Redfin launches mortgage division

The newly-launched mortgage business will serve the Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio markets

Redfin launches mortgage division

Real estate brokerage firm Redfin has launched a mortgage division – Redfin Mortgage – for customers purchasing homes in several Texas markets, according to a news release.

Redfin Mortgage will begin operations in the first half of the year, servicing the Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio markets.

“Redfin Mortgage will put the customer first through a combination of technology and personal service,” said Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman. “This approach to mortgage is the same that has made us successful serving more than 75,000 customers buying and selling homes. We’ll meet customers through digital channels to lower customer acquisition costs.”

The Seattle-based firm has hired former BBVA Compass  mortgage exec Jason Bateman to lead the operation. Bateman has 15 years of experience in mortgage, and he will run the new Redfin division in Dallas.

“When your real estate agent, title professional and lender work together, you win,” Bateman said. “Lenders should spend their time determining which loan is right for a customer, not looking for new customers… Automating tasks that were once performed manually should not only lower costs, but reduce the possibility of errors that create lending risk. Our vision is the way I’d always imagined home lending should be.”