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

Washington First-Time Home Buyer Grants

In the state of Washington, a first-time home buyer, is a person who has not owned and occupied a principal residence in the past three years, with exceptions for buyers in targeted areas. We published this guide to examine Washington’s top 2025 first-time home buyer programs, down payment assistance, grants and links for state and… Read More »

Massachusetts First Time Home Buyer Grants and DPA Loans

Purchasing a first home in Massachusetts in 2025 is a significant milestone, but high real estate prices, with a median home value of $614,000 as of February 2025, pose challenges for first-time buyers . Down payment assistance (DPA) loans and grants, offered through state agencies like MassHousing and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), alongside local… Read More »

FHA Loan Pre Approval – Apply for FHA Online

Are you ready to apply for a FHA loan? Anyone in the process of buying a home with government financing will inevitably deal with a vast array of options and the processes of applying for FHA loans online. That’s because lenders offer several pre-approved home loans, but all of them have certain requirements and conditions… Read More »

Louisiana First Time Home Buyer Programs

In 2025, Louisiana’s housing market continues to offer opportunities for first-time buyers, with median home prices around $250,000 and interest rates stabilizing at 6-7%. The Pelican State, known for its vibrant culture and diverse landscapes, faces affordability challenges in urban areas like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, where inventory is tight and costs are higher.… Read More »

USDA Home Loan Requirements

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 »

Jumbo Loans and Mortgage Rates 2025

Jumbo loans are for home financing with loan amounts higher than conventional loans. Jumbo mortgage rates are typically slightly higher than traditional mortgage interest rates. During the housing boom and bust that roiled the country in the early 2000s, jumbo loans with exceedingly large balances became a microcosm of the crisis. Experts agree they contributed… 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 »

Home Equity Investment Guide

Are you curious about home equity investments? Find out how they can boost your finances and what to watch out for. Home equity investing has created new opportunities for borrowers to get cash out while leverage their real estate property. There is a popular new program for homeowners to consider if they have enough equity… Read More »

Pennsylvania First-Time Home Buyer Programs

The future looks bright for first time home buyers in Pennsylvania in 2025 because there are attractive offers for down-payment assistance, home buying grants and affordable housing. Whether you are in Philadelphia, Pittsburg or Scranton, the RefiGuide can help you connect with trusted Pennsylvania mortgage lenders that provide down payment assistance and competitive home loan… Read More »

What Is a Hard Money Second Mortgage?

2nd lien lenders offer homeowners and investors who need quick access to cash and have significant home equity, a hard money second mortgage loan may offer a strategic solution. But is this type of financing right for you? In today’s competitive real estate market, access to fast funding can mean the difference between seizing an… Read More »