One Step Realty Inc

06/30/09

Being a landlord has its drawbacks

by JQM

I've used One Step Realty to manage my property in Grand Rapids for over a year now, and I have to say that while things can be rocky with tenants, overall I am happy with their service.

The rent is not enough to cover my mortgage, but I understood that going in - it is much better to pay $200 per month on an empty house than the full mortgage plus the utilities.

Also, I have slow-paying tenants, which means some months I get my money late, or even into the next month - but I always get my rent, and it is much better than paying to evict them and roll the dice with the next tenants.

I think most people tend to take out their frustrations with tenants on the property management company. I was frustrated at first; but it took me a while to realize that in this market, getting money for your property is better than being stuck living there, or having an empty house.

This is a good property management company, and they handle a lot of issues (including legal issues) that most of us do not have the time or the knowledge to deal with. They do a decent job in a tough market, and I recommend them.

• Pros: Handles all tenant issues and money, deals with legal issues
• Cons: Sometimes tenants pay slow or don't pay

06/17/09

avoid One Step like the plague

by fedw30

Wow. We've had almost the exact same experience as flair4life and gr27. I was assured they would seek renters in the $1100-1200 price range and sign a ONE year lease. Lo and behold, I find out after the fact that they leased it for TWO years and for $200 less... and they didn't bother to give so much as a "heads up" first. Since then, it's been a nightmare. I have to badger them every month for the rent payment - always late and almost always less than the correct amount. Then I find out they haven't been telling me about repairs that need to be made to the house... repairs that are now going to cost WAY more than they might have otherwise. I'd call them con artists, but that seems like giving them way too much credit. More like lazy, incompetent buffoons. Stay away from One Step Realty - if you value your house, that is!

• Pros: getting started is easy enough... but after that, watch out
• Cons: zero communication, misleading sales pitch, late payments

01/20/09

STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS!

by flair4life

This company has been the source of frustration for us for the last year. You can call and call and call and never get a response from anyone. We have never received the rent on time, several times up to a month late. Even when they receive the check from the renters, certainly by no effort on their part it takes them a week or more to cash the check and even longer to get it into our bank account. They have charged us for repairs that we were never aware of and certainly didn't authorize. We never know what's going on. As gr27 stated he rented our house for $200 less than what we were asking ($200 less than our mortgage) without our consent. They are extremely overpriced and they don't even get the job done. I have been in contact with 2 other people that have used them that have also had all of the same complaints as gr27 and I have had. If you value your home, your money and your stress levels you will stay away from this place!

• Pros: There are none
• Cons: Horrible communication, bad service, please read review for more details.