# Replace Your Mortgage Reviews vs Accelerated Strategies

> An honest look at Replace Your Mortgage and Accelerated Strategies: who runs each, how they teach the HELOC strategy, the support you get, and who should skip b

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Author: sam@acceleratedstrategies.com
Published: 2026-11-05T23:34:46.826+00:00
Updated: 2026-11-06T16:13:56.359732+00:00

**Short answer:** Replace Your Mortgage (RYM), run by Replace Your University (RYU), and Accelerated Strategies, the company my brother Daniel and I (Sam) founded, both teach homeowners how to use a home equity line of credit (HELOC) and their monthly cash flow to pay down a mortgage faster. The real differences are the setup each program leans toward, the kind of help you get, and what you can check about each company before you pay anyone.

So if you’ve been considering a program offering to help you pay off your mortgage faster, saving you money and time, both companies offer great service and selection of help. But, there are differences between the two companies and depending on your goals, you may prefer one over the other.

In this article, I will draw my best fair comparison between Accelerated Strategies and Replace Your Mortgage (Replace Your University) using verifiable facts and sources I was able to find.

Here is my response to the claim that the HELOC strategy is a scam, in my video:

### Full disclosure before you read this

To keep this fair, I followed three rules. Every fact about Replace Your Mortgage links to its own website or its BBB profile and was last verified in November 2026. Of course, I am one of the founders of Accelerated Strategies, so in the spirit of transparency, I would recommend working with Accelerated Strategies. However, at the same time, I will be backing up claims with real links that point back to the original source for both companies. Remember that facts can change and the information provided below could become outdated by the time you are reading it. I am making no representation or claims on behalf of Replace Your Mortgage. I strongly recommend you give both companies your fair research and investigation.

## Replace Your Mortgage vs Accelerated Strategies at a glance (As of Nov 2026)

|  | Replace Your Mortgage (Replace Your University) | Accelerated Strategies |

| What it is | Mortgage payoff education, 1:1 Coaching, private community as listed on the website. | Mortgage payoff education, 1-on-1 consulting, tracking software, and a private community |

| Founder | Michael Lush, listed as CEO and founder | Daniel Kwak (CEO) and Sam Kwak (Chief Growth Officer) |

| Based in | Franklin, Tennessee (BBB) | St. Charles, Illinois (BBB) |

| Business started (BBB) | September 1, 2014 | November 6, 2015 |

| BBB rating | A+, accredited since July 1, 2022 | A+, accredited since April 16, 2021 |

| Free starting point | A free training video + calculator | A free webinar, free eBook, a free calculator, and a free call |

| Setup it features | Model both 1st Lien and 2nd Lien HELOC setups and pick the one your numbers support. | Model both 1st Lien and 2nd Lien HELOC setups and pick the one your numbers support. |

| Self-serve option | A DIY track with course materials and a bank list | Free YouTube lessons and the free calculator found in [https://youtube.com/c/thekwakbrothers](https://youtube.com/c/thekwakbrothers)  And a FREE HELOC recommendation when you book a call. |

All Replace Your Mortgage details come from replaceyouruniversity.com and its BBB profile, last verified Nov 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this post. Please conduct your own research to verify facts.

## How does Accelerated Strategies teach the HELOC strategy?

The core idea is the same. A HELOC charges interest on your average daily balance, while a typical mortgage charges interest monthly on a set amortization schedule. When your paycheck lands in the line of credit, it lowers that daily balance until you spend it. Over time, that can free up more money to pay down principal. I walk through the daily versus monthly math in the video above, and in my post on [why the HELOC strategy works](https://acceleratedstrategies.com/blog/heloc-to-payoff-mortgage-why-does-it-work).

We start with your numbers before we talk about any loan tools. My team and I've run thousands of scenarios over the last decade. We teach both the 1st lien HELOC and the 2nd Lien HELOC strategies depending on your numbers. A first-lien HELOC can make sense when your current mortgage rate is already high, or when you're investment focused and want a bigger line for opportunities. I explain the tradeoffs in [first lien vs second lien HELOC](https://acceleratedstrategies.com/blog/first-lien-vs-second-lien-heloc). And if the math doesn't work for you, we tell you upfront.

