Senior Homebuilding Loan Underwriter

Better
Summary
Join Better Home & Finance Holding Company as a Senior Homebuilding Loan Underwriter and play a central role in shaping underwriting standards, processes, and risk frameworks for a new lending vertical in partnership with JPMorgan and Avenue One. You will perform end-to-end loan underwriting, analyze homebuilding loan requests, evaluate collateral and reports, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and build processes and playbooks. This high-visibility project requires 4+ years of underwriting experience, preferably in homebuilding, construction, or commercial real estate lending. You will need deep understanding of construction budgets and risk, exceptional organizational and communication skills, proficiency in Excel and underwriting systems, and a high-ownership mindset. Better offers competitive benefits including a $0 medical plan premium, flexible PTO, mental health support, fertility and family care benefits, dependent care benefits, and discount programs.
Requirements
- 4+ years of underwriting experience – preferably in homebuilding, construction, or commercial real estate lending – strong bonus for ground-up/residential projects
- Deep understanding of construction budgets, draw schedules, project sequencing, and contractor risk
- Exceptional organizational skills; able to drive timelines and coordinate across internal and external teams
- Strong communication and networking skills (written and verbal) with experience in engaging senior clients and partners
- Comfort with technical concepts and sharpened attention to detail
- Proficiency in Excel, underwriting systems, or LOS tools
- Experience presenting to internal credit or loan committees
- High-ownership, bias-for-action mindset – takes initiative, thrives in ambiguity, comfortable and collected in fast-paced environments
Responsibilities
- End-to-End Loan Underwriting – Analyze homebuilding loan requests, including borrower financials, contractor qualifications, pro forma budgets, draw schedules, and market feasibility
- Risk & Compliance Stewardship – Evaluate collateral, title, environmental, appraisal, and inspection reports; identify and mitigate risks around credit, permitting, zoning, and construction sequencing
- Cross-Discipline Collaboration – Work closely with Originations, PM, legal/title, inspectors, and partners to execute closings, draw processes, and ongoing monitoring
- Documentation & Presentation – Draft robust underwriting memos, loan committee materials, and approval recommendations
- Process & Playbook Building – Help shape underwriting policies, templates, and risk playbooks that scale with our growing portfolio
- Portfolio Management – Monitor active homebuilding loans; flag issues early; structure extensions, if needed; support draw reviews and disbursements
Benefits
- Benefits eligibility effective DAY ONE
- *$0 medical plan premium offering coverage nationwide paired with our Health Savings Account that includes an employer contribution (*Additional Medical, dental, vision plan options also all with nationwide coverage)
- Flexible PTO
- Immediate virtual mental health support by licensed therapists for our employees and their eligible dependents age 6 and up! First few visits at no cost to you!
- Personalized care for every fertility and family care journey for our employees and their partner!
- Dependent care benefits (i.e. childcare and/or elder care costs) include a company match
- Discount programs and perks including pet Insurance!