About Bryan Dornan

Bryan Dornan is a financial journalist and currently serves as Chief Editor of RefiGuide.org. Bryan has founded several mortgage and marketing companies and has worked as a loan officer and mortgage broker in the industry for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in providing mortgage clients with the highest level of service in the industry. Bryan's continual focus is to promote affordable home-ownership to consumers like you across the United States. He also writes for RealtyTimes, Patch, Buzzfeed, Medium and other national publications. Find him on Twitter, Muckrack, and Linkedin

Can You Refinance a Reverse Mortgage Loan?

Reverse mortgages are a popular financial opportunities for Senior homeowners looking to tap into their home’s equity for retirement income. Unlike traditional home loans, a reverse mortgage enables homeowners aged 62 or older to receive payments from their lender, using their home as collateral. Over time, the mortgage  balance increases as the homeowner receives payments,… Read More »

How Long Does It Take to Get a Home Equity Loan?

A home equity loan is powerful and popular second mortgage that allows homeowners to tap into the value of their property to secure funds for various purposes like home improvement projects, consolidating credit card debt, or emergency expenses that happen in life. But if you’re considering a home equity loan or equity line of credit… Read More »

Do HELOCs Compound Interest?

When it comes to managing the financial aspects of homeownership, a Home Equity Line of Credit or HELOC is one of the most versatile tools available. It allows homeowners to borrow against the equity they’ve built in their property, providing them with a revolving home equity line of credit that can be used for everything… Read More »

How to Get Stated Income Loans

The stated income loan has become somewhat of an elusive mortgage program that streamlines the process. If you are self-employed and do not have a traditional income with W-2s and pay stubs, you may wonder if you can get a mortgage this year. Yes, there are alternative loan options for self-employed professionals to get a… Read More »

USDA Home Loan Requirements for Rural America

The USDA home loan has been one of the most attractive mortgage programs for borrowers living in rural America. USDA mortgage loans open the doors for rural homeownership with affordable financing for very low income applicants or in the United States. Renters who want to buy a piece of the American Dream and get a… Read More »

FHA Loans for Bad Credit

Thousands of borrowers select FHA loans for bad credit every year. If you are shopping for a new home, you may want to consider FHA mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Realtors, lenders and home buyers continue to use FHA as the go to loan type for mortgages with bad credit scores. Borrowers have… Read More »

Home Equity Loan or HELOC on Rental Property or 2nd Home?

American homeowners love home equity loans and many people have been inquiring about leveraging their second home or rental property with a HELOC or 2nd mortgage. Home prices seem to be leveling off with one major house price indicator at S&P finding prices up 3% from January 2023. Thousands of homeowners have taken out a… Read More »

Zero Down Payment Home Loans with No Money Down

Buying a home with no money down allows a home buyer with little to or no deposit by using zero down payment home loans with affordable mortgage rates. These 100% financing home loans are much rarer today than a decade ago, but there are several no down payment loans you may be able to qualify… Read More »

Construction Loan Versus Home Equity Line of Credit

Experienced lenders can help you compare construction loans and home equity credit lines, so you can evaluate the benefits and risks to ensure a wise decision. Homeowners often want to make many improvements to their home. It is after all where they live and spend most of their time. HELOC vs Construction vs Finance Home… Read More »

Second Mortgage Loan and Credit Advice

Borrowers like second mortgage and HELOC loans because they provide cash out opportunities to homeowners with all credit types. With rising interest rates being the trend, more and more homeowners have turned to the second mortgage to help refinance debt, finance home renovations, education, business start-ups, buying investment properties and more. The RefiGuide can connect… Read More »

Can I Cash Out Refinance on Investment Property in 2024?

When your home’s value rises, you may be tempted to do a cash-out refinance and take some of your equity. A cash-out refinance also usually allows you to get a new mortgage at a lower rate. What about investment properties? Can you do a cash out refinance mortgage on an investment property, 2nd home or… Read More »

40 Year Mortgage Loan Offers Low Payments 

Opting for a 40-year mortgage enables you to spread your repayment over four decades to achieve a lower monthly payment. The 40-year loan deviates from the standard 30 or 15-year home loan terms. Whether you want a FHA 40 year mortgage or a 40 year home loan from a private money lender, the RefiGuide can… Read More »

What Are Home Equity Loan Closing Costs and HELOC Fees?

So you want to apply for a home equity loan to tap some of your hard-earned equity. Keep in mind that every mortgage, whether it is a home equity loan or HELOC, has closing costs. The only question is how much home equity loan closing costs and lending fees will be and how they will… Read More »

Can You Write a HELOC Check to Yourself?

