WHAT¹S HAPPENING AROUND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN - September 
2006 
by Don Eichstaedt, Secretary, Rental Property Owners Assoc. 
of Michigan 
(RPOAM) 
 
2006 RPOAM ANNUAL CONFERENCE - 
 
IT IS TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THE CONFERENCE AND GET YOUR HOTEL 
ROOM!! 
 
THEME “SOAR HIGHER, INVEST SMARTER & MANAGE BETTER” 
 
Sept. 29 & 30, 2006 in Lansing, Michigan at Holiday 
Inn-South Convention Center 
Featuring: Creative Landlording by Jeffrey Taylor 
Gold Mine of Tax Strategies by Albert Aiello 
Big Profits in Real Estate by Robert Shemin 
Off-Shore Investment Opportunities by Elliott 
Financial 
Rehabbing for Real Money by Robyn Thompson 
Legislation & Grassroots Lobbying by Jim Crawford 
NaREIA National Benefits by Rebecca McLean 
 
Cost: $89.00 single; $99.00 double 
To Register: call: 800-701-7762 
Hotel Room: call: 517-694-8123 
 
LEGISLATION 
 
The big issue currently is Mortgage Fraud - Our lobbyist 
and Executive Director have been involved right at the 
beginning of discussions on this legislation. They will be 
meeting with the bill’s sponsor in 2 weeks to review the 
proposed bill - line by line. With their input we can keep 
the bill from being harmful for rental property owners. 
Quick resales (“flips) are one concern of the legislature. 
Initially, RPOAM is neutral on the bill. The bill numbers 
are HB 6432, 6433 & 6436. You should read the bill as soon 
as you can. If you have any concerns about any of the 
provisions, you should contact our Executive Director, Mr. 
Clay Powell, email: clayp@rpoaonline.org, or 616-454-3385. 
 
RPOAM-PAC  
 
Our PAC fund is low. All Associations are urged to collect 
PAC donations from their members and forward them to Mr. 
Powell at 1459 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 
49503; tel:616-454-3385. Associations are requested to add 
a $10.00 PAC donation to their application total, but allow 
members to opt out of the donation if they so desire. 
 
LOCAL ISSUES 
 
Battle Creek - The local economy is weak and there are many 
vacancies. The city had a study done about what to do to 
improve the jobs in the area. One aspect determined was the 
poor performance on the workers due to a lack of training 
and work ethic. The city, along with some local employers, 
are working on programs to improve productivity and to 
develop long term career planning for their local workers. 
They want to train and recycle their workers. The Family 
Independence Agency (welfare) is having a representative at 
the work place, so workers do not have to take time off 
from work to get help with their problems. The Homeless 
Coalition studied homelessness and determined that one 
factor was excessive wear and tear on the rental properties 
by the tenants! They also have a Neighborhood Service 
Program that is looking at ways to improve city services. 
The code Inspectors have (finally) determined that there 
are slum tenants also. 
 
Big Rapids - The city has much public housing. They are 
starting to think about limiting any new subsidized housing 
construction. The city now requires fire extinguishers in 
rental properties. 
 
Flint (Genesee County) - Inspections are “on the back 
burner”. The city is collecting the fees but not inspecting 
properties. The Association is still having trouble with 
the city concerning Water Affidavits, and weeds being cut 
without any notice to the property owner. The city of Clio 
and Burton Township have inspection programs pending. The 
rental market is tough. 
 
Kalamazoo - The rental market is “tough” also. The Housing 
Dept. is concentrating on “blight” rather than inspecting 
rentals. The city has a surplus of student housing. 
 
Lansing - The city¹s plan to license rental property owners 
is on hold under a new administration. Delta township has 
rental property licensing and inspections starting in Jan, 
2007. 
 
Muskegon - Their economy is weak. Subsidized housing has 
been overbuilt. A city official who was giving rental 
property owners trouble has been fired. Oakland County - 
The REIA of Oakland Pontiac Subgroup is still working on 
their two suit against the city, one for lack of due 
process when condemning rentals and the other on excessive 
inspection fees. 
 
Wayne County - Their last speaker, a mortgage broker, gave 
an excellent presentation on Mortgage Fraud, and how 
investors can protect themselves from this scam. 
Next RPOAM Meeting: Monday, October 9 at North Pine 
Grille, Best Western 
Motel. exit 93B (just off I-96) at 1:00 PM, Lunch at 12:00 
Noon 
 
RPOAM WEB SITE: Check out at: 
http://reiawaynecounty.org/rpoam_michigan.html