anyone who is buying or refinancing a home !!! She’s the BEST !!!

~ Connie Danna

Tammie is always pleasant, professional and listens…

I have contacted Tammie Griffiths a few times regarding refinancing my mortgage and even helping my daughter find a loan to buy her first home. Tammie is always pleasant, professional and listens to our concerns and goals regarding a loan. She is very quick in getting back to us with any questions that we have and gives us the best option even if it does not benefit her. Will continue following up with Tammie where ever she may go in the future.

~ Martin Pollard

Tammie Griffiths worked tenaciously, patiently, tirelessly and endlessly to provide top-notch customer care!

Thank you Cornerstone First Financial for a phenomenal mortgage and home buying experience. My loan officer Tammie Griffiths worked tenaciously, patiently, tirelessly and endlessly to provide top-notch customer care.

Coincidentally, we have the same first name which made it an even more delightful experience. I initially contacted Cornerstone just to get an idea of buying a home right now was feasible and to just primarily run the numbers. This was never a problem and I was given the same level of exceptional care. Ultimately it turned out to be in my favor to move forward with purchasing a home.

I was actually shopping two mortgage lenders at the time and Cornerstone by far was able to offer me the best rate and loan option. Working with Tammie felt more like being taken care of by a family member than just an ordinary business transaction.

From the start, she made it clear that she worked for ME and I was her priority. I felt cared for, protected and shielded from a lot of the little hiccups that can occur during the crazy home buying process.

Tammie was confident, knowledgeable and resourceful. Her calm (no worries) energy kept stress levels very low, I was confident she had everything under complete control. Closing day was bittersweet, while I was excited, it felt like saying goodbye to a friend. I wish everyone could have such a well supported home buying experience.

~ Tammy Lampley

Easiest process ever with Mark & Emily!

Easiest process ever! I have purchased and refinanced loans in the past and have never had such an easy time as I did with Cornerstone Mortgage. Everyone is friendly and easy to work with. Good, honest, competent, friendly service can be hard to find, but you will get all of this with Cornerstone. Thank you, Mark and Emily, for making this possible!

~ Melissa Sharp

Tammie was one of the best, most responsive and knowledgeable loan officers that I have had the pleasure of working with!

Tammie was one of the best, most responsive and knowledgeable loan officers that I have had the pleasure of working with. She followed up after the closing to assist without hesitation and went the extra mile to ensure a smooth closing.

~ Shawn Goldfaden

Nothing but a positive experience!

Great to work with. Tammie Griffiths handled our refi and was always able to answer all questions. Even when there was an issue we weren’t satisfied with, she was there and fairly remedied the situation. The thing we loved the most was having a person come to us for closing and signing of all of those papers. Seriously, how much more convenient could it get? Nothing but a positive experience. Thanks Tammie.

~ Rachel Newcomer

I had an excellent experience with Doug Rice and Cornerstone First!

I had an excellent experience throughout my refinance process with Doug Rice and Cornerstone First. Doug listened to my intent and reasoning and laid out several options. He explained the process upfront and also what to expect. He was very responsive to all my questions and concerns throughout the entire process. Everything was handled quickly and correctly and I was very happy with the end result. I would recommend them to a friend and would contact them first if I needed any future loan services.

~ Raymond Clark

Johanna Witten was great to work with!

Johanna was great to work with and Cornerstone First made refinancing so easy !!

~ Jeffrey Williams

I heard about Cornerstone First Financial on the radio….

I heard about Cornerstone First Financial on the radio. I was shopping for a VA refinance of my home mortgage and found them to be the most responsive and the most helpful as I started the process when Mark Livingstone put me in touch with Johanna Witten, one of his loan officers.

From the start, I worked with Johanna and she was great! She guided me through the complexities explaining everything in a knowledgeable and professional manner, along with a pleasant personality and good sense of humor, to keep me at ease in navigating all the steps in the process. It was like dealing with a friend whom I had known for years.

She and Emily, her assistant, gave me guidance with all the necessary forms throughout the process, both by telephone and e-mail, making it easy and understandable during the on-line steps. Once my loan was approved, Johanna guided me through the settlement process patiently answering my endless questions.

Thank you, Johanna, for your fantastic support and to everyone at Cornerstone First Financial. If you need a home mortgage or refinance, I wholeheartedly encourage you to call Cornerstone First Financial and ask for Johanna Witten. You will be in the best of hands.

~ F. Magnum

They made the entire process quick and efficient…

Great company and staff. They made the entire process quick and efficient. We have used them multiple times and would use them again. Ask for Johanna she is fantastic!