Many homeowners are unaware that you can write a check with a HELOC loan and pay for things like you would with a credit card. One of the many financial benefits homeowner have is setting up a HELOC account and spending money with their home equity. Borrowers love how a HELOC account enables them to… Read More »

How Does a Second Mortgage for Home Improvement Work?

Now is the time to unlock home improvement ideas with a second mortgage. It’s a great time to secure low 2nd mortgage rates for your home remodeling project. Use a second mortgage t0 take advantage of financing incentives from trusted lenders offering popular home equity loan programs today. We get people asking us all the… Read More »

Best HELOC Lenders in 2024

Since the popularity of the home equity line of credit has soared finding the best HELOC lender has become vital. Different HELOC lenders offer different types of home equity lines. For example, if you are unable to document your income, you may need a a no doc HELOC lender, or if you have low credit… Read More »

Cash Out Refinance with Bad Credit

Homeowners continue to ask our team, “What is minimum credit score for cash out refinance with bad credit?” We decided to publish this article in an effort to help consumers learn everything they need to know about cash-out home refinance with bad credit this year. We will help you understand the requirements for a cash-out… Read More »

HELOC vs Home Equity Loan

Interest rates have been soaring so more borrowers are choosing a HELOC or home equity loan to get pull out cash from their equity of their property. Before taking out a second mortgage against your property, you need to understand the benefits and risks of home equity loans and HELOC lines of credit. It’s important… Read More »

How to Leverage Home Equity without Refinancing

Its very common for homeowners to need money but home refinancing does not always make sense when you already have a low interest rate on your existing mortgage. The RefiGuide can help you learn about popular refinancing alternatives like, HELOCs, home equity loans, cash out refinancing on other properties, shared equity agreements, reverse mortgages and… Read More »

FHA 203k Loan for Home Rehabilitation

A potential home buyer who wants to buy an older home that needs repair might want to consider the FHA 203k rehab loan. This is a federally guaranteed home loan that allows you to wrap a home improvement loan into the overall mortgage. Americans have been cherishing homeownership since its inception and the HUD offers… Read More »

No Doc Loans to Buy a Home with No Verification

Buying a home with a no doc loan with no income verification from the best no doc mortgage lenders can be challenging. Learn how to buy a house with a no doc mortgage from trusted non QM lenders. The housing market was hot in the early and mid-2000’s, as most of us remember. That was… Read More »

Cash Out Refinance Rules and Credit

Are you thinking about getting a lower interest rate on your mortgage, and pulling out cash to renovate your home? If so, you may be a good candidate to do a cash out refinance loan with poor credit in 2024. Doing this type of refinance loan can get you a lower rate and get you… Read More »

Home Equity Loan Lenders Guide

Are you thinking about getting home equity loans or credit lines and want to know what the credit score requirements and lending guidelines to get the lowest home equity rates in 2024? The popularity of home equity loans is surging because homeowners want to get the best rates for home improvements, investments, debt consolidation, education,… Read More »

Hard Money Loans for Bad Credit

Homeowners with bad credit scores have been searching for hard money loans and private money mortgages this year. If you have poor credit and you still want to get a home loan, either for your own home or an investment property, you still could have some hard money loan options available. Regular bank loans for… Read More »

Best Government Home Loans for Senior Citizens & The Elderly

Housing, particularly in the United States, has a fairly predictable lifecycle. The reason is that most homebuyers who buy a house finance that purchase with a mortgage earlier in life and therefore engage in a long-term financial obligation in which they ‘agree’ to accumulate equity in their home. The RefiGuide can help you learn more… Read More »

Can You Refinance a HELOC?

A home equity line of credit or HELOC is a popular way for homeowners to turn equity into cash, but can you refinance a HELOC? You sure can! If  interest rates continue to rise, many homeowners will consider a HELOC refinance. You have the option to refinance your HELOC into a new line of credit,… Read More »

Consolidate Debt with a Second Mortgage

Consider taking out a second mortgage for debt consolidation, if you are carrying high interest debt on credit cards or on other high interest lines of credit. A second mortgage is an excellent way to consolidate debt and it’s secured on your home in addition to your first mortgage. The RefiGuide suggests using a second… Read More »

FHA Streamline Refinance with No Appraisal

The FHA streamline refinance has been one of the most popular refinancing program for over 3 decades now. If you hold an FHA mortgage now, you have the option of refinancing with the FHA Streamline Refinance program. This popular FHA refinance program can make a lot of sense in certain situations, especially for those who… Read More »