One thing both of us agree on: refinancing can be combined with the strategy, but a refinance on its own is not the strategy.

Both programs offer a vibrant private community of clients, 1-on-1 Support/Coaching, video course libraries, and recommendations to banks.

## How much does Replace Your Mortgage cost?

I'm only sharing cost information that a third party has reported, because prices on any company's own pages can change without notice.

SmarterPayoff, an independent reviewer who discloses that it is an RYU member and affiliate, says the program, allegedly, "costs thousands of dollars" and does not list an exact current price because, by its account, pricing changed after March 2025. Its advice is the same as mine: before you sign anything, get the total price, any recurring fees, and the refund and cancellation terms in writing.

Accelerated Strategies may offer a guaranteed discount against Replace Your Mortgage’s quoted program fee*. So if you’ve already explored Replace Your Mortgage’s program and you’re considering it, Accelerated Strategies may offer a discount that potentially beats the program fee that Replace Your Mortgage is offering at. You can schedule a free 30 minute consultation with the Accelerated Strategies team here: [https://acceleratedstrategies.com/consulting](https://acceleratedstrategies.com/consulting)  Be sure to mention the discount offer!

## What do third-party reviews say?

Both companies hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and you can read each profile yourself:

- [Replace Your University on BBB](https://www.bbb.org/us/tn/franklin/profile/investment-school/replace-your-university-0573-37144348)
- [Accelerated Strategies on BBB](https://www.bbb.org/us/il/saint-charles/profile/financial-consultants/accelerated-strategies-0654-1000017204)

I'd suggest reading the complaint section and the customer reviews on BBB and [Trustpilot](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/replaceyourmortgage.com) for any program you're considering, including ours.

At the time of this article, Replace Your University has just over 52 reviews on Trustpilot.

Accelerated Strategies, on the other hand, has over 425 reviews - overwhelmingly positive.  You can read Accelerated Strategies’ Trustpilot reviews here: [https://www.trustpilot.com/review/acceleratedstrategies.com](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/acceleratedstrategies.com)

On sheer number of positive reviews, Accelerated Strategies has significantly more across all review platforms at the time of this article.

## What Makes Accelerated Strategies Different?

Accelerated Strategies stands out with their Solvit Money Tracking software and mobile app. At the time of writing this article, I couldn’t find any verifiable information on whether Replace Your Mortgage offers a similar tool or software. You would need to verify and check with RYM to see if they offer such software programs.

With Solvit, you can connect your real-life mortgage and HELOC accounts to track your balances, transactions, and interest costs. Using that information, Solvit can track the estimated interest and time you’ve been able to save at any given time. Furthermore, Solvit will let you know whether you are on-track, off-track, or even ahead of your debt-payoff plan using a HELOC.

This could give you both the confidence AND the clarity to know whether your plan is actually working. Solvit also gives you a clear visibility into your budget so that you know how much income and expense you’re seeing each month - keeping you in the positive cashflow territory.

Furthermore, Accelerated Strategies does provide additional pathways and programs related to real estate investing, life insurance strategies, and estate planning.  So if you also have interest or the desire of investing into real estate to create monthly cashflow, Accelerated Strategies can provide you a plan and a path towards those goals.

## Frequently asked questions

**Is Replace Your Mortgage legit?** Replace Your University is an established education company. BBB lists its business start date as September 1, 2014, and rates it A+. So yes, it’s a legit company offering legitimate services. Whether it's worth it for you depends on your cash flow, your current mortgage rate, and the total price and terms you're quoted. Get those in writing before you sign.

**How much does Replace Your Mortgage cost?** An independent reviewer that discloses being an RYU affiliate says it costs "thousands of dollars." Ask the company for the full price and the refund terms in writing. Accelerated Strategies may offer a guarantee discount* to beat Replace Your Mortgage program fees. [Click here](https://acceleratedstrategies.com/consulting) to book a call with the Accelerated Strategies team.

