Posts Categorized: Executive Insights

A huge part of what makes Move Concierge so incredible is the people who power it. People fuel our culture, and their ideas inspire new initiatives and creative partnerships that take our services to the next level. Jason Lindwall is no exception. His value to the Move Concierge team as company president is undeniable as a real estate veteran, restaurateur and passionate believer in the future.

While Jason’s extensive real estate industry credentials certainly contribute to his success, his enthusiasm for smart tech is a major influence on the way he approaches his role. A self-proclaimed technologist at heart who loves to “geek out” on the latest gadgets and innovations, Jason is always thinking about how the smart use of emerging technology can elevate our mission to make moving easier for clients nationwide. 

Even his home demonstrates this passion for tech-enabled ease and efficiency. Free of the usual buttons or switches on the walls, everything throughout his house—from the lights to the TV, thermostat and even garage doors—is voice-activated and customized to his family’s routines.

Keenly aware of technology’s power to simplify, Jason is determined to develop more robust tech-enabled services at Move Concierge. Streamlining the complexity of the moving process will maximize satisfaction for our clients, providing greater value to our partners, too. And he knows that gleaning insights from customer data to better understand their needs will yield exceptional experiences for clients and partners alike.

It takes more than just shiny tech to deliver mind-blowing experiences, though. Customers also want to feel treated with care. That emphasis on hospitality is something Jason carries over from his second gig as a restauranter. For more than a decade, he has been an investor in Dallas-area restaurants, supporting local establishments that offer quality service while dishing out everything from Tex-Mex to seafood to classic American fare.

Jason compares running a good restaurant to building a successful team at Move Concierge. Since every customer may have different needs or tastes, he says it’s about creating a team that can quickly and efficiently identify and adapt to these needs to create the best experience possible.

When he’s not working, you’ll either find Jason eagerly toying with the latest gadgets and gizmos or hanging out with his wife and three grown kids. Whether nestled into a diner booth or off traveling the world, you can count on Jason and his family to be searching for their own amazing experiences—in particular, continuing their never-ending hunt for the world’s best burger.

When Gabe Abshire founded Move Concierge (formerly Utility Concierge) in 2009, he wasn’t just starting another home services company – he was addressing a fundamental challenge he’d discovered firsthand in the real estate industry. After years of running a successful satellite installation business across multiple states, Abshire noticed a recurring issue that was costing his company both time and money: technicians would arrive at homes only to find they couldn’t complete installations because basic utilities weren’t set up or TVs were still in moving trucks.

“That’s when the aha moment happened,” Abshire reflects. “We really understood that there was this little part in the moving process that was stressful as hell, and you really didn’t have someone to help you.”

This revelation led to the creation of a company built on three core principles: operating as a referral-based business focused on real estate professionals, giving customers genuine choices rather than pushing specific products, and maintaining transparent, efficient communication throughout the process.

The company’s streamlined approach begins about two to three weeks before closing, when real estate agents share their clients’ information. A dedicated concierge reaches out on behalf of the agent, immediately establishing trust and continuity in the home-buying process. What follows is a focused 30-minute consultation that covers everything from basic utilities to home security systems.

“We’re going to call you on behalf of that real estate professional,” Abshire explains. “We gush over our referral partners. When we have a conversation with you, we’re like, ‘Hey, Steve referred you over. We’re part of his process. He knows that moving is stressful, and he wants to help you.’”

In markets like Texas, where homeowners might face choices between 45 different electricity providers, this guidance proves essential. The concierge team helps clients navigate these decisions efficiently, presenting clear options based on the client’s specific needs. After the initial consultation, a separate team handles all the necessary connections, freeing the client to focus on other aspects of their move.

This systematic approach saves clients an average of eight hours of phone calls and approximately $1,000 in their first year through optimized service packages. But beyond the tangible savings, it’s the stress reduction that clients seem to value most. “Moving is often a happy experience – you’re moving to the next opportunity, a change in your life,” Abshire notes. “And if it’s not a happy experience, if you’re moving for another reason, we don’t want you to have to worry about this stuff.”

The company’s commitment to customer service has earned them over 20,000 positive reviews. Their approach is refreshingly straightforward: “We tell our concierges to recommend things that you would recommend to your mother, and talk to your clients like you’re your best friend,” Abshire explains. This philosophy has resonated particularly well with first-time homebuyers who may not have established service provider relationships.

Looking ahead, Move Concierge is expanding its service offering while maintaining its core focus on customer care. The company recently brought on Jason Lindwall, former COO of RealPage, as president to help drive growth into the multifamily and property management sectors. They’re also developing a tech-enabled platform to complement their high-touch service model, recognizing that some customers prefer digital solutions.

The company’s “concierge for life” concept represents its next strategic evolution. Through partnerships with premier moving companies and carefully vetted service providers, Move Concierge aims to become the go-to resource for all home-related services, from moving day and beyond. Unlike other platforms that might sell customer information to multiple vendors, Move Concierge maintains its commitment to curated, high-quality recommendations.

“We’re not trying to skip to the post-close services like refinances and insurance – we’re focused on taking care of the customer and getting them into the house first,” Abshire emphasizes. “We’ve mastered that over the last 16 years. We are the best in the world at it.”

For real estate professionals seeking to enhance their client relationships, Move Concierge offers a service that simplifies a traditionally complex part of home buying. By managing utility and home service setups, agents can focus on their core expertise while providing lasting value that extends beyond closing day. The result is an experience that has become indispensable for agents in today’s demanding market.

Read the full article on KeyCrew Journal.

Let’s dive into Gabe Abshire’s story and get to know the man behind Move Concierge.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all the little details when moving? Gabe’s been there, and he’s made it his mission to take the stress out of your moving experience.

