Connect - Post COnference | Page 28

BOB SCARFF THE COUNTRYWIDE STORY Instrumental in the growth of the UK’s largest property services group, Bob Scarff provided valuable insight into effective integration between real estate and mortgage services. As Managing Director of Countrywide Estate Agents, Bob oversaw a network of 1300 estate agency branches and Countrywide Residential Lettings offices each with an in-house Countrywide mortgage consultant. “Mortgage consultants are seen as an integral member of the branch team. Not a separate department.” When it comes to integration, Countrywide Group is one of the most successful. Their mortgage brokers arrange around 48 percent of finance for estate agents’ customers. “Identifying cross sale areas and agreeing actions is essential, but at the core is the understanding by estate agency staff that a mortgage consultant can help them sell houses.” “The most successful branches are where the branch manager and mortgage consultant act as a team.” -28-