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

How to Negotiate Lower Refinance Closing Costs

Can you negotiate closing costs? Refinancing a home loan can save you big every month, but watch out for some of the costly fees that come with that lower interest rate. The less you pay for refinance closing costs and lending fees, the more money you will have saved for other important things. The RefiGuide… Read More »

Stated Income Home Equity Line of Credit

The stated income Home Equity Line of Credit offers homeowners a flexible way to leverage their home’s equity without the burden of traditional income verification. This financing option is particularly appealing for self-employed individuals, retirees, or those with non-traditional income sources. Let’s consider the key highlights of stated income HELOCs, their credit score and loan-to-value… Read More »

Can I Get a HELOC with Bad Credit?

Accessing your home’s equity is often seen as a fundamental right for U.S. homeowners. But is it still possible to take out a HELOC with bad credit? Traditional banks and lenders typically emphasize credit scores during the approval process. In today’s intricate housing market, can may still qualify for a HELOC with a low credit… Read More »

Are HELOC Rates Fixed?

Several niche lenders recently announced the Home Equity Line of Credit  is now available as a fixed rate HELOC loan with competitive interest rates. The HELOC fixed interest rate option locks in the rates for a specific term. While most traditional home equity line of credit have variable rates, there are a few trusted lenders… Read More »

Mortgage Interest Credit Guide

In 2026, many first-time house buyers have limited resources. One proven financial tool that is the Mortgage Interest Credit, often referred to as the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program. This federal tax credit, administered through state or local housing finance agencies (HFAs), provides eligible homeowners with a direct reduction in their federal income tax liability… Read More »

Crypto Mortgage Lenders Guide

With the popularity of crypto currency surging like the upward trend of mortgage rates, Americans want to know if they can buy a home and get qualified for a mortgage using crypto currency in today’s marketplace. The RefiGuide published this article to outline the steps to find crypto mortgage lenders, lists the mortgage companies accepting… Read More »

How to Buy an Investment Property to Generate Rental Income

Most of us like to invest our money in ways that make us more money. But most people tend to invest only in the stock market. There is nothing wrong with that, but it looks like next year could be a good year to buy an investment property to generate rental income. With rental income,… Read More »

Can I Get a Second Mortgage to Buy Another House?

A second mortgage program like a home equity loan or HELOC, allows you to borrow against your primary home’s equity to buy of another home, whether for investment (e.g., rental or fix-and-flip) or personal use (e.g., vacation home). This 2nd-mortgage loan offers lower interest rates than unsecured loans and potential tax benefits, but it carries… Read More »

Bank Statement Home Loans for Self-Employed Borrowers

Self-employed borrowers sometimes face more challenges when getting a home loan by stating their income. If you have an income that is more difficult to document, this can make it more difficult for the underwriter to approve your mortgage application and this is where the bank statement mortgage comes in. Bank statement loans differ from… Read More »

Arkansas First Time Home Buyer Loans Guide

In 2026, Arkansas’s housing market remains an attractive option for first-time buyers, with median home prices hovering around $220,000 statewide, according to recent market analyses. This affordability, combined with stabilizing interest rates at 6-7% and low property taxes averaging 0.6%, makes the Natural State a prime destination for new homeowners. However, challenges like limited inventory… Read More »