What Is Vertical Integration?
Vertical integration means bringing different stages of a business’s supply chain under one roof, eliminating the reliance on external partners and suppliers. At Countrywide, this approach allows us to streamline our processes and achieve efficiencies across development, construction, leasing, property management, and asset management.
By integrating these functions, we deliver exceptional results for investors, driving down costs, improving timelines, and optimizing long-term project performance. With this model, we maintain tighter control over every phase of a project, ensuring the highest standards and returns.
Development
What Our Team Does:
- Identifies and evaluates potential sites.
- Navigates zoning, approvals, and financing to begin construction.
- Consults with construction and design teams throughout the development process.
How Vertical Integration Makes a Difference
Our development team benefits from direct access to our construction and management divisions. By leveraging past projects, we gain instant insights into construction costs, operating expenses, and market trends. This collaborative structure allows us to:
- Expedite new project origination.
- Negotiate better financing terms based on our strong lease-up track record.
- Secure competitive construction pricing to offset rising interest rates.
For instance, through vertical integration, our team applies past efficiencies in construction timelines and long-term operations, enabling faster decision-making and ensuring projects move forward even when competitors pause.
Construction
$600K+ Average Volume-Discount Savings Per Project
What Our Team Does:
- Plans, estimates, and oversees construction projects to deliver on time and on budget.
How Vertical Integration Makes a Difference
Our in-house construction team delivers 10-15% cost savings compared to the industry average. By focusing solely on Countrywide’s projects, we:
- Eliminate distractions caused by managing external clients.
- Maximize value across every construction trade, with over $10 million in buyout savings to date.
- Meet or exceed timelines, enabling early leasing activity and accelerated income streams.
Leasing & Property Management
2x Faster Lease-Up than National Average
What Our Team Does:
- Rapidly leases and manages properties to achieve and sustain high occupancy levels.
How Vertical Integration Makes a Difference
By integrating leasing with development and construction, Countrywide achieves:
- Lease-up launches 6-8 months prior to certificate of occupancy, securing an average 30% more pre-leased units than competitors.
- Cost-efficient operations, with properties running $200-$500 less per unit per year compared to peers.
- Strong coordination between leasing and property management teams, enabling quicker adjustments to budgets and rent increases.
Asset Management
What Our Team Does:
- Oversees project budgets and strategizes refinance and sales events.
How Vertical Integration Makes a Difference
Our asset management team’s ability to align with development, construction, and leasing teams ensures optimized performance across all projects. This alignment allows us to:
- Plan for refinancing and sales well in advance, securing favorable terms.
- Drive higher efficiency by holding teams accountable for performance targets.
- Maximize returns for stakeholders through strategic oversight during construction and lease-up phases.
Why Vertical Integration Matters at Countrywide
At Countrywide, vertical integration is the foundation of our success. By combining development, construction, leasing, property management, and asset management under one roof, we:
- Achieve Cost Efficiencies: With an average 10-15% savings on construction costs and reduced operational expenses, we deliver maximum value to investors.
- Optimize Timelines: Early leasing launches and proactive management accelerate income and boost project profitability.
- Enhance Transparency: Close coordination between teams ensures real-time decision-making and seamless project execution.
- Maximize Investor Returns: Our vertically integrated model creates opportunities for higher returns while minimizing risk.
Whether through securing competitive construction pricing, leveraging pre-leased units for stronger financial outcomes, or aligning asset management strategies with market opportunities, Countrywide continues to redefine success in multifamily real estate.
