A BVO home sale program is a program which is designed to help relocating employees sell their homes quickly and efficiently without the company taking ownership of the property.

According to WHR’s 2024 Global Mobility Benchmark, a BVO program remains one
of the most competitive relocation offerings

  • 60% of respondents offer home sale and/or purchase benefits.
    • Of those,
      • 59% offer BVOs to new hire non-executives
      • 78% offer BVOs to new hire executives
      • 67% offer BVOs to existing employee non-executives
      • 74% offer BVOs to existing employee executives
Buyer Value Option (BVO) Home Sale Program

The best way to describe a BVO is in the context of
a traditional Guaranteed Buyout (GBO) program

Under a GBO, the relocation management company (RMC) orders two home appraisals and simply averages the two to determine a guaranteed offer.
As an example:

  • 评估师A对一名搬迁员工的房屋进行估值,价格为330,000美元。
  • 评估师B对同一房屋的估值为335,000美元
  • 332,500美元被认为是 "GBO"。

The relocating employee then takes the offer of $332,500 and moves to their new location, unencumbered by their former home. In turn, the RMC sells the property on the
open market, and the employer is charged for all of the associated real estate expenses upon the conclusion of the sale.

The employer can treat the home sale costs as “business expenses,” so none of the expenses are considered income to the employee (for federal tax purposes).
This process is validated by the IRS in Revenue Ruling (2005-74), which specifically addresses this type of home sale program.

What is a Buyer Value Option (BVO)?

Essentially, BVO is very similar to a GBO, with the exception that with a BVO home sale program, no appraisals are completed. Instead, the buyout offer is based on a bona fide fair market offer received by the employee from a qualified third-party buyer. With BVO, the employee is responsible for listing their home for sale, and receives marketing assistance from the RMC.  

Once a contract is deemed valid, the RMC offers to buy the home from the employee at a price based on the outside sale price, and the employee is funded their equity based on this amount. The RMC will enter into a new listing agreement with the employee’s broker and proceed to close the transaction with the outside buyer while honoring all agreed terms and conditions. All home sale costs are treated in the same manner as with a GBO program.  

The BVO home sale program provides all the tax benefits to both the employer and employee. However, it is the responsibility of the employee to secure an outside buyer ready, willing, and able to purchase the property at a fair market value. 

你为什么要为你的迁居员工提供BVO?

    • Tax Savings: A properly structured BVO program that adheres to IRS requirements provides significant tax savings that benefit employees as well as employers.
    • Minimized Risk for Employees: Employees avoid the financial risk and stress of carrying two mortgages if they have to move before their home is sold.
    • Expedited Relocation: Employees can move to their new location more quickly, knowing that their home sale is being managed.
    • Cost Efficiency for Employers: Employers can manage relocation costs more effectively and help maintain employee productivity by reducing the stress and financial burden associated with home selling.

WHR Global provides the following
BVO support to help your employee
sell the home to an outside buyer:

    • 获得两个经纪人的价格意见(经纪人市场分析)。
    • 调和两种价值意见
    • 建议一个上市价格
    • 制定一个全面的营销战略
    • 获得房屋的照片
    • Provide tips to paint, declutter, etc.
    • 协助选择房地产经纪人
    • 获得房地产经纪人的每周反馈
    • 协助合同谈判

Be aware: From a cost standpoint, when selling a home, the following expenditures are typical in a home sale transaction. 

When selling a home, there are several expenditures in a typical home sale transaction
  • 房地产佣金
  • 记录费用
  • 转让税
  • 标题支出
  • 公证员
  • 托管费
  • 卖方让步
  • 修理
  • 检查
  • 杂项

A Buyer Value Option home sale program is a valuable tool for companies looking to support their relocating employees. By assisting with the home sale process, companies can alleviate a significant source of stress for their employees, ensuring a smoother transition and enhancing overall job satisfaction.

For the company, this can translate into higher retention rates, more successful relocations, and a stronger ability to attract top talent. 

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