Category: Domestic Relocation

Global Mobility Solutions Wins Relocation Award For Third Consecutive Year

Post author By Sam Hoey | CRP, GMS
Post date March 9, 2016

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Mar. 10, 2016 – GMS Wins Relocation Award 2016 – For the third year in a row, relocation management provider Global Mobility Solutions (www.gmsmobility.com) has earned top placement on HRO Today’s Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Survey. In their 2016 survey of the relocation management industry, HRO Today rated Global Mobility Solutions as the second best overall relocation management provider in the industry. As the largest customer survey of its kind, the Baker’s Dozen has become one of the industry’s most trusted talent management resources. You can find the complete survey results here.

“GMS is proud to be named at the top of the relocation management industry for the third year in a row” said Global Mobility Solutions President Steven Wester, CRP, SGMS-T. “This is validation of our consistent performance, the exceptional customer service provided by our employees, the breadth of our global mobility services, and the depth of our client relationships. We are truly honored and deeply grateful to our clients for giving us the opportunity to partner with them.”

According to editors at HRO Today “Rankings are based solely on feedback from buyers of the rated services, we collect feedback annually through online survey which we distribute directly to buyers through our own mailing list.” The annual survey analyzes relocation management providers under three categories: service quality, deal size, and breadth of service. Service quality is given the heaviest weight followed closely by breadth of service and finally size of deals. These results are then averaged together to determine the top overall providers in relocation management.

GMS Wins Relocation Award 2016

GMS clientele gave the company high ratings in service quality and breadth of services, driving the company to a number two overall placement in the industry for the second time in the last 3 years. As the nation’s premier publication on human resource operations and outsourcing, HRO Today’s annual publication of the Baker’s Dozen list is a much-anticipated event. Incorporating sound scientific methodology, the surveys underpinning the list are designed to offer meaningful and actionable feedback on what constitutes true customer satisfaction, making HRO Today’s 2016 survey a must read for both human resources and procurement professionals.

About Global Mobility Solutions
Founded in 1987, Global Mobility Solutions is a relocation management company that specializes in supplier management and relocation program development. The company’s relocation services include global assignment management, domestic relocation management and a range of pre-decision solutions.

Contact:

Thomas Belnap, Marketing Director
800-617-1904 ext. 8832
[email protected]

Tags Press Room

Corporate Relocation Domestic Relocation Domestic Relocation Trends Global Relocation Global Relocation Trends

GMS and Partners Donate 50,000 Meals to St. Mary’s Food Bank at 2016 Forum

Post author By Sam Hoey | CRP, GMS
Post date March 3, 2016

2016 Global Mobility Solutions Partner Forum and Awards Dinner Features Insightful Discussions, Recognition for Top-performing Suppliers, and Philanthropy

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 02, 2016 – Global Mobility Solutions (https://gmsmobility.com/) recently hosted its annual partner forum, an event recognizing members of its Premier Alliance Network – an elite partnership of transportation and relocation service providers. This year’s forum was branded as #TrendUp; the forum focused on emerging trends within the relocation management industry.

“GMS continues to grow, thanks in large part to its exceptional network of partners,” said President Steven Wester. “The relocation industry as a whole is rapidly evolving and keeping abreast of future trends has never been more important. Our partner forum is an opportunity to deliver practical business insights, honor top-performing suppliers within our network, and extends our support to noble causes in the communities we all serve. This year’s event was a big success on each of those fronts.”

The highlight of this year’s forum was the much-anticipated client panel. Suppliers held a lively Q and A session with human resources management from Fortune 500 companies, as well as one of the largest nonprofit health care providers in the world.

GMS recognizes outstanding contributions to its clientele through Partner of the Year awards. The primary criteria for these annual awards include customer satisfaction and on-time service – key indicators of quality and reliability among relocation providers. Partner of the Year award winners for 2016 included the following:

•   Global Services – Nomad Temporary Housing
•   International HHG – Chipman International
•   Domestic HHG (Silver Tier) – Merchants Moving/Atlas
•   Domestic HHG (Gold Tier) – Hilldrup/United
•   Domestic HHG (Platinum Tier) – Armbruster/Mayflower

GMS President Steven Wester (left) and GMS Transportation Director Ann Knapp (right) Award Armbruster Moving and Storage (center) with Platinum Partner of the Year Award at 2016 Forum | #TrendUp.

In addition to the client panel and Partner of the Year awards, a trio of workshop sessions provided an opportunity for participants to gain insight into some fast-emerging trends in the relocation industry, led by experienced subject matter experts.

