Grenville Turner, Countrywide chief executive said: “The launch of our specialist new homes financial services is a continuation of our strategic focus to enhance our position in the land and new homes sector.”
The aim is to provide an “all-round compelling and powerful proposition estate agency, financial services and conveyancing” service for house builders and developers, said Turner.
The specialist arm will deploy 70 Countrywide brokers trained to deal with issues such as the 28-day turnaround from exchange to completion and equipt with specialist product and lender knowledge, including shared equity and home ownership deals.
Nigel Stockton, Countrywide’s financial services director said the group plans to build on its agent relationships with developers like Barratt, Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon and work with new-build lenders, for example, like Halifax, which offer dedicated new-build teams.
“We are only going to approach brokers who are happy to work on weekends, because with new-build, your adviser helpdesks have to be open on a Sunday,” said Stockton.
Last month, Countrywide agreed a deal with CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) to create a project marketing service, including advice on all aspects of sales, rental, investment, financial and property management for new houses and apartments.
Stockton also welcomed the launch of Nationwide’s affordable housing website, bringing property listings, affordable housing schemes and suitable mortgage deals together in one place.
