Bloomberg TV reports NYC's Wealthy are Renting vs Buying

Straight from the Real Deal:
"There is a temporary phenomenon being observed in the New York housing market of wealthy people renting homes instead of buying them, according to Bloomberg Television. "People on the fence about buying have more options so they are renting," appraiser Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel told Bloomberg in a video. "It's a combination of having more selection -- rents are off a little bit down and prices up a little bit… so they are hedging for the future." However, in terms of the recovery, "we still have a ways to go," Miller said. "There is a rebound but no recovery… People are exploring options but not quite ready to jump in." For the original report, go here.

The Real Deal reports mostly positive predictions for 2011

The Real Deal reports positive predications for 2011 from experts in the industry.
Retail leasing will take an upward trajectory. Office rentals will see an occupancy increase, continuing a trend from 2010. If trends continue, building sales will continue to be robust. In terms of leasing, the market indicates that many International and West Coast companies will expand on the East Coast, most likely leasing space in Manhattan. For the full report, please go here.

Happy Holidays from The Advance Group!

Warm holiday wishes from the Advance Group and a Happy New Year!

The Whitney in NYC goes LEED

As Reported by The Real Deal, the Whitney Museum will become the city's first LEED certified museum, with outside galleries to boot. The Museum will be moving from it's current address on the Upper East Side at Madison and 75th to an address that's "a return to our roots in the village" says Whitney director, Adam Weinburg. Weinburg stated that the museum will be certified "at minimum but we hope gold," and will include a free zone on the ground level with displays from the museums permanent collection.
To get the whole story, please go here.

Real Deal comes out with BEST of NYC Real Estate for 2010

The Real Deal has produced a great list of "Best of NYC Real Estate" including Best All Around Brokers and Best Manhattan Developer. Want to see the winners? Check them out here!

Do you know who's moving you?

At The Advance Group, we make sure you know who is moving you. We feel it's important to make our employee's work history, specialties and interests known to our clients. After all, it's them that will be your point of contact, handling all the fine details of your move and supporting you through the process.
Not all moving companies are that transparent, and we proud to say that many members of our team have been with The Advance Group for quite a number of years. Our team's dedication and expertise speaks to the quality of our company, as well as the high standard of the services we provide. Check out the bio section of our website and get to know who is moving you! Check us out here.

Law firm Winston and Strawn expands at Park Avenue

The New York Post and Real Estate Weekly report that
"Law firm Winston & Strawn signed a lease for 280,000 square feet at 200 Park Ave., where asking rents were reportedly between $70 and $90 per square foot. The deal represents growth of nearly 70,000 square feet since the beginning of the year for the firm, and it is believed to be the year’s second-largest lease by a law firm after Proskauer Rose’s 400,000 square feet at 11 Times Square."
For the full report, please go here.





LEED revisits 2009 revisions, proposes changes for 2010

The NY Times reports that Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or the LEED rating system is fleshing out the 2009 revision to include three new credit categories and a variety of reworked and new credits and prerequisites. The proposed changes have been laid out by USBGC’s technical advisory committees, and they touch upon each of the system’s sections: LEED for homes, design and construction, operations and maintenance. "I'm really excited to see what's in store for the future of LEED," said Tristan Roberts, editor of BuildingGreen.com, a publication that tracks green building information for professionals and policymakers.  
For the whole article please go here.

E.W. Howell's Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center named Green Project of the Year

E.W. Howell, a Long Island General Contractor, has achieved the esteemed “Green Project of the Year” from NY Construction magazine’s Best for 2010, for their Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook University. The judges were an independent jury of industry experts who had the pick of 180 nominated projects. 31 of the 180 were award winners; the entry criteria included project management and client service, safety, design and functionality.
The AERTC project included new construction of a two-story 43,000-sf lab building designed by Flad Architects. The building is devoted to research on alternative fuels and energy conservation. The state-of-the-art building will be the most energy efficient building in the state, and only one of 26 in the nation to get the top platinum rating from the USGBC.

“While many buildings nowadays are being built to receive LEED certifications, very few are built for LEED Platinum” says E.W. Howell’s project executive Bob Timperio.

A LEED platinum building is a great achievement, marked by maximum energy efficiency in 5 distinct categories: sustainable site, water efficiency, energy & atmosphere, material & resources and indoor air quality. In order to achieve this, systems for rain water collection for flush toilets and landscaping requiring no irrigation was used. . During construction, at least 75% of construction waste was diverted to recycling sites and 20% of recycled building materials were used. The champion of the building, however, must be the solar panels on the façade of the building. The panels help to harvest the energy from the sun to use for the buildings daily functions and offer designers the opportunity for distinctive architectural impact, while reducing solar heat gains. All of these features are projected to have energy cost savings of 25%. For more information go here.

The Advance Group has 2 new videos!