Chuck Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of WGM Holdings and a member of the FBI’s InfraGard partnership, headed a session on cyber security for small to mid-sized businesses. According to cyber security firm Symantec, 60% of cyber attacks target SMBs, resulting in billions in losses annually. Matthews offered background on the origin of these attacks and their continuously evolving levels of sophistication. The session focused primarily on what managers and owners can do to protect their valuable assets, not to mention their reputations, against digital fraud and hacking. Other sessions included “Standards Please,” in which GMS Vice President of Domestic Services Nancy Kritzer illustrated the importance of consistent standards in communication. Meanwhile, performance analytics as a critical tool for the modern enterprise was the theme of “Measuring What Matters” with GMS Vice President of Global Services John Fernandez.

Every year, the partner forum allows GMS and its Premier Alliance Network an opportunity to demonstrate their shared commitment to philanthropy. For GMS, that commitment has included significant efforts to end childhood hunger in local communities. This year’s forum featured both an online pre-forum raffle and an in-forum raffle that resulted in a donation of over 50,000 meals to St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix to help eliminate hunger.

“We are so thankful for this amazing gift,” remarked Lisa Goin, Chief Development and Communications Officer at St. Mary’s Food Bank. “Here in Arizona, there are nearly 500,000 children who literally do not know if they will have dinner tonight. This gift will help feed 50,000 of them a nutritious meal.”

About Global Mobility Solutions

Founded in 1987, Global Mobility Solutions is a global corporate relocation services company that specializes in workforce mobility. The company’s corporate relocation services include global assignment management, domestic relocation management and a range of pre-decision solutions. Global Mobility Solutions is a back-to-back winner of HRO Today’s 2014 and 2015 client satisfaction survey, and rated number 1 in the relocation management industry for breadth of services.

Contact:

Thomas Belnap, Marketing Director
800-617-1904 ext. 8832
[email protected]

Tags Corporate Relocation Spotlight, Press Room

Corporate Relocation Domestic Relocation Global Relocation Relocation Challenges

Relocation Myths!

Post author By Nancy Kritzer | CRP
Post date February 5, 2016

Sam Hoey: Relocation services policy consultant at Global Mobility Solutions Sam Hoey
Relocation Policy Consultant
at GMS for over 20 years

The Emmy nominated series MythBusters aims to uncover the truth behind popular myths and legends by mixing science, curiosity and ingenuity to create an experiment. As much as I would love to do an experiment to find out if Diet Coke and Mentos will make your stomach explode or if it is possible to beat a lie detector test, I am actually going to bust some common relocation myths heard in the relocation industry. As a professional relocation policy consultant, I have witnessed how some myths encourage mistakes when creating corporate relocation policies. These myths sometimes negatively impact a host of policy elements, including household goods move, transferee support services, language training limits, and even reimbursement considerations, which commonly stem from generalizations. Let’s uncover the truth behind some of these commonly held generalizations.

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Myth 1: Every company needs a relocation policy.

If you infrequently transfer employees and your transfers are mainly US Domestic an “offer letter” is as effective as a standard policy. When writing the “offer letter”, it’s important to clearly define the benefits offered. However, if you transfer more than a handful of employees annually then a well defined tiered relocation policy is recommended.[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”1″]

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Myth 2: Lump sum programs save the company money.

[clickToTweet tweet=”When given a lump sum employees often cut corners with their relocation and pocket additional funds” quote=”When given a lump sum employees often cut corners with their relocation, pocketing additional funds” theme=”style3″]
Although a lump sum is a perfect solution for the college graduate new hire, it is rarely recommended for a more professional level of employee. The fact is, by cutting a lump sum check the employee often cuts corners with their relocation and then pockets the additional money. There are also tax disadvantages with the lump sum. If the company is not grossing up the lump sum, there are FICA taxes required to be paid by the company. If the company is not offering tax assistance, the amount of taxes that are withheld are significant and the employee is then paying tax on a benefit that is non taxable if the funds are used for the household goods move. There are also liability concerns with the employee choosing to rent a UHAUL and moving themselves. Bottom line is that the employee ends up being more stressed and unable to focus on the job since they are coordinating all aspects of their move.

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Myth 3: Unpacking is a dream come true.

Reality is, unpacking can be a nightmare. Unpacking in the moving industry consists of the crew removing everything out of the boxes and placing it on the closest flat surface. It will be placed in the correct room, but will not be put away in cabinets or closets. Many people prefer to unpack at their leisure, prioritizing the most critical items first, and have it out of sight until they have time to get to it.

A recommended solution is to replace unpacking with debris pick-up which involves having the mover come pick up the boxes and materials when the unpacking is complete. An additional advantage is that it saves the company between $300 and $1,000 per move.
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Myth 4: Millennials only want self service options.