~ Michael Brandon

It was because of Tammie’s courteous, professional, and pleasant demeanor that made us decide to go with Cornerstone First Financial…

Tammie Griffiths is the best! It was because of her courteous, professional, and pleasant demeanor that made us decide to go with Cornerstone First Financial instead of refinancing with our then mortgage company. She really cared and made suggestions based on our needs. We were kept in the loop on mortgage rate drops and when to lock-in. There was no pressure at all. She was incredible, always being patient and kind. Tammie took the time to answer all our questions. More importantly, she listened, and that’s a BIG deal to us. Had it not been for Tammie constantly looking out for us, I’m not so sure we would have gotten the great rate we received. Tammie is truly a blessing.

~ Rita Watson

I wholeheartedly endorse Cornerstone First Financial and Doug Rice!

This is a shout out to Doug Rice and his Team at Cornerstone First Financial for doing a spectacular job in helping me to refinance my home. Though it took a while to complete all the requirements for a VA loan, I wholeheartedly endorse Cornerstone First Financial and Doug Rice! They will get the job done and you will be rewarded with First Class Service. Doug is my go-to guy for all real estate financing from now on and he and his team have proven themselves time and time again. Thank you for all the hard work in taking care of my loan and getting the job done!

~ Craig Peacock

What a blessing to work with a brother in Christ on our largest investment

I had the pleasure of working with Doug Rice to refinance our home. It was a 10-year loan, and he was able to get the interest rate down (which was definitely a gift from God, because it was already so low!). He took care of everything. What a blessing to work with a brother in Christ on our largest investment. Thank you Cornerstone First Financial for putting your customers first!

~ Terri Green

We enjoyed the experience with Cornerstone First Financial

We enjoyed the experience with Cornerstone First Financial. It was a real pleasure to meet Mark and talk with him about his interest. The staff were/are very easy to work with. Doug worked with us even during a delay. Thank you Cornerstone First!

~ Mark Brinson

Tammie Griffiths, my loan officer, very knowledgeable and was right with me every step of the way!

Very welcoming! Tammie Griffiths, my loan officer, very knowledgeable and was right with me every step of the way answering any questions and gave me the best options I highly recommend to anyone looking to refinance or purchase a new loan!

~ Carl Williams

Tammie was great to work with throughout the whole loan process.

My wife and I refinanced our home through Cornerstone First. Tammie was great to work with throughout the whole loan process. I would recommend using Cornerstone for your mortgage or refi needs!

~ Dan Sexton

Tammie was amazing! Not only is she knowledgeable and efficient, but she is also very kind and wonderful to work with.

Tammie Griffiths was the absolute best! Throughout our home refinancing experience, Tammie was amazing. Not only is she knowledgeable and efficient, but she is also very kind and wonderful to work with. She made us feel at ease with making the entire process from start to finish stress-free. She was very responsive to any questions I had even on the weekends!! There are not enough stars on here to give her. I would highly recommend her as your loan officer for your home purchasing and/or refinancing needs.

~ Erica Williams

Devoted to clients. Outstanding customer service. Understanding our needs.

Devoted to his clients. Outstanding customer service. Understanding our needs. Great guy all around. That’s Doug Rice. He was always willing to take our calls and answered any questions we had. We would recommend him and Cornerstone First Financial in a heartbeat (and actually already have)!!! Thanks for everything Doug!!!

~ John & Pearl Chapman

Doug Rice is extremely passionate, honest and very knowledgeable

My experience with Doug was amazing. He helped me understand the process and responded to my many questions. He is extremely passionate, honest and very knowledgeable. He is an outstanding Loan Officier and I am blessed to have worked with him.

~ Karen Danfa

We enjoyed our experience with Cornerstone First Financial!

We enjoyed the experience with Cornerstone First Financial. It was a real pleasure to meet Mark and talk with him about his interest. The staff were/are very easy to work with. Doug worked with us even during a delay. Thank you Cornerstone First! M & P

~ M & P Brinson

The great customer service, knowledgeable advice, and persistent attention to detail helped our family now and far into the future

Doug Rice and the Cornerstone Team put our needs first and took care of us every step of the way. The great customer service, knowledgeable advice, and persistent attention to detail helped our family now and far into the future. Our new loan is perfect for our family! Thanks so much.

~ Ernest Patton

He addressed all our needs and we took advantage of the best loan structure for us!

My wife and I contacted Cornerstone First after I heard an ad on WMAL. Doug Rice called me right away. After collecting some information, he had a loan proposal to us in short order that addressed all our needs and took advantage of the best loan structure for us. We really enjoyed working with Doug and his team and would do it again!

