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It is often said that you only get one chance to make a first impression. Although they aren’t necessarily a reliable indicator of what’s to come, good first impressions will contribute to a more positive outlook. The best part is that you don’t have to spend a lot to impress. In fact, we suggest something already tested at the VIP level that can easily be extended to other groups.
Settling-in services are used in part to manage first impressions. They are commonly provided to families as they arrive in a new destination, whether domestic or international. Most will be offered a half-day orientation tour of the local area allowing the transferee to focus more quickly on his or her new assignment. When it comes to VIP’s (executives or other high-profile individuals), organizations tend to provide more personalized attention. More often than not, arrival at a new destination begins with temporary accommodation and many companies arrange to have groceries waiting in the unit, providing welcome relief to a weary traveller. Typically, the basket includes basic items such as coffee, milk, bread, cereal, fruit, as well as specialized items required or preferred by the individual. The tired VIP can then rest rather than rush back out in search of a shop. What better way to say: “We know it’s been a long and stressful journey, so put your feet up for a bit and relax.” Why not consider providing grocery baskets to a wider group, if not to all transferees? The low cost of providing these items is far outweighed by their perceived value. Individuals sense that the company cares and wants the relocation to start off on the right foot. This is a simple and inexpensive way to dampen negative thoughts that start to fester in a tired and cranky traveller’s mind. It’s a simple process. Once a relocation assignment is accepted, the counselor collects relevant information about the assignee and family during the initial interview. Then, when travel plans are arranged, the basket is tailored to their needs, e.g., breakfast food, coffee and tea, if arriving at night, or snacks and beverages, if arriving with children in the afternoon. The items can be limited to the basics or, depending on the organization’s desire to please, personal touches can be added to reflect dietary preferences, such as gluten-free items or a child’s favourite cookies. Families may also appreciate being able to try a few local delicacies or finding trinkets for the kids and a chew toy for the dog. There’s much room for creativity. A positive first impression sets the tone for a relationship. It won’t guarantee that everything will run without a hitch, but it will make things seem brighter to both the transferee and the organization … without breaking the bank.
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In a budget thick with user fee increases, homebuyers face the biggest whack — registration fees will triple or quadruple for many new property owners.
The dramatic hikes for registering new land titles and mortgage documents come as Alberta’s real-estate market is mired in a significant slump, with sales volumes down and prices beginning to dip. The move surprised many in the sector, but Service Alberta Minister Stephen Khan said lawyers and real-estate associations told him there was room to grow, compared with the taxes and fees in other provinces. “We heard that independently from our stakeholders — boy you guys are really, really really low when it comes to fees,” Khan said. “There’s a recognition that having the lowest fees is not a sustainable model.” There are two segments of land title and mortgage registration fees, and both will rise July 1. The flat-fee portion for each type of registration goes from $50 to $75. But it’s on the “variable” or per-dollar fee that homeowners will really pay up. That charge will rise to six times its current level. Here’s what it will mean for someone who purchases a $500,000 new home this summer — the rough average price for a standalone house in Calgary — and takes out a $400,000 mortgage: — Currently, the new land title for that buyer costs $150 and the mortgage registration costs $140, for a total of $290. — In the new budget, a land title would cost $675 and mortgage registration $555. The new total: $1,230. While this fee is a fraction of the price of a new house or condo, new homebuyers are often surprised by the bevy of unexpected costs like home inspection, legal fees and the suddenly increased levy for document registration, said Liberal MLA Darshan Kang, a former real-estate agent. “I don’t think this is going to help sales,” Kang said. It’s the first time since 2011 the province has increased the flat fee for property and mortgage registrations. In the Klein era, the province slashed the variable fee from o.1 per cent of a property price to 0.02, and it hadn’t moved since. Now it will be 0.12 per cent. While registration fee hikes bring Alberta much closer to the national average, it’s still well below what homebuyers pay in provinces with land transfer taxes. That same $500,000 property would come with an $8,000 transfer tax in Vancouver, $7,500 in Halifax, and $12,200 in Toronto, according to ratehub.ca, a financial comparison website. The oil price collapse has walloped Calgary’s home resale market. The Calgary region recorded one-third fewer residential sales this February compared to last February, while the median price went down 2.1 per cent, according to Calgary Real Estate Board data. “The market has already been trending downward and the added fees certainly won’t help, but won’t be the sole deterrent from buying,” said Mike Fotiou, an associate with First Place Realty. While Khan said he hasn’t heard worries about the fee hike from many groups, others that didn’t see this coming are still looking at what the change means for buyers of resale and new homes. “It was a surprise to us. We didn’t know it was on the table,” said Amie Blanchette, government affairs director for the Canadian Home Builders Association, Calgary region. [email protected] Twitter.com/markusoff http://calgaryherald.com/business/real-estate/budget-dramatic-fee-hikes-coming-to-real-estate-market Flood compromises post-tension cabling by CREB Member Practice and Advocacy on Oct 24, 2014
Properties are still recovering from last year’s flood. For condos caught in the flood plain, post-tension cabling could still be compromised more than one year later. In a recent presentation at the Association of Condominium Managers conference, engineer Anast Demitt, of ADEM Engineering Consultants Inc., warned of the potential risk. Post-tension cabling provides structural support to buildings by reinforcing concrete slabs typically used in condominium parkades and within occupied residential levels. In a recent inspection conducted this past summer, a condo parkade level that was submerged during the flood was still water logged one year later. In his presentation on common and uncommon structural problems in buildings, Demitt reinforced the importance of conducting thorough structural inspections on flood zone condos. Condos buildings that were submerged in the flood should be inspected by structural engineers to reveal any inadequacies and reports should be kept on file within condo documents. While post-flood structural damages must be considered on a building-by-building basis, the best practice for REALTORS® is to advise potential condominium clients to always undertake a thorough review of the condominium documents. Whether it is with their lawyer, a professional review company or another qualified person, CREB® reinforces the need to review documents before making any purchasing decisions. It is the way of the blue chip corporate community to utilize lawyers who specialize in the immigration processing when completing the documentation required for executives who are relocating to a new destination city in Canada. In support of the formal arrival, and issuance of the work permit, (and in some cases the study permit for those who have children), destination services are an integral part of the successful settling in process.
When the international transferee arrives at the airport and proceeds to immigration to obtain their work permit, there is a list of “other” services they require in order to settle comfortably into their new city. Often an orientation tour has already taken place during the interview stage, so the executive and family are vaguely familiar with the city. They may even have furnished temporary accommodation to move into. The next steps are critical to the success of the relocation which is why immigration lawyers are turning to destination service providers to smooth the process for the families. We start with planning the movement of household goods to be sure they arrive in a timely manner so as not to keep the family in temporary accommodation any longer than necessary. Next, we are at the airport to meet and greet the family taking them to their furnished temporary accommodation where a dinner and breakfast meals are waiting in the fridge. Planning ahead is critical to smooth the process. Before an executive can begin work they must of course have a Social Insurance Number, bank account, and health care card or registration. While many end up tackling these appointments on their own, support is always very much appreciated reducing the time required to complete the process as well as the need to return with appropriate documentation. When it comes to registering the children in school it is important to have all the required documentation with you to smooth the process. Just knowing where to go and having the appointment set eases the stress of the executive and children. Whether the family is renting, or buying a home to live in, it is important to settle them as soon as possible. The immigration lawyers we work with understand just how important each step to settling in is, just as important as having the correct immigration documents prepared to work in a new country. It is important to have a team of professionals who understand what is necessary to smooth the process and reduce the stress. Working together has proven to be successful for everyone. For more information, please call 403-512-0311 or email [email protected] It is interesting to note that many executives are asking for more and more assistance these days when contemplating, or accepting, a new position with a corporation in a new location. Much of the decision process is based on unbiased information around housing, and support systems for the family. It seems that children with special needs, such as those with medical or educational concerns, need to be addressed prior to any acceptance of a new role.
In support of the recruiters and candidates we are now successfully introducing the executive to the necessary contacts during the orientation tour of the new city. This happens prior to the last negotiation meeting. It also allows the recruiter to include in the offer letter, any unique needs that the family may have for the relocation. More and more we are crossing paths with children who have very special and unique requirements such as those with autism, or diabetes. These relocations need much more compassion, detailed planning, and support, in order to ensure the executive is in his/her new role and working immediately upon arrival with all the many details taken care of. Taking the time to reveal each unique need, and in turn, finding the best solution is the approach necessary to a successful new hire. Recruiters have turned to Global Relocation Solutions Inc. to ensure all requirements are revealed, and satisfied, prior to the final interview. Often during the orientation tour, the family will make known their unique needs allowing the communication flow back to the recruiter, offering them time to work through the issues and related costs with the corporation. This in turn allows the recruiter to create an effective offer letter covering all the details clearly, that both the corporation and new hire have agreed to. As in the case of some very large corporations, the claw back clause included in every offer letter, (covering the repayment of each of the relocation elements), is a part of the relocation budgeting process. When a candidate is “the one they want” components can be traded to balance the budget while offering all the services and support the family will need for a successful relocation. For more information call 587-316-2111 ext 101 or email: [email protected] |
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