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

Condo loan requirements and tips for getting approved

Explore how condo financing works compared to traditional loans. Learn condo loan requirements for getting approved and tips for landing a great deal.

Read now

FHA vs. USDA: How these government-backed loans stack up

Compare FHA vs USDA loans to understand which is right for you. Learn the key differences, pros and cons, eligibility rules, and how to choose the two.

Read now

When did mortgages start? A recap of the housing market memory lane

Better compiled a list of 15 events and milestones in the history of the American mortgage system, using information from news articles, encyclopedias, and historical literature.

Read now

Home warranty vs. home insurance: A guide for homebuyers

Discover the differences between a home warranty vs. home insurance, what each covers and excludes, and how to pick the right protection.

Read now

How much house can I afford with a 90k salary? With examples

How much house can I afford with a 90k salary? Learn the rules, loan options, and real scenarios to estimate monthly payments and boost affordability.

Read now

The 3 most important numbers for your mortgage application

Your mortgage application comes down to three key numbers. Learn why they matter and how understanding them can help you make smarter home buying decisions.

Read now

Cash out refinance calculator

Use this cash out refinance calculator to see how much you could borrow and what the cost of your new monthly payment would be.

Read now

How many times can you use a VA loan? Scenarios and more

Learn how many times you can use a VA loan, the benefits of reusing it, and key situations where getting a second VA loan could be the right choice for you.

Read now

Rates are still low on a new home

Rates are close to the lows of September 2020, giving today’s homebuyers a chance to save on their mortgage before they’re expected to rise.

Read now

Related FAQs

Interested in more?

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