The Advance Group is proud to present our detailed explanation of our "Best & Final Cost System." Our company goes to great lengths to ensure that your move estimate is completely itemized and accurate. This means that we are completely transparent in our estimates, so you know what you're getting into prior to committing to use our services. In these videos, we invite you to learn more about our system and how it serves our clients in the moving process. 


And in this video, Anthony Parziale takes you through a mock move estimate.



Here is a recap of our "Best & Final Cost System"

BEST & FINAL COST SYSTEM

The Best Final Cost System is our way to provide you with attractive, competitive rates and to deliver high value, on-time, and on-budget performance. By using the Best Final Cost System, you are assured of obtaining the lowest possible final project cost.


THE SYSTEM HAS THREE PARTS:
The Advance Group Visible Advantage
Competitive Rates

Realistic Labor Budgeting

The Advance Group Visible Advantage is a set of 10 competitively superior features that only The Advance Group offers.
We provide competitive hourly rates. By comparing hourly rates, rather than net pricing, you have a meaningful standard of comparison that cannot be mismanaged through unrealistic labor estimates.
We budget our projects by providing realistic estimates of required manpower according to your critical timetable needs. Our employees are experienced, hard working, and dedicated to the success of your project.





CB Richard Ellis reports NYC is retail priciest in the world


The Real Deal reports that NYC beats Sydney, with rents at $1,218 per square foot and Hong Kong, with $1,114 per square foot, as the most expensive retail market in the world. NYC's "prime rents" average in at $1,800 per square foot, according to CB Richard Ellis' global retail market report, released yesterday. The U.S., Canada and South America saw the greatest year-over-year rental increase last quarter, climbing 6%. Globally, the report stated that there is still a strong demand for retail space in most markets. For the full report, please visit here.


Did you know the Advance Group offers full service document management?

 Did you know The Advance Group is a full service document management company providing state-of-the-art secure storage for paper documents, computer discs, tapes, microfilm, master audio & video tapes, films, optical discs, x-rays, blue prints, and fine art?
We also provide record relocation, pickup and delivery, filing and retrievaldestruction of records, data conversions, bar coded inventories, online web access to inventories, boxes and supplies, and a copy center.
Our newest services include record compliance consulting and digital scanning. Record compliance consulting addresses the growing need to comply with legal retention requirements. It includes identifying compliance issues, record retention across hard and digital media, and the development of compliance policies.
For more information please visit our document management business unit site at http://www.RecordGuard.com

Real Deal reports changes in operating leases

The Real Deal reports  that FASB’s new lease generally accepted accounting principles, which would effectively eliminating operating leases from the industry. “Capital leases will be recorded as an asset and liability, on the balance sheet, then depreciated and amortized on an income statement.” Al Petrillo, CEO of Studley, stated “We’re in a world where having something off the balance sheet is a bad thing, and this move will attempt to bring consistency of standards, consistency of reporting and transparency of reporting”
The Real Deal reported that Edward Kang, managing director of Studley, stated “Open issues include operating expenses, real estate taxes, and concessions. Don’t panic, they say, but be aware and have a checklist of how these changes might affect you and how you’ll address them.” For the full report, please go here.

Colliers International Survey shows increased investment activity


According to the Colliers International's third-quarter Global Investor Sentiment Survey, the U.S. investment sales market has the potential for increased activity in the year ahead as reported by the Real Deal. The New York market us one of the key places expecting to see growth, with more than 6 out of 10 real estate investors who responded to the survey stating that they are considering selling property over the next year. This is a jump from 23% in the first quarter. The CEO of Colliers, Dylan Taylor stated "Investors recognize that prices are at the bottom and see tremendous value in commercial real estate...this kind of positive sentiment expressed by U.S. investors is often a precursor to a more active investment sales market." For the entire article, please go here

Mortgage Bankers Association Report Rise in Commercial Lending

While hotels and medical buildings aren't faring so well in the third quarter, commercial and multi-family mortgage lending rose 32%. This seemed to be a result of historically low interest rates, which attracted more borrowers to the market than this period in 2009. 

In general, loan originations were up 15% from the second quarter. Commercial banks posted declines whil Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were among the strongest performers. The origination volume for CMBS rose 43 percent from the second quarter. For the whole report please go here.

Manhattan Commercial Real Estate Sales Show Stability

The Eastern Consolidated just released its third quarter market report today and the numbers are in! It's looking like the Manhattan commercial real estate market is on the rise. The stats read that sales volume during the first three quarters of 2010 hit $9.4 billion...already surpassing activity during the whole of 2009,  when just $5.8 billion worth of transactions were completed. The report shows employment across the five boroughs is improving, and in just the third quarter, 19,000 private sector jobs were added. 
 The CEO and chairman of Eastern's,Peter Hauspurg, stated "At this time last year, we could barely see the light at the end of the tunnel...but this quarter's statistics confirm that we are now clearly out of the tunnel." This is definitely great news for the industry and everyone tied to it! See the full report here

The Real Deal Reports Halstead Property Relocating

The Real Deal Online reports that Halstead Property's office on the East Side of Manhattan will be relocating to 499 Park Avenue, its new location. This move will result in doubling the residential firm's space at 17,000 square feet. Gensler architecture team will oversee the plans. The previous office will close once the new location is finished. To view the whole article, please click here.

