Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 23, 2026  |  Last Updated: April 23, 2026

Couch Home Loans ("we," "us," or "our"), operating under Barrett Financial Group (NMLS #181106), respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, when we share it, and the choices you have regarding your information.

Financial Privacy Notice: As a mortgage broker, we are a "financial institution" under the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). We may provide a separate GLBA Privacy Notice at or before the time we establish a customer relationship with you. That notice governs the treatment of "nonpublic personal information" under GLBA and supplements this Privacy Policy.

1. Who We Are

Couch Home Loans is a residential mortgage origination team powered by Barrett Financial Group (NMLS #181106), a licensed residential mortgage broker/lender. Our loan originators are individually licensed through the NMLS.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you contact us, request a consultation, or apply for a mortgage, you may provide:

  • Name, email address, mailing address, and phone number
  • Property address or property information related to your loan
  • Financial information necessary for loan pre-qualification or application (income, employment, assets, liabilities)
  • Identification information required by federal law (for applicants, including date of birth and Social Security Number)
  • Communication preferences, including SMS opt-in status

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

  • Device and browser information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
  • Usage data (pages visited, time spent, referring site)
  • Cookies and similar technologies used by Squarespace and embedded third-party tools

2.3 Information from Third Parties

During a mortgage application, and only with your authorization, we may obtain information from:

  • Consumer reporting agencies (credit bureaus)
  • Employers, financial institutions, and asset verification services
  • Title companies, appraisers, and settlement service providers
  • Real estate agents or referral partners you've authorized to share information with us

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Respond to your inquiries and provide requested information
  • Evaluate loan eligibility, process applications, and facilitate closing
  • Communicate with you about your application, including via email, phone, and (if you've opted in) SMS
  • Comply with federal and state regulatory obligations, including those under GLBA, ECOA, FCRA, TCPA, and applicable state laws
  • Detect and prevent fraud
  • Improve our website and services

4. SMS / Text Messaging Data

No SMS data is sold or shared for marketing purposes.

If you opt in to receive text messages from Couch Home Loans (by checking the SMS consent box on our website or providing written/verbal consent during a consultation), we collect your mobile phone number and maintain a record of your opt-in, including date, time, and the consent language presented to you.

SMS messages are used only for transactional purposes: loan status updates, appointment confirmations, and document reminders. We do not send marketing or promotional texts through this program.

You may opt out at any time by replying STOP. Opt-out requests are honored immediately, and your number is suppressed from future SMS communications.

Your mobile phone number and SMS opt-in/opt-out data are not sold, rented, or shared with third parties for marketing purposes. We may share this data only with service providers who help us deliver the SMS program (for example, our SMS delivery platform) under contractual confidentiality obligations.

Full SMS program terms: www.couchhomeloans.com/sms-terms

5. When We Share Your Information

We share your information only as necessary to provide services or as required by law. Recipients may include:

  • Lenders and investors to whom we submit loan applications on your behalf
  • Settlement service providers (title companies, appraisers, insurance providers) involved in your loan
  • Service providers who support our operations (loan origination systems, CRM, SMS delivery platforms, document storage), under confidentiality obligations
  • Regulators and government agencies as required by law, including HMDA reporting and examination requests
  • Barrett Financial Group, as our sponsoring mortgage broker

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

6. How We Protect Your Information

We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to protect your nonpublic personal information. This includes encrypted storage, restricted access to loan files, and secure document portals for sensitive information exchange.

Sensitive documents should always be submitted through our secure borrower portal — never by unencrypted email or text message.

7. Your Choices and Rights

  • Email communications: You may unsubscribe from marketing emails via the unsubscribe link in any email. Transactional emails about active loans cannot be opted out of while your loan is in process.
  • SMS communications: Reply STOP to any text to unsubscribe.
  • Access and correction: You may request access to or correction of personal information we hold about you by contacting us at the address below.
  • State privacy rights: Residents of certain states (including Texas, California, Virginia, Colorado, and others) may have additional rights under state privacy laws, including the right to access, delete, correct, or restrict use of personal information. To exercise these rights, contact us at pcouch@barrettfinancial.com.

8. Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies provided by Squarespace and, where applicable, embedded third-party services. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last Updated" date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be communicated through our website or direct notice where required by law.

11. How to Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise any of your rights, contact us:

Couch Home Loans
Charles Parker Couch, NMLS #2125403
Powered by Barrett Financial Group (NMLS #181106)
Email: pcouch@barrettfinancial.com
Website: www.couchhomeloans.com

This Privacy Policy is provided for general informational purposes and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For specific legal questions about your privacy rights, consult a qualified attorney.