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How to Overcome Housing Challenges During Relocation Process

young African-American couple meets with female real estate agent.
Happy real estate agent came to a successful agreement with a couple during a meeting in the office.

Learn how to navigate through real estate challenges while relocating for a job

Inventory shortages are still a significant issue in real estate markets nationwide. Buyers often find themselves in bidding wars, pushing prices above the listing price. Many are forgoing property inspections, risking purchasing a home with potential problems that may only surface later. 

This could lead to costly repairs, decreased property value, or issues during resale. Some states have non-refundable due diligence fees, while others require option money. Failing to meet contract requirements in these states can result in financial loss for the buyer. Sellers may prefer offers with fewer contingencies in states with refundable earnest money. Overall, navigating the real estate market in these conditions can be challenging for buyers and sellers alike.

This trend of homeowners staying longer has also been influenced by the uncertainty in the housing market due to the ongoing market changes. With the rise in remote work opportunities, many homeowners opt to stay put and improve their homes rather than go through the hassle of selling and buying a new property. This has further exacerbated the already limited supply of homes on the market.

As a result, potential buyers are facing stiff competition and bidding wars, especially in desirable neighborhoods. The combination of low inventory and high demand has increased home prices, making it even more challenging for first-time buyers to enter the market. Additionally, the increase in interest rates has made it more expensive to borrow money for a mortgage, further squeezing buyers’ purchasing power.

Overall, the current housing market is characterized by high prices, low inventory, and increased competition, making it a challenging environment for buyers and sellers. It remains to be seen how these trends will evolve in the coming months as the economy continues to change.

Why It’s Important to Work with an Agent Who Specializes in Relocation

Relocation management companies (RMC) recommend that relocating employees choose an agent from their approved real estate network. This ensures that the agent is knowledgeable about relocation policies and understands the intricacies of the moving process. By doing so, the relocating individual can make the most of the benefits offered through the home-sale program. Those who follow their company’s designated home sale program typically sell their homes faster, experience less stress during the move, and are prepared to start their new job upon arrival. 

By utilizing your home sale program provided by an RMC, the primary contact at your relocation company can manage the complete moving process for you – from the evaluation of your relocation needs to the transportation of your belongings and, ultimately, the completion of the sale of your home. Furthermore, relocation real estate firms will provide you with a list of potential agents to consider before making a decision, empowering you to make the final choice.

Real estate agents who lack experience in the relocation process may need to be more proactive, skilled in maximizing savings and profits, or knowledgeable about effectively utilizing relocation benefits. Their lack of understanding of corporate relocation procedures could delay selling your home.

Work with GMS to Overcome Relocation Challenges

Our Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) team has years of experience handling corporate relocations and understands the intricacies of selling a home during this process. We have a network of trusted real estate agents who are experts in relocation transactions and can help you navigate the entire process seamlessly.

By working with GMS, you can rest assured that your home sale will be handled efficiently and effectively, maximizing your savings and profits. Our team will work closely with you to ensure you fully understand all the relocation benefits and how to maximize them.

Do not let inexperience or a lack of knowledge about relocation procedures prevent you from selling your home. Contact us today to speak with one of our relocation specialists, who can provide you with the guidance and support you need to sell your house successfully during a corporate relocation. We are here to help you every step of the way.

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Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

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Home Purchase Labor Force Relocation Best Practices Relocation Challenges

What Is an iBuyer?

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Explanation of an iBuyer and why transferees shouldn’t use them

There is no doubt that selling or buying a home can be complex. More prominent real estate companies started buying and selling homes through iBuying. This newer way to sell houses and property popped up. 

But what is an iBuyer? How does it work? Is it worth it for me to sell my home to one? 

An iBuyer, in simple terms, is a real estate company that leverages technology to buy and sell homes in hopes of making a quicker sale than the traditional real estate process would. The main reason is that with iBuyers, people can buy and sell homes almost entirely online, and the buyer may never even step foot in the house before signing the dotted line. 

While some iBuyers have been around since 2014 but mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, iBuyers started to take a hold of a decent portion of real estate transactions. The main reason is that home buyers and sellers could show or search for houses online and take virtual tours. Then they could make offers and complete the process online before getting to their new destinations.

iBuyers vs House Flippers

Many people confuse iBuyers as being in the same realm as house flippers. Flippers typically buy properties at low prices and then relist the house for a higher price in hopes of making a profit. 

iBuyers look for homes that are more market-ready than those houses flippers purchase. iBuyers tend to make a more fair offer for what the property is worth during the market’s value. Fees are short. All iBuyer companies have fees worked into their submission. 

Should I Use an iBuyer?

Often, people who are in a hurry to get to their new destination turn to iBuyers. They think that because their process is more accessible than the traditional way, they can be on their way sooner. But relocating for a job, using an iBuyer, is probably not the best route because you could be leaving money on the table. 

If you are relocating for a new position, the first step is to review any relocation benefits offered by your new company. For example, employee relocation packages often offer home buying and home selling programs. This means there could be special programs that help moving employees sell their current homes and buy a new house in their new destination. 

When employees take a relocation job, they often think they will not have enough time to sell their home before their start date. This would make many believe that an iBuying company is the way to go. But any reliable relocation management company (RMC) would strongly side against iBuyers. 

Advantage of an RMC over iBuyers

Some of the most sought-after relocation benefits are home sale programs. In basic terms, relocation home sale programs provide assistance to homeowners so that they can move to their new city for the desired or assigned start date. Each RMC will have different terms and conditions for its offered real estate programs. But most programs will include payments to cover real estate commissions and closing costs. Therefore, every home selling assistance program differs depending on the seller’s/buyer’s situation. The type of program a moving employee can use also depends on relocation policies specified in the employee’s offer letter. Direct Reimbursement, Buyer Value Option (BVO), and Guaranteed Purchase Offer (GPO) are three of the most commonly offered relocation home sale programs. 

Each of these programs offers different advantages to transferees. Direct reimbursement is the most common program. This home-selling program is where the employee will list and sell their home on their own and be reimbursed by their new company for closing costs and other fees. 

The BVO program is where the RMC will buy the home from the moving employee and sell it to a buyer with a competitive offer. Finally, the GPO program is the handiest; this is where the employee will list and try to sell their home independently. If, after a set amount of time (typically 30-120 days), the employee is unable to sell their home, the RMC will purchase the home from the employee so that they can make it to their start date on time.

GMS Employs Real Estate Experts

Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) has been the industry leader in relocation since 1987. We’ve assisted in millions of moves since and have taken pride in making a seamless relocation process with top-notch customer service. We understand that selling a home in a tighter time frame adds to stress. 


That is why GMS only employs the best real estate experts to help our clients sell and buy homes promptly while getting checks next to all their needs on their list. With over 30 years of experience, GMS knows how to get relocating employees moved on time without leaving too much money on the table. For more information on our home-selling programs, please reach out to set up a free consultation on how GMS can help. Or check out our Knowledge Base for more insight on other services GMS can offer those looking to relocate for a new job.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

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