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

How Long Does It Take to Refinance a House?

Applicants always want to know how long it takes for the home refinance process from the time they complete their residential loan application. Refinancing your house means you are getting a new home loan, so it can take some time. In many situations, the timeline for refinancing a home takes 30 to 45 days on… Read More »

How Long Does It Take to Get Down Payment Assistance?

Taking off in a plane that lands in homeownership often feels like navigating a complex labyrinth, with down payment assistance (DPA) programs serving as crucial guiding lights. People always ask us, How long does it take to secure a first time home buyer grant with down payment assistance in 2026? Much like the homebuying process… Read More »

Mortgage Pre-Qualification vs. a Pre-Approved Loan

People who have never bought a home before might think that once they have been pre-qualified for a mortgage, they may be good to go. Not the case. There is a difference between mortgage pre-qualification and mortgage pre-approval. There is a right way and wrong way to apply for a first time home buyer loan… Read More »

Indiana First Time Home Buyer Loan Programs and Grants

We published this article detailing Indiana’s best first-time home buyer grants and DPA loans in 2026 while connecting applicants with top lenders and banks. Indiana’s housing market, with a median home price of $253,026 in December 2024, remains relatively affordable compared to the national average, but the median down payment of approximately $25,000 poses a… Read More »

Tennessee First-Time Home Buyer Programs

Thousands of home buyers are looking to buy a home in Tennessee in 2026 with decreased inflation, reduced mortgage rates and attractive TN home buying grants. We published this Tennessee first-time home buyer guide so consumers can get help finding home buying grants with statewide and local down payment assistance and lending incentives that make… Read More »

Can I Convert a HELOC Into Cash?

For several decades, the home equity line of credit or HELOC has been revolutionizing how homeowners leverage real estate by converting a HELOC into quick cash with affordable interest rates. Whether you’re funding a home remodel, consolidating debt, or leveraging HELOC cash to buy real estate investments, a home equity line of credit can provide… Read More »

Is It Wise to Get a Cash-Out Refinance for Home Remodeling?

In 2025, with home renovation spending projected to rise by 1.2% to $477 billion, homeowners are increasingly considering cash-out refinances to fund home improvements. A cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a larger loan, allowing you to access the difference in cash to finance projects like kitchen remodels, bathroom upgrades, or home additions. However,… Read More »

HELOC on Manufactured Home Guide

Manufactured homes provide an affordable alternative to traditional site-built houses, allowing homeowners to own property at a fraction of the cost. However, when it comes to accessing home equity through financial products like a Home Equity Line of Credit, many manufactured homeowners find themselves wondering if they qualify. Getting approved for a HELOC on a… Read More »

First Time Home Buyer Loans with Zero Down and Bad Credit

Becoming a first time home buyer and getting approved for a zero down payment mortgage loan is a dream come true for many people in this country. Most Americans want to own their own home, but the down payment is often a sticking point for many people. If you are looking for first-time home buyer… Read More »