Countrywide has kept up its momentum on acquisitions with the purchase of a major lettings business – one of the most eminent in the country and twice winner of UK letting agent of the year.
Finders Keepers, based in Oxfordshire, has been bought for an undisclosed sum.
It is extremely well known in Oxford itself and a rite of passage among students seeking accommodation is to camp outside its offices overnight or longer in order to register.
Founded in 1972, Finders Keepers is an ARLA firm with eight offices and over 100 members of staff.
It was founded by Mary Channer and the current managing director, Dan Channer, is her son.
Frank Webster is the well-known vice chairman of the company.
Its awards include being the Sunday Times and The Times Letting Agent of the Year in both 2009 and 2012.
It has also been named as one of the best companies to work for and ‘one to watch’.
The company offers a multitude of services to both landlords and tenants, including helping landlords make the most of their investments.
It offers a full property management service in addition to its own interior design and building teams.
The highly successful business lets and manages over 2,400 properties each year and boasts a 99.3% occupancy rate.
FKStudent Lettings, its specialist student division, has a portfolio of over 200 properties.
Mary Channer said:“I started Finders Keepers at the age of 27, and now that the digits are almost reversed I feel it is time to retire. This is made easier by knowing that the great team will stay in place and I am confident that Countrywide will be great custodians of the Finders Keepers brand, culture and business.”
Dan Channer said: “It has been very clear through our discussions with Countrywide that they understand our culture and values, in particular our focus on exceptional customer service. We are able to deliver this service where each property manager is local, in the office, knows the properties and handles the full tenant lifecycle.
“comes with a highly professional and experienced staff”, for at least a month.
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Great Shame…… another cracking independent swallowed by a corporate. It will be interesting to see if any of the culture survives the shift?
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As the article says, FK were a highly thought and often referred to firm. I’m genuinely pleased for them, with that number of properties they would have received a huge pay day and achieved the exit that many business owners hope for. Congratulations to all.
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What a sad story. Such a great history.. give it 12 months and I can see Countrywide wrecking everything they have built. Bottom line is all that matters to them, service comes a distant second. They would step over Landlords and Tenants if it means making a quick penny.
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Ref drasperger’s remark its all ready started 4 days in!!!!! the corporate way strikes again, with no thought for
either employee or landlord.
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