Real Deal reports Nordstrom's philanthropic concept store


Famous fashion retailer Nordstrom signed a lease for 11,137 square feet of retail space at 350 West Broadway, according RFR Realty. The new store is supposedly going to have a different name that Nordstrom and have a philanthropic concept behind it. "[the new store will be a] unique philanthropic store concept," the spokesperson said, noting that "all profits" will go to non-profit organizations.  The company will have no ties to it's parent company. For the full article, please go here.

Moody's rates NYC second strongest commercial market

The Real Deal Online reports that New York City's commercial real estate market demonstrated an increase in stability in the third quarter, according to a report from Moody's released today. With a rating of 76 on Moody's CMBS index, it ranked second best among the cities tracked. First place was taken by Honolulu with a score of 78. Keith Banhazl, a Moody's senior analyst, said  "In general, the commercial real estate markets remain in the uncertain... range." He added "However, the future appears to brighten with each passing quarter." To get the whole scoop, check it out here.


The Advance Group's Move Management Process

Move Management Process

The Advance Group move management system consists of five steps.

Project Survey

The project survey begins with a fact-finding interview with the client, includes a precise inventory of all contents, and generates a realistic project estimate.

Project Management

Project management is a highly faceted process that includes migration and purge plans, a presentation to your staff, and concerted efforts to ensure trade harmony for the duration of the project.

Move Preparation

There are three primary components to move preparation:
  1. Close coordination with your move team.
  2. Tagging, Marking, and Layout from your approved floor plans.
  3. Protection of Property, including all labor, supervision, material, and equipment.

Move Services

Under close supervision, The Advance Group will provide all services necessary to accomplish the move on time and on budget.

Post-Move Services

The Advance Group will provide post-move services to ensure total client satisfaction. We will remove all used packing materials and building protection from the job site, work with the client to confirm the proper placement and inventory of all contents, furniture, and technology, and test the connectivity of all office technology.
For more information please visit our office moving business unit site at http://www.OfficeMoving.com

Crain's reports a departure from the traditional

Crain’s New York Business (10/11/10) reports that new data indicates a departure from tradition in the fields that are driving the NYC office market. Among the 16 sectors that are tracked by Co-Star Group Inc., those that have lagged vs those that are actively driving the market are currently changing. Law firms and communication companies led the pack in the past 12 months in increasing the proportion of office space they lease in the city. “Law firms have taken full advantage of falling rents,” says Aaron Jodka, senior real estate economist at Costar. “Communications companies, which include Internet publishers, are the major growth industry of the U.S. economy, and they continue to take up more space.” He added. 

Did you know The Advance Group offers Installations & Specialty Services?

Office furniture installation involves several key components. They include an experienced and professionally trained staff, rigorous attention to detail, extensive pre-planning, and thorough execution. The Advance Group has successfully completed installations for the most demanding clients for over 15 years in the tri-state area.
Here are just some of the specialty services we offer:


RECONFIGURATION

The Advance Group, with over 15 years of expert installation experience, provides highly trained staff to reconfigure space under critical deadlines. This includes a thorough analysis of your existing furniture and a detailed project schedule. We will coordinate with your electrical and data vendors to ensure that everyone involved is aware of all schedules and timetables.

ARCHITECTURAL WALL

Architectural Wall installation is the growing choice for forward-looking companies. We provide complete installation services, and our large fleet of modern trucks and extensive materials inventory enable us to handle projects of all sizes. The convenience and economics of architectural wall installations has grown to include demountable walls, movable solid walls, high walls, modular walls, floor-to-ceiling walls, and self-standing interior partitions. Our team of installers has specialized tools, including laser levels, scissor jacks, and baker racks to complete any project on time and on budget.

HOSPITALITY AND EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Excellence in hospitality and education institution projects involves a keen understanding of logistics: many products must be received in bulk to our warehouses and then must be separated to be delivered to multiple locations. This is often done on a floor-by-floor or room-by-room basis. This requires the highest attention to inventory detail and the tight integration of project teams.
For more information please visit our office furniture installation business unit site at http://www.FitcoNY.com

Trends in NYC moves surprising

It's surprising to know that even though the economy is down, people are still moving up.
The Real Deal has a truly interesting article based on statistics gathered by The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC regarding why New Yorkers' are moving and where to. Regardless of whether you're moving because of a better job offer, downsizing or even upgrading, The Advance Group's got your covered. Check out the article
here.