[clickToTweet tweet=”While millennials love online resources, we find they lean heavily on relocation coaches.” quote=”While millennials love their online resources, we find they lean heavily on relocation coaches.” theme=”style3″]

I’ve heard time and again that millennials are all about self service, and would rather manage their own relocation via digital resources rather than speaking with a live relocation consultant. While millennials do tend to use more online resources than previous generations, we find this statement to be extremely false. In fact, most Millennials often need even more hand holding than the standard executive transferee since it may be their first time moving, first time buying or selling a home and may be inexperienced with relocation in general. Due to the newness of it all, they may have personal questions about how to navigate through breaking a lease or what neighborhood would best suit their lifestyle, etc.

Millennials will still rely on social networking websites like Facebook and LinkedIn to make virtual friends or connections at their new location even prior to moving there.[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″]

Myths 5-12:

We put the industry’s most common assumptions to the test in our latest white paper for 2016.

Domestic Relocation Domestic Relocation Challenges Domestic Relocation Tips

7 Reasons Your Home Is Still On The Market

Post author By Sam Hoey | CRP, GMS
Post date November 23, 2015

Phoenix, Arizona, USA downtown cityscape from above at dusk.

Your home is still on the market: Your house is still on the market, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to budge anytime soon. According to Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist of Realtor.com, “the median age of inventory is now 80 days”, and its a smear that nobody wants on their listing. That figure is up 6.7% from August, and depending on your reason for moving, timing seems to be everything. You’ve planned carefully and cleaned up your home before trying to show it, so where did you go wrong?

You’re Charging Way Too Much

When setting the price of your property, you can’t just set a price without conducting thorough research. According to the experts, every single house can sell, for the right price, of course. If you want to sell your house quickly, it is wiser to lower its price early on, than to wait for another few months then lower it according to market restraints. Zillow suggests, “estimates are intended as a useful starting point to help you determine an independent and unbiased assessment of what your home might be worth in today’s market. Comparing your home to recently sold properties can also help you understand what your home is approximately worth. Ultimately, your real estate agent or appraiser will be able to inspect your home physically and take into account special features, location and market conditions for the right price.” This highlights the absolute necessity of finding a quality agent. Think your home is worth more than its appraised value? You’re not alone. Quicken Loans data shows homeowner perceptions commonly exceed appraiser opinion, illustrated in the graph below.

You Have A Bad Real Estate Agent

Lack of communication, resources and leadership are signs of a bad real estate agent. While over 90% of transactions involve a real estate agent, an inexperienced real estate agent can’t even compare to one that abides to NAR’s code of ethics. Many agents will not spend more than a couple of hours a week trying to sell your property. If your agent falls into these categories, start contacting him regularly to remind him that you need to sell your house as soon as possible. Teresa Mears reported, Michael McGrew, (CEO of McGrew Real Estate in Lawrence, Kansas) treasurer of the National Association of Realtors stated, “it’s about communication. Tell your agent what isn’t working and ask them to fix it.” Open communication with your real estate agent can save you literally hundreds of dollars at closing, by closing sooner. The best way to ensure you’re working with a quality agent, is to use vetted and reviewed agent networks. If you’re relocating for work, your company likely provides some real estate assistance through a relocation management company like Global Mobility Solutions, and has access to hundreds of experienced and talented agents.

Your House Doesn’t Look Appealing

Most homeowners live with the impression that their house is the best home in the universe. Don’t live under the same illusion. You need to realize that your clients do not see the things the way you see them. People’s perception of your house is not influenced by feelings or strong emotional connections. They only look at it from an objective point of view. Staging your home is critical to selling your home fast. According to National Association of Realtors, “the median dollar value to stage a home is $675 and the majority of buyers’ and sellers’ agents believe staged homes also increase the dollar value buyers are willing to offer by one percent to five percent at closing. While only 4 percent of Realtors said staging has no impact on buyer perceptions.” To solve this problem, hire a third party for a free staging consultation to get an edge on your competition.

Withholding Important Information

Never do this, even though it’s tempting sometimes, it could cost you dearly in the end. Misrepresentation can lead buyers and especially agents to go onto the next home. While all houses have warts, refrain from engaging in colorful coverups. Now, you don’t need to go the other way around and list only its drawbacks either. Promote your property using plain language, without exaggerating or hiding important aspects. Real estate agents have many resources at their disposal i.e. memberships, marketing companies, brokerages and associations to draw on. Relying on their associations can save you time and money as well. Again, herein lies the importance of selecting a quality real estate agent.

You’re Still Working On It

If you are engaged in some minor or major work on your property, don’t even think to sell it. Modern buyers are only looking to buy houses that are fully remodeled or renovated in todays competitive market. First of all finish the renovations or major repairs before placing your house on the market. In addition, curb appeal is and always will be the most important. That explains why the NAR and their members, once again, “rated exterior projects as some of the most attractive and valuable home improvements for homeowners.”

