globalCONNECTIONS Blog

With all the negative news around the economy and the real estate market these past few years, a moment of good news is in order. 

Here are a few things to consider:

Mortgage Rates: They are still extremely low.  This, of course, is good news for both buyers and sellers.  Low rates equal low payments and they look to stay low in 2012.

Home Values: The Case-Shiller Housing Index has shown home prices falling in most markets they track, however Phoenix stands out.  Once one of the fastest falling...

What is the second-highest HR expense?

Mobility! Yet gaining clear insight into total relocation costs is challenging.

Because mobility costs are often scattered throughout the organization, they are frequently overlooked during a spend analysis. Adding to the complexity, mobility services are predominantly procured based on service fees alone, which only amount for three percent of the total cost – while major costs associated with the home sale, temporary living and household goods are often...

SIRVA Inc., is pleased to announce that Ian Johnson joined the company as its new vice president of sales and marketing for Asia and the Middle East, leading SIRVA’s marketing initiatives across the regions.

In his new role, Johnson will lead SIRVA’s new sales opportunities, create awareness of SIRVA brands, and implement new marketing initiatives. He will report to Jacob George, president of SIRVA’s Asia and Middle East markets.

Johnson has more than 12 years of global mobility and...

Are you responsible for collecting and reporting total compensation data for your company’s international assignments? 

Before submitting your total compensation reports, check this list of top 10 items you should audit to help ensure your compensation reporting is accurate.

TOP 10 COMPENSATION AUDIT CHECK LIST
1.  Location and Duration of Assignment 

• Confirm actual start and end dates of assignment
• Confirm home and host country of assignment
• Confirm compensation elements are  being reported...

As we head into this special time of the year it may be worth reminding your employees of the terrific mortgage opportunities available in today’s market ---even those employees not going through a relocation!!

Rates are at an all time historical low. According to Freddie Mac the average 30 year fixed rate in the 3^rd Quarter of 2011 was 4.31% and is currently closer to 4%. This is significantly lower than the 8.74% average over the past 30 years and shockingly lower than the 16%+ interest rates...

On Monday, November 7, 2011, SIRVA announced its acquisition of Peninsula Properties Hong Kong, a real estate company providing a full range of destination services in and around Hong Kong.

“This is a very exciting time, and I feel proud for my company to have this expansion opportunity to grow with SIRVA,” said Nacelle Amok, managing director, Peninsula Properties Hong Kong. “SIRVA has the resources, infrastructure and global network that provide a broad range of dedicated services for clients...

Join SIRVA Throughout The Day!

When: October 30 - November 2, 2011
Where: Fort Worth Convention Center, Texas
Event Information

Experiencing complexities with your current relocation program? Interested in learning more about the latest mobility services and products in the marketplace? Visit SIRVA at Booth 1401 to speak with our mobility experts about these hot topics and more. 

As an exhibitor of this conference, SIRVA has a limited number of complimentary exhibit hall passes available for our...

The SIRVA Affinity program has had tremendous growth this year in terms of client & employee participation.  The customer survey feedback we have received indicates that employees are pleased with the savings, service, and resources available when in the market to buy, sell, or refinance their home. 

For example, Robert S. utilized the Real Estate Cash Back program to sell his home and stated that his, “SIRVA Real Estate Consultant was always very involved and caring. She was a good liaison with...

As the leaves begin to change and the days become shorter, all signs point to the inevitable…Winter!  With winter we typically see our real estate market slow down a bit and come to a near halt around the holidays.  Homeowners who are already struggling to sell their home in current economic conditions find prospective buyers drop off with the falling temperatures.  So what can you do to keep the marketing of your home hot?  Here are some of SIRVA Relocation’s favorite tips: 

• Think Spring.  Just...

So is SIRVA! Visit us in the Exhibit Hall at booth #509 and take your picture in front of the beautiful Colorado mountains!

You can also find SIRVA moderating the following sessions:

Thursday, October 13:
Moderator: Hank Roth, Senior Counsel
Title: U.S. Tax and Legal Update
Time: 10:45AM – 12:15PM
Description: Identifying issues that can cause tax liability or create legal problems is key to keeping your company and your transferees risk-free.  In this engaging session you’ll discover the critical tax...

While we will undoubtedly have some winter weather coming our way sooner rather than later, hopefully the rainstorms that left much of the midsection of the nation with serious flooding problems are behind us (for this year anyway.) While the flooding concerns caused some relocation home sale program eligibility and repair issues we believe there was some misunderstanding on how the flooding concerns affected flood insurance coverage. After speaking with the Federal Emergency Management Agency...

Processing shadow payrolls requires comprehensive planning and oversight. But if done right, can reduce your administrative workload and reduce risk of non-compliance. SIRVA can help you establish your shadow payroll processes, automate monthly tasks and reconcile payroll results.

Why create shadow payrolls?
Expatriate assignments can create a wage and tax reporting obligation in multiple countries. In fact, your assignees may fall under a local tax jurisdiction even if they are not receiving pay...

What does "enterprise cloud computing" mean for the HR function?
 
How can it help HR professionals do more for less financially?

How can cloud computing help alleviate the strain on HR’s IT resources and help the IT department create scalable solutions?

For the answers to all of these questions and more, register for Brian Richard’s upcoming webinar with IHRIM today. Brian will share how cloud computing can help nearly every area of HR—including recruiting, talent management, on-boarding and...

Join us at the upcoming American Payroll Association in New Orleans, LA from September 21-23rd as Sue Wines, SIRVA Global Compensation and Payroll Services Practice Leader, discusses what "global payroll" really means and why its important. 

This session will explore some ideas and assumptions behind the phrase to separate fact from fiction. She'll go “underneath the covers” to discuss the various models for global payroll, as well as the implications for your organization at a strategic and...

SIRVA, Inc., a leading global corporate relocation and moving services provider, announces the company has been shortlisted in two categories in this year’s European Expatriate Management and Mobility Awards (EMMAs). The Forum for Expatriate Management (FEM) administers the EMMA Awards, which recognize excellence in the global mobility profession.

SIRVA is shortlisted for Relocation Management Company of the Year. This award recognizes companies for leadership in exceptional customer service and...