Short-Term Rental Conference:
SPEAKERS
Nate DePelsMaeker
Sales Executive - West Michigan, Vacasa
Nate DePelsMaeker is a Field Sales Executive for Vacasa. He is a licensed real estate salesperson and uses his background in both short-term rental management and professional sales to assist homeowners in deciding for or against Vacasa's full service solution for managing their vacation home(s). Nate also serves on the board of directors for the Windy Willow Foundation, which works to provide access, advocacy and action for mental health initiatives.
Brian Westrin serves as Michigan REALTORS® General Counsel. He did his undergraduate work at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and earned his law degree at Michigan State University School of Law, graduating in 2004. His role at Michigan Realtors® encompasses a concentration in fair housing law and education, RESPA compliance and education, policing unlicensed real estate practices, mortgage fraud, and publications and is an active lobbyist at the capitol in Lansing. Brian also facilitates meetings of the Realtors® Legal Action Committee and handles all requests made for legal action fund assistance.
Brian Westrin
General Counsel, Michigan REALTORS®
Robyn Thompson has renovated and sold over 390 properties. She is the nation’s leading expert on buying, renovating and selling homes for huge chunks of cash and has taught thousands of students how to become financially independent.
Robyn has invested in multiple vacation rentals over the past three years and created over $60,000+ per month in income from them. She will share with us how to find the best keeper and vacation rental properties, and how to build a massive passive portfolio of properties to take care of you and your family. Once you learn Robyn’s techniques and implement them, you will never have to work another day in your life.
Robyn Thompson
National Speaker, The Queen of Rehab
Al Williamson
National Speaker, Landlord Scientist & Author
Al Williamson is a former civil engineer with over 24 years of experience investing in real estate, including single family, multifamily, house flipping, commercial, and short-term rental properties. He’s a nationally recognized authority on short-term rentals and has been featured on many podcasts and numerous real estate conventions and REIAs since 2014.
Al realized that the traditional rental business model was the least profitable way to operate a rental. This insight led him to switch his holdings into a short-term rental mode. He optimized his operation to extended stay rentals (stay of 30+ days), because that business model yielded the same high net income with a lower hassle factor.
Al now coaches others through his training program, Extended Stays for Landlords, and enjoys inventing new ways for landlords to increase their income and reduce expenses.
Brenden Stark
Founder & Owner, Stark Real Estate Group
Brenden Stark’s comprehensive connection to West Michigan makes him an unparalleled matchmaker between buyer and seller. He’s been an active community member and contributor for 15 years and a local business owner since 2009, and he frequently works with volunteer organizations such as Friends and Families of Cystic Fibrosis and national organizations such as Charity Water and World Vision.
A lifelong resident, Brenden knows the state of Michigan and especially Grand Rapids like the back of his hand (it does help that they’re the same shape).
Most importantly, Brenden knows and loves the people of Michigan. It’s rare he enters a crowded room without familiar faces (and he’ll certainly be friends with everyone by the time he leaves).
Ryan Servatius
Co-Owner, Big Blue Rentals | Broker, Century 21 Affiliated South Haven
Ryan Servatius was first licensed in 2001 and received his associate broker's license in 2005. He was named the 2018 REALTOR of the Year for the Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS® at their annual awards luncheon. He holds the professional designations of Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Graduate REALTORS® Institute (GRI), and the certifications for Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) and e-PRO Internet Professionalism from the National Association of REALTORS® and has received numerous awards along the way as well.
Ryan also owns and operates Big Blue Rentals, is a supporter of the annual hospice fundraiser and is an active member of the South Haven Chamber of Commerce and South Haven Yacht Club. He is an avid outdoors lover and you can find him on the water during the summer months when not working on real estate.
Tony Stancato spent over a decade in the manufacturing industry. Learning the ins and outs of operations and lean manufacturing. His real estate background includes single family long term rentals, fix and flips, multifamily, and operating short term rentals. He is the operations manager for the vacation rental management company Book N’ Gather. He is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Michigan and works under the Keystone Home Group Realty brokerage.
Tony Stancato
Realtor, Keystone Home Group Realty