Name: Matt Robinson

Title: Operations Manager / Warehouse Manager/ Local Dispatcher

Years in industry: 17 years

Years at Exodus: 3 years

Place of Birth: Sundance, Wyoming

Fun Fact: Loves the outdoors (tubing boating fishing).

Strangest item you have ever moved: An old wooden outhouse.

Favorite part about working with Exodus: Feels like a family.

Tip to share with people who are moving:  Be prepared. Every move is different.

Name:  Jake Atchison

Title:  Vice President of Sales

Years in the industry:  12, worked up from crew as his first college job

Years at Exodus: 7

Place of Birth:  Boulder, Colorado

Fun Fact:  Outside linebacker during college (Mesa State Mavericks)

Strangest item you have ever moved:  3,000 lb. printing press

Favorite part about working with Exodus: the work environment is awesome

Tip to share with people who are moving:

Preparation is KEY – the more prepared you are the less your move will cost.

Name:  Lisa Bernhardt

Title:  Vice President of Finance

Years in the industry:  28 years in finance and accounting

Years at Exodus:  6

Place of Birth: Scotts Bluff, Nebraska

Fun Fact: Member of the University of Nebraska Flag and Dance Corps (and all attempts to find photos and videos by her fellow employees have been futile)

Strangest item you have ever moved: Nuclear laser for CSU valued at $1,000,000.00.

Favorite part about working with Exodus: finding values for bizarre items.

Tip to share with people who are moving:  If it is truly priceless, and you can move it yourself, do so.

Name:  Ilan Levy

Title:  President/Owner

Years in the industry: Started in 1986

Years at Exodus: Formed Exodus Moving and Storage in 1996 in upstate NY

Place of Birth:  Rachvot, Israel

Fun Fact:  Served in the Israeli Army driving tanks – a great base for running a company as you must constantly solve problems and create order out of chaos

Strangest item you have ever moved:  8 million dollar telescope

Favorite part about working with Exodus: Enjoys working with people

Tip to share with people who are moving:  People don’t realize how stressful moving can be, particularly on an elderly person.  We can take care of the physical stresses, but finding a new community, new grocery store, and new schools will take a toll on your emotions. Realizing that and planning for it will make the transition easier.

Come learn about the amazing team at Exodus!

We will be posting bios for a team member each day, starting tomorrow with the big man himself, owner and entrepreneur Ilan Levy .  Come back each day for to see a new bio and learn the craziest thing each employee has personally moved, as well as tips and tricks to a hassle free move.

Selling your home? If you want to maximize your profits, then you need to look at it from the buyer’s perspective. Here’s how:

Stop Thinking of it as Your Home You know every nook and cranny, every memory, every renovation. But now it is time to look at it as if you were buying it. Make sure to clear a path of your things and put away as much as you can so that the person coming to look can visualize living in your home and having their things around. Things that are very personal may be a good idea to pack away while you are showing the home. Also, makes sure that everything is clean and well kept. Make sure your windows, blinds, floors and even porches are cleaned off. A potential buyer needs to be impressed with the entire home, so thinking of everything as important is key. This is now an asset to you, not your personal home.

Know Your Competition Its important to know how your home stands up against the competition around you. You can feel confident in what you have to offer, and also now where people may be checking things out and what they are thinking. You can go as far as hiring an inspector to come in and describe to your what people will see as defects in your home. This way you are not caught off guard and will be able to provide a plan or explanation.

Fix Issues Replacement is one of the most important things to consider and to do when you are amping up to sell your home. If it needs new carpet, faucets or paint job, make sure that you complete these. These items can make a great home look dumpy and will make it sell for much less. Take out the money beforehand and reap the benefits later. Offering credits, which is sometimes done, isn’t a great option if you are thinking like a buyer and trying to maximize profits. Rather than credit the buyer for things like floor or appliance allowances, actually fix and repair the things that need to be done in advance so that you remove that objection from the outset.

Stage the House Check out this super helpful video to help you learn how to stage your home.

Caring for a senior is often no easy task. The emotional and physical demands that it can take on an individual (both caretaker and giver) can be great. Many times we are faced with the decision of whether to put a loved one into an assisted living retirement home. Although this decision may be the best for all parties, it is important to know that it will be emotionally taxing for everyone as well. When making the jump with a loved one into this situation there are a number of things to keep in mind.

1. Make sure that everyone in the family has a chance to address and clarify the way that they are feeling about the decision. This is not only a hard transition for one person–it usually weighs on everyone involved so its important to stay open.

2. Let it be. If your family member is upset by the move, allow them to feel the way that they do. Be there as a sounding board to absorb their frustrations. Sometimes its ok just to listen and empathize.

3. Make sure to reassure them of your presence in their life. Let them know that just because they will be living somewhere else, doesn’t also mean that they will lose you. They need this reassurance at this time.

