Eastpointe has become one of Metro Detroit’s most attractive spots for landlords and investors. With affordable home prices, strong rental demand, and quick leasing cycles, it offers a solid path to long-term ROI. But even in a market with high opportunity, the property manager you choose will be the biggest factor in whether your investment performs—or becomes a source of stress.

Before welcoming a new tenant, every landlord and property manager faces the same question: Is the property truly ready for move-in?

A make-ready checklist provides that answer. It’s a structured guide used to ensure a rental property is thoroughly cleaned, inspected, repaired, and compliant with safety standards before new tenants arrive. This checklist helps landlords protect their investment, maintain tenant satisfaction, and reduce costly turnover delays.

Investing in rental property is about more than collecting monthly rent checks. In Detroit’s rental market, competition is strong, and tenants have high expectations. The upgrades you choose can make the difference between long vacancies and reliable cash flow, between mediocre returns and strong rental ROI.

But here’s the challenge: not every upgrade adds real value. Some improvements might look nice but fail to attract higher-paying tenants or justify increased rent. Others may drain your maintenance budget without providing a measurable return. To help you make informed decisions, let’s break down the upgrades that actually boost rental value, reduce turnover, and keep your Detroit property competitive.