~ John Moran

He definitely made me feel like I made the right choices in which company to refinance with.

Doug was amazing to work with. He definitely made me feel like I made the right choices in which company to refinance with. I will absolutely recommend him to friends.

~ Robinjo Rybczynski

Chris was professional, courteous, and extremely knowledgeable.

I recently worked with Chris Swope for my home refinance. Chris was professional, courteous, and extremely knowledgeable. He helped me secure a lower rate and made the process as smooth as possible. I would definitely recommend Chris and the Cornerstone team.

~ Michael M.

Doug Rice and the team at Cornerstone First Financial are the best!

This is the second refinancing I’ve done with them which is a testament to how they treat their customers. Thanks Doug!

~ David Willis

Doug Rice is the most knowledgeable Loan Officer I ever worked with!

Doug Rice was a God-send when we needed to refinance our home. Thank God for the opportunity to work with him, I told all my friends about him.

~ Adefolake Adebola

The process from start to finish was smooth and almost stress-free.

Quick response and very helpful staff. Johanna Witten was extremely helpful and professional. She seamlessly guided me through mortgage loan pre-qualification to loan approval. Johanna kept me up to date on each step of my application. The process from start to finish was smooth and almost stress-free. I’m so very thankful!

Benjamin Abalos

Tammie Griffiths and the Cornerstone First Financial Team made our dream of purchasing our forever home come true!

Tammie is wonderful, Kind, Communicates Fast & Professionally & was extremely knowledgeable about the home buying process & answering every single billion questions that we had about everything. If she didn’t know the answer she would quickly find the answers & get them to you ASAP. Thank You so much Tammie & Cornerstone First Financial we couldn’t have done it without you. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to work with this Company & would highly recommend them to every & anyone looking to purchase a home!

Miranda Henry

In less than one month we went from the first phone call to closing…

My wife and I had a great experience using Cornerstone First to do a refinance on our mortgage. In less than one month we went from the first phone call to closing. Kofi Darfoor, our loan rep, was a true pro and handled the loan process perfectly. He responds to emails and phone calls almost immediately. Our closing went perfect and there were no surprises due to his accurate work. This is the second time I’ve used this company in the last six years and I would not hesitate using them again.

Patrick McGinnis

My loan officer made sure I understood the process and was very responsive to all of my questions and concerns…

Working with Cornerstone Financial made my refinance process easy and comfortable. My loan officer made sure I understood the process and was very responsive to all of my questions and concerns. He followed up every email with a call and made the overall process stress free for me. I highly recommend Cornerstone to anyone looking to purchase or refinance.

Christina Nortey

Kofi Darfoor is very detailed.

Kofi Darfoor is very detailed. He explained every step of information provided and made sure that you really understood before he moved to the next step. Keep up with the good job!

Kwabena Agyei

Doug Rice was very knowledgeable, honest and on top of things!

Top-notch service. Doug Rice was very knowledgeable, honest and on top of things! I was very nervous when I first called for my refinance, but he quickly made me feel at ease. Everything went so smoothly and easily. I thank Doug & his team so much, they are a true blessing.

Rachel Langley

Johanna Witten has been wonderful to work with, twice!

Johanna Witten has been wonderful to work with, twice!

Lee Spetch

You paid attention to the things that were important to me from the beginning and did not fail to provide the service promised.

Dear Tammie,

I wanted to thank you for such a professional, successful, efficient and swift processing on the refinancing of my home. You paid attention to the things that were important to me from the beginning and did not fail to provide the service promised. You were always available and followed through with everything you communicated.

In today’s world, it seems everyone makes promises so easily with little or no intention of keeping them. I must say, when I initially contacted you and Mark on July 8th, I presented you both with a challenge when I said I wanted to close by the end of this month. You made a promise to do so, and on July 30th we closed. I was and am impressed!

The closing went smoothly and Jeremy was extremely organized and he was glad to share his knowledge of all the dos and don’ts of this process. He provided helpful hints and what to look for in the long term so that we may save some money.

Thank you all for a great experience. I will definitely recommend your company in the future and specifically you Tammie- thanks again.

Sincerely,

Dolores and David Deel

They Were Diligent Throughout The Whole Process!

We are so appreciative of how easy Cornerstone and their entire team made the mortgage process. They were quick to respond to questions, explained all the details effectively, and were diligent throughout the whole process!

