Melissa Harbin
Summary
Dedicated Community Director with 20-year history of success in community support and engagement. Builds strong relationships between residents, families and staff. Proactive and industrious with proficiency in Yardi, rent cafe, knock and other programs.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Real Estate Agent
Long and Foster
08.2023 - Current
- Managed contracts, negotiations, and all aspects of sales to finalize purchases and exceed customer expectations.
- Negotiated, facilitated, and managed real estate transactions.
- Advertised client properties through websites, social media, and real estate guides.
- Maintained connections with clients to encourage repeat business and referrals.
- Communicate with clients to understand property needs and preferences.
- Developed and maintained relationships with clients through networking, postcards, and marketing material
- Developed strong relationships with mortgage brokers, attorneys, and other professionals to streamline the home buying process for clients.
- Assisted first-time homebuyers in navigating the complex real estate process, guiding them from pre-approval to closing.
- Host open houses by preparing properties for viewing and effectively showcasing features to potential buyers.
Community Director
Highmark Residential
04.2021 - Current
- Leadership & Staff Management:
Directly oversee and manage all community staff, including recruitment, training, performance evaluations, motivation, and, when necessary, disciplinary actions or termination.
Conduct regular staff meetings to ensure alignment with company goals and expectations.
Ensure all team members complete required training courses. - Mentor new team members, managers, and support the onboarding of newly acquired communities across the company, providing training, guidance, and ongoing support to ensure alignment with company standards and operational excellence.
- Operational Oversight:
Supervise preparation and submission of critical reports: scan bank deposits, collection summaries, delinquency reports, accounts payable, market surveys, and incident documentation.
Maintain accurate community records per company policy.
Approve time sheets, validate PTO, review bonus reports, and confirm payroll accuracy.
- Financial & Budgetary Management:
Assist in preparing and managing annual budgets.
Review monthly financials; prepare variance reports.
Ensure proper vendor compliance and invoice accuracy.
Maintain expense control through budget management and vendor bidding processes. - Leasing & Compliance:
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of leasing laws and fair housing regulations.
Ensure file accuracy and participate in audit processes for tax credit.
Oversee community software operations and training - Maintenance & