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The RefiGuide Story

Founded in 2009, The RefiGuide began as a blog aiming to connect consumers with banks and mortgage lenders. Home buyers appreciate its practical, no-nonsense approach to mortgage and real estate topics.

Unlike traditional lending websites, the RefiGuide was built for everyday homeowners and buyers—not industry insiders. As our reputation for helpful and insightful content grew, so did its audience, reaching millions annually.

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Expert Info

You don't need to be a scientist to figure it out. You shouldn’t have to get on a rocket to find a competitive home loan.

Helpful Tools

Our goal is to simplify mortgage refinancing and home buying, because it shouldn’t take a rocket Side-by-side comparisons, rate calculators and “how to” articles to help you make critical decisions in a timely manner.

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Tell us more about your goals and financing needs and we'll suggest the appropriate loans for cash out, debt consolidation, home buying, construction and house renovation with helpful ways to improve your credit score and more.

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When lenders reach out to you, you'll have a chance to learn about their full suite of mortgage and lending-related products, services, and offers.

Recent Articles

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 »

December 11, 2025

Home Buying, Articles

How to Qualify for a Home Equity Loan in 2026

The RefiGuide provide an depth look at what homeowners need to qualify for a home equity loan in 2026. Our team lays out the home equity loan requirements and guidelines for the most popular 2nd-mortgage programs today. Home equity loans continue to serve as vital tools for homeowners seeking to unlock their property’s value. With… Read More »

December 10, 2025

Home Equity

Does a VA Home Loan Cover Closing Costs?

The RefiGuide works with active military borrowers and veterans seeking low rate VA home loans with reasonable closing costs from competitive lenders and banks. As we enter 2026, the VA home loan program stands as a beacon of accessibility for America’s veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses. With over 250,000 originations projected this… Read More »

December 9, 2025

Home Buying, VA

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 »

December 9, 2025

Articles, Home Buying

How Long Does It Take to Underwrite a Home Loan?

The RefiGuide helps 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 your financial stability and the… Read More »

December 8, 2025

Articles, Home Buying

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 »

December 8, 2025

Articles, Home Buying

HELOC to Pay Off Credit Card Debt

In 2026, using a HELOC to pay off credit card debt and consolidate high rate unsecured loans can slash interest costs dramatically, offering a smarter path to financial freedom amid lingering economic pressures.  As credit card debt remains a crushing burden for many American households. Did you know the average credit card APR sits at… Read More »

December 8, 2025

Home Equity

How to Get a Loan to Flip a House

House flipping—the art of buying undervalued properties, renovating them, and selling for a profit—remains a powerhouse strategy for real estate investors in 2026. With U.S. median home prices stabilizing around $425,000 after 2025’s modest 3% appreciation and interest rates dipping to 6.25-7% for qualified borrowers, the market favors savvy flippers who act fast. According to… Read More »

Low Credit Score VA Home Loans

Becoming a homeowner is a monumental step in the US, but a low credit score can feel like a permanent roadblock, slamming the door on traditional home financing options. But for America’s military veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses, low credit VA home loans offer a lifeline—a program designed with flexibility at its… Read More »

December 3, 2025

Credit Problems, Home Buying, VA

Best Non QM Mortgage Lenders

The subprime loan has evolved into a new market with non-qualified loans and the RefiGuide is ranking the best Non QM mortgage lenders going into 2026. In the ever-evolving landscape of American homeownership, traditional mortgages often leave behind a significant portion of potential buyers. Enter Non-Qualified, AKA Non-QM mortgage lenders: the unsung heroes bridging the… Read More »

December 3, 2025

Alternative Financing

Who Can Qualify for an FHA Mortgage?

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage remains the most forgiving and accessible mortgage program in the United States in 2026. Backed by the U.S. government, FHA loans require lower credit scores, tiny down payments, and more lenient debt ratios than conventional loans. In a year when 30-year fixed rates for conventional loans hover between 6.5–7.25%,… Read More »

December 2, 2025

FHA, Home Buying

Can You Refinance a Home Equity Loan?

With the Federal Reserve lowering rates, you should consider refinancing your home equity loan or HELOC for a lower payment. With inflation soaring, it makes sense to maximize lower monthly payments and refinance home equity loans for a better interest rate. Consumers ask us all the time, “Can home equity loans be refinanced​?” There are… Read More »

December 2, 2025

Home Equity, Refinance

Using HELOC to Buy Investment Property​

In the dynamic real estate market of 2025, savvy investors are increasingly turning to Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) as a strategic tool for acquiring investment properties. A HELOC allows homeowners to borrow against the equity in their primary residence, providing a revolving line of credit that can be drawn upon as needed. Unlike… Read More »

December 1, 2025

Home Equity

How to Qualify for a Second Mortgage

A second mortgage is a special type of mortgage structured as a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit or HELOC that lets you tap the equity you’ve built in your home for large expenses such as house renovations, consolidating debt, business expenses, or even investment property purchases. Unlike refinancing your first… Read More »

December 1, 2025

Home Equity

How Can I Finance Home Improvements​?

You want to make home improvements, and you aren’t alone! Millions of Americans want to renovate their homes to make them more livable and increase their value. Unless you have the cash to pay for tens of thousands in upgrades, chances are you need to get a loan to pay for your home repairs. Fortunately,… Read More »

December 1, 2025

Home Equity, Articles

No Doc HELOC Guide

The best No-Doc HELOC lenders offer a streamlined home equity line of credit for homeowners to access their property’s equity without needing traditional income documentation like pay stubs or tax returns. This home equity financing tool is particularly attractive to self-employed individuals, gig workers, or those with inconsistent income sources who may struggle to meet… Read More »

December 1, 2025

Home Equity

Non QM Loans Guide

Non-Qualified Mortgage often called Non QM loans have emerged as a vital financing option for borrowers who do not meet the stringent requirements of traditional Qualified Mortgage loans. Non QM loans were introduced after the 2008 financial crisis under the Dodd-Frank Act, QM loans adhere to strict guidelines set by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau… Read More »

November 30, 2025

Alternative Financing

40 Year Mortgage Loan for Low Payments 

Opting for a 40-year mortgage enables you to spread your repayment over four decades to achieve a lower monthly payment. The 40-year loan deviates from the standard 30 or 15-year home loan terms. Whether you want a FHA 40 year mortgage or a 40 year home loan from a private money lender, the RefiGuide connects… Read More »

November 27, 2025

Alternative Financing, FHA

VA Cash-Out Refinance Program 

If you are a current or retired military member, you may have a VA loan. The guaranteed VA mortgage loans are backed by the Veterans Administration and offer veterans lower rates down payments, among other benefits. If you’ve had a VA loan in recent years, you may have built up considerable equity in your home.… Read More »

November 25, 2025

Refinance, VA

Top Home Refinance Loans

Are you thinking of refinancing your home mortgage? Depending upon your current interest rate on your mortgage, and the rates in the market, this can make a great deal of sense. If you can get a mortgage interest rate that is ½ point to a full point lower than you have right now, you may… Read More »

November 22, 2025

Refinance