Amy Burmeister

A Team of Professionals Who Have High Standards, Strong Integrity, and a Clear Moral True North

Serving clients well requires a team of professionals who have high standards, strong integrity, and a clear moral true north – all of which are plainly seen in all of my interactions with Cornerstone First Financial. Every time I am able to partner with CFF, my clients reap the benefits. Many thanks to Doug for being a strategic thinker when it comes to counseling my clients on the financial aspects of buying a home!

Brett Korade
Captain USN(Ret)
Realtor
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
PenFed Realty

They Made Our Dream of Purchasing Our Forever Home Come True!

Tammie Griffiths and the Cornerstone First Financial Team made our dream of purchasing our forever home come true! Tammie is wonderful, kind, communicates fast and professionally. She was extremely knowledgeable about the home buying process & answering every single billion questions that we had about everything. If she didn’t know the answer she would quickly find the answers and get them back ASAP. Thank you so much, Tammie and Cornerstone First Financial. We couldn’t have done it without you. We are very thankful to have had the opportunity to work with Cornerstone First and we would highly recommend them to every and anyone looking to purchase a home!

Brian & Miranda Henry

From the First Phone Call, She Demonstrated a High Level of Knowledge

Johanna Witten did a fabulous job with the refinancing of our home. From the first phone call, she demonstrated a high level of knowledge and was able to explain to us how the refinancing process worked and how to find the best mortgage for our needs. She was available by phone and email to answer our questions an help us make our final decision. Thank you, Johanna.

Mary Pat Jordan

Thanks a lot Chris Swope and Cornerstone First Financial for making our dream reality!

I met Cornerstone First via Leia who is my real estate agent. She advised me to use Chris because she had been doing business with him for years. I was hesitant but when I checked his company’s address I noticed they were located in DC. I decided to do so. During the course of working with Chris and Cornerstone First, we were educated by Chris when confronted with issues and/or did not understand. The best part of our working together was that while I was still shopping for a better rate, Cornerstone First was able to provide us with a lower rate than SunTrust Bank, a bank I have been doing business with for more than 10 years. I don’t regret choosing Cornerstone First to assist us in buying our new home. The next time I buy a house, I will definitely use them again. I will advise families who are looking to purchase their homes to contact Cornerstone First Financial for not only a great rate but also an easy buying experience, and higher buying power! They will offer the best rate than most banks and financial institutions.

Jean Jacques Ahounou

I’ve Worked With Numerous Lenders And He’s One Of The Best!

I’ve been working with Mr. Rice for a few years now, his professionalism, attention to detail and the ability to close the transaction is undeniably the best. He educates his clients and agents throughout the lending process and ensures all involved are knowledgeable at the end of the transaction. I’ve worked with numerous lenders and he’s one of the best! He definitely delivers without a doubt. Call him, you will not be disappointed.

Jacquelyn Fields

We Will Definitely Be Using Cornerstone First For All Of Our Future Lending Needs

It was an absolute pleasure working with Cornerstone First Financial. They were extremely professional and very patient with my wife and me during the entire process. We will definitely be using Cornerstone First for all of our future lending needs.

Anthony Montgomery

Thank You Cornerstone For Your Dedication To Great Customer Service

I am thankful for finding Cornerstone First Financial. My loan office Doug Rice deserves special recognition for outstanding customer service. He is truly a dedicated and knowledgeable loan officer. I will never use another loan officer to refinance or buy a new home. Thank you Cornerstone for your dedication to great customer service.

Clyde Peterson

It Was Easy and Painless!

Johanna was great with follow-up communication and really helped guide us through this refinance. It was easy and painless!

Scott L. (Yelp Review)

Doug Was A Great Help Getting A Lower Monthly Payment

Doug was a great help getting a lower monthly payment. It was awesome the work he did for us individually. He always takes the family into consideration!

Anthony Wolfe

Cornerstone Has Helped A Lot Of My Clients

Cornerstone has helped a lot of my clients. They are always professional, accommodating and I get a lot of positive feedback from clients. Look forward to continuing a lasting relationship.

Crystal Mullens

Doug Rice Was Fantastic Throughout The Whole Process!

We had a great experience with Cornerstone First. Doug Rice was fantastic throughout the whole process!

T McWilliams

Getting A Mortgage As A Business Owner Is Very Difficult…

Johanna and Emily, thank you for working so hard on our loan. I know that getting a mortgage as a business owner is very difficult. Thank you for sticking it out to the very end! Great work!

DeeDee Johnson

Doug Also Helped Us Navigate The VA Loan Process With Ease!

Professional, honest, communicate in a professional, honest, great communicator. Mr. Rice was a blessing to work with. Doug also helped us navigate the VA loan process with ease! He always answered our questions in a very timely manner and was always available to explain the process.

