What to know about relocation assistance

Moving out of state to begin a new job can be a difficult process. Finding the right moving van lines, learning about the new region and getting all your possessions in order can take a lot of time, energy and patience. However, in these less-than-ideal economic times, moving for the right job may be a wise move, even if it's not easy.

One thing that can help is if your future employer agrees to help compensate you in some way. Unfortunately, it can be tough for many people to ask for assistance without feeling like they are putting their new job in jeopardy. However, the right questions and expectations can drastically help a move.

With this in mind, here are few tips for identifying and receiving a good relocation offer.

Ask HR
Going directly to your future boss or the person who hired you can rightfully make you a little anxious. Therefore, directing your inquiries to HR can help you feel confident in your questions. Asking them if they have a document they typically use is a good way to broach the subject. Seeing if you can speak with someone at the company who recently went through a similar process is another good option.

Transportation
One of the costliest parts of moving for a job is, well, the moving. Whether it's airfare or a rental car, you will likely need to spend a lot of money on transportation. It is best to look into reimbursement before you foot the bill yourself. If the company uses a specific airline or rental agency, for example, it is good to have this information as early as possible.

Home buying
If you are lucky, your future employer might even help in the process of buying a home. Whether this is connecting you with a real estate agent or even contributing some of the differential in prices compared to where you came from, this can be a huge service to you. Either way, they likely have information about good locations and deals in the area.

Insurance
The gap between jobs can create a sticky situation in terms of insurance coverage. With relocating involved, it is quite important to see what your new job can offer in the way of health and travel insurance.

Moving expenses
Another thing to discuss with your future employer is reimbursement for hiring a household moving company. Many companies provide assistance in this regard, which can make the process a lot easier - and have you showing up for your first day in good spirits.

Deciding whether to rent or buy

When moving - whether for a new job, a change of scenery or family reasons - deciding on a new home is often a difficult task. What type of neighborhood is right? How big should it be? What household movers should be used in the relocation process? Of course, at the bottom of this, there is an even more fundamental argument: to rent or to buy.

Due to difficult-to-grasp factors such as personal finances, the state of the housing market and the economy's overall health, it is not surprising that many people who are moving out of state don't know how to start making this decision.

However, by keeping a few things in mind, this process can become much clearer. Here are a few ways of approaching the problem.

Know your credit score
Your credit can have a huge impact on your options for finding the right home. If you are hoping to buy, a low score can result in much higher rates from your mortgage. For example, someone with a credit score of 620 would likely pay an extra two percentage points compared to a borrower with a score of 760, according to the American Bankers Association.

The community
Being able to predict the future of a neighborhood can help you decide if buying a home is a good investment. A location that is on the upswing is likely to witness a comparable rise in rents, meaning you'd likely have to pay more the next year, or hire van lines in order to move again.

Conversely, a neighborhood that is becoming more desirable will likely make your home more valuable the longer you stay there - therefore earning you money back on your investment.

"If you buy a good property in a stable community with today's bargain prices and interest rates, it is virtually guaranteed that value will rise by more than that," Karen Eastman Bigos, head of Towne Realty Group, told The New York Times.

Maintenance and taxes
Although it is easier to make monthly payments for a house you own, knowing that it is an investment, there are often many hidden costs to owning a home. Maintenance costs and property taxes are examples of how a home could cost significantly more than renting, at least in the short-run.

It is important to evaluate the property in order to gauge these costs. If the property is worth a lot, you will be paying high taxes on it. Conversely, if the house is in rough shape, you will likely be investing a lot of money into repairs and upkeep. Renting to avoid these costs might be wise in such circumstances.

The upcoming climate for corporate relocation

Corporate relocation can be a good indicator of the economy's health. When times are tight, businesses tend to keep people where they are, rather than devote valuable resources to moving its workers. When things are looking a little more flush, on the other hand, companies are a little more apt to ship off or bring in employees in the interest of their expected growth.

