31 Jul Financed Home-finding Visits Can Provide Relief to Relocating Assignees

People’s view on relocation varies, even if the move is just a few miles away from, say, San Francisco to San Jose in California. Depending on the location, some may find the move a relief, while others may find it stressful, amid the current health crisis. Nevertheless, global mobility managers’ objective is to make the assignee’s moving process as seamless as possible, because it’s a time when talents may feel terribly anxious.

One way managers can alleviate the stresses of relocating for assignees is to provide financial support for a home-finding trip, allowing assignees to search for their desired housing in the area of relocation. 

By giving this support, assignees may settle quicker and more peacefully. Another way they can improve the relocation experience is to supply assignees information on local hotspots, which California Corporate Housing has been doing for many years now. Although the highlight of a home-finding trip is to look for housing options, employees shouldn’t deprive themselves of getting acquainted with their new city. 

While immersing in a city’s culture and community helps ease an assignee’s anticipations, companies have to keep in my mind the budget and time constraints that come along with the trip. Aware of these constraints, UrbanBound offers three recommended ways employers can showcase the best of their cities:

Entertainment hubs. Arranging a visit on centralized hotspots is a time-efficient and budget-friendly option. Rather than hopping from one place to the other, assignees can navigate through a single location with ease. 

Must-visit spots. Companies can choose to organize transits to only the most renowned destinations in the area. This can be a local hideaway or even a lavish restaurant perfect for a date with a spouse. Considering more locations, employers should stay conscious of their time and budget demands of this kind of arrangement

Grand tour. Unarguably, an expensive and time-consuming arrangement, a grand tour has its advantages. The gesture speaks volumes of an employer’s enthusiasm of welcoming a new team member. It’s making them get well-acquainted with the city.

Regardless of which option companies offer, the gesture can win the hearts of new exceptional employees and boost employee morale when they begin work activities.

Employee’s research tips

Relocating employees have their fair share of research before a home-finding trip. The Covid-19 pandemic pressures them to approach the trip more cautiously, requiring them to plan ahead in anticipation of a particular city’s adjustments to the pandemic. 

Dave Ramsey, an author and businessman, encourages assignees to ask questions to narrow down their options.

Is family part of the relocation? Having a family affects an assignee’s home options. The assignee has to take into account each member’s needs, following more research on the assignee’s part. 

Are pets included? It may seem a trivial inquiry, but it is important for pet owners to determine whether a housing and neighborhood option is pet-friendly. 

Is the cost of living suitable? Considering compensation, assignees should think of the costs of living in a particular San Jose suburb. Does it suit the assignee’s lifestyle and financial goals?

At Home suggests creating a list of wants and needs to mitigate the anxieties of a trip. By doing so, an employee is well-aware of negotiables and non-negotiables in deciding a place to stay. Furthermore, it encourages assignees to look up on neighborhoods online that suit their lifestyles. Checking what a neighborhood has to offer in terms of schools, entertainment hotspots and leisure centers are important criteria as well.

Many companies still rely on local sales people for their relocation needs without giving much thought on the cost implications. But companies such as California Corporate Housing can afford to reduce overhead costs by leveraging technology to efficiently deliver serviced apartments. As a result, it maintains competitive pricing within the corporate housing industry. 

Although many housing startups fail to fulfill the promise of disrupting the industry, California Corporate Housing has proven its worth as a contender in the corporate housing provider game.

Comforting expats

Global mobility managers have the responsibility of doing keen research on all aspects of the relocation process. Although most companies shoulder most of the relocation duties, an increased desire for assignees to educate themselves in the relocation process has been evident. And with Covid-19 affecting their professional life, more planning and preparation are expected.

International assignees are most probably anxious of being uprooted from their home country. Plus, the adjustment to a new environment can be quite a stressful experience for an expatriate. It’s important for mobility managers to communicate to them what transpires in a home-finding visit.