About Bryan Dornan

Bryan Dornan is a marketing leader and financial journalist who currently serves as Chief Editor of RefiGuide.org. Bryan has founded several mortgage and digital marketing companies and has worked as a loan officer, mortgage broker and chief marketing officer 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

Can You Get a Home Mortgage with No Down Payment?

The RefiGuide explores the narrow path of getting a competitive home mortgage with no down payment and affordable closing costs in 2026. In the resilient yet challenging housing landscape of of Trump’s 2nd term, the dream of homeownership without a down payment remains tantalizingly within reach for many Americans. As median home prices hold steady… Read More »

Best Rental Property Loans 2026

Getting a investment property loan involves careful planning, research, and attention to detail. Evaluating your financial situation, choosing the right type of rental property financing, preparing the necessary documents, and securing pre-approval are key steps. Investing in rental properties can be a lucrative endeavor, offering a steady stream of income and long-term financial stability. However,… Read More »

Purchase Money Mortgage Loan Guide

Buying a new home is a special experience and part of the American Dream and applying for a purchase money mortgage as a first time home buyer can be challenging. It also is a huge personal and financial step for most of us, and it is common to experience stress. But there are some simple… Read More »

How Long Does It Take to Underwrite a Home Loan?

In today’s lending environment, it is crucial that consumers understand the underwriting timelines before they apply for a home loan from competitive lenders and banks. In this ever evolving digital housing market of 2026, getting approved for a home loan is a milestone fraught with anticipation—and occasional frustration. Underwriting, the critical phase where lenders verify… Read More »

How to Qualify for a Conventional Loan

Conventional loans will continue to dominate the 2026 housing market as the go-to financing option for homebuyers seeking flexibility and competitive terms. Unlike government-backed mortgages such as FHA or VA loans, conventional loans are not actually insured by federal agencies but conform to guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs)… Read More »

Best Texas HELOC Rates

The Texas HELOCs and home equity loans have surged in popularity in 2026 with easier credit and and loan to value requirements from Lone Star lenders across the state.  The steady property values in the sprawling metros of Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, Texas homeowners are riding high on a wave of surging property… Read More »

How to Qualify for a Second Mortgage

A second mortgage is a special type of mortgage structured as a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit or HELOC that lets you tap the equity you’ve built in your home for large expenses such as house renovations, consolidating debt, business expenses, or even investment property purchases. Unlike refinancing your first… Read More »

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 »