MONDAY
OCTOBER 13, 2025
6:30 P.M. M E M B E R S H I P M E E T I N G
S P E A K E R
43 years in the Real Estate Industry Author of Entrepreneurial Break Through Mastered creative Strategies for Acquiring and Selling both residential and commercial properties. Including innovative “no money down” techniques.
Redwood Steakhouse 5304 Gateway Centre Blvd Flint, MI 48507
U P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S
Monday, November 10 2025
December - No Meeting
Monday, January 12, 2026
As we move forward, our website will be improved and expanded in an effort to meet the needs of our members. The tenant court list is updated each month to provide the most current information to our members. Remember to tell your friends, buyers and sellers to check out our website too. You have the ability to print out rental forms. Members can advertise their rental property on our website. We also have a Facebook page. Check us Out!
Michael & Cynthia McNamara
We look forward to seeing each of you at our meetings. Please take advantage of the networking opportunities before and after the meetings.
Your membership in our Association gives you the chance to meet and learn from experienced investors whether you are starting out or are a longtime Landlord. We also have special Meetup meetings, the ability to obtain credit reports and past court evictions on prospective tenants, just to name a few services.
The market and environment for investing are always changing, and as investors, we need to be willing to change with it. For those who haven’t yet done their first deal—keep hunting. Even for experienced investors, finding opportunities that truly pencil out and generate positive cash flow can be challenging.
For example, I own an Airbnb in Michigan that does well, but after looking at countless properties in Florida, I’ve yet to find one that produces positive cash flow. The opportunities are out there, but they can be difficult to find. The same goes for singlefamily rentals. I used to love buying them in Durand, and I still own several there. But with today’s higher property taxes, a new buyer would likely struggle to make money on them if any debt was involved.
The lesson is simple: keep hunting, and don’t be afraid to shift your model if your old one no longer makes sense. Success in real estate comes from adapting, being persistent, and always running the numbers before you buy.
For the love of Real Estate,
Remember, for each new member you sign up with your name listed on their application, you will receive a $25 credit towards your renewal dues.
Arrive at the General membership meeting at 6:30 pm and bring your business cards.
• Monthly Meetings with expert guest speakers on a variety of topics
• Monthly newsletter containing valuable, up-to-date information
• Rental and Court forms
• Credit reports available on prospective tenants & access to OnlineRentApp.com
• List of Past Evictions
• The GLA website offers valuable Information & Rental Marketing.
• Discount on Sherwin Williams
• Networking with other investors, face to face
• Friendly office staff with answers and advice
• Notary public at GLA Office during business hours at no charge
To become a member of GLA mail your name, address, phone number and check payable to GLA G4428 Fenton Rd, Flint, MI 48507 OR on the web at glaoffice@geneseelandlords.org
Membership Application on Page 6
$147 NEW MEMBER FEE
$110 Renewing Member
You can't afford not to join!
The information that is requested is for the Landlord’s exclusive use, and the Landlord certifies that inquiries will be made ONLY for permissible purpose, namely in connection with a business transaction initiated by the consumer. Specifically for rental of home account to determine whether the consumer continues to meet the terms of the account such as rental of property. Landlords may not obtain reports on themselves, associates, family members, or any other person, exception the exercise of official duties. The law prohibits the Landlord from providing a copy of the report to the applicant.
Applications completed in black ink only. Please be sure member name is on application and is signed.
Check to make sure the name, SSN, current address, city and zip code are readable. Make sure application is signed by the tenant giving you permission to run the credit report. The office cannot complete the credit report unless it is signed by the applicant. And again, make sure the Landlord name is on the application and signed.
# of bedrooms
Monthly income of applicant
Security Deposit to be paid
Monthly rent to be paid
Lease term
If renting now, monthly rent
Credit reports can only be ordered by members whose account status is current.
Nationwide criminal search can also be obtain on your prospective tenants.
Do we have your email address?
We will notify members of important happenings and dates through email; be sure to keep current on information by providing the Genesee Landlord Office at (810) 767-3080 or email us at glaoffice@geneseelandlords.org
Please type or print and enclose this application with your check. One year membership fee is $147.
Name Address
City Zip
Phone
Fax
Spouse’s name
How did you hear about us?
Were you referred by a GLA member? If yes, who?
Please make check payable to : G4428 Fenton Road, Flint, MI 48507
VISA MASTERCARD Other
Number
Exp. Date Sec. Code
SIGNATURE x
Your membership in GLA affords you the possibility of becoming a more professional landlord, investor, or manager. Your continued support and participation in GLA provides the opportunity for a stronger association.
