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 Do I Refinance My Mortgage and Debt Consolidation?

You refinance your mortgage for debt consolidation by executing a cash-out refinance replacing your existing mortgage with a new, larger loan and using the difference in cash to pay off credit cards, personal loans, auto debt, or medical bills at a single low mortgage rate. In 2026, this is the most powerful debt elimination tool… Read More »

Bank Statement HELOC

A HELOC loan is is a flexible home equity line of credit tool that allows homeowners to borrow against the equity in their homes. Traditional HELOCs require standard income verification methods, such as W-2 forms and tax returns. However, for self-employed individuals or those with non-traditional income sources, qualifying for a HELOC can be challenging.… Read More »

Fannie Mae Cash Out Refinance Guide

Wondering whether you should get a Fannie Mae cash-out refinance into a new mortgage with great interest rates and money coming directly to you? Check out our detailed guide to learn all the ins and outs of such a Fannie Mae cash out refinance mortgage. Fannie Mae continues to offer the most competitive rates for… Read More »

What Is a Fix and Flip Loan?

A fix and flip loan is a short-term loan designed for real estate investors who purchase properties, renovate them, and quickly sell them for profit. These loans are typically provided by private lenders or hard money lenders and offer fast approvals with flexible terms. Fix and flip loans usually have higher interest rates (8-15%), short… Read More »

Private Money Loans Guide

The popularity of private money loans has soared because the real estate market and self-employed borrowers have increased the demand for alternative mortgages from private mortgage lenders. Private money lenders are a non-institutional source that provides home loans, mortgages and cash-out home equity lines of credit for people with all types of credit. Private money… Read More »

VA Loan for Investment Property?

You cannot use a VA loan to purchase a purely non-owner-occupied investment property. The Department of Veterans Affairs is explicit: VA-guaranteed loans are for primary residences, not investment speculation. Any veteran who misrepresents their occupancy intent to obtain a VA loan for a pure investment property commits federal mortgage fraud — a consequence that includes… Read More »

Home Equity Loan for Debt Consolidation

Are you considering a home equity loan for debt consolidation? Learn the pros and cons and compare it to other fixed rate consolidating options for homeowners. Like many Americans, you may be wondering if a home equity loan for debt consolidation is a good idea.  The RefiGuide team can help you figure out how to… Read More »

The Warsh Effect: How New Fed Chair Unlocks the Mortgage Market

In 25 years of watching the Federal Reserve shape the mortgage market, I have learned to identify the moments that actually move the needle for American homebuyers and to separate them from the noise. Most Fed transitions are bureaucratic handoffs. The Powell-to-Warsh transition is not. Kevin Warsh was confirmed by the Senate on a 54–45… Read More »

Non-Owner Occupied HELOC

Investing in real estate offers numerous financial benefits, from generating rental income to building long-term wealth through property appreciation. A common strategy among homeowners is to leverage the equity in their investment properties with a non-owner occupied HELOC to fund additional investment opportunities or cover expenses. In the past borrowers could only do HELOCs and… Read More »

Energy Efficient Mortgage Loan Guide 2026

What Is an Energy Efficient Mortgage? An energy efficient mortgage (EEM) lets you finance the cost of energy-saving home improvements directly into your purchase or refinance loan — without a separate home equity loan, personal loan, or line of credit. The average U.S. household spends $2,200 per year on home energy costs, and homes with… Read More »