About Us: Real Property Management First Choice

Real Property Management is the trusted leader in reliable single-family and small multi-family residences.

With over 40 years of experience and 400+ plus offices across North America, local expertise, and a highly-trained responsive team, Real Property Management manages tens of thousands of properties for individuals, investors, and institutions nationwide.

Real Property Management First Choice proudly serves investors and renters in River Valley, Northwest Arkansas and Wichita, KS.

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Justin Underwood

Owner/Broker

Immediately after high school, Justin enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served for 20 years in a Civil Engineering Squadron. During his service, he developed the leadership, operational discipline, and problem-solving skills that would later shape his approach to business. Justin ultimately retired from the 188th Wing in Fort Smith, Arkansas, concluding a career built on teamwork, accountability, and mission-focused execution.

While serving in the military, Justin began building a foundation in business and leadership, earning a degree in Organizational Management from John Brown University. This education, combined with his military experience, helped shape his philosophy of building organizations through strong systems, empowered teams, and aligned partnerships.

Following his military retirement, Justin focused his efforts on entrepreneurship and real estate. Recognizing the long-term potential of recurring revenue businesses tied to real estate ownership, he began building and acquiring residential property management companies operating under the Real Property Management franchise system.

Through disciplined growth, strategic partnerships, and a focus on operational excellence, Justin has helped expand a multi-market property management platform responsible for managing thousands of residential units across several states. His long-term vision is to continue scaling the platform to manage between 7,500 and 10,000 doors while creating opportunities for partners and operators to grow alongside the business.

In addition to property management, Justin has been involved in real estate development, construction, and long-term rental property ownership. His investment philosophy centers on building durable assets that produce reliable income and long-term value.

Justin strongly believes that the best businesses are built with great people. He has intentionally structured partnerships that allow talented operators to share in both the profits and growth of the companies they help build. This approach allows the organization to scale while maintaining a culture of ownership and accountability.

Looking ahead, Justin’s long-term goal is to continue growing the property management platform while gradually transitioning from day-to-day operations into a more strategic leadership role. By building strong teams and aligned partnerships, he aims to create an organization that continues to grow while allowing him greater freedom to focus on family, travel, and new investment opportunities.

Fort Smith/River Valley Team

Casey Fraley

Regional Manager

Casey Fraley joined Real Property Management First Choice in 2022 and serves as Regional Manager for the River Valley team.

In her role, Casey oversees all aspects of the region’s operations, leading her team and ensuring both property owners and residents receive a high level of service.

Her responsibilities span owner relationships, team leadership and development, leasing and renewals, maintenance operations, financial performance, and process improvement. Casey is also experienced in commercial property management and directly manages several commercial properties within the company’s portfolio. 

With a hands-on approach to leadership, Casey enjoys solving problems, developing her team, and finding ways to make operations more efficient and effective. She places a strong emphasis on communication and building lasting relationships with property owners while ensuring her team has the tools, training, and support they need to succeed.

Outside of work, Casey’s favorite role is being a wife and mom.

Michelle Love

Account Manager

Michelle Harding

Account Manager

Michelle has been with Real Property Management First Choice since 2019 and manages one of our larger multi-family complexes. She works to ensure the community is well-maintained, welcoming, and running smoothly. 

Her approachable nature, attention to detail, and commitment to responsive service help ensure residents feel supported and the property is well cared for.

Michelle was born and raised in Oklahoma. She graduated from MACU with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and from CASC with an Associate’s degree in Journalism. She has raised two daughters and enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren.

Kirsti Young

Account Manager

Outside of work, Kirsti enjoys reading and spending quality time outdoors with her family. Hiking, fishing, and kayaking are among their favorite ways to spend time together. She is a proud parent of four – three sons and one daughter – and a proud grandmother to two grandsons.

Shadow Schoening

 Executive Assistant

Shadow has a background in management, customer service, training, and leading a high-production team to meet their goals.

Her background makes her an incredible Onboarding Specialist, creating a seamless process for our new owners as well as smooth transitions for our incoming residents.

Shadow enjoys spending her spare time with her husband, children, and their cats. She also loves being outdoors, hiking, swimming, and doing arts and crafts.

Trinka Blankenship

Administrative Assistant

Trinka has been the Administrative Assistant for Real Property Management First Choice since 2023.

Most of her career has been spent in roles focused on helping others, and that is indisputable when it comes to her role at Real Property Management First Choice! She consistently helps her team and provides extraordinary service to our customers and clients.

Trinka was born and raised in Oklahoma and received her Associate of Arts degree from CASC. She is a mother to four wonderful children and a grandmother to three grandsons. She enjoys sporting events, sewing, and reading, but her favorite thing is spending time with her family!

Kenneth Samson

Leasing Consultant

Kenneth has been a valued member of the Real Property Management First Choice team since 2022. As a Leasing Consultant, he plays an important role in keeping the leasing process moving efficiently, assisting with prospective resident inquiries, property showings, follow-up, and tenant coordination.

Kenneth also manages first-party collection activities, balancing professionalism and persistence while maintaining positive relationships with residents and clients. His strong communication skills, organization, and dependable approach make him an important part of the Fort Smith team.