One faithful member was feeling rather blue, met with a neighbor, and then there were two. Two earnest members each enrolled one more, doubling their numbers; then there were four. Four determined members just couldn’t wait till each won another, and then there were eight! Eight excited members signed up sixteen more; in another six verses, there will be a thousand twenty-four! - Author Unknown
TransUnion requires certain information from our members in order for us to provide credit reports or to obtain reports from your office directly through TransUnion. We are required to verify the security of stored documents by our members. This means that each member will have an on-site verification of their place of business (or their home office if they manage their rentals from home).
Our members should be aware that to continue obtaining credit reports from the Association, you will be required to complete this process. There will be no invasion of your privacy by this inspection. The inspection is performed by a person on behalf of GLA.
The verification requires each member have:
• Locked file cabinet or drawer where reports are stored;
• Secure office (a lock on the room where the reports are stored);
• Alarm system (optional)
• Paper shredder
• Picture of entire office (inside and out), picture of office sign (address must show on office, house and/or mailbox) to verify current location
• Driver’s license
• Password protected computer
**Once completed email information and pictures to Linda at geneseelandlord@comcast.net
The sole purpose of the physical verification and photographs is to protect our members and the Association from a claim that the credit reports and other information concerning potential tenants was not kept secure.
Failure to comply will require you to purchase credit reports through the old system at a cost of $17 per report. If you do comply the cost of the credit report will be $12.
We are still receiving incomplete and unreadable rental applications. The addresses and social security numbers are difficult to read. We must have the current address including city and zip code to run credit reports. Also all blanks on the application must be completed. PLEASE double check the information on the application for accuracy before you fax it to our office. MAKE SURE ALL THE INFORMATION IS READABLE. If the information is un-readable or important information is missing, we cannot process the rental application. This will certainly enable our staff to process the application quickly and accurately. Your cooperation will be appreciated.
FOR RENT SIGN
HEAVY DUTY WIRE STAND
INVESTOR PACKAGE
$10
$5
$25
PREMIUM INVESTOR PACKAGE $50
LEAD PAINT BOOKLET (EACH) $.75
LEAD PAINT BOOKLET (50) $25
7 DAY NOTICE, 30 DAY NOTICE, COMPLAINT AND SUMMONS FORMS (EACH)
7 DAY NOTICE, 30 DAY NOTICE, COMPLAINT AND SUMMONS FORMS (100)
$.50
$30
GLA MEMBERSHIP $147
For your convenience, we take orders over the phone and at our meetings for pick up or delivery (with shipping cost) of the items you need most and use everyday in your business.
It is imperative that owners request hard copies of credit reports. Credit reports can change daily, and there will never be another report exactly the same as the one the owner ran to determine acceptance of a tenant. Without a copy of the report, the owner cannot prove the financial reasons for acceptance or rejection if challenged in court.
Here are several common plumbing emergencies in rental properties and what to do in each case.
Plumbing issues can range from a rapidly flooding basement to a small leak. All of these issues should be addressed as a landlord, some more quickly than others. Be cognizant of your local landlord/tenant laws as water issues are typically a high priority and require a landlord to initiate a fix immediately.
Before we dive into the list of common plumbing emergencies in rental properties and what to do, there are a few items you should be familiar with at your property. The most important is the location of the main water supply. This is critical to know if there’s ever a plumbing emergency (and helpful for other plumbing issues as well). We always advise landlords to inform their tenants of the location of the main water supply (one of the first steps we take with customers is to make sure tenants, owners, and property specialists know where this is).
It’s also important to know the basics of your water heater: how to turn it on and off, how to increase the water temperature, where the pilot light is –basic troubleshooting.
A pipe can burst when too much water pressure builds up at a weakened joint. Pipes also burst in the winter when leftover water expands when frozen, hence the importance of insulating exterior pipes and interior pipes that are exposed to the cold. More likely than not you will know when a pipe has burst – it can make a loud popping noise – otherwise, there will be significant leaking.
Burst pipes need to be addressed immediately. Turn the main water line off to stop the leak and call a plumber as soon as possible. After the water has been shut off it’s best to drain all the faucets and do your best to clean up the water. Let in as much warm air as possible to dry out the area around the leak.
A lack of hot water is a little trickier to diagnose – many things can cause this. Here are a few items to look at:
• What is your water temperature set to? If it’s below 120 degrees F you may want to turn up the heat –temps below that 120-degrees F can also cause bacterial growth in your tank. Don’t go above 140 degrees F for the risk of burning.
