2012 Corporate Relocation Survey Provides a Picture of Responsible But Hopeful Budgeting

Atlas Van Lines has held the title of longest running survey regarding corporate relocation in the industry for, well, as long as they’ve been in the industry and putting out this survey. They have recently released their 2012 edition, and the results are a mixed bag of inspiring and sobering. Despite all talk (truthful and hopeful) that the economy is on its way back up and overall spending will increase, the reports from the survey indicate that both sides are technically correct.

In general, most firms reported that overall spending and budgets related to relocation increase and  faith in the future of the housing market has grown as well.

“most firms, regardless of size, expect their overall financial performances to improve.While nearly half of all firms expect the U.S. economy to improve, mid-size firms are the most optimistic – over half (53%) expect the U.S. economy to improve, far more than respondents at small and large firms (40% and 37%). Expectations for the U.S. real estate market are similar across firms of all sizes: more than half expect stability compared to 2011, and about a third or more expect improvement”

Despite this positive outlook, however, most firms are reporting cautionary strategies when it comes to investing in moving employee’s around the country. Due primarily to wariness about the future, American companies have taken on “smarter spending” strategy that has seen a decrease in relocating spending across all levels of employment (new hires, middle management, senior management). Basically, people are moving, but not as many and not as lavishly as in pre-downturn years.

“The continued decrease is being driven by far fewer mid-size and large firms decreasing relocations among entry level/new hires (15% vs. 28%, 21% vs. 40%) and fewer firms of every size decreasing middle management relocations compared to 2010 (20% vs. 28%, 18% vs. 26%, 12% vs. 35%), with the biggest drop occurring at large firms.”

While the report delves much deeper into other external and internal factors that play a role in corporate budgeting in the future, we here at PC Housing are equal parts excited and optimistic about a positive upswing in the corporate housing industry. Providing furnished apartments to business travelers and casual travelers alike is a pleasure for us and while wild and lavish spending budgets aren’t exactly in the cards, we’re happy to report that America is slowly getting back on track.