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

Mortgage Consolidation Refinance

Owning a home is often seen as a cornerstone of financial stability, but managing multiple loans, high-interest rates, and monthly mortgage payments can become overwhelming. This is where mortgage consolidation refinance comes into play—a financial strategy that allows homeowners to streamline their debts into one manageable loan with potentially lower interest rates. Whether you’re drowning… Read More »

Utah First-Time Home Buyer Loan Programs

Utah first time home buyers are blessed with many opportunities that include a variety of state, local, and federal programs to make homeownership more accessible through UT down payment assistance, house buying grants, and low-interest mortgages. The RefiGuide published this guide to reveal the top 2026 Utah first-time home buyer programs, provides reference links for… Read More »

Maryland First-Time Home Buyer Loans

A MD first-time home buyer, per HUD guidelines, is someone who hasn’t owned a principal residence in the past three years and is applying for a home loan in Maryland. We published this post to detail the trusted and proven Maryland first-time home buyer programs, including down payment assistance, grants, and local incentives, with two… Read More »

Top Freddie Mac Loan Program for Home Buying and Refinancing

People who want to buy their own home have a variety of mortgage options available through Freddie Mac loan programs. Below is more information about the best Freddie Mac mortgage programs available for buyers and those who want to refinance. Freddie Mac mortgage rates continue to be competitively priced with housing affordability always being a… Read More »

What Is a 5/5 Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

The 5/5 adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) offers a flexible alternative as ARM originations have increased 18% in early 2026, per Freddie Mac data. The 5/5 ARM variant balances predictability with rate flexibility. In March 2026, with 30-year fixed mortgage rates at 6.11% following the Iran war’s impact on rates, homebuyers are reconsidering traditional loans as the… Read More »

Is Chase Accepting XRP for Mortgage Payments?

In the blazing world of cryptocurrency, few tokens inspire as much fervent speculation as XRP, the native asset of the Ripple network. As of September 30, 2025, with XRP trading at around $2.88 amid a broader market recovery, whispers of mainstream adoption have reached fever pitch. The RefiGuide uncovers the mortgage crypto rumors and considers… Read More »

How to Use Home Equity to Pay Off Debt

Debt can be overwhelming, especially when it accumulates at high interest rates. For homeowners, tapping into home equity is a powerful way to consolidate and pay off debt while securing lower interest rates. Whether you are dealing with credit card debt, unsecured personal loans, or high-interest auto loans, using your home’s equity can provide a… Read More »

What Is a 10/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

In 2026, prospective home buyers continue to weigh options between fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs). Among ARMs, the 10/1 adjustable rate mortgage stands out as a hybrid product that combines stability with potential flexibility. As of January 2026, with 10/1 mortgage rates fluctuating amid economic uncertainties, understanding this loan type is crucial for informed decision-making.… Read More »

Can You Use a HELOC for a Down Payment?

In today’s wild housing market in 2026, many homeowners have migrated towards a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) because it offers a creative way to leverage real estate. The HELOC equity line of credit has emerged as a popular choice for financing the down-payment of a second home or investment property. Homeowners have embraced… Read More »

What Credit Scores Do You Need for DSCR Loans?

In the realm of real estate investment, securing financing is often a labyrinthine journey, with myriad loan options available. One popular option is the DSCR loan (Debt Service Coverage Ratio), which emphasizes a property’s income-generating potential over the borrower’s personal income or fico scores. But what role do credit scores play in qualifying for a… Read More »