Top Ten Reasons To Hire the Advance Group

TOP TEN REASONS TO HIRE THE ADVANCE GROUP

THE ADVANCE GROUP’S 10

Visible Advantages are features and benefits that you can see at work for you. They enable you to confidently make the most informed and best move decisions that will result in your lowest final project cost.

MOST EXPERIENCED TEAM

Wehave the largest and most experienced executive and project management staff in the tri-state area, with over 500 years of collective experience. Each employee has passed a background check and is required to maintain high standards, including being fully uniformed. Our office and management team is over 80 strong.

A DEDICATED PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM

Your sales executive will assemble a team of professionals from client services and operations that is best qualified to manage your move.

24/7 COMMITMENT

Our commitment to your successful project is 24/7. You will be able to contact your entire project team, from client services to operations, at any time via phone and email.

LARGEST COMBINATION OF FACILITIES AND LOCATIONS

We have four service locations: Queens, New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey. Three of these locations have large, secure, and centrally monitored facilities, offering you extensive flexibility and convenience. We maintain a total of 325,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space.

LARGEST, MOST MODERN FLEET

We have the largest, most modern trucking fleet that includes 44 trailers, 36 straight trucks (26 feet in length), and 30 tractors.

THE LATEST COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

The Advance Group is committed to using the latest proven technology to reduce costs, raise performance standards, and to provide secure online access to inventory. We utilize BarScan® software for asset management, and O'Neil Software and MoveMagic software for proactive move management.

FINANCIAL STRENGTH

The Advance Group is profitable, growing, and financially strong, with over $24 million in revenue.

LABOR HARMONY

Our 120 direct employee movers are union members. We also employ over 30 union carpenters and approximately 40 warehouse personnel.

COMMITMENT TO GREEN

The Advance Group takes seriously the obligation to maintain and support environmentally responsible policies and practices. We support LEED certified projects.

STRENGTH THROUGH ASSOCIATIONS

The Advance Group is a member BOMA, IFMA, and AMSA and over twenty other professional associations and trade groups. The Advance Group (through its Advance Commercial Movers and Molloy Bros. business units) is affiliated with Mayflower Transit in New York and New Jersey.

The Advance Group Recognizes National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

At The Advance Group, we really appreciate our truckers. They are the ones who brave the weather, traffic, and long distances to deliver precious cargo. Truckers are responsible for bringing your most valuable possessions from place to place; your documents, artifacts, art, heirlooms and technology. In addition, most drivers double as lifters and movers- so not only are they transporting your most valued items, they are also handling them too. 

Here is a great list of ways you can show your driver/mover team your appreciation, given by
 the American Moving and Storage Association, the national trade association for the professional moving industry. Our favorite tip is the last one, which is a reminder to tell your moving company when you are pleased with your moving team. We would like to add to that: If you are ever dissatisfied with your experience with The Advance Group, we want to know. It's of utmost value to get feedback from our customers as we only want to provide the best in quality, professionalism and efficiency.
Thanks to all our wonderful, dedicated truck drivers! 

Making the Best of Moving Day

We came across this great article regarding staying sane on moving day. We feel that with an amazing moving company, the stresses of relocating can be greatly lessened, but it's always good to prepare oneself and remain calm through the changes. As a wise man once said "The only constant thing in life is change." At The Advance Group, we feel honored to be a part of our clients major life changes, such as moving homes or offices. We always try to make sure these situations are handled in the most professional, efficient manner-- because who needs extra stress on moving day? We understand that sentiment completely, and are always here to help.

Don't get bitten! Bed bugs take over NY

When it comes to moving, there are some things that should be left behind. According to Real EstateBisNow, there's been a dramatic increase in bed bugs in commercial arenas of NYC. In order to have a successful, bed-bug free move, make sure that the space you are leaving has never been infested and that the new space you are relocating into is clear and clean. Real Estate BizNews has some great tips on how to take diplomatically take care of bedbugs once they have found a way into your home and office, as it can be a sensitive subject for staff who have caught such a stigmatized problem. Also note that The Advance Group goes through extreme cautionary efforts to ensure that the materials we use for moving your items are always new and sanitized, every time. View the full article here.

Talks of Top Investment Sales Firm Relocation

New York's top investment sales firm by sales volume, Massey Knakal Realty Services, has been reported  by a company official to be in negotiations to relocate its Downtown Brooklyn office to a space nearly half the size. The company is currently occupying an 18,750- square-foot third floor office in 205 Montague Street, a Class A building. 
Anytime a large company moves to a significantly smaller space, it's incredibly important to do so with strategic planning and superb organizational tactics. It's common, (in fact, almost a given) that when this kind of move takes place, companies are forced to do some kind of document management system and/or storage for office furniture and other items, if they have not done so already. 
Having a project manager is incredibly important to keep things under control and organized while moving employees, ensuring no loss of productivity or focus. Remember, The Advance Group are professionals who understand the sensitive nature of high profile, big business moves-- and the inherent complications therein. If you are about to embark on a move that requires major down-scaling,make sure you are hiring a professional when undertaking such a big step! Read the full article here.

