Moving Services Are Hot in 2020

In 2019, moving services offered to consumers through the real estate professional became a trend that will continue in 2020. There are three companies that are hot on the trail to develop partnerships with the industry: MooveGuru, Move Easy, and Updater.

All of these companies focus their business development efforts in a business-to-business to consumer model--partnering with moving service companies on one hand, and real estate industry partners with consumer relationships on the other.

Each company delivers a key service to the consumer that enhances the value of working with a real estate agent or broker--relieving the challenges, tasks, coordination, and consumer stress related to moving. They all make moving easier.

WAV Group supports brokerages, MLSs, and associations through the comparison process to choose the right partner for your business. Our vendor analysis process is driven by David Gumpper at WAV Group. If you need support in defining your solution, please reach out to David. This overview is intended to be a thought starter.

MooveGuru Overview: Think Email Triggers

MooveGuru connects technology solutions used by brokers and franchises to trigger email offers to consumers at the appropriate time in the moving cycle with a focus on a concierge-for-life strategy. Real estate firms deploying MooveGuru are most likely to be brokerages or franchise organizations. Depending on the connection, the MooveGuru emails are triggered by actions recorded in client relationship management software or transaction management events, backed by a concierge call center.

MooveGuru is more than just an email with discounts; the service offers call center support that will actually connect utility services rather than simply provide phone numbers and cost comparisons. On behalf of the real estate partner, MooveGuru collects connection fees from moving related companies and gives their partner the ability to either extend discounts to the consumer, or drive revenue back to the broker or franchise. As such, MooveGuru does charge partners for the service.

MoveEasy Overview: Think Client Portal

Real estate brokers have long offered a resources section on their website to help consumers find suppliers for moving services. This client portal is a keynote of the MoveEasy platform. Hunt Real Estate was among the first large firms to launch with MoveEasy, followed recently by Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach.

There is a lot of work to create these moving portals. Large firms will typically pay little or nothing for the MoveEasy service because they are bringing many consumers into the service though their transaction volume. MoveEasy works with the real estate industry partner to connect client relationship management software and transaction management software to connect clients to the portal, and has developed relationships with national suppliers of moving related services. They work with their partner to collect and publish local resources, too. Move Easy also offers a telephone call center to client services.

Smaller firms may need to pay MoveEasy for set up and hosting fees if transaction volume is not very high. MoveEasy may share revenue back with the brokerage if the volume makes this possible.

Updater Overview: Think Mobile App

Updater has its roots in change-of-address services with a focus on property management. The company claims 42 of the 50 largest property management services as their clients. Over the years, the company has raised $200 million in investment from firms like Fidelity, Softbank and the National Assocation of REALTORS® ($20 million in 2020). The company has used these funds to acquire and roll up many of the key moving service delivery platforms.

Updater partners with the industry though franchise organizations by buying into their preferred partner programs. They were a key partner of zipLogix® before the sale to Vista's Lone Wolf, and that partnership has now expanded to cover both zipForm integration and other Lone Wolf accounting and transaction management products. Updater is currently an opt-out service on those platforms.

Real estate industry partners pay Updater flat monthly fees for the company- and agent-branded versions of the Updater app and they do not share revenue back with partners. Large organizations have access to the service for free if they are using solutions from partners like franchises or Lone Wolf. Agents or their clients can opt out of the service though the Updater invitation email. Brokers and agents are provided with a portal to add in their preferred local service providers at no charge.

Summary

There is no doubt that the consumer need for support in moving is in strong demand. Franchises, brokers, and software providers are delivering on solutions that meet this consumer need. Agents need to be armed with one of these solutions to relieve the consumer stress of moving. Which one you choose will depend on the technology infrastructure that allows these solutions to be delivered easily, every time. Contact David Gumpper at WAV Group if you need support in determining the best solution for your company.