A recap of our biggest wins and changes in 2018

Published January 10, 2019

Updated July 1, 2025

Better
by Better

 Graphic That Reads "We Made 2018 Better" with Blocks Featuring a Map of the U.S., Better's Logo, a Phone, and Several Home Keys

We make homeownership so simple it feels magical. Last year alone, we helped thousands of customers save money, time, and stress. And built the foundation to help even more people get home in 2019. Let’s take a look back.

We became the fastest growing homeownership company in America.

Slow market? We didn’t notice. Our loan originations jumped from $450 million to $1.4 billion, as we beat our personal records month after month.

We expanded all over.

We added top-tier talent — 200 people, in fact — and opened offices in Irvine and Oakland. Our newly launched in-house training program, Better University, helps get our team from start to success faster.

NerdWallet, Crain’s, Forbes, and Benzinga gave us the nod.


We’re humbled (but not surprised) they recognized our superior customer service, innovative technology, and seamless mortgage process.

35 states got Better.

We settled into new neighborhoods and got to know the locals by helping people buy and refinance homes in 28 states — with licensing in 35 total.

Our backers committed.

Goldman Sachs and Kleiner Perkins continued to love our product (and our numbers). They helped us successfully close our Series C with even more investors.

By getting them a Better home

This is my first experience shopping for a house. I used other online mortgage companies, but found that your company’s portal was much easier to use and I was able to increase my budget by $30,000 due to the better 30 year fixed rate you pre-approved me for (compared to the other companies where I was pre-approved).

This makes a huge difference to my family and myself as
 we can now afford to shop for houses in better school zones with shorter commutes to my work.”

— Homebuyer in Ocala, Florida

At a Better rate

For a Better life

We changed the steps of homebuying.

Our affordability estimator helped thousands of people understand their true purchasing power. We showed borrowers how much house they could actually afford so they could buy the home that was right for them, and their budget.

And so much more…

  • $375,000 in CRA discounts alone
  • Launched Solar Mortgage, a commission-free cash-out refinance for solar roofs
  • Launched SolarSecond, a second lien loan to help homeowners finance solar roofs
  • Fought for the best mortgage insurance rates
  • 8 new mortgage investors

Related posts

How to qualify for a mortgage? Learn key requirements

Learn how to qualify for a mortgage by understanding key factors, loan types, and tips. Compare options and explore Better’s simple digital application.

Read now

House inspections checklist: what buyers should know

Use our house inspections checklist to prepare for your home inspection, spot red flags, estimate costs, and negotiate repairs before you close on a home.

Read now

How long does it take to get a HELOC? Speed up the process

Discover how long it takes to get a HELOC, learn the step-by-step process, and explore tips to speed things up by choosing the right lender and preparing early.

Read now

Mortgage approvals: from pre-approval to conditional

Explore pre approval, verified approval, and conditional approval stages, what lenders verify at each, and how faster approvals strengthen home bids today.

Read now

The FYI on the ROI of a future rental property

Need the tools to find the right rental property for you? It all comes down to how to think about your return on investment.

Read now

BRRRR method: How it works and tips for success

The BRRRR method helps investors build strategic property investments. Learn how to buy, rehab, rent, refinance, and repeat for success.

Read now

Income needed for a $500K mortgage: How can you afford it?

Wondering what the income needed is to qualify for a $500,000 mortgage? Learn what lenders look for, compare your options, & discover strategies to achieve it.

Read now

What is an interest-only mortgage? How to qualify for one

Learn how an interest-only mortgage works, see pros and cons, qualification criteria, and alternatives to decide if it’s the right option for home financing.

Read now

Types of real estate investment and strategies for success

Learn about the different types of real estate investments, find out how to choose the right one for you, and get strategies for steady gains.

Read now

Related FAQs

Interested in more?

Sign up to stay up to date with the latest mortgage news, rates, and promos.