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

DSCR HELOC

More and more consumers have been inquiring about DSCR HELOC and investment property home equity loans, so we decided to publish an article answering these questions. In 2026 we anticipate more an more lenders offering DSCR HELOC and home equity loans because the demand is surging for cash out on investment properties, VRBO and AirBnB… Read More »

Can You Do a Balance Transfer on a HELOC?

Not in the credit card sense. HELOCs have no balance transfer function, no transfer form, no promotional 0% APR window. What you can do is draw from your line and pay the card balances off directly, achieving the same result. The trade-offs differ: no 3%–5% transfer fee and no teaser rate expiring in 12–21 months,… Read More »

How to Pay Off Your Home Loan Quicker

To pay off your home loan sooner in 2026, homeowners typically combine several proven strategies for maximum acceleration. First, make biweekly payments instead of monthly, splitting your monthly payment in half every two weeks produces one extra full payment annually, cutting 4-8 years from your loan. Second, apply principal-only extra payments whenever possible, even $200-$500… Read More »

Can You Use a HELOC to Buy a House?

Yes, you can use a HELOC to buy a house, and it is one of the most strategically powerful equity deployment tools available to homeowners in 2026. Taking out a home equity line of credit on your primary residence that is secured against your existing equity can facilitate the cash requirement for a down payment,… Read More »

Can I Rent My Home If I Have a Mortgage?

Yes, you can rent out your home even with an active mortgage, but whether you’re legally allowed to do so depends entirely on your specific loan type, lender approval, and lease terms in your mortgage contract. Most conventional mortgages permit rental conversions with proper notification, while government-backed loans (FHA, VA, USDA) have strict owner-occupancy requirements… Read More »

Zero Down Mortgage Loan Guide

The dream of homeownership often feels out of reach for many Americans, primarily due to one significant barrier: the down payment. However, zero down home loans offer a pathway to homeownership without the need for substantial upfront savings. In 2026, these no down-payment loan programs are experiencing renewed interest as housing affordability challenges persist and… Read More »

Home Equity Line of Credit Prime Minus 1

What is Prime Minus 1 on a Home Equity Line of Credit or HELOC? The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate is the benchmark interest rate major U.S. banks extend to their most financially qualified borrowers, conventionally set at 3 percentage points above the upper bound of the Federal Reserve’s federal funds target. As of July… 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 »

Best Mortgage Lenders for Self Employed

What are the best mortgage loans for self employed people today? The top mortgage brokers and lenders for self employed borrowers are specialty non-QM lenders offering bank statement, no-doc loans, DSCR, 1099, P&L, and asset depletion programs, not traditional national banks. Wells Fargo, Chase, and Bank of America generally do NOT offer alternative documentation loans,… Read More »

How to Buy a Home with Bad Credit Financing

Reviewed by: Bryan Dornan, Lending Expert (25+ years)  |  Updated: July 2026  |  Fact ✓ Buying a home with bad credit is not always easy as most mortgage lenders create home financing programs based on borrowers with established credit histories. Learn how to buy a home with bad credit and low scores from the lending professionals online. All signs… Read More »