Your House is not listed Online

More and more buyers are now looking for houses online. Make sure your property is listed on all major real estate sites, including but not limited to Zillow, Trulia and Homefinder. There are over 250 real estate websites that can be easily accessed using the internet today. Additionally, list your house on sites that are mobile optimized. This is crucial to todays Millinium and Gen Y consumers. These tech savvy, busy customers will always prefer their smart phones or tablets over their laptops to navigate online. The top 20 major real estate brokerages have relationships with these sites, and it is automatic once it becomes active in the local Multiple Listing Service. However, every once in a while the listing doesn’t make it in. Have your agent check these sites in the first week to assure your online presence.

You Launched in the Wrong Season

If you want to sell your house to a certain group of people, you need to know exactly when it’s the best time to put your house on the market. For instance, retirees usually tend to buy during the hot season, while young families move in spring or late fall. Nela Richardson, Redfin’s chief economist says, “just as buyer demand follows a seasonal pattern, so do home prices, in addition, over the past five years prices have increased by an average of 3 percent month over month in the spring and ticked down by about 1 percent each month during the fall. To get the best of both worlds, sellers need be informed on both local buyer demand and recent sale prices in their neighborhoods before deciding when to list their homes and for what price.” While your home still sits on the market, timing can be everything, depending on where you live and the buyer you’re trying to reach. Seasons don’t appear to be a huge advantage or disadvantage to listing in any season, since the variance in prices is only by a few percentage points however they do vary on the time it takes on selling a home.” A recent Google Consumer Survey of real estate search terms illustrates the seasonal interest in property perfectly. Almost like clockwork!

Home is Still on the Market – Insider Tip From GMS Director Of Real Estate Services

“It’s in your best interest to interview more than 1 real estate agent. Find out what each agent thinks about your area and your home’s potential pricing. It doesn’t cost you a dime to have it done. If you’re relocating for work, check to see what benefits are made available to you and use your company resources! If they work with a relocation management company like Global Mobility Solutions, then they’ll have access to hundreds of reviewed, vetted and experienced real estate agents. Following these simple steps can drastically reduce your home’s time on the the market and improve your chances of selling your home at a fair but beneficial price.”

Julie Schultz
Director of Real Estate Services
Global Mobility Solutions

Tags Domestic Real Estate

Corporate Relocation Corporate relocation tips Domestic Relocation Relocation Challenges

Family Matters and Career Support for the Trailing Spouse

Post author By Sam Hoey | CRP, GMS
Post date November 19, 2015

family in living room looking at laptop — Three young Indian businesspeople working together and having fun while doing it.

Relocating employees often face serious concerns regarding their children’s education, family healthcare, eldercare, and the job market for their accompanying partner or fiancé. Understanding your employee’s needs and concerns can help them make the right decision with regard to relocating. While some candidates may appear perfect for a job opportunity on paper there may be a plethora of unseen obstacles that could result in a candidate declining an assignment, or worse, failing to relocate midway through their move.

Impact Stats:

In Worldwide ERC’s latest 2015 U.S. Transfer Volume and Cost Survey there are 3 statistics that will likely cause considerable stress to any human resources professional:

The number 1 reason for an employee’s reluctance to relocate is family resistance to the move. (60% of all relocating employees!)
The average cost to relocate a home owning employee comes in at around $72,000.
Career concerns for the trailing spouse is a top 10 issue in addition to family resistance to the move.

That’s a lot of risk, and highlights the absolute necessity for comprehensive pre-decision planning and quality family support solutions. Understanding your employee’s concerns can help them make the right mobility decision. The right decision means better return on investment for your organization’s mobility program and a smoother transition for the employee and their family.[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″]

Put a plan into place:

Organizational planning before the move is crucial to your program’s success. If you can’t remember the last time your organization revisited your relocation policy and process, it may be time for a quick dust off. Start with the family support essentials:

Look into your career and family assistance offerings. Every organization and industry has its own idiosyncrasies. How do you determine how much assistance an employee needs? What level of support is too little? How much is too much? There are a lot of moving parts and given the amount of risk involved, reaching out to relocation management experts should be a part of any comprehensive plan.
Provide a single point of contact. According to HRO Today’s 2015 provider report, a single point of contact is a hallmark of quality service at relocation management companies. A relocation manager or “coach” is the employee’s confidant and adviser if concerns arise before or during their relocation. Depending on the organization, policies can be complex and difficult for an employee to navigate. A relocation manager can help explain and coordinate career and family assistance benefits for the employee and their family. Without a single point of contact that understands the big picture some needs may inevitably fall through the cracks.
Ensure your organization offers core services. Every relocation program should include a family pre-decision evaluation, career assistance, lifestyle and family support programs. Do your employees fully understand the impact the move will have on their partner’s career or their family’s lifestyle? Is a suburban family moving to a big city? What does the job market at destination look like for the employee’s spouse? Quality pre-decision screening and family support benefits help uncover underlying issues, and address them before they become problematic.
Pre-decision screening should be proactive. The core elements of any pre-decision program includes: needs assessments to identify top concerns and potential red flags, general overview of the local job market and community, general information about companies that may fit the partner’s career goals, cost of living assessment and general salary information, and an in depth career assessment such as the Hiring Edge DISC.
Be Better Than A Google Search. Some programs have website portals that simply list online resources for job searches. While sending an employee’s spouse to job boards like Career Builder or Jobing is a good start, but such services hardly offer anything more than a simple Google Search would. Comprehensive career assistance should review a candidate’s experience, identify personality type, discuss the importance of corporate culture, develop an application schedule and goals, offer resumé critique, provide networking and interview preparation and assist candidates in navigating the sea of job listings and online resources available today.
Leverage your recruiting network. Possibly one of the best resources a company can offer up is their network of recruiters. Most organizations employ 3rd party recruiting companies to meet the demands of their own staffing needs. Providing a warm hand-off to these networks can make a world of difference. This is where some relocation management companies have an edge over in house relocation programs, as well as a key differentiator when comparing RMC’s.
Support for the entrepreneur. Some spouses may have a small business and will have unique needs and guidance when relocating their business. Guidance and resources for spouses looking to start a new business or relocating an existing business may include market analysis, networking assistance, and introductions to the startup community in the new area.
Understand the stressors of the relocating family. When employees and families relocate they undergo a massive amount of change. The biggest tasks such as finding living accommodations or working with moving companies, require a great deal of attention and leave little time to deal with other needs. This time crunch plus the stress that accompanies relocation can make it difficult for the employee and the family to adjust to the new location, emotionally and physically.
Culture shock can happen anywhere. While traditionally thought of as an issue exclusively impacting employee on global assignment, domestic culture shock is a common occurrence. Any drastic change in lifestyle can have an unnerving effect such as: suburban life vs. inner city bustle, west coast laissez-faire style work environments vs. hard nosed New York hustle, even climate and geography play a significant role in a families ability to settle into a new location. Due to these factors, benefit packages should include services that assist the family after the move is completed. (These are sometimes called settling-in or acclimation services.)
Get connected to the community. Moving to a new location often means employees and families must recreate their lifestyle without the help of the support network they traditionally relied on. An organization’s relocation program should fill in the gaps of a families support network during the transition with services that identify relevant community networks, activities, medical specialists, secondary and higher educational resources as well as licensed preschools and/or day cares.

While there are a lot of moving parts and face value costs to providing a comprehensive family support plan, the benefits pay dividends. With over 60% of employees confirming that family issues presented major challenges to their relocation, family support services deserve healthy attention. Given a price tag of 72,000 per relocation, organizations can’t likely afford policy missteps. While this article provides a quality overview of the topic, organizational needs are unique and may depend on program type, industry, company size, and geographic location. If you have questions on how your program’s family support benefits measure up, reach out to a family support consultant at Global Mobility Solutions today for a free comprehensive program review.

Domestic Relocation Domestic Relocation Challenges Relocation Challenges

Navigating Silicon Valley’s Housing Market

Post author By Sam Hoey | CRP, GMS
Post date October 16, 2015

Typical Australian suburb from above in autumn

Imagine having to relocate to the most expensive metropolitan area in America. An area that stretches from the southern banks of San Francisco to San Jose County, better known as Silicon Valley. A place where “only 44 percent of Santa Clara County households could afford to purchase an entry-level home — defined as costing $833,850, or 85 percent of the county’s median sale price.” The housing sector has seen an explosion in population “reaching three million people just last quarter at a rate of one person for every sixteen seconds”. As the world’s leader for thousands of startup companies and high tech corporations, it has hit an all-time high in housing cost; forcing workers farther away from their place of employment and schools.

The combination of high-income industry leaders, a rising population and shortage of land is the perfect storm for the future rising cost in real estate. It is important to note that sales data mentioned is not adjusted and accounted for seasonal factors that can influence home sales. Movements in sales prices should not be interpreted as changes in the cost of a standard home, but rather by the price per square foot. Which is determined by how much space a buyer is willing to pay for the property. So when shopping for a home, by focusing on off-peak seasons, i.e., November through February, will help save time and money.

“Click Map to Navigate Housing Market in Silicon Valley.” – Powered by Google Maps

Prior to looking for a home without sacrificing your other needs, you may have to consider driving a few extra hours to save money. According to the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation in 2015, the average commute time of workers rose by 8 percent in which 1 in 6 commuters travel two or more hours each day to work and growing. It could be difficult to make price comparisons, regarding commute times by having too many locations. So it’s best to limit yourself to two or three locations. By choosing the right real estate agent, they will be able to determine a cost comparison on price per square foot. As well as discovering several resources in the different areas by saving precious contract time and money in the end. Without these vital factors this will cost the winning the offer on the home. If the buyer is not ready to buy they should wait. Only if one has a strong stomach, nerves and able to take strong suggestions from their Realtor.