Geraldine Navaja

Leasing Consultant

As a Leasing Consultant with Real Property Management First Choice, Geraldine enjoys helping prospective residents take the next step toward finding a place to call home.

From answering questions about available properties and coordinating showings to assisting with applications and move-in details, she serves as a helpful resource throughout the process.

Geraldine brings a warm, approachable style to her role and takes pride in making each interaction welcoming and informative. She enjoys connecting with prospective residents, understanding what they are looking for, and helping make their experience with Real Property Management First Choice a positive one from the very beginning.

River Valley Maintenance Technicians

Travis Wesley

Don Bailey

Dallas Roe

James Herold

Terry English

Northwest Arkansas Team

Whitney Lee

Regional Manager

As Regional Manager and Executive Broker at Real Property Management First Choice Northwest Arkansas, Whitney brings years of experience in property management, leadership, and client relations. Since joining the company in 2018, she has grown through multiple roles, building a strong foundation in operations and leadership.

In her current role, she oversees operations, supports team development, and ensures exceptional service for both property owners and residents. She focuses on building strong relationships, maintaining clear communication, and delivering consistent, high-quality results.

As a licensed real estate broker in Arkansas and an active NARPM member, Whitney remains committed to staying current with industry laws and best practices. Guided by Integrity, Accountability, Communication, and Excellence, she is dedicated to providing a professional and reliable experience for every client.

Caitlyn Watthanaphuti

Accounting Director

Caitlyn has been with Real Property Management since 2022 and serves as the Accounting Director, supporting multiple Real Property Management offices.

In her role, she oversees accounts receivable and payable, ensuring all financial processes are handled accurately and efficiently.

Caitlyn plays a key role in keeping accounting operations running smoothly by maintaining organization, supporting internal processes, and ensuring clear communication across the team. Her background in customer service allows her to be detail-oriented, responsive, and always ready to assist where needed.

She is committed to maintaining accuracy, consistency, and reliability in all aspects of accounting, helping support the overall success of the offices she serves.

Deidre Johnson

Client Relations Manager

Deidre has been with Real Property Management since 2022 and serves as a key leader within the team.

In her role, she leads and supports the property coordinators, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly while maintaining a high level of service.

As a Client Relations Manager, Deidre is dedicated to building strong relationships with both property owners and residents. She plays an essential role in resolving issues, assisting her team, and ensuring every interaction reflects professionalism and care. Her background in customer service allows her to effectively prioritize client needs and deliver a positive experience.

Deidre also oversees maintenance-related tasks, helping to ensure timely communication, coordination, and resolution. She is committed to providing reliable support and creating the best possible experience for both owners and residents.

Brenda Ballinas

Accounting Assistant

Brenda Ballinas has been a valued team member since 2021, bringing versatility, leadership, and a strong understanding of company operations to her role. Over the years, she has contributed in several capacities across the organization, gaining a well-rounded perspective and deep institutional knowledge.

Currently serving as the Accounting Assistant, Brenda works closely with the Accounting Director, providing critical support and ensuring day-to-day processes run smoothly. Her ability to adapt, step into different areas when needed, and offer informed solutions makes her a reliable resource across departments.

Known for her strong leadership skills and collaborative approach, Brenda consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence and a willingness to go wherever she is needed most. Her dedication and breadth of experience continue to make a meaningful impact on the organization.

Irish Gomez

Leasing Consultant

Irish Gomez serves as a Leasing Consultant at Real Property Management First Choice, where she plays a key role in supporting prospective residents through the leasing process.

She assists with initial inquiries, application support, and move-in coordination to ensure a smooth and efficient experience.

Irish is dedicated to providing a positive experience for residents through clear communication, responsiveness, and attention to detail. She works closely with the team to manage leasing activity efficiently and ensure each interaction is handled with professionalism and care.

Focused on service and efficiency, Irish is committed to creating a seamless leasing experience while supporting the team’s overall success.

Marco Aguilar

Property Coordinator

Marco Aguilar is a Property Coordinator at Real Property Management First Choice, where he assists both owners and residents with the day-to-day needs of the properties he manages. He plays an important role in ensuring clear communication, efficient request handling, and on-track operations.

Marco supports various tasks, including coordinating maintenance, assisting residents, and ensuring vacancies are managed and filled promptly. He also contributes to rent collection and ongoing property oversight to help maintain strong property performance.

Known for his reliability and attention to detail, Marco is committed to providing helpful support and creating a smooth experience for both owners and residents. He takes pride in being responsive, organized, and a dependable part of the team.

Quis Pickens

Field Technician

Quis joined Real Property Management First Choice in the summer of 2022. He is grateful for the opportunity to work for such a great company and takes pride in coming into work every day.

Quis is a team player who strives to have good chemistry with everyone he works with.

He is from St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2019. Quis is a huge Razorbacks fan, partly because his older brother attended the U of A. He likes to watch European soccer and supports Liverpool Football Club. In his free time, Quis likes to play video games, watch sports, and spend time with his family.

Northwest Arkansas Maintenance Technicians

Stefan Moore

Stephen Roberts

Wichita Team