Global Services
We provide offerings to satisfy your unique needs, whether selling a home in the U.S., managing a cross-country household goods move, or helping employees to get settled into their new homes in Europe. Our global experience means that you can count on seamless international relocation, no matter what’s next.
Departure Services
From the initial policy consulting call through the move itself, there are a lot of moving pieces associated with an employee relocation. Whether an intra-country/domestic or international relocation, lump sum or complete VIP services package, Sirva is expertly positioned to offer the best departure services available during an international relocation in every region around the world.
Destination Services
Setting your employees up for success upon arrival at their new locations will be key to successfully meeting your company’s goals. Sirva's global network and expansive resources allow us to help clients achieve these goals. Our destination services help employees and their families settle in and prosper in their new homes.
Visa and Immigration
Sirva's global team of experienced international relocation specialists are expertly equipped to manage inbound and outbound global immigration services. With Sirva's Immigration team, the focus is on providing a smooth customer experience that enhances the international relocation process, not just achieving a successful application.
Employee Counseling
For your employees, our service delivery model is focused on end-to-end coordination of international relocation services through a single relocation professional. We provide relocation consultants for domestic/intra-country moves and global assignment consultants for international relocation.
These consultants are your employees’ resource for all communication and services relating to their move. International relocation consultants also coordinate the delivery of all authorized services. Regardless of the service being delivered (temporary housing, moving services, etc.), the employee can rely on the consultant as their one call solution to address any concerns.
VIP Services
Sirva offers VIP services for our clients who seeking an enhanced service for their employees, such as their own personal relocation assistants, in-home cleaning services, personalized family assistance, and other tailored and luxury enhancements.
Related Services
Interested in learning more about our global services?
We would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
U.S. Housing Market Activity Increasing Since the Onset of COVID-19
Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, new-home sales had risen to a higher level than had been seen in years. Price appreciation was booming: Little inventory was available, mortgage rates were low, and home prices were steadily increasing, all of which created a uniquely positive time for both buyers and sellers. When the pandemic started in the United States, however, the outlook was grim as job losses mounted and the economy took a sharp downturn. Surprisingly, despite a lull in April, the U.S. real estate market rebounded quickly. While market conditions can often fluctuate, currently, home listing and sale activity is stronger than pre-pandemic levels. As we’ll discuss below, current circumstances indicate that now may be the ideal time for individuals to list and sell their homes.
Current Real Estate Trends
Continued Lack of Inventory: The number of home seekers continues to outnumber the number of available options on the market. This creates desirable conditions for homeowners who do list their properties, since their homes are in demand.
Low Interest Rates: Interest rates have dipped historically low, making the prospect of buying a home more appealing and affordable for well qualified buyers.
A Shift from Renting to an Interest in Buying: Many renters are considering purchasing homes for a variety of reasons, some of them for the first time. Some are seeing the advantages of homeownership – from owning an asset to having greater control over their living spaces; thanks to low mortgage rates, they are also finding this option feasible. Depending on the area and scenario, others are finding that a mortgage payment would be lower than their monthly rent. Others are seeking to leave crowded cities for more personal space in the suburbs in response to the pandemic.
Resulting Impacts on the U.S. Real Estate Market
As a result of the above trends, SIRVA has seen significant impacts on the current U.S. real estate market. As a result of low inventory and mortgage rates, we’ve seen buyers “bidding up” to win their properties of choice which, in turn, has driven sale prices up and the number of days a home spends on the market down. SIRVA data shows that, since May 1, 2020, home values are up almost 5 percent and the average number of days on the market has dropped 8 percent compared to last year.
Unemployment rates will likely impact the housing market in the future, should the economy continue to see extended shutdowns.
What this Means for Homeowners
While the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic can be a concern for some individuals, thanks to the trends and impacts listed above, now may be the perfect time for homeowners to list their homes if they’re considering doing so. Competitive bidding and higher sale prices can be strong incentives – along with the knowledge that there are plenty of potential buyers in line who are interested in making a purchase. For assistance, please contact us at concierge@sirva.com.
SIRVA manages over 5,000 home sales and 14,000 home purchases, annually. During these unprecedented times, our employees and agents continue to provide guidance and support when companies and their employees have decided to move forward with selling or purchasing a home. Please work with your relocation consultant for the most up-to-date information, as the market continues to fluctuate.
Sources:
Joel Kan. Fed Puts Rate Cuts on Hold: MBA Economic and Mortgage Finance Commentary: January 20, 2019. www.mba.org. MBA Forecast Commentary. January 20, 2019. (Accessed August 17, 2020.) file:///C:/Users/ZZZ2120/Downloads/Forecast%20Commentary%20Jan%202020%20(3).pdf
Diana Olick. Lower Mortgage Rates are Causing an Epic Housing Shortage. www.cnbc.com. Real Estate. October 15, 2019. (Accessed August 17, 2020.) https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/15/lower-mortgage-rates-are-causing-an-epic-housing-shortage.html
Diana Olick. Existing Home Sales Plunge in May, but Realtors Think That was the Bottom. www.cnbc.com. Real Estate. June 22, 2020 (Accessed August 17, 2020.) https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/22/existing-home-sales-plunge-in-may-but-realtors-think-that-was-the-bottom.html
Angela Waugaman. Mortgage Rates Drop, Reaching Another All Time Low. www.globenewswire.com. Freddie Mac. June 18, 2020 (Accessed August 17, 2020.) https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/06/18/2050255/0/en/Mortgage-Rates-Drop-Reaching-Another-All-Time-Low.html#:~:text=MCLEAN%2C%20Va.%2C%20June%2018,which%20dates%20back%20to%201971.
Amanda Lauren. How Coronavirus is Impacting Home Buyers and Sellers. www.forbes.com. March 6, 2020. (Accessed August 17, 2020.) https://www.forbes.com/sites/amandalauren/2020/03/06/coronavirus-is-a-public-health-crisis-but-a-boon-to-real-estate-buyers/#103cef5c436b
Realtor.com. 2020 Housing Market Predictions: COVID-19 Update. www.realtor.com. May 2020. (Accessed August 17, 2020.) https://www.realtor.com/research/2020-housing-market-predictions-covid-19-update/
Contributors:
Margaret DeLuca | Director, Real Estate Risk
Lisa Marie DeSanto | Manager, Content Marketing
For more information please see SIRVA's Blog Disclaimer.