Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Expert Real Estate Investment & Property Management Solutions
Founded in 1946, McKinney Properties has established itself as a leader in real estate investment and management with a focus on multifamily and student housing properties. Our vertically integrated approach combines expertise in acquisitions, development, property management, and investment sponsorship to deliver long-term value for investors and residents. With a team averaging over 25 years of real estate experience, we specialize in value-add opportunities in supply-constrained markets and university-adjacent areas.Our disciplined investment philosophy prioritizes capital preservation, co-investment alignment, and operational excellence through in-house management of over 100 properties nationwide. The company's longevity and $1.2B in assets under management reflect our commitment to navigating market cycles with patience, discipline, and a 20-year renewable location strategy that emphasizes durable demand drivers and downside protection through strategic capital improvements.
Services
Property Management
Investment Sponsorship
Acquisitions & Development
Construction Management
Student Housing
Details
- Year established: 1946
Highlights and features
- We maintain a 79-year track record of successful real estate investments and management
- Our team averages over 25 years of direct real estate experience
- We co-invest as the largest single investor in each opportunity
- Our in-house property management team services 100+ professionals
- We employ a disciplined 20-year renewable location investment strategy
Services
Property Management
Our award-winning property management team oversees multifamily and student housing communities nationwide. With expertise in leasing, operations, and construction, we maximize asset performance through revenue growth strategies and operational efficiency improvements. Our 79-year history in property management provides deep insights into managing diverse property types from Class A to Class C developments.
Investment Sponsorship
Since 1970, we've sponsored successful real estate partnerships with accredited investors. Our co-investment model ensures alignment with partners, as we typically serve as the largest single investor in each opportunity. This approach has raised over $250 million while maintaining strict underwriting standards and incentive-based compensation structures.
Acquisitions & Development
We target value-add acquisitions and ground-up developments in supply-constrained markets. Our disciplined approach evaluates hundreds of opportunities annually, focusing on properties with repositioning potential near universities and medical centers. The team specializes in complex transactions requiring operational expertise to unlock hidden value through strategic improvements.
Construction Management
With origins as a commercial builder since the 1940s, our construction team manages projects from unit renovations to $100M+ multifamily developments. This expertise enables effective capital investment strategies and quality control across both new acquisitions and existing assets through our integrated ownership and operations model.
Student Housing
We specialize in purpose-built student housing communities adjacent to major universities. Our portfolio includes properties at Mississippi State University and Rutgers University, featuring modern amenities and management strategies tailored to student living needs while delivering strong investor returns through specialized operational expertise.
People
James McKinney
President & Principal
With 37 years in real estate, James McKinney leads investor relations and fundraising. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech and serves on the Investment Committee.
John McKinney
CEO & Principal
As CEO with 39 years of experience, John McKinney oversees operations and investment decisions. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Business Administration.
Rodd Werstil
Managing Director & Principal
Rodd Werstil, with legal and hospitality management degrees, manages development and asset strategy. He joined McKinney in 2005 after working at Chadbourne & Parke, LLP in New York.
Mike Kempton
Executive Vice President of Property Management
Mike Kempton oversees residential property management operations with expertise in capital improvements and third-party management. He holds a CPM designation and has been with the company since 2002.
Adam Steckel
Director, Acquisitions & Development
Adam Steckel leads acquisitions and development with a background in business consulting and real estate. He graduated from Penn State University and is a member of the Urban Land Institute.
Questions
What types of properties does McKinney Properties specialize in?
We specialize in multifamily apartment communities and student housing developments across the United States.
How long has McKinney Properties been in business?
Our company has been operating since 1946, with current leadership in place since 1994.
What is McKinney Properties' investment approach?
We use a disciplined, long-term strategy focusing on value-add opportunities in 20-year renewable locations with strong fundamentals.
Do you offer third-party property management services?
Yes, we provide select third-party management services in addition to managing our own portfolio.
How does McKinney Properties add value to investments?
Through operational improvements, strategic capital investments, and our expertise in repositioning underperforming assets.
Where are McKinney Properties' developments located?
Our properties are located throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Northeast, and Texas regions.
