Underwriter- Dealer (Retail Channel)

Zippy was founded with one mission: to make getting a loan for a manufactured home simple, fast, and fully online. We believe modern manufactured homes are affordable, well-built, eco-friendly, and stylish, but finding a lender who understands this market can be challenging. That’s why Zippy focuses exclusively on manufactured home loans, offering a seamless, digital experience.

Headquartered in Dallas, TX, with an office in Tempe, AZ, Zippy provides home loans and insurance to manufactured home buyers throughout the United States. Our remote-first team is spread across cities like Dallas, Houston, Knoxville, Omaha, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and several other states and cities. Backed by institutional investors, we offer competitive pay, stock options, and excellent benefits. At Zippy, we pride ourselves on our commitment to finance happiness through the power of home. We are dedicated to enhancing consumers' financial outcomes and tackling the affordable housing crisis through cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions.

The Role

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Underwriter to join our Dealer & Broker (Retail) lending team, focused on manufactured housing loans originating through dealer and broker partners. In this role, you will evaluate loan applications and assess borrower creditworthiness while working directly with retail partners to keep files moving efficiently through the pipeline. Your expertise in analyzing financial documents, assessing risk, and ensuring compliance with lending regulations will be essential to making sound, timely lending decisions. This position offers an excellent opportunity to help grow our retail origination channel while supporting individuals in achieving their homeownership goals.

Responsibilities

• Review loan applications and supporting documentation for manufactured housing loans, including income verification, credit reports, and property valuations.

• Assess borrower creditworthiness by analyzing financial statements, tax returns, employment history, and other relevant information.

• Evaluate loan-to-value ratios, debt-to-income ratios, and other key financial indicators to determine loan feasibility.

• Analyze manufactured housing market trends and property valuations to determine appropriate loan amounts and terms.

• Independently underwrite standard loan scenarios in alignment with company guidelines and risk tolerance.

• Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify discrepancies, red flags, or potential fraudulent activity, escalating more complex scenarios as needed.

• Ensure compliance with lending regulations, internal policies, and underwriting guidelines.

• Prepare clear, well-supported underwriting decisions and summaries, including recommended loan structures, risk mitigation strategies, and rationale for decision-making.

• Work with dealers and brokers to offer alternative loan options or counter offers when the original loan request does not meet lending guidelines.

• Partner closely with dealers, brokers, loan officers, fulfillment support, processors, and other cross-functional teams to gather necessary information and resolve application deficiencies or documentation gaps.

• Communicate underwriting decisions clearly and directly to retail partners (dealers and brokers) as well as internal stakeholders.

• Manage a pipeline of files, ensuring timely decision-making and consistent throughput.

• Stay current on industry best practices, regulatory changes, and market trends related to manufactured housing and dealer/broker lending.

• Continue building expertise in manufactured housing, underwriting guidelines, and company systems and processes.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a loan underwriter or in a similar role is required; experience with manufactured housing loans and/or dealer, broker, or other indirect lending channels is strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of underwriting guidelines, lending regulations, and compliance requirements specific to manufactured housing loans.

• Proficient in analyzing financial statements, credit reports, tax returns, and other relevant financial documents.

• Familiarity with loan origination software, underwriting systems, and document management platforms.

• Comfortable communicating directly and professionally with external retail partners, including dealers and brokers.

• Adaptable to multiple/new technology systems and process change.

• Learner mindset with the ability to receive and implement feedback.

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to review and interpret complex loan documents accurately.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess creditworthiness and evaluate risk.

• Effective communication skills to convey lending decisions and collaborate with loan officers, processors, and other stakeholders.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and manage a pipeline of files to meet deadlines.

• High ethical standards and commitment to maintaining confidentiality and data privacy.

Note: This job description is a general outline of the key responsibilities and qualifications expected of an Underwriter. It is not exhaustive and may be subject to change based on the needs of the organization.

Important Applicant Information

• While many of our interviews are conducted virtually, all applicants should be prepared to potentially meet in person as part of the process.

• As a participating employer, we will use E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.

• Please note that we are currently only hiring candidates who reside in the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. Applicants that do not reside in the bolded states will be rejected.

Total Rewards

At Zippy, we're passionate about creating a workplace where people love to work. We put a lot of heart into building and nurturing a company culture that not only supports our team but also inspires them to do their best work.

Our benefits and perks are always evolving, but here’s what we offer right now:

• Competitive Compensation : We offer a competitive salary with the potential for annual bonuses and variable pay, depending on your skills and experience.

• Equity for All: As a part of our commitment to shared success, all employees receive equity in the company, allowing you to share in the growth and achievements of Zippy.

• Remote Work : Enjoy the flexibility of working from home in a dynamic, remote-first environment.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage : We provide medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with company-subsidized benefits like STD, LTD, and life insurance for you and your family.

• Flexible Spending Accounts : Take advantage of medical & dependent care FSAs to help manage your expenses.

• Training & Licensing Support : We invest in your professional growth with resources for training and licensing.

• Paid Time Off : We offer generous PTO—and we encourage you to use it!

• Wellbeing Programs : Access a variety of wellbeing resources, including Headspace, Gympass+, Fetch, Spring Health, SoFi, Perkspot, Ladder, and more through our Sequoia Wellbeing Programs.

• Parental Leave : We provide paid parental leave to support you and your growing family.

• No Meeting Wednesdays : Enjoy a mid-week break from meetings to focus and recharge.

• Vibrant Slack Community : Engage with colleagues in our lively remote Slack community, featuring fun channels that connect people around shared interests like travel, pets, sports, food, and more.

• Career Growth : We believe in promoting from within, offering you opportunities to grow your career with us.

Beyond the tangible benefits:

• Core Values : At the heart of everything we do are our core values: Lead with Passion, Own It, Build a Better Way, Results Driven, and The Golden Rule . These values guide our decisions, shape our culture, and inspire us to achieve our best every day.

• Join a Growing Team : Be part of a dynamic team at a pivotal moment in Zippy’s growth, where every contribution makes a significant impact.

• Innovative Work : Collaborate with sharp, passionate teammates to tackle unique challenges in the Manufactured Housing market, positioning our product as a top-tier lending solution.

• Supportive Culture : You’ll be welcomed into a collaborative environment that fosters camaraderie, respect, and a deep sense of belonging.

• Diversity & Inclusion : We’re committed to empowering a diverse and inclusive workforce, celebrating our differences, and ensuring everyone feels safe to bring their whole selves to work.

• Inspirational Leadership : Work alongside leaders who are not only approachable but also dedicated to providing guidance, mentorship, and support to help you succeed.

• Meaningful Impact : Be part of a mission-driven team that’s making housing more affordable for everyone, helping prospective buyers secure fast and simple online loans to purchase manufactured homes. By joining Zippy you will help improve the lives of over 22 million Americans who live in manufactured homes today.

Zippy is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or marital status. If you are excited about the role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed above, we encourage you to apply. Nothing in this job posting should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.