Employee relocation
Based on how employers expect to manage relocations in the coming year, it appears that the economy might be strengthening. The recently released Employee Mobility Survey reports that 40 percent of companies predict increased relocation activity in the next year, while another 54 percent expect them to stay at the same level.

These results indicate that companies are feeling hopeful about next year's economic climate. Being willing to spend on employee relocation - for such things as out of state movers and moving van lines - means that they believe business will be good enough to make it worth their while.

Optimism about the economy can lead companies to take more risks not only when offering relocation benefits for employees, but also when it comes to deciding to relocate themselves.

Moving headquarters
Another recent study on the relative operating costs for corporate headquarters lends insight into how some companies decide where to base their business. The report, called BizCosts, analyzed 55 North American cities and compared the prices associated with maintaining offices in those areas.

Based on such factors as taxes, construction costs and power expenses, the report helps companies decide where to base their operations.

New York City, unsurprisingly, topped the list with a projected cost of $47.2 million for a 100,000-square-foot headquarters with 500 employees. On the other end, Halifax, Nova Scotia, came in at $32.9 million.

Long-term savings
With the economy showing signs of recovering, these factors can come into play for a company considering relocating. The expenses of hiring corporate relocation companies or even, in the case of Halifax, an international moving company might seem daunting, but could be worth it when considering the long-term savings associated with a less expensive city.

With a more favorable economic climate expected, next year could be a big time for both employee and corporate relocations.

Tips for moving to a hot climate

Relocating to a new place is rarely easy, but when your new home will be somewhere dramatically hotter than your current location, you have a whole new wrinkle to deal with. Instead of sweating, though, there are a few things you can do to make moving out of state to a warmer climate a breeze.

Pick your month wisely
Although you'll have to adapt to the climate eventually, selecting a cooler month for the travelling and unpacking will help. If you have any flexibility, use it to select the coolest time available.

Keep easy access to fans
While packing, try to keep an eye on things that might help you beat the heat. Knowing where your fans, air conditioning units and coolers are will help you be prepared if you get uncomfortable. Keeping those items in your car, instead of packing them with household moving company - can help you get relief on the car ride.

Start early
Packing earlier in the morning will help you stay out of the heat as well as give you more flexibility when you arrive at your destination. Instead of rushing to get everything unpacked before you go to sleep, arriving at your new home will afford you a more leisurely process.

Stay hydrated
Now that you have that cooler next to you in the car, use it. Drinking plenty of fluids during your travels and as you pack will help you maintain a cooler temperature. Although you're likely anxious to get to your destination, making regular stops to get drinks or just take a breather in an air-conditioned spot will relieve some of the pressure.

Get your car inspected
Having your car fully checked before you depart is a good idea. Ask specifically about the air-conditioner to ensure that you have cold air when you need it. This is also a good opportunity to see if you will need to make any adjustments to it when you begin your life in the hotter climate. Are there any differences in maintenance? What can you do to keep it driving smoothly? Asking a mechanic the right questions before you get there can save you a headache or two.

Pet precautions
Unlike you, your cat or dog can't dress differently in the heat. Ask your vet what you should about keeping your pet happy and healthy in the new location. Also, asking your out of state movers to set you up with professional pet movers can help make things easier for you during the move.

Homesales booming among 55+ buyers

Within the growing optimism among home builders in general, there is a smaller segment of the industry that is experiencing an even more bullish market: new homes marketed towards those 55 years of age or older. The number of Americans in this demographic planning to buy a new home is the largest it has ever been, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

"We are servicing the largest growing group of buyers that we have ever seen in this age category," said Housing Council Chairman W. Don Whyte. "It is a population that is dramatically different from what it was only a few years ago."

One reason for this unpredicted increase might lie in the simultaneously rising resale value of homes, according to National Mortgage Professional. The increasing final sums those in this group are able to receive for their current home  might be the push they need to start making arrangements with out of state movers.

The size of this growing market means that there will likely be a great deal of movement among this group. As they may well have accumulated a great deal of possessions, those 55 and older will likely have a full plate when moving into their new home, and using a household moving company can help the process considerably

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Tips for employees relocating for work

April 24, 2012

Every year, employees across the United States are faced with the choice of whether
they will relocate for work if their company moves or they become unemployed. This process
can be riddled with anxiety, particularly when it comes to uprooting self and family. Relevant
2010-2011 figures from the US Census Bureau estimates that just over 11.6 percent of Americans
moved domestically or internationally in the course of the year, many of whom are relocating
due to employment status. Stress can be reduced by planning, communication and working
with a full service moving and relocation company.

In the months before the van lines arrive, movers should set priorities in preparation. In cases
of corporate relocation, begin with the company. Many businesses will offer packages to employees
to cover the costs associated with their changes of address. Families should research schools in the
new area, and ensure that children will be able to seamlessly transition into a new school.

Organization should happen along the way, but especially in the month leading up to moving day.
 Throwing away unnecessary items will streamline the process and ease anxiety. It will also help
to set everything in its proper place before the relocation and moving services arrive.

Always hire professionals to attend to your needs. Whether moving out of state or to the next county,
relocation firms offer support at every step of the process, from consultation to unpacking. Reputable
companies offer services including container moves, storage, recycling and debris removal. Once the
movers arrive, they can take care of everything, including packing and unpacking.

Be sure to be home to work with the movers to ensure the process meets your specifications. It is a
good idea to prepare a box or plastic bin with crucial items that may be needed immediately, such as
identification documents and medications. Professional companies carry insurance so all aspects of
he move are covered, but consumers should be aware of the time sensitive nature of claims.
Companies will discuss your options, and some even offer price quotes online.

Companies that move may sometimes opt to coordinate workers' moves alongside corporate
relocations. Speak to HR personnel for information. Following these simple steps will ensure
that everything is ready to go when the household moving company arrives.

Corporate Relocation Services

As a human resource or recruiting professional it is often your responsibility to get employees relocated on time, on budget and focused on their new job.  Mooney’s Moving & Storage is an authorized agent for Stevens Worldwide Van Lines.  We rely on our 107 years of experience and over 150 qualified agents throughout the county to help deliver a smooth relocation of your employees. 

There are 4 questions that you want to ask yourself prior to planning a corporate relocation:

1.  Are you looking for a moving company that provides more than just basic moving services?
2. Will you be offering a lump sum or full service relocation to your transferee?
3.  Do you want to develop a relocation policy for your transferees to avoid inequalities?
4. Can you move the employee during “non-peak” season?

Our core business is moving and storage.  However we provide many more benefits to the corporate transferee than just basic moving services:

Packing supplies: Free delivery when ordered through our website.  

Tech Support: Troubleshooting with personal computers and printer.  Support with home networks as well as cameras, iPods and mobile devises.  All included with you move. 

Concierge Service: Assistance to setup cable, TV, internet, utilities and home security.  All included with you move. 

PLUS Program:  Direct cash back rebates based on the sale of your home when using our network of real estate professionals.  

Identity Theft Protections:  Daily monitoring of your credit report for suspicious online activity, change of address alerts and assistance with stopping junk mail.

Whether you are allocating a lump sum payment or opting for a full service move, we will work with you to budget appropriately.  We understand that every company has certain budget limitations and can tailor relocation package that suites your needs.

Another benefit offered through Mooney’s and Stevens Van Lines is relocation policy consulting, development and implementation.  Our experienced staff can assist you with developing the appropriate policies so that you can proceed with an effective “game plan.”  Policies eliminate inequities, control cost, and reduce the burden of having to inquire or clarify “authorized” expenses.

Finally, is your company able to relocate your employee during “non-peak” months?  May through early September is extremely busy for any quality moving company.  By relocating in the offseason, discounts can often be more aggressive.  If the move must take place during the May-September season, plan on providing at least 5 week’s notice.

For further information about our corporate relocation services please contact Steven DeSteffano at (215)884-3280 or steve@mooneysmoving.com