In its interim results, the group also revealed it has increased its headcount of mortgage consultants by 18%, from 389 to 460 at the end of June 2012 when compared to the same period in 2011.
It placed £2.1bn of lending through its mortgage operation in H1 2012 on behalf of lenders.
Connell’s mortgage services director Adrian Scott said: “We’ve had a strong start to 2012 buoyed by continued investment into our mortgage services division and greater activity across the housing market for both new homes and second hand properties.
“Strong demand from first-time buyers in the first quarter of the year made a significant contribution to our results, alongside the close partnerships we maintain with our panel of lenders based on the quality, high volume business we can deliver.”
Connells added that buy-to-let mortgage activity remained strong, with a 49% increase in activity in Q2 2012 compared to Q2 2011.
The group announced a 27% increase in profits resulting in pre-tax profits of £19m for H1 2012, up £4m from the same period of last year.
