When you’re shopping for an investment home, the words “location, location, location” doesn’t matter as much as “functionality, functionality, functionality.” This is the most important consideration when you’re selecting a rental property.
You need to buy a house that you wouldn’t mind living in. Take a look at the bathroom and make sure it’s the proper size. You want a master bedroom on the main floor, and it should be at least 135 square feet. If it’s any smaller, you won’t keep tenants as long. Have a full bathroom on the main floor as well. Lots of older houses in Grand Rapids were built in the 1800s. This means small bedrooms, and some only have bedrooms upstairs. That’s not functional. Updated kitchens and bathrooms are also critical.
If you purchase a house that isn’t functional, you need to be prepared to make it functional. The other bedrooms need to be at least 100 square feet, for example, so that could mean taking out a chimney and moving walls by a foot. That’s how seriously you need to take functionality.
It doesn’t matter if you buy a ranch or a two story house or even a duplex. Buy whatever you are comfortable with, as long as it’s functional. Look for new vinyl siding, new windows and a new roof. If the house you want to buy doesn’t have those three things, buy at a lower price so you can put the siding on or the windows in yourself.
When you’re buying your investment property, think five years down the road. The roof may be good today, but will it last five or 10 years? Buy a house with a yard. Houses that don’t have front, back or side yards are difficult to rent and then your turnover costs are expensive. Outdoor space is important. If you’re in the city and you have two houses side by side – one with porch one without a porch – buy the one with the porch. People like to sit outside, so this is important in attracting tenants.
If you have any questions about a rental home’s functionality, or you need help selecting the right investment property, please contact us at United Properties for more information.
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