jer-cox

Jer Cox

AZ LO-0912667

Where do you stand right now?

Pick the situation that fits and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Buying my first home

“I do not know the first step, and I am not sure what I can afford.”

Moving up to my next home

“I have outgrown my place. I want the right loan for the next one.”

I served, and I earned a VA loan

“I want a loan officer who handles VA loans the right way.”

I work for myself

“My tax returns do not show what I really earn. I need someone who gets that.”

I am buying a manufactured home

“I keep hearing it is harder to finance. Can you actually help?”

Do not see your situation above? No problem. In twenty-five years I have worked through just about every scenario, refinances included. Just give me a call:

Here's Where I Specialize

“As a broker, I compare lenders to find what fits your situation. These three are where I spend most of my time.”

Conventional Loans

The go-to loan for buyers with steady income and solid credit. Competitive rates, flexible terms, and a clear path whether you are buying your first place or moving up to the next one.

VA Loans

A benefit you earned through service. Zero down for those who qualify, no monthly mortgage insurance, and rates that are hard to beat. I make sure veterans get every part of what they are owed.

FHA Loans

A practical path for first-time buyers and anyone still building credit. Down payments as low as 3.5% and easier qualifying. I walk you through every requirement so nothing catches you off guard.

These are my top three, but I work with the full range of loan programs available →

Here's How It Works

No surprises, no pressure. This is what working with me actually looks like.

1

Tell me your situation

"We talk through your goals, your timeline, and your finances. No commitment. Just a conversation."

2

I shop your scenario

“I compare lenders for you and bring back the best options with real numbers, not guesses.”

3

You choose the best fit

“I explain each option in plain English. You decide, with no jargon and no pressure from me.”

4

We close, and I stay reachable

“From application to keys in hand, I manage the process and stay easy to reach the whole way.”

No commitment required. Just a conversation.

Run the Numbers Yourself

Use these free tools right here. No login, no forms, no sales calls.

Mortgage Payment Estimator

Down payment cannot exceed the home price.
Loan amount cannot exceed the home price.
Estimated Monthly Payment

This is an estimate only. Your actual payment may vary based on your loan type, credit profile, and lender. Contact Steve for an accurate quote.

How Much Can I Buy?

Include all borrowers who will be on the loan. Enter your combined pre-tax income.

Include car payments, student loans, credit card minimums, and any other monthly loan payments. Do not include household bills such as rent, utilities, phone, or insurance.

Based on what you've entered, you may qualify for a home up to

This is an estimate based on standard debt-to-income guidelines. Your actual buying power depends on your credit score, loan type, and lender. Talk to Steve for a real number.

From the First-Time Homebuyer Guide

Know your real number before you shop

Understanding pre-approval vs. pre-qualification so you shop with confidence, not guesses.

Down payment assistance is more common than you think

Most buyers don't realize help exists in their state. This guide shows you what's available.

Closing costs are negotiable

Knowing what's negotiable before you make an offer can save you thousands.

“We put this guide together for the first-time buyers we work with.”

Free PDF — No email required

Why I Do This Work

jer-cox
“More than mortgages, I help people feel confident, informed, and excited about the path to homeownership.”

I got into this work for one reason. I wanted to guide people through buying a home and help them reach a goal that means everything to them.

 

That was twenty-five years ago. In that time I have learned that no two clients are the same, so I do not treat them the same. I meet you where you are and explain the process the way you need to hear it.

 

Buying a home can feel intimidating. A lot of my job is taking that feeling away. I connect with you on a personal level, keep things as simple as I can, and stay approachable from the first call to the closing table. When you understand what is happening at each step, the whole thing gets easier.

 

Northern Arizona is home, and homeownership here is worth the effort. Whether you are a first-time buyer, moving up, self-employed, or a veteran using a benefit you earned, I look at every option and find the one that fits you best.

Licensed in Arizona
NMLS #149561
25 Years in Mortgages
Business Development Manager
Flagstaff Local

Questions I Hear Most

Straight answers, no sales pitch.

Understanding the Broker Model
What is the difference between a mortgage broker and a lender?
A lender sells you its own loans and nothing else. I am a broker, so I take your scenario to many lenders and bring back a true comparison. After twenty-five years I know how these lenders price and underwrite, so I can steer you to the one most likely to fit your situation.
Does it cost more to go through a broker?
No, and it often costs less. Because I put lenders side by side, I can find the most cost-efficient option for you instead of being stuck with one company’s pricing. My goal is the lowest total cost on a loan that actually fits.
Why not just walk into my own bank?
Your bank has one menu. I have many. I shop your loan across lenders and bring the best of them back to you, which usually means a better rate, a lower cost, or a program your bank does not even offer. You get options instead of a single take-it-or-leave-it answer.
Getting Started
What do I need to get pre-approved?
The basics are two years of tax returns, recent pay stubs, two months of bank statements, and your ID. If you work for yourself, add profit and loss statements. I will give you a simple checklist up front so we are not scrambling for documents later.
How fast can you pre-approve me?
Often the same day once your documents are in. A full underwritten pre-approval, the kind sellers take seriously, usually lands in a day or two. I keep things moving so you are ready when the right home shows up.
Will a pre-approval hurt my credit?
Only a little, and only for a short time. When you shop for a mortgage inside a few weeks, the credit bureaus count it as one inquiry, so checking with me will not pile up against your score.
Credit and Qualification
How much down payment do I need in Flagstaff?
Probably less than you expect. VA and USDA can reach zero down for those who qualify. FHA starts at 3.5%, and some conventional loans at 3%. Flagstaff homes cost more than much of Arizona, so I always check whether down payment assistance can cover part of yours.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get down payment help?
No. Several Arizona programs are open to repeat buyers too, and a few are aimed at workforce and public-service jobs. I will look at your situation and tell you straight which ones you actually qualify for.
What credit score do I need to buy a home?
It depends on the loan. FHA can work at 500 with 10% down, or 580 with 3.5% down. VA has no set minimum, though lenders add their own rules. Conventional usually starts near 620, and a higher score earns a better rate. If your credit needs work, I will show you what to fix before you apply.
Specialty Programs
Can you help self-employed buyers?
Yes, and I do it often. When your tax returns are written to lower your taxable income, they rarely show what you truly earn. I work with bank statement and profit-and-loss programs that qualify you on your real cash flow, so being your own boss does not cost you the loan.
Do you finance manufactured homes?
Yes. Manufactured homes are a real part of Northern Arizona, and the financing is more doable than people think. I work with programs built for them, and I will walk you through the requirements on the home and the land so there are no surprises.
Can a veteran use a VA loan more than once?
Yes. The VA benefit is not a one-time deal. Depending on your entitlement and the loan you paid off, you can use it again, sometimes for a second home purchase. I will pull your entitlement details and map out exactly what you have left to work with.
Working with Jer Cox
How will we stay in touch during the loan?
However works best for you, call, text, or email, and you get my cell. I answer it. You will not get passed around a phone tree on the way to closing. Staying reachable is half the job.
How long does it take to close around here?
Most purchases close in about three to four weeks once you are under contract. Twenty-five years of doing this means I see the snags coming and clear them early, so your timeline holds.
What makes working with you different?
I treat every client like a person, not a file number. I take the time to connect, explain things plainly, and keep the process from feeling overwhelming. A lot of my business comes back to me or comes by referral, and that is because I make the experience a good one start to finish.
Licensing

Verify licensing at www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

State Mortgage Loan Originator Licenses
AZ LO-0912667