Empire move into 500K Square-foot lease

A major move into the Empire State Building might be in the works for Li & Fung, a Hong Kong-based major company in retail and apparel management, affiliated with Wal-Mart. Owned by W&H, The Empire State building has been making efforts to increase real-estate appeal and nail down larger tenants. Regardless of how large your move, it's always important to take the necessary steps to ensure an orderly, stress free relocation.
Here's a moving check list from the pros at The Advance Group.
To view the article on Li & Fung's possible relocation, click here.

Can an Entire Business Move on One Weekend?


Can an Entire Business Move on One Weekend?


Written by: Nick Messe 


Do you need to relocate? Are you out of space? Need to move over the weekend? These are some common questions asked by firms all over the country. It takes a lot of time and effort to change locations and to do so over a weekend is a daunting task at best. For a large corporation, this is simply not humanly possible. But for a smaller enterprise, it is certainly doable. With the right planning, a little bit of luck, and finding the right moving company, this experience can be made a little more bearable.
If every person in the firm is assigned a specific task and performs it well, the move could theoretically be accomplished without a hitch. However, that is most likely a perfect world scenario. There are always problems, whether it be locked doors or traffic jams, the one constant with any type of move is the unexpected delays that inevitably occur. Since associates aren't expected to be movers, it is best to find a reputable company to transfer all of the furnishings and equipment that will be needed at the new locale. Make sure to label everything properly in order to expedite this process.
By using a service to relocate all of the necessary items, precious time can be conserved that will be used for something else. It is probably best to use the proper containers and padding for the special communication devices. This includes all computers, telephones and servers. These all run the risk of electric shock, so special attention and care should be taken to ensure a safe passage. It might be wise to have the IT department clear the server room of any unnecessary items before allowing the movers in. There is no sense in risking valuable data loss due to a sloppy transfer of equipment.
At the new site, a floor plan should be available to all key members of the move team. They can direct traffic and allow the movers to locate items where they need to go. With the physical labor taken care of, engineers and technicians can reinstall the phone and data networks to be ready for a new business day. This is not a simple task, as wires have to be run, even with a WiFi set up. Each phone and computer line also has to be tested to be sure that it is working. In the server room, the proper temperature and humidity conditions have to be set up.
While there are a ton of little things to do, the most important part is to make sure that everybody has a desk, chair, phone and working computer. If this is accomplished, the move can be considered a success. There will probably be some small items that will need attention in the first month. Problems always crop up with any relocation, but if the big things are handled, the small ones will take care of themselves.



Not just for holidays anymore: The pop-up store gains new fans

Here’s an article that we found to be of current interest: pop-up stores.
 
It seems as though in this economy, the need for short term rental space has grown. Building owners would rather have short term tenants than none at all;  companies have found the pop-up store to be a successful, creative advertising strategy. Whether it's to launch a new product or set up a temporary art exhibit, The Advance Group will always be there to relocate you in an efficient, professional manner.
Check out the article here.

Pricey property deals bounce back in first half

Staying on top of the trends in the real estate market, especially in the tri-state area is very important to The Advance Group.
-I found an article in Crains today that  left me feeling positive about our market and our industry and I wanted to share it with you.

Pricey Property Deals Bounce Back in First Half

Written by By Theresa Agovino 

Big price tags returned to Manhattan's commercial sales market in the first half of the year, with the most expensive deal in the period valuing 1221 Sixth Ave. at $1.28 billion. That is more than three times what 1334 York Ave.—the costliest property purchased in the first half of last year—fetched. What's even more intriguing about the deal that leads Real Capital Analytics' top property sales for the first half of 2010 (see chart, Page 17) is that the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased only 45% of the tower.


“Noncontrolling stakes are not very liquid, so when people buy them, it is a positive sign,” says Dan Fasulo, a managing director at Real Capital. He notes that investors' increasing willingness to lavish tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars on a stake in a property in which they won't be in the driver's seat suggests a firming of confidence in the market's strength.

Interestingly, the list's second and third spots were also captured by deals involving the purchase of noncontrolling stakes. Rockpoint Group bought 49% of 299 Park Ave. in a transaction valuing the building at $630 million. And RXR Realty bought a 49% stake in 340 Madison Ave. in a deal that puts the value of the building at $570 million.