Julie McWilliams

She And Her Team Were Very Professional, Informative, Responsive, And Quick To Get Things Handled Properly And Closed Seamlessly

I have used Cornerstone (Agent Johanna Witten) for both purchase and refinance. Both times she and her team were very professional, informative, responsive, and quick to get things handled properly and closed seamlessly.

Craig Poma

Great Job Doug!

Doug Rice did a great job!

Doug Baldridge

Great Group Of Professionals Who Are Honest, Straightforward, And Sincere With Your Finances And Their Benefits

Great group of professionals who are honest, straightforward, and sincere with your finances and their benefits. I recommend Cornerstone First Financial to anyone. Call Doug Rice for financial needs.

Ismael Martinez

Doug Was Able To Help Me Fix My Credit Scores

Doug was able to help me fix my credit scores and got me through the tedious refinancing process with Grace and patience. He’s very professional and I would recommend him to anyone in need of such. Thanks Doug!

Irene Kamau

Doug Rice Is A Classic Professional

Doug Rice is a classic professional and will take the time to analyze your situation and find the best solution. I feel comfortable using him!

Daniel Clarke

Doug Rice Is The Most Knowledgeable Loan Officer I Ever Worked With

Doug Rice is the most knowledgeable Loan Officer I ever worked with. He was a God-send when we needed to refinance our home. Thank God for the opportunity to work with him, I told all my friends about him.

Adefolake Adebola

He Was Proactive In Contacting Me When A Lower Interest Rate Benefited Me

My Cornerstone First Financial agent, Christopher Swope, was excellent. He was professional and friendly and was clearly knowledgeable about the mortgage business. He was proactive in contacting me when a lower interest rate benefited me in terms of a lower monthly payment. Chris made sure that I responded to documents in a timely manner, and answered questions promptly. He was present at the signing of my contract, making sure that I understood everything and was comfortable with signing. I definitely recommend Chris Swope.

Donna Swope

Johanna Found a Way For Us to Work It Through and Lead Me Each Step of the Way

Just wanted to say THANKS to Cornerstone and Johanna Witten for making refinancing as painless as possible. This was a very smooth process thanks to Joanna staying on top of everything and making sure all of us were connected. She was a great help. Johanna found a way for us to work it through and lead me each step of the way. Johanna was always so upbeat and pleasant to deal with. She also was readily available anytime I needed her.. What a great asset to Cornerstone. Thank you for having such a terrific employee!

Tara Brumfield

From the First Phone Call, She Demonstrated a High Level of Knowledge

Johanna Witten did a fabulous job with the refinancing of our home. From the first phone call, she demonstrated a high level of knowledge and was able to explain to us how the refinancing process worked and how to find the best mortgage for our needs. She was available by phone and email to answer our questions an help us make our final decision. Thank you, Johanna.

Mary Pat Jordan

Honesty, Integrity, a Creative Problem Solver – and All Built on a Bedrock of Christian Principles

As a professional real estate agent I know what to look for in a lender, and how to spot a poser. Cornerstone First is the real-deal. In particular, Doug Rice has been a tremendously valuable resource for my clients. Honesty, integrity, a creative problem solver – and all built on a bedrock of Christian principles. Regardless you personal beliefs, it just makes sense to work with a company like this!

Brett Korade

We are Now Saving $400 a Month!

Johanna Witten with Cornerstone financial was amazing! The refinancing process was so simple. We are now saving $400 per month thanks to her!! I highly recommend Johanna!

Allyson Sapherstein

Grateful For Their Professionalism, Knowledge, Kindness and Honesty

A friend refinanced with Cornerstone and recommended I contact Mark. I was able to purchase my house without selling my other property first. I went to closing in 3 weeks. I got a very competitive fixed rate on the loan. I would not have been able to do it with Mark and the rest of Cornerstone’s team. It was a real blessing to work with Cornerstone and I was so happy to find someone familiar with the DMV and actually operates in DC. They were available evenings, weekends, whenever I needed them. I am grateful and can’t say enough about their professionalism and depth of knowledge and kindness and honesty. A real treasure in today’s world.

Zoraya

Your Timely Follow-Through was Most Appreciated

Dear Joe and Emily,

Time flies – It has been several weeks since my reverse mortgage closing, but I want to thank you for your fine service. You were most helpful during the process. Your timely follow-through was most appreciated.

Sincerely,
Rebecca A. Cline

I Was Nervous Because of My Financial Situation…But They Made It All Happen!

