Laura Vargas
San Diego,CA
Summary
Experienced multifamily real estate professional with over six years of experience overseeing large-scale apartment communities. Known for achieving high occupancy rates, optimizing budgets, and enhancing resident satisfaction through a people-first focus. Expert in financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and monthly reporting across multiple books, and proficient with industry tools like Yardi and Onesite. A collaborative leader who builds and motivates dynamic teams. Delivering operational excellence and strong community experiences.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Community Director
FPI Management
Chula Vista, California
08.2025 - Current
- Manage a vibrant garden-style community totaling 233 units and 5 team members.
- Ensure alignment with owner philosophies, achieving client objectives, and maintaining high levels of occupancy.
- Develop and train onsite team members, enhancing operational efficiency and service quality.
- Maintain compliance with FPI standard operating procedures, ensuring effective risk management and resident satisfaction.
- Skilled in developing and monitoring budgets to align with organizational goals.
- Overseeing strong budget management and financial acumen,
- Overseeing expense control, forecasting, and cost-saving initiatives.
Senior Community Director
Prime Residential
San Diego, California
05.2023 - 08.2025
- Manage a community of 946 apartment homes, consistently sustaining high occupancy and tenant satisfaction.
- Oversee full financial operations: monthly reporting for multiple ledgers, P&L review, capital expenditures, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Supervise 21 team members, including sales agents, maintenance staff, and vendors.
- Administer vendor contracts and service agreements, optimizing cost-efficiency, and ensuring quality delivery on all property services.
- Develop and implement dynamic pricing strategies using tools like AIRM, Yieldstar, and property management platforms like Yardi and Onesite, to maximize revenues and lease renewals.
- Deliver monthly financial packages to leadership, featuring variance analytics, and actionable insights to guide decision-making.
- Conduct capital construction inspections and review of 30-year plans.
Community Manager
Greystar
03.2022 - 05.2023
- Oversee operations for 305 residential units and 2 commercial tenants (Shake Shack and SD Loyals), ensuring high-quality service and strong tenant relationships.
- Lead a team of 7, including leasing, maintenance, and administrative personnel.
- Manage the full cycle of financial reporting, including monthly budgets, reforecasts, operating reports, income statements, P&L analysis, and variance reporting for both residential and commercial portfolios.
- Mitigate revenue losses through proactive occupancy strategies, lease enforcement, timely renewals, and enhanced collection protocols.
- Conduct CAM reconciliations and billing for two commercial tenants, ensuring accurate common area maintenance charges, and lease compliance.
Assistant Community Manager
R&V Management
San Diego, USA
05.2019 - 03.2022
- Managed maintenance workflows to optimize turn times, ensuring quick unit readiness, and reducing vacancies.
- Prepared and processed accounting statements for move-outs, including final balance reconciliation and disbursements.
- Implemented a refined system for rent collections, leveraging best practices such as clear policies, payment reminders, and diversified payment options to improve cash flow, reduce delinquencies.
- Administered legal processes related to evictions and delinquent accounts, including issuing notices, preparing documentation, and coordinating with legal counsel in compliance with local regulations.
- Oversaw the leasing and sales team, driving performance by monitoring KPIs, closing ratios, and lead conversion metrics through CRMs such as Anyonehome, Knock, and integrated property management platforms.
Leasing Professional
R&V Management
San Diego, USA
11.2018 - 05.2019
- Manage a robust prospect pipeline, conducting targeted outreach and utilizing platforms such as Anyone Home, CRM, and Knock.
- Achieved a consistent closing ratio of 75%.
- Conducted targeted property tours, highlighting unit features and community amenities, resulting in higher conversion rates and above-budgeted occupancy consistently.
- Performed unit inspections and coordinated with maintenance teams to ensure make-ready standards and enhance curb appeal, reducing vacancy turnaround times.
- Developed marketing strategies, including virtual tours, social media outreach, and referral programs, increasing lead generation and rental velocity.
Education
HS Diploma - General studies
Mount Miguel HS
06.2011
Skills
- Financial
- Budgeting
- Team leadership and collaboration
- Process optimization
- Customer service
- Vendor management
- Risk management
- Legal compliance
- Team oversight
Certification
- California Real Estate License, DRE#02282170
- Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Cert# 4088-18
- Real Estate Practices, Cert# 4799-23
Accomplishments
- Property Manager/Multi Site Manager of the Year 301+ units, SCRHA, 2022
- Assistant Property Manager of the Year 301+ units, SCRHA, 2021
- Property Manager/Multi Site Manager of the Year 301+ units, SCRHA, 2020
- San Diego Woman of Impact Nominee, American Heart Association, 2022
- Leasing Professional of the Year, SCRHA, 2019
- Regional Pillar of Excellence Award for Community, Greystar, 2022
Awards
- Property Manager/Multi Site Manager of the Year 301+ units, 2022, SCRHA
- Property Manager/Multi Site Manager of the Year 301+ units, 2020, SCRHA
- Assistant Property Manager of the Year 301+ units, 2021, SCRHA
- Leasing Professional of the Year, 2019, SCRHA
- San Diego Woman of Impact, 2022, American Heart Association
- Greystar Regional Pillar of Excellence Award for Community, 2023, Greystar
Languages
- English, Native
- Spanish, Beginner
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Community Director
FPI Management
08.2025 - Current
Senior Community Director
Prime Residential
05.2023 - 08.2025
Community Manager
Greystar
03.2022 - 05.2023
Assistant Community Manager
R&V Management
05.2019 - 03.2022
Leasing Professional
R&V Management
11.2018 - 05.2019
HS Diploma - General studies
Mount Miguel HS
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