In the first half of the year, there were 16 deals valuing buildings at more than $100 million, compared with only five in the first half of last year

Full Article at this link- http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100725/REAL_ESTATE/307259994


For any information on The Advance Group or help with your move e-mail Anthony Parziale,Vice President, Sales & Marketing at AParziale@TheAdvanceGRP.com

TOP TEN Reasons to Hire The Advance Group

The Advance Group’s 10
Visible Advantages are features and benefits that you can see at work for you. They enable you to confidently make the most informed and best move decisions that will result in your lowest final project cost.


Most Experienced Team
We have the largest and most experienced executive and project management staff in the tri-state area, with over 500 years of collective experience. Each employee has passed a background check and is required to maintain high standards, including being fully uniformed. Our office and management team is over 80 strong.

A Dedicated Project Management Team
Your sales executive will assemble a team of professionals from client services and operations that is best qualified to manage your move.


24/7 Commitment
Our commitment to your successful project is 24/7. You will be able to contact your entire project team, from client services to operations, at any time via phone and email.


Largest Combination of Facilities and Locations
We have four service locations: Queens, New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey. Three of these locations have large, secure, and centrally monitored facilities, offering you extensive flexibility and convenience. We maintain a total of 325,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space.


Largest, Most Modern Fleet
We have the largest, most modern trucking fleet that includes 44 trailers, 36 straight trucks (26 feet in length), and 30 tractors.


The Latest Communication Technology
The Advance Group is committed to using the latest proven technology to reduce costs, raise performance standards, and to provide secure online access to inventory. We utilize BarScan® software for asset management, and O'Neil Software and MoveMagic software for proactive move management.


Financial Strength
The Advance Group is profitable, growing, and financially strong, with over $24 million in revenue.


Labor Harmony
Our 120 direct employee movers are union members. We also employ over 30 union carpenters and approximately 40 warehouse personnel.


Commitment to Green
The Advance Group takes seriously the obligation to maintain and support environmentally responsible policies and practices. We support LEED certified projects.


Strength Through Associations
The Advance Group is a member BOMA, IFMA, and AMSA and over twenty other professional associations and trade groups. The Advance Group (through its Advance Commercial Movers and Molloy Bros. business units) is affiliated with Mayflower Transit in New York and New Jersey.

To Relocate or Not to Relocate, The Decision is Yours

Sometimes making a move can be an extremely difficult decision, especially when it’s your business. Between weighing out the pros and cons, figuring out how your clientele will be affected and estimating cost, moving your business can be a real hassle.
Fortunately, when you do make that decision, we are here to help. With talented project managers ready to serve your needs, you can rest assured that the actual moving aspect of relocation is in good hands. We thrive on keeping stress low and confidence high in what could be a major headache.
Here’s an article that might help when coming up against tough business relocation decisions.
Of course, it’s always wise to do your own research, but we thought this may help get the ball rolling.

Welcome To The Advance Group



Anthony Parziale VP of Sales and Marketing tells you whats new for the 2010 year at The Advance Group

The Advance Group does more than move you into the future; it partners with you to create the future.

Sophisticated clients, with increasingly complex projects, demand a partner that shares their high standards, rigid performance requirements, and bottom line orientation. The Advance Group, formed from leading businesses in the commercial moving, office furniture installation, distribution, storage, document management, and employee relocation fields, answers this call.

The Advance Group has over 40 years of broad-based experience, national and international connections for complex moves, the largest talent pool and most experienced management-level team in the industry, and a centralized management operation. Together, these services provide a seamless, cost-effective, and highly coordinated response to your most challenging projects

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET DYNAMICS LEAD THE ADVANCE GROUP TO SEEK CREATIVE SOLUTIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CLIENTS

We've known that 2010 was going to be a pivotal year for the industry," says T. James Molloy. "In fact, our business plan anticipates opportunities in the midst of a challenging market. And when Mary Ann Tighe, chief executive of the New York Tri-State Region for CB Richard Ellis, was interviewed for a New York Times article recently and indicated that 22 million square feet leased in 2000 will expire in 2010 and will create a "decision point" for companies, we wanted to see how different sectors would address the dynamic between falling prices and rising inventories. We interviewed key executives, spoke to our clients, and searched the Web for the most interesting and helpful information. This is what we learned.

FIRST, HOW BAD IS IT?
CNBC recently interviewed Steve Ross, chairman of Vornado Realty Trust, and Bill Rudin, president of Rudin Management, about their outlook on the New York real estate market. Ross spoke of a "slow motion recovery," with the market still seeking a bottom, maybe in 3-5 years. Rudin seemed a little more optimistic, noting that there has been a dramatic decrease in price of 30-40%, but he is optimistic that things aremoving in the right direction. Rudin points out that tenants aremoving to quality, the "flight to quality," citing as an example moves from 3rd Ave. to Park Ave.

Christina Lewis, writing for The Wall Street Journal, noted "Rent for office space is falling at the fastest pace in more than a decade as vacancies create a glut and landlords slash prices to attract tenants." Her article noted that the biggest office rent declines over the past 12 months were 18.5% in New York, the largest decline among major cities as reported by Reis Inc. The nation's most trusted provider of impartial commercial restate performance information and analysis at the metro, sub market and property level.

