The topic today is property inspections, and how to inspect your home before you put it on the rental market.
When you’re looking to put your house up for rent, make sure it meets all local housing standards. The best thing you can do is to get a copy of the International Housing Code. Go through that book and make sure your home meets all the standards. If it’s a well kept house, there will be very little you have to update. Next, call the city and find out if there are additional housing codes that are separate from what you find in the International Housing Code. If you do that with your house, you’ll be able to inspect your home properly.
Grand Rapids Property managers have knowledge that most individual owners do not. They understand the intricacies that the city looks for with rental properties. For example, if you buy a house that was built over 25 years ago, it may not have hard wired smoke detectors. Housing codes will require a smoke detector in each bedroom and outside each bedroom and in the basement. Now, lithium tamper proof smoke detectors are required. So instead of replacing the battery, you replace entire detector. Another new regulation is that you can’t use a stick to hold a window open. This can be costly in old houses with weights in the windows. You’ll need to replace those windows or fix them so they can stay open.
These are the types of small things that people don’t always understand when conducting inspections. Property managers can help you. Many companies will provide a walk-through of your property as a free service. Take advantage of that. A professional property manager can inspect the home with you and show you what needs to be done. If you decide to hire a management company, choose one with a comprehensive inspection process. Look for a program that includes the careful checking of every system, surface, screen, outlet and window. They should be able to provide you with a line item checklist so you know what they’re inspecting. This is something that a departmental property management company is very good at. They will have the resources to do a thorough inspection of your rental home before anyone moves in.
If you have any questions, or you’re interested in a walk-through on an inspection, please contact us at Untied Properties and we’d be happy to help you.
Sergio joined United Properties in 2020. He is a graduate from Pickens Technical College as a Nurse Assistant and as a Small Animal Care Provider in 2010. In the past nine years, Sergio has had various jobs, all focused around customer service.
Eden joined United Properties in 2016. Eden graduated from Davenport University in 2015 with an Associate’s in Business Administration. She’s the Executive Assistant to the Owner of United Properties, with a focus on procedural documentation. She enjoys playing guitar, reading, and doing outdoor activities. Eden is trilingual and able to communicate in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. 
David joined the United Properties team in 2019 as the Director of Client Relations and Business Development. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading all leasing, application underwriting, tenant relations, accounts receivable, process improvement, remote workers, and general office functionality (essentially anything outside of maintenance and service). David comes from a longstanding career at a Fortune 15 company primarily in a sales and customer service leadership role.
Tim VandenToorn serves as Managing Partner of United Properties of West Michigan, working closely with our owners and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company. Tim also started United Realty, which serves as a brokerage for United Properties and assists investors with the acquisition of investment properties.
Matthew joined the United Properties in early 2020. He is a graduate of Lee University with a bachelor’s in Intercultural Studies and also a master’s in Discipleship and Christian Formation. Matthew serves as a project manager over the Rent Ready process. He has 20 years of construction experience and over 10 years of experience in leadership positions. He oversees a team of technicians and schedules outside vendors getting properties back to the United rent-ready standard so that they can be leased again.
Carla joined United Properties in late 2019 as a billing specialist. Carla ensures invoices are received from contractors and bills them out in a timely fashion.
Cristina joined United Properties as the billing assistant in October of 2020. She has experience as a technology professional, an English-Spanish translator, and has worked the past several years as the treasurer of her condominium.
Rick is one of the newest members of our team. He has an extensive background in customer service. He and his wife are raising their 4-year-old son. Rick loves beef jerky so much he makes his own.
Harriet joined United Properties as a billing assistant in February of 2021. She has experience as a bookkeeper and a Property Manager for a Real Estate account. She was a working student during her college days. Harriet loves cleaning because she thinks it is therapeutic. She also loves watching series during her free time, and she’s a fur mom of one dog. Her inspiration to work every day is her family.
Diego has an extensive background in customer service and, most recently in Maintenance and
My name is Paulina Gonzalez. I have been working for the company since early 2021. I studied social work and have 7 years of experience in customer service. I speak English and Spanish. I am very patient, and I like to ask a lot of questions to learn a lot. I enjoy small road trips and cold rainy weather. I have a 3-month-old puppy, and he is my favorite thing in the world.
Jessica has a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial strategies and public accounting and is studying a masters in Blockchain and Fintech regulation. She has previous experience as a customer service representative. She speaks English and Spanish. She loves taking long walks with her three dogs, hiking and road tripping during the weekends.
Chris Good is new to the United Properties Team since June 2022 as a Business Development Manager. With years of experience in both the construction industry (Master Electrician) and the Real Estate industry (Broker), he will closely work with new and experienced investors to facilitate their real estate goals.
Melba Alvarez
Enrique Vergara (Henry)
Alyssa Lawrence
Mike Cleveland