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

7/6 ARM: Is it the best option for you? How does it work?

Explore the benefits and drawbacks of a 7/6 ARM, learn how it works, and determine if this adjustable-rate mortgage fits your long-term financial goals.

Read now

What’s a deed of trust and how does it differ from a mortgage?

What’s a deed of trust, and how does it work? Learn the basic definition, the parties involved, and what makes it different from a traditional mortgage.

Read now

What is a mortgage maturity date, and what’s yours?

Learn what a mortgage maturity date means, how it affects your loan timeline, how to find it, and what to expect when your mortgage reaches the end of its term.

Read now

Is now a good time to buy a house? Key factors to weigh

Wondering if now is a good time to buy a house? Explore housing market trends, mortgage rates, and personal factors to guide your decision.

Read now

What are mortgage origination fees? A complete overview

Learn what mortgage origination fees are, how much they typically cost, and what they cover. Plus, learn how to pay them and negotiate a better deal.

Read now

The essential home inspection checklist for homebuyers

Home inspections give buyers peace of mind before closing on a home. Here’s a checklist and tips to help you prep for this process.

Read now

Can You Get a Fixed-Rate HELOC? How Do They Work?

Wondering if you can get a fixed-rate HELOC? Learn how fixed-rate HELOCs work, their pros and cons, and explore alternatives to secure stable payments.

Read now

What inflation means for refinance rates

Learn how rising inflation influences current refinance mortgage rates, where they may be headed next, and why acting fast could save you money.

Read now

Buying a first home without giving up travel

Here’s how you can put down roots and buy a house without having to give up your dreams of traveling the world.

Read now

Related FAQs

Interested in more?

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