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 nearly 30 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 educate homeowners how to leverage home equity while also promoting 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

Best HELOC Lenders in California

Smart homeowners in the Golden State have been taking out home equity loans and credit lines from the best HELOC lenders online for several reasons. California homeowners here hold a staggering trillions in tappable equity, per CoreLogic’s latest report, making Home Equity Lines of Credit, also called HELOCs, an attractive option for financing home improvements,… Read More »

Fannie Mae vs FHA for First Time Home Buyers

Fannie Mae and FHA continue to roll out affordable home financing for first time home buyers in the U.S and home-ownership rates are rebounding again in 2026. First time home buyers have many choices of mortgage loans available to them. Two of the most common are first time home mortgages that are backed by the… Read More »

How to Get a Loan to Flip a House

House flipping—the art of buying undervalued properties, renovating them, and selling for a profit—remains a powerhouse strategy for real estate investors in 2026. With U.S. median home prices stabilizing around $425,000 after 2025’s modest 3% appreciation and interest rates dipping to 6.25-7% for qualified borrowers, the market favors savvy flippers who act fast. According to… Read More »

HELOC Rates in Colorado

Thousands of Colorado homeowners are considering a home equity line of credit for quick cash as lenders have eased borrowing requirements. The RefiGuide can help you shop for the best Colorado HELOC rates online from trusted banks and CO lenders at no cost with no obligation. As the leaves turn golden in the Rocky Mountains… Read More »

How Long Does It Take to Get a HELOC Approved?

With home values at record highs across the U.S., many homeowners are taking out a home equity line of credit or HELOC at a record pace. We get a lot of questions such as, “How long does it take to get a HELOC approved and funded?” Of course the answer varies depending on several factors,… Read More »

Low Credit Score VA Home Loans

Becoming a homeowner is a monumental step in the US, but a low credit score can feel like a permanent roadblock, slamming the door on traditional home financing options. But for America’s military veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses, low credit VA home loans offer a lifeline—a program designed with flexibility at its… Read More »

Best Non QM Mortgage Lenders Guide

The subprime loan has evolved into a new market with non-qualified loans and the RefiGuide is ranking the best Non QM mortgage lenders going into 2026. In the ever-evolving landscape of American homeownership, traditional mortgages often leave behind a significant portion of potential buyers. Enter Non-Qualified, AKA Non-QM mortgage lenders: the unsung heroes bridging the… Read More »

Non-Owner Occupied HELOC

Investing in real estate offers numerous financial benefits, from generating rental income to building long-term wealth through property appreciation. A common strategy among homeowners is to leverage the equity in their investment properties with a non-owner occupied HELOC to fund additional investment opportunities or cover expenses. In the past borrowers could only do HELOCs and… Read More »

Bank Statement HELOC

A HELOC loan is is a flexible home equity line of credit tool that allows homeowners to borrow against the equity in their homes. Traditional HELOCs require standard income verification methods, such as W-2 forms and tax returns. However, for self-employed individuals or those with non-traditional income sources, qualifying for a HELOC can be challenging.… Read More »

How Do You Pay Back a HELOC?

Many borrowers want to know how the HELOC payment works with a revolving home equity line of credit and variable interest rates. Homeowners love HELOC lines of credit because they are a flexible financial product that enable borrowers to cash in on the equity in their house. Homeowners can borrow and repay their credit line… Read More »