While there is nothing new here, she goes on to say, "For tenants, however, falling rents represent opportunities to save. Landlords are offering concessions, in the form of free rent and build-out costs."
The Real Share NEW YORK Conference, held on October 28th, 2009, provided additional insights. A consensus opinion, among the most influential and knowledgeable real estate leaders, was that the commercial market, if not at the bottom, was close to the bottom. Deals were in the works, people were looking, and companies were coming back. One tactic being used by buyer and seller is "blend and extend," extending, for example, a 2-3 year lease at $80/ sq. ft. with a new lease at $40/sq. ft.
A key message was to keep a building occupied and running. It was noted that the cost to get a new tenant, including acquisition, clean up, improvements, downtime, and leasing commissions, could be as much as $100/sq. ft.

This was our hint to explore the notion of creative use, and we turned to an article by Damian Joseph posted October 8 in businessweek.com. Joseph decided to contact some of the premier architectural and design firms to answer the question, "What could be done with vacant commercial real estate that would kick start a local or national economy?" The responses were illuminating, once again reinforcing the adage that necessity is the mother of invention.
SEVERAL IDEASWERE:
  • Office as community think-tank. Target local non-profits and community groups to use general multi-purpose space and unused office furniture.
  • Office as hospitality suite. Repurpose space to connect company partners, affiliates, vendors, and interested parties. These "offices away from home" help create business value and goodwill.
  • Employee Health & Engagement. Turn empty space into child play areas, quiet rooms for nursing mothers, or socialization areas. (Source: Gensler, a global architecture, design, planning and consulting firm.)
MINI CASE HISTORY This is not an economy when a landlord can afford to lose any tenants. Strategies to retain tenants include upgrading space and condensing the footprint of existing space. However the space is reconfigured, one absolute imperative is that the tenant must keep working; no downtime can be tolerated. The Advance Group addresses this challenge with an experienced team that knows how to work with other trades and allocate the project into specific phases. On some projects, this means starting to work Friday evening and finishing before the doors open Monday morning. Other projects require the use of swing space, where furniture and electronics are dissembled then reassembled in a temporary location without the least interruption to productivity.

THE ADVANCE GROUP CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES TEAM We at The Advance Group don't have a crystal ball on the economy, and there are obvious concerns about it. But we've learned that a creative attitude can open new opportunities. That is why we've set up our own Creative Opportunities Team to help our clients explore new options. We're set up to brainstorm ideas, and provide value-engineered solutions from our side of the business.

For example, our furniture installation unit can help with the latest ideas in space utilization and furniture re-deployment. Our storage solutions unit can help identify ways to reduce space needs while also improving compliance. And, our integrated services can produce moving solutions that ensure the best final cost. Contact Anthony Parziale at 1-800-448-4807, ext. 249. It's another way we can help move you into the future.

Jim Molloy Brings Innovation And Efficiency To Moving Industry


Today, after more than 40 years, Jim Molloy’s vision has been defined. The Advance Group captures the essence of his vision to become the favored solutions provider for the most challenging projects from the most desirable corporate clients. This vision was forged from hard work, tempered by the challenges to build and grow a successful business, and polished with a team of successful, driven professionals.

Utilizing Strength Through Efficiency

As Seen in the Real Estate Journal

In a changing market, companies must look for ways to reduce expenses. Right now is the ideal time for managers to examine operations find ways to become more efficient.

One area businesses should examine is the office space they have and use (or perhaps don't use). If space is not used it may be time to consolidate or relocate to more efficient space. Consolidation of space can be accomplished by eliminating unused items including furniture, equipment, records or files or putting inventory into storage. Secure warehouse space is still much less expensive than commercial office space even in today's market.

Reconfiguration of space and using new types of furniture and storage units can also make space more efficient and it may also reduce the amount of space needed.

Businesses should also be aware that landlords may be open to modifying lease terms, reducing space or helping with subleases. In our market we are seeing more businesses renegotiating leases with landlords. Tenants are also working with landlords to reconfigure or discard unused space.

Difficult economic times require us to look at options and find solutions. Efficiently using the appropriate amount of space can lead to tremendous savings which will strengthen a company's ability to weather the current economic climate.

Jim Molloy is the CEO of The Advance Group, Bethpage, N.Y.

Managing physical assets using digital management programs to improve efficiency

As seen in the Real Estate Journal

Facility and office managers are responsible for a company's physical inventory including all items such as office and lobby furniture, computers, artwork, appliances, office electronics and IT equipment. Managing these physical assets can be a complex logistical challenge. However, this function is vital to the daily functioning of a corporation or business. Larger companies for example, may possess inventories that consist of tens of thousands of items. With the advent of computerized asset management systems, facility and office managers now have the tools to manage inventories more efficiently.