Cornerstone First Financial did an awesome job getting me a mortgage to buy my first home. I was nervous during the whole process because of my situation, but they made it all happen. I thought it was impossible for me to ever buy a home, but Chris Swope really went above and beyond. He made all the arrangements for me from the agent, lender and title company. I definitely recommend Cornerstone First Financial. Thank you!!!

Caro A.

Easiest Refi Yet!

Mark and Emily at Cornerstone First Financial provided excellent service, responded to email, and kept us informed along the way. Easiest refi yet.

Robert Van Den Berg

Could Not be Happier with the Way They Handled My Co-op Loan…

Excellent company! Mark and Emily are extremely professional, attentive, forthcoming and go out of their way to handle your needs quickly and efficiently. Could not be happier with the way they handled my coop loan. 5/5

Kemen Linsuain

Cornerstone Made Getting a Mortgage as Painless as Humanly Possible…

Cornerstone First Financial, specifically Johanna and Emily, made getting a mortgage as painless as humanly possible! It is nice to deal with a small team of people to the point where you can develop a personable working relationship.

Jennifer Rzonca

They Worked Hard To Get Us Into Our Home…

Thank you to Kofi Darfoor who worked hard to get us into our home when the circumstances were less than the ideal only end. He was always available to explain the steps to me as a first time home buyer. Thank you so much for getting us into our home!

Sara & Kennedy

My Experience with Cornerstone was Phenomenal and Worry-Free…

Cornerstone First Financial is a top notch company. From beginning to the end, Mark Livingstone was very professional and attentive. Emily was so efficient and provided updates and timely information at all times. My experience with Cornerstone was phenomenal and worry-free.

Paul Chon

Their Customer Service Made It a Seamless Process…

Cornerstone found every reason for me to go with them and not with anyone else. I shopped for interest rates for about 2 months via Zillow, PenFed, Navy Fed, USAA, and others. I say all this because this is my 3rd home purchase and Cornerstone, specifically Mark Livingstone, matched and beat other competitors. Cornerstone aggressively sought my business and their customer service made it a seamless process. The customer service was 5 star.

John Gaitan

Everything Flowed Smoothly, Quickly and Accurately…

This letter of recommendation is one of gratitude and appreciation for Cornerstone First Financial and Mark Livingstone in particular. Mark was tremendous in the service he provided when we went to him in need of refinancing our investment property. Everything flowed smoothly, quickly and accurately. This has been by far the best experience we have had with a transaction of this nature. Thank you, Mark, we really appreciate your efforts on our behalf. We are very impressed with you and Cornerstone First Financial!

Marc Tate

Even Our Realtor was Surprised Cornerstone First was Able to Process the Loan So Rapidly…

I cannot speak highly enough about the quality of service offered by Johanna Witten at Cornerstone First Financial. She is quick to respond, on top of every detail and explains all the jargon and process of mortgage lending with clarity (and patience!) We were under an incredible time crunch in a tight housing market (Boulder, CO area) and even our Realtor was surprised Cornerstone First was able to process the loan so rapidly. We are truly grateful to have met Johanna and have a home in Colorado. If you are even just thinking about buying a home call her. You’ll be very glad you did!

Kathy

Utterly Impressed with the Speed and Ease…

I am utterly impressed with the speed and ease in which you and Emily completed my refinance loan. You were both very conscientious, and for that, I am truly grateful. Thank you! again!

Sarah LaFleur

I Finally Made My Home Mine!

Thank you all so much! Doug, you have been Godsend. This was a difficult choice for me to make. I prayed for direction and guidance and that came in the form of you. For over a year, I contemplated taking out a loan and when I saw the funds on Thursday. I cried. I can finally make my home mine. You all have been wonderful. There was never a time or a question that went unanswered. I appreciate you all very much for eveything. God has indeed been gracious to me. I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and joyous New Year!!

Penny G.

Johanna is Energetic, Supportive, and Organized…

My initial call to Cornerstone First was during my divorce when I was looking for options for restructuring mortgage debt. Mark was so helpful that I knew I wanted to work with Cornerstone First when I bought a home down the road. About two years later, I am sitting in my home financed through Cornerstone First through the help of Johanna Witten. Johanna is energetic, supportive, and organized. She helped me plan and prioritize tasks and when it came time to make an offer on a house I was ready. During the closing process, Johanna led me through my tasks and kept me updated on the process. In a time when we transact business at a distance, Cornerstone First was especially effective. Johanna is in DC but my purchase was in Florida. The realtors and the closing agent in FL were pleased to work with Johanna and were vocal about how smoothly my closing was completed.

