About Bryan Dornan

Bryan Dornan is a financial journalist and mortgage industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience as a lender, loan officer, mortgage broker, and chief marketing officer. He currently serves as Chief Editor of RefiGuide.org, where he has built one of the most trusted mortgage education platforms in the United States. Bryan has founded multiple mortgage and digital marketing companies throughout his career and remains focused on helping homeowners leverage home equity wisely while making affordable homeownership accessible to everyday Americans. He is a licensed California Real Estate Broker DRE: #01203791. and writes for RealtyTimes, Patch, Buzzfeed, Medium and other national publications. Find him on Twitter, Muckrack, and Linkedin

Portfolio Loan Guide

Portfolio loans are a versatile and flexible mortgage option for borrowers who don’t fit neatly within the confines of conventional loan requirements. These portfolio loan options open up opportunities for financing unique properties and accommodating non-standard financial situations. It’s important to note that while portfolio loans offer more flexibility, each private lender has its own… Read More »

How Long Do Pre Approved Home Loans Last?

In 2026, getting a pre-approved home loan from a trusted mortgage lender or bank is essential to be competitive in this real estate marketplace. Most consumers believe that securing a mortgage pre-approval is a rite of passage for homebuyers, signaling seriousness to sellers and clarifying budgets amid median prices hovering at $425,000 and rates stabilizing… Read More »

No Cost Refinance Guide

Mortgage refinancing with no closing costs means you can refinance your home loan without paying the usual upfront fees at the closing table. Instead of shelling out thousands of dollars for appraisal, origination, title, and other costs, the lender covers those expenses  often by slightly adjusting the loan terms. Times have changes and the no… Read More »

Does a VA Home Loan Cover Closing Costs?

A VA home loan does not directly cover closing costs — the Department of Veterans Affairs neither eliminates nor reimburses them, but the program’s built-in rules can reduce a veteran’s out-of-pocket costs to near zero through three specific mechanisms: a 1% lender origination fee cap, seller concessions of up to 4% of the home’s value… Read More »

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 »

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 »