On November 11, Teresa Vidger, THD President brought the entire THD team to Phoenix, AZ to celebrate their annual holiday event at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge.  This annual event is a way that Teresa feels that she can celebrate the contributions of each THD member and reward them with a beautiful destination that is meant for a lot of laughs and fun times.   This year was special as it is THD’s 10 year anniversary. 

The day started off with a lunch outdoors where everyone could enjoy the lovely fall weather visiting with old colleagues as well as meeting the newest members of the THD family.  There was also some free time to spend and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Arizona desert.

That evening the festivities continued with the annual team photo then reception to further mingle and have fun getting caught up.  The reception was followed by dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant, Tuscany.   Teresa gave service awards for the team members that had been with the company for 5 plus years.

After dinner, the celebration continued as each Temporary Housing Directory department performed a skit for the Annual Holiday Follies with comedy, dancing and singing skits that filled the room with laughter and applause.  The managers and even Teresa dressed up in 70’s gear to start the THD Follies and get everyone laughing.   Prizes were given out to the best skits and fun was had by all! 

At the end of the evening, THD’s first four employees hosted a video and presented it to a very surprised Teresa with a DVD that looked back on the great memories and successes of THD over the past 10 years. Each employee shared with Teresa why they are thankful for working at such a great company.  Tears were shed and it was a great way to end the night.

As THD celebrates the holiday season and 10 years of providing temporary housing it is with great pride and gratitude that we thank all our customers for helping make THD a success.

Relocating an employee and sending someone on temporary assignment requires preparation, coordination, administration, and follow-up to ensure the employee transition is smooth. How do you let someone else assist you in this complex process? 

Professional corporate housing providers are a full-service solution with the ability to provide a single point of contact, technology to simplify the process, and flexible billing and reporting options. From beginning to end, the provider handles all of the planning and preparation required for the temporary housing need when relocating an employee and family to an unfamiliar area. Offering a comprehensive solution to relocation companies, and the security of knowing the job is done right, is only one facet of what corporate housing offers.

Many mobility professionals already know the value of working with a corporate housing provider partner, so we asked them to share their perspectives.

Issue #1: Taking the Stress out of Moving

Studies have shown that anxieties about a new location are the greatest cause for stress during relocation. Add relocating with a family and this is an infinitely more complicated process. It is critical to create a simplified process.

Tom Colucci, CRP, vice president of strategic sourcing for Mobility Services International (MSI), said corporate housing providers reduce stress and anxiety by being available to consult throughout the entire process. “By responding to all transferee concerns as quickly as possible, with as much information as possible, [it] alleviates many concerns over what to expect, how the process will work, [and] who to contact with any issues,” he said.

“Just knowing they have a place to lay their head is comforting,” said Paul Kuchenbecker, a buyer for Re:Sources.

One mobility professional goes on to say, “the more the corporate housing can resemble the comforts of home, stress and anxiety will be reduced.... it is important because this is the one place the transferee can fully unwind and feel like [he or she is] going ‘home’ at the end of the work day, even though it is a temporary stay.”

Issue #2: The Space Factor

A temporary apartment is typically substantially larger than a standard hotel room or extended-stay lodging option. This is vitally important during a relocation or transition, because corporate housing serves as the transferee’s primary residence during the relocation.

“Our relocation evaluation completed by the transferee at the end of [his or her] move will ask questions about their stay in corporate housing,” says Colucci. “Usually, the transferee will want the additional space in corporate housing, especially if family will be visiting during their stay, along with the ability to prepare meals in their unit.”

Beth Archibald, SCRP, SGMS, president of Archibald Relocation & Real Estate Services, adds that “attention to detail for furnishings, toys for kids, food in the refrigerator on arrival, and up-to-date details of checking in with them throughout their stay,” is equally important.  “[The] convenience of having their own kitchen and not having to eat out all of the time,” is just one of the reasons that a transferee prefers to stay in corporate housing over a hotel room. Undoubtedly, space is key while traveling with families.

Issue #3: Location, Location, Location

Being in an unfamiliar area is hard in the best of circumstances, and working with a provider that can supply a lodging alternative close to all the amenities someone requires while staying long term eases these challenges.

