Feb
20
Project: 422 5th NW (aka 670 Broadway)
Written Under Projects: Completed by Ryan VanderMeer
Update: Almost ready to go!
Originally posted 10/23/2009: This duplex is quite the project. I do not envy the contractors working on this one. Our client asked us to do a walkthrough before he bought it to let him know what we thought. Upon walking in, we turned right around and left. We said no way. The smell. The stained walls. I think we probably got some sort of disease from breathing the air. You get the picture…
Anyways, I stopped by the other day and was pleased to see that they have [...]
Jan
19
Looking back…
Written Under Urban Pharm News by Ryan VanderMeer
While looking through some old folders in my computer, I stumbled across some images created when we started Urban Pharm about 3 years ago. These images existed before we had a logo, and were intended as concepts to be used for various marketing materials–flyers, website headers, logo, etc. Nothing fancy here; just some playing around with Photoshop and MS Paint.
This made me reflect on how far we have come in a short period of time. In July of 2007, we managed less than a dozen properties. A year later, we were well over 100. By July 2009, we doubled in size again and added a full time employee to help us with leasing and collecting rent. Though we are a small business that will not take over the world or redefine the way property management [...]
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Dec
29
ArtPeers Looking for Musical Submissions for “Trip the Light”
Written Under Grand Rapids by Ryan VanderMeer
ArtPeers announces an open call for submissions of original, local music, through 01.21.10. The groundbreaking modern dance collective DITA (Dance in the Annex) will set new choreography to four of the submitted tracks. The musicians will perform live at Wealthy Theatre, accompanying DITA, and playing additional songs of their choice. Bands will receive professional audio/video recording and still images of the performance, to use as a stand-alone music video, and for promotional use.
The 04.21.10 event, called Trip The Light, benefits ArtPeers efforts to incorporate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. “We can better serve local artists and the community, as a nonprofit organization [...]
Dec
22
Project: 341 Charles SE
Written Under Projects: Completed by Ryan VanderMeer
Update: This property is just about ready for new residents. A great deal of work was done to the structure to level the floors on the main level. Supports were added, beams were replaced, and the entire house was jacked up (in the literal sense…not the slang sense). As the things leveled out, walls and floors cracked and were repaired. Things are greatly improved now.
Originally Posted 11/3/2009: We are happy to be managing another home in the Cherry Hill neighborhood (part of the greater East Hills neighborhood and Uptown). This house was build in 1870. I can’t believe that it is nearly 140 years old. There are some signs of age [...]
Dec
1
Project: 1230 Hamilton NW
Written Under Projects: Completed by Ryan VanderMeer
Update: That was a quick one. All done!
Originally posted 11/14/2009: This is a cool duplex, kiddy-corner from a tavern and a stones throw from Leonard St. businesses. We have been pretty quiet in the West Grand neighborhood lately, but are happy to be back. Each apartment is rather large, and filled with hardwoods and tile. The upper unit has a great deck that will get some attention to make sure it is safe and secure. There’s really not a whole lot more to tell [...]
Nov
20
Analyticizing
Written Under For Investors, Urban Pharm News by Ryan VanderMeer
This is about as random of a blog post as they get, but I thought some of our clients may be interested in seeing who is coming to our website (this blog included, but as a very small component). Others may get a kick out of who is looking at housing in Grand Rapids [...]
Nov
16
Keep it local this holiday!
Written Under Grand Rapids by Ryan VanderMeer
Here we are a week and a half away from the infamous Black Friday and two weeks from Cyber Monday. As we sift through our closets to see what we can re-gift, look at the naughty list to see who we can skimp on, and analyze the budget and credit card limits to see what we can spend, now is the perfect time to commit to keeping our holiday spending local. I know it can be tough to resist a good, old-fashioned stampede at the Wal-Mart at 5 am on a brisk post-Thanksgiving morning, but consider the benefits of buying your gifts at our fine local retailers (from Local First).
Nov
9
Project: 306 Henry SE
Written Under Projects: Completed by Ryan VanderMeer
Update: With a couple small exceptions, she is all done!
Originally Posted 10/21/2009: Nothing too crazy here. Just a cool old house getting some minor improvements. There are 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms in this 120 year old house. Repairs should be done by November 1st. Get in touch with us [...]
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Oct
26
4th Annual Weed & Seed Teen Summit, Essay Contest
Written Under For Tenants, Grand Rapids by Ryan VanderMeer
I have recently become more aware of the work being done by Grand Rapids Central Weed & Seed (they also have a Facebook Fan Page here). The organization was formed in Grand Rapids about 4 years ago to “weed” crime and drug abuse from our inner-city neighborhoods and “seed” them with community development initiatives. They do a variety of things throughtout the year to both “weed” and “seed.” The next event for the organization is the 4th Annual Teen Summit [...]
Oct
19
For Tenants: Second Annual Snowman Competition
Written Under For Tenants by Ryan VanderMeer
Create a snowman for a chance to win some free stuff!
Here’s how it goes:
1) Make a creation out of snow or ice between November 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010. Snow is the obvious choice, but the competition is not limited to snow alone.
2) Take a picture of yourself and the creation in front of your house (you and the house must be visible in the photo) and send to us via mail, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, or deliver in person. If you do not have a camera, you can contact us and we will swing by to take a picture for you.
3) Only Urban Pharm tenants and properties are eligible.
4) Judging will be based on a combination of public vote and Urban Pharm vote. Pictures will be posted online for anybody to vote for, but we will have the ultimate say with public opinion taken into consideration.
5) Live in a multi-family building? You can either work WITH your neighbors (and split prizes amongst yourselves), or designate areas so that you can each make your own creations.
6) The main component must be snow, but you can use any other accessories that you want. HOWEVER, do not choose items that will blow away, pollute the environment, or create an eyesore for the neighborhood and fellow tenants. Any non-snow items must be picked up and disposed of before the creation begins to melt. Please keep creations PG—nothing vulgar or offensive.
7) Prizes will be announced later, but won’t be anything too crazy (probably some Urban Pharm gear). Winners will be announced in March.