Sonie B.

Cornerstone First was a HUGE Help!

Cornerstone First Financial was a HUGE help to us in getting the refinance process completed. Doug Rice and his team were friendly, courteous, and really acted in our best interest. We ended up with cash out and were able to get a better overall deal on our mortgage. Everything worked out great and we got all we could have expected.

Tom Rabicki Jr.

Johanna Hit the Ground Running to Help Me Secure My Loan

Johanna hit the ground running to help me secure my loan. As a newly single mom, I was in a difficult situation related to a painful divorce, and time was of the essence in getting my refi/divorce buyout done (I literally had court proceedings looming over me if I did not accomplish the refi within a short time frame). Johanna was caring and compassionate. She didn’t judge my situation but got right to work on my loan, assuring me that she would do everything within her power to help me. We (along with her assistant, Emily) worked together beautifully as a team. When we hit daunting snags, I didn’t give up, and neither did she. Without God’s hand in the process and Johanna’s calm, steady demeanor, my refi perhaps never would’ve gone through and my sons and I probably would’ve lost our home. I cannot express how thankful I am that I was led to work with Cornerstone. I had heard their ads on local radio for years and finally made the call. When I was in need, they truly came through for me!

A. Smith

Explained Everything Clearly For my Cash-Out Refi

A friend recommended Cornerstone First Financial for a cash-out refi, and we’re so happy we took his suggestion! Mark and his team were superb professionals who explained everything clearly, kept us well informed every step of the way, and even went to bat for us with the lender when some issues with the appraisal popped up. An all around pleasant experience. I would use them again without question…but thanks to them, we probably won’t need to!

Roman H.

Amazing and Wonderful!

Everyone on The Cornerstone Team was amazing and wonderful to do business with. Thank you Cornerstone First!

Michelle E.

Closed On Time With The Best Service

Wonderful experience with Cornerstone First Financial. I would recommend this organization to anyone looking to get their loan closed on time with the best service.

L.G. Gonzalez

Cornerstone First Cares About Your Financial Well-Being

Cornerstone First Financial is more than just a lender, it is a company who cares just as much about your financial well-being as you do. I’ve never considered a private lender and only worked with large, well-known banks/credit unions. However, this was the best decision I made for my family.

What separates them from large financial institutions is they go above and beyond to get you the best rates, they are always available to discuss your loan, and they have financial experts who will dive into every detail of your closing statements.

I didn’t just get a loan officer, I got a personal, financial adviser who saved my family a lot of money. I had the same expert from the time I called until the day of closing when he showed up with a flower to give my wife as a housewarming gift.

We highly recommend working with Joe Rodgers if he is available. I was very impressed with how meticulous he was with every detail of the closing cost spreadsheet and mortgage payment information. There is no comparison, go with Cornerstone First!

Jeffrey D.

Johanna Made Herself Available 24/7

A huge thanks goes out to Johanna and the rest of her team. She answered all of my questions, and she made herself available 24/7.

Johanna definitely went the extra mile by not only coming to our closing, but she also gave my wife and me a “goodies” basket which came in handy on multiple occasions the first week in our new house.

Ian S.

Personal Touch Throughout The Entire Loan Process

Cornerstone First Financial is second none! With Cornerstone First, you get a personal touch throughout the entire loan process.

I had the pleasure of working with Kofi, he was able to get me a great loan at an unbelievable rate.

They are very responsive and accessible, unlike the bigger financial institutes.

I would highly recommend Cornerstone for your next loan.

Robert H.

Mark Helped Me Remove Private Mortgage Insurance When I Refinanced

Mark and the staff at Cornerstone were friendly, efficient, and made the process of refinancing easy.

I was able to refinance to lower my rate and also to remove my private mortgage insurance which saved me so much money.

I highly recommend Cornerstone if you’re looking for honest people who are willing to go the extra mile for you!

Emi Kei H.

Kofi Helped Me with a Great Loan at an Unbelievable Rate!

Cornerstone First Financial is second to none. With Cornerstone, you get a personal touch throughout the entire loan process.

I had the pleasure of working with Kofi, he was able to get me a great loan at an unbelievable rate. They are very responsive and accessible, unlike the bigger financial institutes.

I would highly recommend Cornerstone for your next loan.

Robert H.

Johanna was Amazing to Work With!

Johanna and the team at Cornerstone First Financial were amazing to work with.

They provided alternative options that we had not considered and were able to save us a considerable amount of money.

The process was simple and streamlined and we got it done in two weeks. You can’t go wrong with Cornerstone First.