The Birth of Move Concierge

Picture this: You’re about to move, and your mind is racing with questions.

“Who’s got the best internet in my new neighborhood?”

“Which utility providers do I need to switch to?”

“I should look into home security, but which one?”

Sound familiar? These are the exact headaches Gabe set out to solve with an idea he had twenty years ago. He was knee-deep in the satellite TV installation business, constantly dealing with time-consuming hassles on both sides of what should be a simpler setup. Gabe’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked in. He saw an opportunity to help people with their pesky but all-important moving-related tasks, and a few years later in 2009, he founded a company to do just that.

The Secret Sauce: Customer Experience & Talent

Gabe’s vision for Move Concierge (formerly Utility Concierge) has always been about delivering mind-blowing experiences for everyone we work with — from clients to partners alike. The average American moves about 12 times in their life, and Gabe knew he could make those moves easier. By bringing together the right talent with a focus on customer experience, he set out to transform the industry landscape for movers as well as for the real estate professionals who support them. Move Concierge’s dedicated and talented team brings his vision to life each day to “Set up Your Home Services in a Snap”.  

Personal Side: A Man on the Move

Gabe isn’t one to sit still. Whether it’s traveling with his family or pushing his business to new heights, he’s always looking for the next adventure. It was actually a family trip to Italy last year that sparked a whole new vision for Move Concierge.

During that trip, Gabe read the book “10x is Easier Than 2x”, by strategic coach Dan Sullivan and organizational psychologist Dr. Benjamin Hardy. He was struck by their ideas about establishing “breakthrough goals” instead of incremental ones, and it elevated his perspective. Sometimes we all we feel threatened by challenges, limiting our sense of what’s possible. But when we can imagine our way beyond those limitations, we envision futures we might not have even considered before. This in turn allows us to strategize how to achieve them, and commit to big ideas that no longer seem so impossible. Gabe took the 10x mindset to heart and it unlocked his imagination yet again.

Returning from his trip, he realized he was ready for that next big leap. With only a fraction of moving households currently using their services, he saw potential for massive growth. Reimagining Move Concierge’s mission to help movers nationwide, Gabe sharpened his aim to define a new standard in the home service setup landscape. He started making bold moves for the business: a new name and rebrand to reflect the broader vision, an expanded leadership team, new priorities around lead diversification, and a vision to build advanced technology solutions and new product offerings.

The Personal Side

Gabe’s wife Veronica, kids Andrew and Renee, and their Boykin Spaniel, Bruno, are at the heart of everything he does.

When he’s not revolutionizing the moving industry, you might find him spending time with his family and seeking new adventures together. He also enjoys golfing, hunting and snow skiing.

What’s Next?

Gabe’s new strategy is on the move and ready to transform your moving experience with one simple, stress-free call.

So next time you’re facing a move, think of Gabe and the stellar team at Move Concierge. We’re here for more than just setting up your home services — we’re in the business of delivering transformative, mind-blowing experiences. And who couldn’t use more of that?

Inflation ticked up in October, but in line with forecasts. And that means a December rate cut by the Federal Reserve could still be in the offing.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.2% in October, the same increase as the previous three months, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The price of all goods increased 2.6% year over year.

“Both headline CPI and core CPI were right in line with forecasts, potentially supporting an additional 25-basis point federal funds rate cut in December, barring any upside surprises in November payrolls data,” said Sam Williamson, First American’s senior economist, in a statement.

The index for shelter rose 0.4% in October, accounting for over half of the monthly all items increase. The food index also increased over the month, rising 0.2% as the food at home index increased 0.1% and the food away from home index rose 0.2%. The energy index was unchanged over the month, after declining 1.9% in September.

Americans are still feeling the pinch of inflation, but not nearly as much as a year ago, said Gabe Abshire, CEO of Move Concierge, in a statement. With the rate cuts and inflation taming, next year could still be a busy homebuying year.

“As we move into the holiday spending season, we anticipate strong retail sales and a slow winter home buying season,” Abshire said. “However, with an additional interest rate cut expected, more and more people will be looking to move in the first quarter of 2025.”

Read the Scotsman Guide article.

Inflation increased to 2.6% in October, rising modestly from the previous month, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In October, inflation was above the annual inflation rate of 2.4% in September, and it increased 0.2% on a monthly basis, according to BLS. The cost of housing was the most significant contributor to the monthly increase in October, accounting for over half of the rise of the monthly all-items index. The price of food also increased by 0.2% in October. Energy prices remained unchanged after dropping 1.9% in the previous months. These lower prices are helping to bring down the overall cost of goods and services, offsetting increases in other parts of the economy.

If the pace of price increases continues to mount, it may influence the Federal Reserve’s pace of interest rate cuts. Last week, the Fed announced a highly anticipated quarter of a percentage point cut, lowering interest rates to between 4.5% and 4.75%. However, inflation has moderated substantially over the last two years, from a peak of 7% to 2.6%. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed remains committed to maintaining the U.S. economy’s strength by supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2% goal. 

“Markets have dialed back expectations for another cut and are currently pricing in somewhat lower ~60% odds of that outcome,” Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale said. “The November jobs report, due out in early December, is likely to be an important input in that decision alongside the latest inflation reading.”

For now, moderate inflation and the Fed’s dialing back of interest rates are likely to give consumers space to spend as the holiday season approaches, according to Gabe Abshire, CEO of Move Concierge. 

“The average American consumer is still feeling the pinch of inflation, but not to the same extent as last year when it greatly hampered monthly household spending,” Abshire said. “As we move into the holiday spending season, we anticipate strong retail sales and a slow winter homebuying season.”

Read the full article Fox Business article.