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IS A FIXED FEE HOME SALE PROGRAM RIGHT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION?

Published: Thursday, August 3, 2023
Sirva Communications

Traditional Cost Plus relocation home sale programs (BVO and AVO) may offer the attraction of tax benefits, but burden employers with high levels of risk related to owning homes purchased from relocating employees. But have you considered a Fixed Fee Home Sale Program?

Fixed Fee Programs managed by a Relocation Management Company (RMC) are uniquely designed to minimize the potential risks of companies’ home ownership by buying and owning homes outright and removing you from chain-of-ownership risk. A Fixed Fee Program also alleviates managerial burden by providing you with predictable costs and streamlined billing.

Companies should consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of home sale program to determine the level of risk involved. In addition to offering companies predictable relocation costs, Fixed Fee Programs eliminate many of the financial risks associated with taking a home into inventory.

Please read our full paper to learn more about Traditional Cost Plus home sale programs compared to a Fixed Fee home sale program, some of the reasons homes go into inventory, elements of Fixed Fee pricing, and more.

 

Side-by-Side Home Sale Comparisons

 

Traditional AVO 

Traditional BVO 

Fixed Fee 

Fixed Fee No. Cost is unpredictable. No. Cost is unpredictable.
Yes. Fee is predictable and known up front.
Home Sale Program Billing Multiple bills from multiple vendors. Multiple bills from multiple vendors.  Single bill from relocation service provider.
Chain-of-Title Risk  High. Employer is exposed to chain-of-title risk. High. Employer is exposed to chain-of-title risk. None. RMC assumes all chain- of-title risk.
Employer Exposure Risk High. Employer assumes all risk of home ownership.
High. Employer assumes all risk of home ownership. None. RMC assumes all risk of home ownership.
Treatment of Home Sale Expenses Most expenses must be treated as capital losses by employer. Most expenses must be treated as capital losses by employer. Most expenses can be treated as ordinary business expenses by employer.
Customization Limited. Due to standardization of most programs. Limited. Due to standardization of most programs.
Easy. Fixed Fee Programs can be designed around employer’s risk tolerance.

Three Additional Fixed Fee Benefits

Eliminates Home Ownership and Inventory Management

 

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For more information on the ways a Fixed Fee Home Sale Program can help your organization, please contact us at concierge@sirva.com or reach out to your Sirva representative.