Digital asset management programs are tracking systems that can simplify the management of a corporation's physical assets. For example, the BarScan Asset Management System is a common bar code fixed-asset tracking system. This bar code system is integrated with sophisticated software designed to meet a company's complete asset management needs. Although these types of systems aren't new, they are gaining in popularity in the facility management discipline for their time and cost saving attributes. FITCO, a leading New York furniture delivery and installation company, has been providing this service to its clients since 1996, and the positive feedback has been excellent.

Doing Business In A Transitional Economy

From soaring fuel costs to higher prices for materials we all face difficult times. To handle the many demands placed upon us it is essential to look inwardly at our operations and outwardly to understand our clients' challenges. The Advance Group is challenged with rapidly rising fuel costs. However, we are committed to doing everything we can to insulate our clients from having to pay more. We understand that they are also feeling the pinch and looking for solutions.

However, in trying to hold costs down, companies need to be wary of vendors operating below market value. These operations don't have the structure or assets to weather the economic storm. Such companies will cut corners indiscriminately and are a dangerous liability. Choose to work only with companies that are experienced and reputable and that have structure and assets.

Maintain relationships with detailed customer feedback. This information is the best means of identifying needs and finding relationship weaknesses. Customer service starts from the top down; CEOs and top executives must take part in the process with important clients, thanking them for business or asking for honest feedback, which can keep relationships strong during rocky economic times.

Today we must all focus closely on our current clients; the cost of keeping them is much lower than trying to find new ones, especially during a sluggish economy. Jim Molloy is the CEO and owner of The Advance Group, New York, N.Y.

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Parziale of Advance Commercial Movers is a driving force behind new business development

 Anthony Parziale is vice president of sales for Advance Commercial Movers, a leading
New York moving and storage company, the office moving business unit of The Advance Group which includes FITCO, RecordGuard and Molloy Bros. Moving & Storage. Anthony is a driving force behind new business development for the company.

With a talent for customer service and business acquisition, he has developed a strong reputation for his integrity and professionalism in the relocation and facility management services industry in the New York metropolitan region. During his tenure with Advance, Parziale has been instrumental in securing and managing some of the company's most notable accounts. He has successfully completed projects for companies including Yellow Book, Weight Watchers, Del Labs, Monster Worldwide, Carrier Air Conditioning, United Technologies, Open Link Financial, Rexcorp, Lifetime Brands and RE/MAX of New York, Inc. Recently, Parziale completed a relocation project for the new Museum of Contemporary Art now located in Manhattan's Bowery, spanning more than 50,000 s/f.

This project consisted of relocating thousands of fragile pieces of art from the museum's former location in Soho. Handling the delicate items and establishing security were of utmost importance. The project was completed successfully, and the museum has since opened its doors as scheduled. Since its opening in December of 2007, 130,000 visitors have toured the museum's newly constructed building. Parziale, along with Advance executive Rob Gutmann, also recently completed a major project for Honeywell USA. The move involved a campus of seven buildings totaling 340,000 s/f of office and warehouse space, including complex testing laboratories, with contents that had to be cautiously and systematically packed and relocated. This project was challenging due to the fact that it coincided with ongoing construction. This required having scheduling and logistical flexibility that only an experienced moving company like Advance could manage. Parziale's management and communication skills played a critical part in the on-time and on-budget completion of these projects.

An industry professional, Parziale is a frequent participant in real estate and other industry events in Manhattan and Long Island. He is a member of the Business Information Network (BIN), the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), the Global-Corporate Real Estate Network (CORNET) and the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society (CIBS). Parziale is a founding board member of Long Island Elite, an under-40 networking group that assists members in developing business and supports local not-for-profit organizations. His business acumen and skill were acknowledged in 2005 when he was selected by Long Island Business News as one of the top business professionals under 40 on Long Island. Parziale is known for his ability to bring customers and colleagues together to support local charities and nonprofit organizations. A member of the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society, he volunteers with the organization's annual charity golf tournament and clothing drive. Each year he assists Advance Commercial Movers with its charitable efforts, which have included toy drives for the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program and recently a program in which Advance filled a tractor trailer with more than three tons of food and 1,500 turkeysfor a local charity that provides support to hungry children and families on Long Island.

In addition, Parziale serves on several committees for Family Residences & Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to integrating individuals with disabilities into the community. In 2003, after Advance completed a relocation project for FREE, the organization realized that it was faced with a heavy cost to furnish its new facility. In response, Parziale brought together the management of FREE and a client that was looking to sell or donate a significant amount of office furniture. This meeting resulted in a huge
furniture donation to FREE valued in excess of $500,000.

For information about The Advance Group, visit www.theadvancegrp.com. or www.officemoving.com