L
ower, a digital mortgage lender, has acquired Movoto, a real estate search portal, to build an integrated homeownership platform and accelerate its national expansion. The acquisition connects high-intent homebuyers directly with Lower's loan officers, forming an end-to-end service model for buyers.

    Movoto, which attracts over 150 million visits annually, will now integrate Lower's local loan officers into the home search process, supporting buyers in making decisions about affordability and location. This integration aims to provide a unified homeownership experience by combining consumer-facing real estate services with lending capabilities.

    Lower CEO Dan Snyder stated that acquiring Movoto strengthens its position as a challenger platform, expanding market share through localized, tech-enabled services. John Berkowitz, Movoto's former CEO, will remain president of real estate at the combined company, focusing on improving consumer support throughout the homebuying process.

    The acquisition provides Lower with a direct pipeline of purchase-ready buyers to its originators and affiliated agents, allowing loan officers to focus on client relationships rather than lead generation. The combined company now employs over 1,000 people across offices in Columbus, Ohio, and Austin, Texas, with plans to rebrand Movoto under the Lower name.

    This acquisition follows recent launches by Lower, including its proprietary mortgage platform and acquisition of Neat Labs, positioning it as a broader fintech operation backed by investors such as Accel Partners and SoFi.