Proximity to conveniences such as grocery stores, entertainment, fitness facilities, and recreational areas can make all the difference. Providers additionally can offer advice on locations such as the quality of schools—typically a vital decision factor for employees moving with families. 

Corporate housing providers also can accommodate difficult scenarios. With their established relationships with many apartment communities, these communities often are more flexible in obliging special requests than if an individual approached the apartment community directly. Archibald cited a recent situation in which “...we had a challenging rural location and only a corporate housing company came to the rescue... it was a win/win situation for all involved.”

Issue #4:  Increased Productivity

Staying in a temporary apartment instead of a hotel room also can increase productivity as the employee is less stressed and more comfortable during his or her stay. There is no need to worry about moving personal items during a weekend trip back home, for example. Many companies allow families to accompany relocating employees, and with corporate housing the additional needed space is not an issue.

This arrangement results in a better work-life balance and more engaged employees. “We have had some comments from transferees that they liked their furnished apartment[s] so much that they did not want to move out,” adds Colucci.

THD hope’s you had a wonderful Independence Day celebration. This year we celebrated the United States of America’s 235th birthday on July 4th

As we celebrate our nation’s birthday it is a good time to look back on why we celebrate Independence Day. On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the statement of the United States Declaration of Independence which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration is a formal explanation of why Congress had voted on July 2 to declare independence from Great Britain, more than a year after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. July 4, 1776, the day the wording of the Declaration was approved by Congress.

After finalizing the text on July 4, Congress issued the Declaration of Independence in several forms. It was initially published as a printed broadside that was widely distributed and read to the public. The most famous version of the Declaration, a signed copy that is usually regarded as the Declaration of Independence, is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Although the wording of the Declaration was approved on July 4, the date of its signing has been disputed. Most historians have concluded that it was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed. Wikepedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence

To learn more about the 4th of July and the Declaration of Independence check out the following links: http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/historicdocuments/a/bldechist.htm or http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_history.html

For more information on Temporary Housing Directory please contact at 800-817-3220 or at request@thdmail.net

We made it easier to use and navigate through all of our services and information. Many of the same features you love still exist, like our “THD Virtual office” on-line portal. We just made it easier to find.

Watch our online videos to make sure you know all the great services we deliver and hear some informal messages from me.

We want you to check out our blog and “Talk to THD”! This is where you and your clients can input about your experience with us! And to show you how valuable you are to us, the first 50 bloggers that mention our new website will receive a star bucks gift card!

What is THD’s Hotel Advantage©…“The transparent difference”? Take a look and find out because we aren’t hiding anything!

Let us show you the new THD logo! We shortened our name to THD, because we were asked so many times if we were a DIRECTORY! We are not a publication, but a full service nationwide housing company. Our new logo and tag line fit us better! It has a more contemporary and innovative look and feel… just like us.

Visit us now at www.temporaryhousingdirectory.com or call us at 800—817-3220!

Is Wall Street’s inching towards recovery any indication that our current economic crisis may be on the ebb? A tough economy has led to higher foreclosures as close to over 980,000 homes were repossessed by banks. According to RealtyTrac this is the highest annual tally of properties lost to foreclosure on records dating back to 2005.

But there’s no need to feel distressed! Temporary Housing Directory is very cognizant of this foreclosure reality and we are doing everything we can to help protect policy holders, insurance adjusters, insurance companies, and the temporary housing industry overall in ensuring their customers don’t get placed in a house or landlord in a negative situation. 

THD searches for single dwelling homes from private landlords.  For example, when a house burns down, the displaced family faced with loss of use needs immediate relocation and emergency temporary housing. They also need like kind homes in close proximity to every day conveniences in safe communities. THD makes their relocation an easy and stress free experience.

How does THD help in the prevention of renting foreclosed properties?

• We pay the rent on behalf of the insurer directly to the landlord, so if there are any issues we can hold rent until the situation is rectified.
• THD has partnered with established companies like RealtyTrac.
• We do detailed background checks on landlords to ensure that families are being put in a nice dwelling.  We also verify that the landlord is up to date on other properties and are not in any type of pre-foreclosure situation. 
• With our due diligence, any negatives are “red-lighted” immediately.

Don’t let the gloomy foreclosure scene get you down or worried. Contact us online or give us a call now at 800-817-3220. We have the depth of knowledge, width of expertise and length of experience to help you find the right rental.