**Is Accelerated Strategies a lender?** No. Accelerated Strategies is not a bank nor a lender. However, individual team members and staff may be licensed mortgage professionals.

**Do I have to refinance to use the HELOC strategy?** No. Many of my clients keep their current mortgage and add a second-lien HELOC. Refinancing can be combined with the strategy, but it isn't a substitute for it.

**Do I need to pay for a program at all?** No. You can learn the concept and run the numbers for free. A program makes sense if you want hands-on help, tools, certainty, relational coaching, and accountability. Just as filing taxes, doing an oil change, or home repairs - you can elect to do it yourself. But the “do it yourself” approach always comes with a risk compared to working with trained professionals and experts.

## Ready to see if the math works for you?

**Book a free call** and we'll walk through your specific situation. If the strategy doesn't fit your numbers, we'll tell you upfront.

[Book a Call](https://acceleratedstrategies.com/consulting)

*Guarantee discount is subject to availability, terms and conditions. Minimum program fee may apply where the guaranteed discount cannot be applied.

## Sources (last verified Nov 2026)

- Replace Your University homepage (founder, 17 years in the mortgage industry, bank list, client community, first-position client story): [https://replaceyouruniversity.com/](https://replaceyouruniversity.com/)
- Replace Your Mortgage program page ("100% of your income" quote): [https://replaceyouruniversity.com/replace-your-mortgage/](https://replaceyouruniversity.com/replace-your-mortgage/)
- Replace Your University DIY page (DIY track, lifetime course access): [https://replaceyouruniversity.com/rym-diy/](https://replaceyouruniversity.com/rym-diy/)
- Replace Your University FAQ ("Refinancing is not always necessary"): [https://replaceyouruniversity.com/faq_general/will-i-need-to-refinance-my-mortgage/](https://replaceyouruniversity.com/faq_general/will-i-need-to-refinance-my-mortgage/)
- RYU client agreement, updated 3.25.25 ("RYU is not a lending institution"): [https://replaceyouruniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Replace-Your-University-Client-Expectations-Agreement-3.25.25-1.pdf](https://replaceyouruniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Replace-Your-University-Client-Expectations-Agreement-3.25.25-1.pdf)
- RYU first-lien HELOC calculator: [https://replaceyouruniversity.com/first-lien-heloc-calculator/](https://replaceyouruniversity.com/first-lien-heloc-calculator/)
- BBB, Replace Your University: [https://www.bbb.org/us/tn/franklin/profile/investment-school/replace-your-university-0573-37144348](https://www.bbb.org/us/tn/franklin/profile/investment-school/replace-your-university-0573-37144348)
- BBB, Accelerated Strategies: [https://www.bbb.org/us/il/saint-charles/profile/financial-consultants/accelerated-strategies-0654-1000017204](https://www.bbb.org/us/il/saint-charles/profile/financial-consultants/accelerated-strategies-0654-1000017204)
- SmarterPayoff review of Replace Your Mortgage (third party, discloses RYU membership and affiliate relationship): [https://smarterpayoff.com/replace-your-university-review/](https://smarterpayoff.com/replace-your-university-review/)
- CFPB, HELOC vs home equity loan: [https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-the-difference-between-a-home-equity-loan-and-a-home-equity-line-of-credit-heloc-en-247/](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-the-difference-between-a-home-equity-loan-and-a-home-equity-line-of-credit-heloc-en-247/)
- OCC HelpWithMyBank, HELOC freezes: [https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/help-topics/mortgages-home-equity/home-equity-loans-lines-of-credit/heloc-freeze.html](https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/help-topics/mortgages-home-equity/home-equity-loans-lines-of-credit/heloc-freeze.html)
- Accelerated Strategies services and about pages: [https://acceleratedstrategies.com/services](https://acceleratedstrategies.com/services) and [https://acceleratedstrategies.com/about-us](https://acceleratedstrategies.com/about-us)

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Source: Accelerated Strategies (https://acceleratedstrategies.com)