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 much house can I afford with a $120k salary? Key factors

How much house can I afford with a $120k salary? Learn key affordability factors, home-buying scenarios, and strategies to boost buying power.

Read now

What is mortgage default? How to avoid and deal with it?

Struggling with mortgage payments? Learn what mortgage default is, its causes, and consequences, and explore practical steps to avoid or manage it effectively.

Read now

Yes, you can buy a home—even with student loans!

Can you still buy a home if you have student loan debt? Turns out you have some options. Here’s what you should know about getting a mortgage.

Read now

Jumbo vs. conventional loan: Key differences

Compare jumbo versus conventional loan options to find the right mortgage for you. Learn about rates, requirements, and differences between loan types.

Read now

Can you refinance an ARM loan? Discover your options

Can you refinance an ARM loan? Learn about the benefits, risks, and costs to decide if switching to a fixed-rate mortgage is the right move for you.

Read now

What is the minimum credit score you need for a mortgage?

Unlock the home buying process by learning the minimum credit score for mortgage approval, what lenders look for, and how to boost your chances of qualifying.

Read now

What is the HOA fee? Understanding costs and what they cover

Learn what an HOA fee is, what it covers, how much it costs, and why understanding HOA fees matters for homebuyers and owners considering a property purchase.

Read now

Do mortgage rates go down in a recession? Know what to do

Do mortgage rates go down in a recession? Learn how economic downturns impact rates, homebuying pros and cons, and smart steps to take during uncertain times.

Read now

The effects of Trump’s trade policies on mortgage rates

Explore the evolving Trump mortgage rates panorama and discover how tariffs, market volatility, and global tensions are reshaping the mortgage landscape.

Read now

Related FAQs

Interested in more?

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