Meet Rachael

3 Time RE/MAX of Michigan Broker | Owner of the Year & Supermom

Few people can claim a passion for real estate that developed from something as simple as door hinges. And while it may sound a little crazy, it couldn’t be more real for RE/MAX of Grand Rapids Broker | Owner, Rachael Veldkamp.

Rachael learned the value of hard work at a young age, packaging hinges and screws in the storeroom of her family’s hardware business. “I watched my grandmother run a company alongside my grandfather at a time when not many women were running companies, and I watched my own mother and father carry on that legacy of small business ownership. They worked so hard to maintain our family’s 75-year tradition of quality service, even through some very rough times. It gave me a work ethic and expectation of responsibility that I now bring to RE/MAX of Grand Rapids.”

Before long, Rachael grew from a young girl packaging hardware hinges in plastic baggies to a confident salesperson, developing her relationship with builders throughout West Michigan and becoming acquainted with every part of the homebuilding, buying, and selling process. “I knew layouts and construction and how houses were built. I knew quality versus… well…not quality. And most importantly, I knew every detail that went into creating a spectacular home, all the way from the roof and the framing, down to the tiniest details like faucets and, of course… the hinges.”

Over the years, Rachael’s love for homes only grew stronger, as she earned her real estate license and went on to work for, a local West Michigan real estate firm, for over 8 years. After learning and growing for nearly a decade alongside her clients and fellow realtors, Rachael decided it was time to realize her lifelong dream by becoming the Broker | Owner at RE/MAX of Grand Rapids. “I knew I wanted room to grow, and wanted to educate myself as much as possible to become a better broker for my agents and clients. I also knew that starting my own venture where I could work with a nationally-recognized corporation like RE/MAX would allowing me to offer our agents and clients the best possible tools and service for their businesses as well.”

Under Rachael’s leadership, RE/MAX of Grand Rapids has grown into one of the nations most productive real estate firms. Real Trends recently listed RE/MAX of Grand Rapids 7th in the entire nation for per agent production.

Meet Dave

3 Time RE/MAX of Michigan Owner of the Year

An industrial designer for 10 years, Dave Veldkamp was the natural partner for RE/MAX of Grand Rapids. “I’ve watched Rachael spread her wings in real estate over the past years and have been so incredibly impressed with the name she’s made for herself in the industry, while still managing to be an incredible wife and mother to our 3 children. She started at what was probably the most difficult time in the real estate business, and has done nothing but continue to grow, learn, and amaze me ever since.”


While wife, Rachael, may have been the inspiration for getting into real estate, Dave brings a unique skillset all his own to the RE/MAX of Grand Rapids family. That’s because he’s helped startup companies in the medical equipment and consumer products space with everything from branding and marketing to industrial design. Having led a team of designers and worked closely on a daily basis with clients, Dave has a true understanding of the people business, a talent that translates effortlessly into his work with realtors who are building their own businesses.

With a unique eye for design and branding, Dave brings a powerful, in-house marketing toolbox to every RE/MAX of Grand Rapids agent, creating marketing materials that leave a lasting impression and go well above and beyond industry standard.