Consumer Confidence Index slightly but steadily rises from March to April, home sales reports are pretty encouraging - so do we see the signs of improvement overall throughout the country? Here are some comments from a discussion group Worldwide ERC® - U.S. Domestic Relocation on Linkedin network...

1. 

   Carol Toronto

   Central Ohio Accredited Realtor & Consultant

   Yes the weather has released a flurry of buyers. Some actually serious, a lot just looking for that special bargain and disappointed that they cannot find the 4000 sf home for $100,000!!! However, they should still buy and when they become realistic they do get a really good buy and a really low mortgage. Its a great time to buy!

   Posted 7 days ago | Reply Privately

2. Shelley Giles

   Director, Relocation, Travel & Meeting Services at Tenet Healthcare

   We sold 3 houses yesterday (2 inventory; 1 employee sale). They were in 3 very different markets so I think there is definitely some improvement. But - as my old boss used to say "It's the closings that kill you!" We'll keep our fingers crossed on these!

   Posted 7 days ago | Reply Privately

3. 

   George Herriage

   VP Client Development at Capital Relocation

   We have seen a large uptick in sales over the past three months. March was the single largest month for closings and revenue in our history. That being said, we are seeing the vast majority of the activity in the under $250K range

   Posted 7 days ago | Reply Privately

4. 

   Alex Kazaryan 

   Moving/Relocation Consultant

   Here in New York, moving activity increased a lot. The number of local moves in the end of April is back to the numbers of last summer! Have to admit that it might be caused by pretty low rates on rent in manhattan now...

   Posted 7 days ago | Delete comment

5. 

   Eric Everson

   Vice President, Sales at Action Moving Services, Inc.

   In the midwest here, we have seen activity increase abruptly. We are taking bookings for end of June already. Positive sign if the trend holds for May.

   Posted 5 days ago | Reply Privately

6. 

   Wade McLaren

   President at Blue Bird Transfer, Inc.

   West coast is still slow. However 7 of my Corporate clients have activated 29 moves for me to coordinate, in the next 45 days, on the East coast with employees moving between their facilities. Employee transfers 30%, new job hires 5% and managment changes 65%. Nice to get some orders - things have been quiet out there for over three months.

   Posted 3 days ago | Reply Privately

7. 

   Donald J. Martin, SCRP, RAA, GAA

   Owner, MartinAppraisals.com

   We have had 5 weeks of back to back strong activity in the refi volume of Appraisal requests, some have also been sales. Hopefully, this trend will continue, as cheaper money in the hands of consumers should create greater purchasing power and lead to purchases of longer term durable goods and ultimately more home sales. This maybe the strongest showing in volume sinc '07. Transferee volume appears strong all this year, thus far, but that may be due to other factors - such as homes not selling due to long inventory periods. As homes are still not selling, need for valuing inventory is great. Rates of (value) decline in Chicago area 30% to 40% are typical from the peak of the market. Some spot areas are in excess of 70% decline since the peak and in extreme rare cases, there has been no measurable increase or decrease in value.

   Posted 2 days ago | Reply Privately

Spring is coming, though the snow on March, 20 showed us that we're definitely doing something wrong with the environment. But anyways, days are becoming warmer and moving season arrives. Statistics indicates that people move substantially more during warm days of the year - and that is not surprising. But todays economy creates new statistics. A bunch of established local moving companies couldn't make it through the new year, the rest are desperately cutting their costs in front of the customers who book with a new financial attitude - everybody is trying to save. Lets see whats going to happen this year.