In this episode of the ExpertPM Podcast, John King opens up about his journey from purchasing his first single-family rental to running a thriving property management company. He discusses how technology, tenant relations, and strategic scaling have shaped his approach to real estate, offering actionable insights for both new and seasoned investors.
John King’s Journey into Real Estate
When John King bought his first rental property—a modest single-family home—he didn’t know it would mark the beginning of a lifelong passion for real estate. Like many beginners, he was driven by the idea of passive income. But what started as a simple side investment quickly evolved into a full-scale business.
“Just do it. Just jump in and get your feet wet,” King says on the podcast. That mindset helped him transition from individual rental properties to owning and managing apartment complexes with dozens of units.
Real estate proved to be more than just a financial vehicle for King. It became a platform for building generational wealth, offering both monthly cash flow and long-term appreciation. That’s the beauty of real estate—it protects against inflation while creating upward momentum over time.
Building Expert Property Management
As King acquired more properties, one challenge became clear: managing rentals efficiently and professionally. Property managers were inconsistent, unresponsive, and often disconnected from tenant needs. That’s when the idea of Expert Property Management (ExpertPM) was born.
“We want to control the customer experience,” King explains. “That means everything from how tenants are onboarded to how maintenance requests are handled.”
ExpertPM was created not just to serve John’s portfolio but to support other landlords who were tired of poor management. His team implemented best-in-class systems and standardized processes to ensure quality across all properties—whether managing a duplex or a 60+ unit student housing complex.
The Role of Technology in Real Estate Management
One of ExpertPM’s key differentiators is its embrace of technology in real estate. Tools like DoorLoop streamline rent collection, lease tracking, and maintenance scheduling. Meanwhile, ChatGPT supports communications, marketing, and even policy drafting.
“Tech makes us faster and more accurate,” King notes. “It reduces errors, increases transparency, and saves time—for both owners and tenants.”
Using the right property management software also empowers landlords to scale. When systems are automated, managers can handle more units without sacrificing service quality. This is essential for investors looking to grow from a few rentals to a full portfolio.
Scaling Real Estate Investments
King didn’t stay small for long. After mastering single-family rentals, he moved into small multifamily deals, and eventually, large-scale apartment complexes. His strategy for scaling is grounded in discipline, systems, and structure.
“You can’t scale chaos,” he says. “Scaling only works when your processes are solid.”
Each property acquisition came with new lessons. From lease structuring to financial modeling, King emphasizes the importance of preparation before every deal. He recommends new investors study investment strategies like BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) and value-add acquisitions.
Advice for New Real Estate Investors
For those just starting, King’s advice is clear:
- Take action. Don’t wait for the perfect deal or perfect time.
- Focus on cash flow. Appreciation is a bonus—your deal should work without it.
- Build a team. Surround yourself with professionals: brokers, contractors, and property managers.
- Invest in education. Learn the local market and analyze deals regularly.
“You don’t need to be a millionaire to get started,” King says. “Just find a property that pays for itself and grow from there.”
Value-Add Strategies That Work
One of King’s specialties is identifying value-add opportunities—properties that can be improved to generate more income. Whether it’s through renovations, better tenant screening, or optimizing rents, these upgrades increase property value and returns.
In one example, King took over a neglected 16-unit property with long-term squatters and code violations. Through smart rehabs, new leases, and improved management, he turned it into a stabilized asset with full occupancy and a six-figure annual rent roll.
This strategy, King explains, is about creating equity through execution. By forcing appreciation, investors can refinance, pull out capital, and move on to the next deal.
Navigating Rent Increases with Care
One of the more sensitive topics in property management is raising rent. King takes a measured, transparent approach to this issue.
“You can’t surprise tenants or hit them with big hikes. We believe in incremental rent increases and clear communication.”
By gradually adjusting rent and providing value in return—like prompt maintenance, upgraded amenities, or cleaner common areas—ExpertPM maintains strong tenant relations even during changes.
King also notes that many landlords leave money on the table by never increasing rent, even when market conditions support it. The key is to balance profitability with fairness, ensuring tenant retention while covering growing expenses like taxes, insurance, and utilities.
The Unique Challenges of Student Housing
One niche King knows well is student housing, especially in college towns like Bloomsburg, PA. While these properties offer high demand and strong returns, they also come with complications.
“Student housing means shorter leases, seasonal turnover, and more wear and tear,” King explains.
To combat this, ExpertPM implemented policies such as annual inspections, detailed move-in/out procedures, and full-time on-site staff. These systems help protect assets while keeping students happy and accountable.
King’s properties near universities are positioned as an alternative to overcrowded housing. By offering one- and two-bedroom units, he provides privacy and comfort, a rare commodity in student rentals.
Learning from Real Estate Mistakes
Like any investor, King has made real estate mistakes—and learned from them. Whether it was overestimating ARV, hiring the wrong contractor, or underestimating vacancy risk, each misstep became a learning opportunity.
“Mistakes in real estate can be expensive,” he says. “But they also make you smarter. You remember those lessons forever.”
His advice: don’t let fear of failure stop you. Take action, mitigate risk, and document everything. Build systems around your mistakes so they don’t happen twice.
The Long Game: Building Generational Wealth
At the heart of King’s real estate philosophy is long-term thinking. He views every property as a stepping stone toward generational wealth, a way to secure a future for himself and his family.
He encourages other investors to adopt this mindset—not flipping for quick cash, but buying and holding quality assets that grow in value and stability over time.
“Real estate offsets inflation for owners,” he says. “It’s one of the most reliable ways to preserve and grow wealth.”
Whether it’s through student housing, small multifamily properties, or large apartment complexes, King continues to reinvest into the business, refine his systems, and help other investors do the same through ExpertPM.
Final Thoughts
John King’s journey from rookie landlord to real estate pro is a masterclass in taking action, learning from experience, and building with intention. Through Expert Property Management, he not only manages his own assets but empowers other investors to succeed with better tools, better service, and a long-term mindset.
If you’re looking to get started in real estate—or want to scale your portfolio without the day-to-day stress—ExpertPM is here to help.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Real estate creates both cash flow and long-term appreciation.
- Technology like DoorLoop and ChatGPT makes property management more efficient.
- Scaling is only possible with strong systems and policies in place.
- Rent increases must be handled with care to preserve tenant relationships.
- Student housing has strong returns but requires operational discipline.
- Mistakes are inevitable—but essential to growth.
- Investing is ultimately about building long-term wealth.
📣 Ready to scale your real estate portfolio?
Contact Expert Property Management to discuss how we can help you manage your properties like a pro.