Currently, housing is being underpriced in hopes of getting an overbid. The strategy works bringing in offers over a $1000/square foot. Looking for the needle in a haystack can be time-consuming, but possible. If there is no time to wait and have a weak stomach, then cash is your quickest answer. While choosing to rent, remember it is always more expensive in the long run. Plan carefully. Renters are being priced out of the areas as prices are increasing, less than 25 percent of workers and just 40 percent of households in metro San Jose can rent or buy average-priced housing.” While Justin Fichelson, stated that “We’re slowing down. Instead of seeing 30 percent appreciation, homeowners may see 10 to 15 percent appreciation, echoing Zillow’s assessment last week that the pace of appreciation is slowing. Redfin had a different take on the strength of the Bay Area housing market. Such debates are common as some perceive shifts in the housing market.” However, housing markets fluctuate during seasons, and while going into the holiday season, we are going to see a slight change in the market.

Ever since Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, moved to Palo Alto – prices have increased dramatically. Along with the idea of buying multiple lots and rebuilding, brokers are calling Silicon Valley a tear-down market. Anything in the $4 million and below range will likely be demolished, or they will need to rent and place their money in another investment. However on the other side of the spectrum, lower to middle-income housing plans are being implemented by city, state and federal officials. San Jose affordable housing law was upheld earlier this year by state Supreme Court. The California Building Industry Association and the Pacific Legal Foundation announced on Tuesday, and they have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a June decision by California’s highest court. Clearing the way for San Jose to implement a long-planned “inclusionary” housing ordinance. Lawyers for the industry argue that San Jose’s law and others like it across California violate federal constitutional protections against the “taking” of private property. Requiring developers of new, for-sale homes to set aside 15 percent of units as affordable housing, or pay a fee.

Instead of using the term “housing bubble”, which is widely used and less understood, a correction in the housing price index will continue into 2016. While San Jose and San Francisco “are projected to have yearly growth rates of around 3%, entering winter 2015-2016 on the downside is of great concern. What started as ‘red hot’ at the start of 2014 may end as ‘in the red’ come 2016,” stated by Alex Villacorta from Clear Capital. As 2015 begins, eight years after the peak and six years after the crash, real estate markets across the country are transitioning from the recovery phase to the expansion phase. For many areas, like Silicon Valley, the expansion phase is well under way. According to Glen Mueller (Full report Author of The Cycle Monitor) Boston, New York, Denver, and San Francisco, are already experiencing incredibly tight rental markets and robust new construction in apartments. Between now and then, aside from the occasional slowdown, the real estate industry is likely to enjoy a long period of expansion.

Brought to you by Global Mobility Solutions, a trusted partner in global talent management.

Tags Domestic Real Estate

Corporate Relocation Domestic Relocation Global Relocation

Global Mobility Solutions Sponsors Global Workforce Symposium

Post author By Sam Hoey | CRP, GMS
Post date September 1, 2015

Handsome young man on business trip walking with his luggage and talking on cellphone at airport. Travelling businessman making phone call.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 1st, 2015 Global Mobility Solutions announces sponsorship of the 2015 Global Workforce Symposium, the annual gathering of relocation professionals from across the world. This year’s Global Workforce Symposium will be held at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center from October 7–9. Global Mobility Solutions will be exhibiting at the event at booth 518.

GWS 2015 Sponsored by Global Mobility Solutions

Worldwide ERC’s Global Workforce Symposium is the largest conference of its kind.[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″]“Support of Worldwide ERC and participation in this global mobility event is very important to us” says GMS Executive Vice President Michael Setze. “ The chance to learn and share industry expertise with clients, prospective clients, and other workforce mobility professionals is exceptional. We also feel that Worldwide ERC provides strong value with their Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) and Global Mobility Specialist (GMS) certification programs. All of our relocation coaches have earned their CRPs.”[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″]

The Global Workforce Symposium is organized annually by Worldwide ERC, also known as the Workforce Mobility Association. Founded in 1964, the organization’s membership includes individuals from diverse fields like HR, recruiting, consulting, relocation and real estate. Worldwide ERC holds the Americas Mobility Conference each spring and the Global Workforce Symposium each fall.

The upcoming symposium will feature a diverse slate of events. Keynote speaker Lisa Bodell, CEO of Futurethink and a board member of the Women’s Congress, will share her provocative insights on modern organizations. Peer 2 Peer Case Study sessions will provide an educational opportunity for attendees. Each 30-minute session presents best practices for specific workforce mobility challenges.

“Nearly 4 out of 5 employees are willing to relocate for the right opportunity, including millennials” adds Setze. “Our role is to help companies facilitate and manage the relocation process. Sponsoring and attending the Global Workforce Symposium is another means for us to be an integral part of the industry’s growth and evolution.”

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About Global Mobility Solutions

Founded in 1987, Global Mobility Solutions is a global corporate relocation services company that specializes in workforce mobility. The company’s corporate relocation services include global assignment management, domestic relocation management and a range of pre-decision solutions. Global Mobility Solutions is a back-to-back winner of HRO Today’s 2014 and 2015 customer satisfaction survey, and rated #1 in the relocation services industry for breadth of services.

Contact:

Thomas Belnap
Marketing Director
800-617-1904 ext. 8832
[email protected]

Tags Press Room

Corporate Relocation Domestic Relocation Global Relocation

Powerful Cloud Relocation Technology Unveiled

Post author By Sam Hoey | CRP, GMS
Post date July 28, 2015

Shot of a young computer programmer working on source code

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 28, 2015 Global Mobility Solutions (https://gmsmobility.com), a leader and innovator in the relocation and talent mobility space, has launched a proprietary, cloud-based MyRelocation technology solution for clients and their relocating employees. MyRelocation technology provides industry-leading tools and services along with advanced 24×7 information access from any device. These solutions support and empower corporate relocation programs across the globe.

MyRelocation Technology | Mobility Cloud Technology

The MyRelocation login shown on multiple devices, the cloud technology features a modern responsive design.[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″]

“We are committed to offering the best technology value-added services for our clients,” says Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) President Steven Wester, “with a focus on providing the highest level of personal service and attention. Cloud-based MyRelocation technology achieves both of these objectives and underscores our continual focus on providing forward-thinking solutions and unparalleled value.”[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”25″]

MyRelocation technology has been designed from the ground up with feedback from hundreds of human resource professionals and their transferring employees. A convenient transferee dashboard unlocks a wealth of information and functionality, from downloadable relocation guides to interactive Google Maps™ pre-programmed with origin and destination data. Relocating employees can view and track initiated services, submit expenses and connect with their relocation coach all with a few clicks. MyRelocation works with any connected device on any platform, with a responsive design that makes for unmatched ease of use on desktop, mobile or tablet devices.

“Simplicity was a high priority”, said Marketing Director Thomas Belnap. “Many technologies today offer complex dashboards with a melee of options. MyRelocation technology consolidates all of that to deliver a straight forward and intuitive user experience.”

This approach to simplicity is immediately apparent upon logging in to the customizable management dashboard. Initiating new employee relocations can be managed and activated on a single screen. According to GMS executives, MyRelocation also features over 200 customizable reports available on demand. Additionally, MyRelocation features an extensive “Relocation Knowledge Base” drawing upon decades of industry expertise and research. A selection of white papers, blog articles, and other valuable information helps both relocating employees and their employers.

Check Out The New MyRelocation Features

About Global Mobility Solutions

Founded in 1987, Global Mobility Solutions is a global corporate relocation services company that specializes in workforce mobility. The company’s corporate relocation services include global assignment management, domestic relocation management and a range of pre-decision solutions. Global Mobility Solutions is a back-to-back winner of HRO Today’s 2014 and 2015 customer satisfaction survey, and rated #1 in the relocation services industry for breadth of services.

Contact:

Thomas Belnap
Marketing Director
800-617-1904 ext. 8832
[email protected]

Tags Press Room

Corporate Relocation Domestic Relocation Domestic Relocation Tips

2 Mandatory Mortgage Changes Starting This Fall

Post author By Sam Hoey | CRP, GMS
Post date June 19, 2015

facade of home with manicured lawn, landscaping, and backdrop of trees and dark blue sky. Glowing interior lights create a welcoming mood.

Two key changes set by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in 2013 are set to effect mortgage lending practices October 2015. Pushed back from the original implementation date of August. More on why this date was pushed back can be found on the CFPB blog The CFPB rule change will replace the Good Faith Estimate, Early Truth in Lending Disclosure, Final Truth in Lending Disclosure and HUD-1.

One-quarter of uninsured respondents cited good health as the primary reason for a lack of coverage.

Newly implemented forms are easier for consumers to use and understand than existing forms according to the Bureau.
According to the CFPB these newly designed forms, “highlight the information that has proven to be most important to consumers. On the new forms, the interest rate, monthly payments, and the total closing costs will be clearly presented on the first page. This will make it easier for consumers to compare mortgage loans and choose the one that is right for them”. The rule’s impact on the relocation industry and implementation background can be found in this related article. Here’s what you need to know in preparation for these pending changes:

Implementation:

October 3^rd, 2015

Scope:
Majority of closed end mortgage loans submitted on or after October 1^st, 2015. Not applicable to reverse mortgages, home equity credit lines, or mobile and unattached units.

The Loan Estimate Form:
The new Loan Estimate form replaces the Good Faith Estimate and the “early” Truth in Lending Disclosure. This form must be provided to the home buyer within three business days of their mortgage application submission. All written estimates provided to the would-be home buyer must have a clear disclaimer noting that it is not the official Loan Estimate Form.

Replaced Forms	New Form
GFE and Initial TiL View PDF	Loan Estimate View PDF

The Closing Disclosure Form
The Closing Disclosure form replaces the HUD-1 and the Truth in Lending Disclosure. Lenders must provide the Closing Disclosure form to the would-be homebuyer at least 3 business days prior to closing. If any significant changes are made to the loan (interest rates, pre-payment penalties, etc.) during the 3 day waiting period the lender must provide a new Closing Disclosure form along with another 3 day waiting period before closing.

Replaced Forms	New Form
Final TiL and HUD-1 View PDF	Closing Disclosure View PDF

Detailed information from the CFPB:
Rule change details for consumers
Detailed CFPB Rule Change Information

Brought to you by Global Mobility Solutions, a trusted partner in global talent management.

Tags Domestic Real Estate

Corporate Relocation Domestic Relocation Global Relocation

Global Mobility Solutions Recognizes Top-performing Relocation Industry Partners at 2015 Forum and Awards Dinner

Post author By Sam Hoey | CRP, GMS
Post date March 3, 2015

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Mar. 03, 2015 – Global Mobility Solutions, an international leader in corporate relocation services, recently hosted its 2015 Forum and Awards Dinner to honor members of its Premier Alliance Network who have shown extraordinary dedication to customer service throughout the year.

Armbruster Moving of Mayflower Transit received Platinum Partner of the Year award, while Unipack Global Relocation accepted honors for International Partner of the Year. Atlas Van Line providers V. Santini, Inc. and Lytle’s Transfer and Storage were awarded Silver and Gold Partners of the Year, respectively.

Adam Lowy, founder of non-profit Move For Hunger, speaking at GMS 2015 Forum & Awards Dinner | Service Unplugged.
[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″]
The theme of this year’s forum was “Service Unplugged,” a nod to the fact that great customer service begins at the personal level – and that technological conveniences are merely tools. The event was held on February 5th at the Hotel Palomar in Phoenix. Hal Becker, bestselling author and renowned expert on customer service and sales, delivered the keynote address. Following Hal Becker’s Keynote speech, a Global Mobility Solutions Client Q&A Panel was held, where partner’s top priorities were discussed in depth. Guest speaker Adam Lowy, founder of Move For Hunger, offered some compelling remarks on how the relocation industry, and GMS in particular, have made tremendous strides toward ending food insecurity. In addition to guest speakers, the 2015 forum featured breakout education sessions between providers and Global Mobility Solution’s Leadership, discussing customer service improvements and efficiency.[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″]

“Our 2015 forum and awards dinner was an opportunity to celebrate and recognize exceptional service within the Global Mobility Solutions’ Premier Alliance Network. I’d like to personally congratulate this year’s winners, who have consistently demonstrated the highest standards in customer service,” remarked Steven Wester, president of Global Mobility Solutions. “We simply can’t do what we do without the participation and support of these fine partners – they’ve contributed immensely to making our brand a trusted leader.”

Global Mobility Solutions 2015 Forum and Awards Dinner Keynote Speaker Hal Backer Posing with GMS President Steven Wester.

From left: GMS Vice President of Global Services John Fernandez, Keynote Speaker Hal Becker, GMS President Steven Wester, GMS Chief Administrative Officer Fayette Wester. [divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″]

“Service Unplugged” evokes the core, hands-on attributes that define winning customer service. For GMS, that means giving individuals and families the most seamless possible relocation experience – allowing them to focus on starting a new life in a new city rather than worrying about logistics. In selecting this year’s award winners, GMS relied on its in-house scoring system that grades the performance of every member of its Premier Alliance Network. On-time performance and claims are among the factors that generate a partner’s score, but customer satisfaction is the most heavily weighted data point.

About Global Mobility Solutions

Founded in 1987, Global Mobility Solutions is a global corporate relocation services company that specializes in workforce mobility. The company’s corporate services include global assignment management, domestic relocation management and a range of pre-decision solutions. Global Mobility Solutions was ranked second in the relocation industry for overall customer satisfaction in HRO Today’s Annual Relocation Survey.

View the full corporate relocation forum gallery on Facebook

Contact:

Thomas Belnap, Marketing Director
800-617-1904 ext. 8832
[email protected]

Tags Press Room

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