Thank you!

Luke D.

They Did an Incredible Job Getting my Client’s Deal Closed

Cornerstone First Financial did an incredible job getting my client’s deal closed.

I am a realtor with Samson Properties and I represented the buyer, so it was important for us to work with a lender that could get a deal closed in 30 days. The seller had already had a deal fall through due to financing.

Cornerstone First Financial understood this from the beginning and did everything to make sure my clients stayed on track to close the deal.

I would highly recommend this lender to any real estate agents and their clients! Mark Livingstone was the loan officer we worked with.

Thank you!

Jonas M.

They Were Great at Guiding Us and Keeping Things on Track!

When you’ve got a VA loan, you want this to be the team that helps you navigate the quirks.

The team at Cornerstone First Financial was GREAT every step of the way in our closing process.

Mark and Emily sent us everything we needed in advance to help our closing process go smoothly. They’re extremely responsive and know their business and it helps that they are salt of the earth people who treat you like a person and not an account.

Closing on a home was stressful for us, as we did not know how/what to expect, but they were great at guiding us and keeping things on track.

Thank you!

Jenny R.

His Godly Values and Professionalism Was A Welcomed Treat

I was definitely pleased with the service I received from Cornerstone First Financial.

Mark Livingston’s integrity was first and foremost impressive for me as I look for that specific quality in those who I do any business with. He was honest (even if it meant accepting another offer) and his follow through was impeccable.

His godly values and professionalism was a welcomed treat and I would certainly recommend this company to others.

Geraldine D.

Our New Loan Was Funded Within 28 Days

Working with Cornerstone First was fantastic! The process was very streamlined from beginning to end and we closed and had our new loan was funded within 28 days of my first phone call with them.

Doug, Emily, Sarah, and the rest of the team are an excellent group to work with.

Saving about $570 a month on our mortgage is pretty sweet as well!

Scotty W.

Professional & Courteous

The guys at Cornerstone First are unbelievable! Professional, courteous and much to my liking extremely personable. Whenever large transactions are taking place, you should want to work with those who are relatable.

Griffin B.

They Explained Everything, Everytime, With a Smile!

Wow!!! Let’s just say I have talked with banks on my own and I even looked into Quicken Loans. My husband and I are self-employed which makes it a bit more of a process. The bigger banks didn’t take any time to get to know me or to look at my financial situation all they wanted to do was run a credit report and see what it came back as.

Raul took the time to explain to me the paperwork that I would need but I didn’t have yet and let me get a hold of those documents before we started into the mortgage process so we would not be held up. Raul took the time to determine what would be the best mortgage product for me and my family and thoroughly explained all of my options.

I called Raul at least once a day for about three weeks and each time he answered me and answer my same questions over and over again and was glad to do it.

If you are looking for honest person to be straight up with you, this is where you should go for your mortgage needs. I was never blindsided with anything Raul prepared me for everything that I needed.

I’m so happy with my new home and all thanks goes to Raul Blake!!!

Sincerely,
Mariah W.

Highly Recommend!!!

I am very satisfied with the service provided. I did not know a thing about buying a house, they help me understand everything!! Highly recommend!!!

Sincerely,
Maura L.

Painless, Quick and Smooth Process

Dear Doug and Emily,

What can I say, you guys are amazing! What a painless, quick, smooth process. You guys were top notch!

Thanks for all the advice Doug and thank you for all of your patience Emily! From beginning to end, this was a blessing.

Grateful to the Lord for directing us to you guys. May He bless y’all abundantly.

We will highly recommend you to others.

Eugene & Ginger B.

We Are Enjoying Our New House!

Dear Jason,

Thank you very much for what you did for us. We are enjoying our new house. God bless you, your family and work!

Grace, Rocky, Nathan & Abbey

Fantastic Job On My Home Refinance

Doug Rice, and the Cornerstone First Financial team did a fantastic job with my recent home refinance, even though I was a dummy and started re-doing my kitchen right before the appraisal!

They stuck with me and were very patient while I worked things out with the appraiser, working with me to extend the loan closing date on very favorable terms.

Thank you very much!

Jared W.

Invaluable Assistance During The Whole Refinance Process

Dear Andy,

I wanted to thank you for your invaluable assistance during the whole refinance process. You went above and beyond to help me and made the whole experience pleasant and satisfying. I truly appreciate the professionalism and courtesy you displayed. Because of you, I will continue doing business with Cornerstone First and will recommend to friends and coworkers. Please give my thanks to Sarah Cantrell as well!

Thank you again,
Kelly & Courtney Ashley