• Check the pilot light. If you have a gas water heater, it will have a pilot light – if it’s out, it will need to be re-lit. New heaters will have an ignition switch, older models may require you to light manually. Reference the user manual when relighting the pilot.
• Flush the water heater. Over time, sediment and other buildups can cause your water heater to not be effective. Again, take a look at the user manual on directions for flushing your tank – this may or not be a job a landlord is up to.
• Water pooling around the heater. If you can see a leak or determine that the pooled water is coming from your heater, this should be fixed. We recommend calling a plumber – the leak will get worse and worse with time.
A busted water line is a major headache for a landlord. These are not easy fixes and are typically quite expensive. Here are some indicators that your water line needs repair:
• Poor water pressure. If your tenants
notice the water pressure is lower than normal, it could be because there’s a leak. If there are no other signs of water damage or a leak on the property, it may be the water line. Bringing out a pro to scope your line is the next step to take.
• Increasing water bills. If you or your tenants notice the water bill going up, it’s because water may be leaking into the ground. Hopefully, the city can alert you/your tenants of any significant changes but, again, bring out a plumber to look at your water line.
• Soggy ground. If the tenants notice soft spots or water build-up in the front lawn, for example, the water line may be broken. Water can be one of the most damaging elements on any property. Make sure to keep a close eye on your plumbing systems and check for signs of malfunction often.
The unexpected costs landlords have when tenants move out can often be far more than the security deposit. It is common knowledge that tenants cannot live in a single rental property all their lives. They may move out because they got a new job or bought their own home, or they may have been evicted due to one issue or the other.
The big question is, what are the hidden costs you may face as a landlord or property manager when your tenants move out?
Some landlords have false hope that the rental deposit will be enough to cover upgrade costs and cleaning needs. But rarely do tenant deposits provide enough money to pay for everything needed to get a property ready for a new tenant.
Below is a list of unexpected costs landlords have or may face when your tenants move out.
Vacancy loss is the amount of rental income or cash flow that a property is losing as a unit sits unoccupied.
Without money coming in, but with money going out to upgrade and repair the property, it won’t be long before landlords are struggling to make their own mortgage payments. Working with
a propertymanagement company is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of tenant turnover and to help find new tenants on time.
When your tenants show signs that they are going to leave and not renew their lease, you could respond by offering free utilities for two months, reducing rent slightly, or freezing it at current rental rates. You might also offer to enhance some aspect of the apartment/ condo to increase their comfort. People don’t like to leave their comfort zone.
One of the biggest worries you might have as a landlord is that tenants may do significant damage to your rental property before they move out.
When a tenant packs up and moves
out, and there is no way to get a hold of him or her, you run the risk of walking into a damaged unit. Some tenants will leave before the rent is paid or at night, and they leave behind a lot of damage. Having an effective tenantscreening process is the best way to find tenants who will care for the property.
Theft by tenants moving out of rental properties is very common.
In fact, “a poll of 2,000 adults by landlord insurer Direct Line for Business found tenants have removed items such as fridges, freezers, light fittings, televisions, and even sinks. Tenants estimate that the overall value of items they had taken from a property stands at more than $500.” It can feel devastating when a tenant steals your property upon moving out of the rental.
However, to avoid issues such as this, you must obtain a FULL tenant reference check before you go ahead with a tenancy.
This will provide you with detailed information on their financial security and place of work, which will assist in giving you peace of mind that you have selected a suitable tenant.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
A package of four bills aimed at capping landlord fees and allowing eviction records to be expunged after three years has advanced out of committee and is now headed to the full Michigan Senate for consideration.
The proposed legislation—Senate Bills 372 through 375—includes changes that would regulate application and lease-related fees and enable tenants to petition for eviction record expungement after a three-year period. The bills were reported 7–2 along party lines by the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee.
While supporters say the bills would improve transparency and renter protections, RPOA Executive Director Erika Farley stressed the need to strike a balance between protecting residents and supporting small-scale housing providers.
“We have been in discussions with bill sponsors and committee members on some changes that we think seem reasonable, to make sure that not only are we protecting the resident, but also protecting the property owners, because not all property owners are large-scale … or coming in from out of state,” Farley said.
She added: “We want to make sure that as we’re talking about these bills, that we are not taking a hatchet, potentially where a scalpel is needed, and that we are not having unintended consequences.”