4. Remain calm. Raised voices or outward displays of anger will only leave both parties feeling hurt. This is a highly emotional time for both of you; recognize it, but try not to let it enter the conversation.

5. Let them make decision that are important to them. Things like choosing the facility, their room, colors that will be in their room is very important for them to retain control over. This is a tough time for them in feeling loss of control. This will help.
6. Let them know calmly why this is the best decision for them practically. Try not to add an emotional element into the mix as it may lead you down a slippery slope. Stay positive and let them know all of the positives of their new life.

7.  If you’re family member is having a difficult time accepting this decision, allow them time to absorb the news. You may also consider seeking professional help, such as a counselor or a senior moving specialist. Sometimes it helps to have a neutral outside party to talk to.

8. Don’t be hard on yourself; try not to feel bad about this decision. Be good to yourself and know that this is the best thing for the entire family. Dealing with your emotions outside of the decision will help ensure that your conversation remains calm and focused.

Green property management? The answer is yes! As the world turns to more and more sustainable ways of living and functioning now is a perfect time to just on the Green train. There are more resources than you may think the next time that you are looking for a place to live and want to commit to living green in every way. Follow this simple list of important clues as to how you can maximize your renting experience in the Eco world.

Property Management/Landlord Green Credentials

There are a number of landlords and property management companies that have gone the extra mile and gotten a certification into the green world. The National Apartment Association Education Institute offers a Credential for Green Property Management. The program was designed to educate and implement more sustainable practices within the renting world.

GreenRenter.com

Although many people will turn to the fortune and fate of Craigslist (and this is a fabulous site if you don’t have such specific expectations) on GreenRenter.com you can find a home or apartment that is truly green and that you can feel good about. It offers both residential and commercial rental listings in the US and Canada. Although the cities offered in the US only add up to 8, they are large enough to get a giant ball rolling that may forever change the way our nation rents property.

There are many factors in a family’s first move, not to mention feelings and emotions. When you are helping your families adjust to a new place and new city that you are going to be calling home, it is important to lead them around so their transition is cushioned with leadership, compassion and understanding. Here’s how you can help.

Take a Tour

Make sure that you clearly state every room and who will be living there, and what the room will look like or what will be done there (family room, laundry room, etc.) Does somebody’s window face the lake? Or have 2 closets? Make this apparent to all. Walk around as a unit and be there for any questions or any confusion as to what room is whose. Also, you can try making things into a game to lighten the mood and to make their first experience in their new home positive and filled with laughter and smiles. Achieve this by playing hide and go seek or tag–especially if the house is empty!

Essentials Box for everyone

Having each person pack themselves an essentials box is incredibly important. For kids it should be things that comfort them. Games, music, books, journals, cameras all are important. Things that they are used to that they can turn to when they need some moments away. If possible, have the family move their essentials boxes so that the kids have a piece of familiarity and home the first night.

Plan a Family Gathering
Although planning anything this early in the game may seem daunting at a time like this, it doesn’t have to be. Find out what every family member wants to eat–grab your biggest blanket and your candles. Set up shop in your living room or dining room on the floor and get ready to talk. Talk about the move, the exciting and not so exciting parts, what you are looking forward to in your new home and city. Get it all out! This is also a fabulous forum for family support and understanding when members open up.

Unpack the Kids Rooms…first!

This is important that you can assure that your babies are taken care of and feeling secure as soon as possible. This includes posters being put up, music being set up or toys being brought out. A happy kid’s room is the key to a happy home.

Making Your Child Comfortable in Their New Room

Kids can be scared in their new living space, especially at night when its time to go to sleep. Make sure to make the room look as close to the old set up as possible to help them feel familiarized and at home ASAP.

There is no getting around it: pets are like family. And only taking the best care for them will do, so make sure that you have taken precautions and prepared for their departure as well as yours to assure that their move as well as yours is smooth and painless.  Check out the tips and insights into pet care while traveling:

• Make sure your pet is wearing identification and any required license tags in case they get lost.

• Ask your veterinarian for a copy of your pet’s medical history to take with you, and be sure all shots are current.

• Shortly before the move, your pets may become nervous because of all the unusual activity. Keep a close eye on them; stress may cause them to misbehave or run off. Consider looking into some holistic remedies for calming.

• When you move, take along a health certificate and a rabies vaccination certificate. The health certificate, signed by your veterinarian, says your pet is in good condition. The rabies certificate states when and where your pet was vaccinated.

• Look into the state that you are moving to and make sure that you are prepared for a quarantine period. In many cases your animal will need to be put into quarantine from anywhere from 30 to 120 days before you can take them home.

• After the move, give your pets time to adjust to the new neighborhood. Don’t let your pets roam freely until they learn where new “home” is now to avoid losing them.

• If you pet has an ID implant, remember to have updated contact information.
Follow these tips to make sure that your move is smooth and less stress on your loved ones!