Author

Kevin Perk

Kevin Perk is a full-time buy and hold and fix and flip real estate investor with over 15 years of experience. He and his wife Terron operate Kevron Properties, LLC, a boutique real estate investing company in Memphis, Tenn.

Experience
Kevin was a past president and is a current board member of the Memphis Investors Group. He’s also a blogger and writer who has authored hundreds of real estate investing articles on BiggerPockets and his own blog, SmarterLandlording.com, some of which have been featured on The Motley Fool and MONEY: Personal Finance News & Advice.

Kevin is also host of the SmarterLandlording podcast.

Originally from the Washington D.C. area, Kevin moved to Memphis to attend graduate school at The University of Memphis. After receiving his master’s degree in City and Regional Planning, Kevin climbed the planning career ladder to eventually become planning director of a county in the Memphis metro area. He “retired” from planning in 2003 to pursue real estate investing full-time.

Since “retiring,” Kevin’s main real estate investment strategy has been to buy and hold, otherwise known as landlording. Generally working in historic Midtown Memphis, Kevin is also known to fix and flip grand, historic homes when the right opportunity presents itself. He and his wife Terron (who is the principal broker at Perk Realty) have participated in dozens of real estate transactions in the Memphis metro area.

Kevin has the heart of a teacher and believes in helping others through education. An instructor of college-level geography for over 25 years, Kevin also regularly participates in seminars and panel discussions at such forums as the Memphis Investor’s Group and the Single-Family Rental Summit.

In addition, Kevin has been interviewed in publications such as the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the Memphis Daily News, and the Foreclosure News Report.

Education
Kevin earned a master’s in City and Regional Planning from The University of Memphis.

Kevin is also host of the SmarterLandlording podcast.

In addition, Kevin has been interviewed in publications such as the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the Memphis Daily News, and the Foreclosure News Report.

Education
Kevin earned a master’s in City and Regional Planning from The University of Memphis.

Real Estate Business Management 2 min read

May 20, 2019Jan 27, 2024 Kevin Perk

8 Pros & Cons of Including Utilities With Rent for Your Investment Properties

As landlords, we all want to maximize our cash flow. One way to do this is by passing off utility costs to tenants. But is this always the best idea?…

Finding Deals 3 min read

May 04, 2019Mar 16, 2021 Kevin Perk

The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received

When I was first getting started, I sought out the best real estate investing knowledge I could find. I talked with other investors and read as much as I could. But…

Landlording & Property Management 3 min read

Apr 19, 2019Mar 16, 2021 Kevin Perk

5 Things Tenants Should Not Expect Their Landlord to Do for Them

Tenants should expect their landlord to make repairs and maintain a property. They should expect to be left in peace if they pay rent on time. But sometimes tenants have…

Real Estate Investing For Beginners 4 min read

Jul 19, 2018Mar 16, 2021 Kevin Perk

6 Ways to Protect Yourself from Negligence & Liability Suits When Starting Out

Fear of lawsuits is not something that should stop you from investing in real estate. There are things you can do to protect yourself from these negligence and liability suits,…

Flipping 3 min read

Jun 23, 2018Mar 16, 2021 Kevin Perk

Should 100-Year-Old Properties Scare You as an Investor?

So no, I’m not afraid of older properties, but that does not mean they don't come without some unique challenges, just as most other properties do. Some of those challenges…

Landlording & Property Management 3 min read

May 18, 2018Mar 16, 2021 Kevin Perk

8 Reasons to Be Nicer to Your Landlord, Starting Now

Being nice is the right thing to do. Plus, fostering positive relationships with landlords and management companies comes with many benefits big and small.

All 4 min read

Mar 12, 2018Mar 16, 2021 Kevin Perk

Should it Be Legal for Landlords to “Use Their Gut” When Screening Tenants?

Seattle recently passed an ordinance forcing landlords to accept the very first qualified tenant. Is this a good tenant protection or unfair to landlords?

Landlording & Property Management 4 min read

May 30, 2017Mar 16, 2021 Kevin Perk

13 Things Tenants Don’t Understand About the Rental Process

Tenants often come to the table with assumptions and misinformation. How should landlords combat this? First, address the following at lease signing.

Landlording & Property Management 4 min read

Apr 30, 2017Mar 16, 2021 Kevin Perk

The Landlord’s Complete Guide to Tenant Bankruptcy Filings

How does a tenant bankruptcy affect their contract with a landlord? Find out how to handle this sticky situation—and how to avoid it in the first place.

Landlording & Property Management 4 min read

Apr 05, 2017Mar 16, 2021 Kevin Perk

5 Expert Tips to Attract Cream-of-the-Crop Tenants

Tenants can make or break a landlord. Make sure you attract the best tenants by using the tips from this article!

Landlording & Property Management 4 min read

Mar 30, 2017Mar 16, 2021 Kevin Perk

5 Ways Landlords Can Achieve Better Tenant Stability

Tenant stability should a goal of every landlord; after all, turnover kills cash flow. Learn some valuable tips to keep your best tenants happy & staying.

Real Estate Investing For Beginners 4 min read

Mar 12, 2017Mar 16, 2021 Kevin Perk

11 Common Pitfalls Real Estate Newbies Should Guard Against

Newbies don't know what they don't know. That puts them at some risk, but they can minimize that risk if they follow the 11 tips in this post.

Real Estate Investing For Beginners 4 min read

Mar 07, 2017Aug 11, 2023 Kevin Perk

The 6 Most Common Mistakes New Investors Make (Including Thinking It’s Easy!)

Mistakes are a part of life; the trick is to avoid the big ones. This post discusses 6 big mistakes newbies make so they can perhaps be avoided.