Updated: September 23, 2025
The Rental Property Owners Association of Michigan (RPOAM) has compiled this survey of municipal costs for inspecting single-family homes across Michigan. This resource is intended as a guide to help housing providers and real estate investors understand the fees, requirements, and variations in inspection costs from city to city.
While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, inspection requirements and costs can change, and this survey may not always reflect the most current updates. We encourage members to verify details directly with the appropriate municipality before making decisions.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025 9:00 A.M.
Presented by Bobbie Kirby, Gla Executive director
The Genesee County Treasurer’s Office held online-only tax foreclosure sales
on September 05, 2025. These auctions were handled by the third-party company Tax-Sale.info. The next auction date is October 31, 2025.
• Auction website: The auctions took place on www.tax-sale.info. You can find past auction results on this site by year.
• Auction items: A list of properties available at the tax sale will be posted online before the auction.
Who is eligible to purchase property?
There are several reasons that an individual may not be permitted to purchase land at the Genesee County auctions.
• By law, individuals who currently has delinquent property taxes or civil fines in the county in which they are attempting to purchase property cannot participate.
• State law requires winning bidders to execute a sworn affidavit affirming that they do not owe any relevant delinquent taxes.
• In addition, many treasurers will choose not to accept bids from individuals that are delinquent in other counties at the auction.
There is also a list of individuals who have been banned from auctions either by the auctioneer or the county treasurer. This would include past participants who did not pay for property they bid on or caused a sale to be cancelled for other reasons. These restrictions extend not only to bidders, but also the
payor, any party listed on the sale deed, and an assisting bidder.
The Genesee County Land Bank acquires any tax-foreclosed properties not sold at the county’s public auction. It then offers properties for sale or redevelopment through its own processes.
Public trust and relief for Flint families remain the top priorities of the City of Flint. After years of waiting, it is essential that this settlement process moves forward with transparency and urgency.
On Friday, September 19, 2025, Mayor Sheldon Neeley sent a letter to Judge Judith Levy requesting local resources and communication support for residents, so that families can have clear information and assistance as payments move forward. The City’s mission is simple: to urge decision-makers to expedite the release of funds. “The people of Flint have carried the burden of this crisis for far too long. They deserve not just promises, but progress,” said Mayor Sheldon Neeley. “I will continue to push until these dollars are in the hands of Flint families.”
The City of Flint will continue working alongside our federal delegation to advocate for the timeline outlined by the Special Master — indicating a late summer to early fall release — as the benchmark we are actively pursuing.
Advertising not only offsets the cost of newsletter printing and member outreach, it also provides services to our association from sources who are excited to work with us at reason- able and reliable rates. Our newsletter reaches an extensive network of real estate investors. Please refer to our local businesses when possible and let them know you saw their ad. If you are interested in placing an ad or know someone who is, the rates are as follows:
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Reduce disputes with tenants by videotaping or taking pictures with your cell phone or camera of the unit’s condition before move-in and after move-out. If you do this when the unit is vacant, the tenant cannot claim his or her privacy was invaded. When move-out is completed, repeat the process again and have evidence of any damage that occurred during the occupancy of the affected tenant.
2025-2026
Ed Constable - President (810) 938-3339
edconstable1@yahoo.net
Aaron Dionne - Vice President (248) 705-1399 rangerbronco@charter.net
Bryan Udell - Treasurer (810) 287-4486 cbu@homeventures.com
Bobbie Kirby - Exec. Director 810-919-5130 ledesta1@att.net
Michael Kennedy - Secretary (810) 210-7347 Kennedyhousing1@gmail.com
Bernard Drew
(810) 422-3655 mrbdrew@gmail.com
Craig Fiederlein (810) 232-1112
cfiederlein@cflegal.net
Ryan Scully (810) 577-3146 scullyrealestateteam@gmail.com
Terry Hanson (810) 767-2500 terrylhanson@yahoo.com
Political Action Chairman
Henry Tannenbaum (810) 238-2600 hrt@USOL.com
Ohunwa Carthan 810-259-2724 caribo1387@att.org
Office Secretary
Amanda Lynch (810) 767-3080
Contributor Linda MacKay
Ruth A. Johnson (R) Senate District 24
Contact: Senator Johnson Phone: 517-373-1636
Kevin Daley (R) Senate District 26
Contact: Senator Daley Phone: 517-373-1777
John Cherry (D) Senate District 27
Contact: Senator Cherry Phone: 517-373-0142
Graphic Designer
Melanie Fiederlein (810) 288-9334 melfiederlein@gmail.com
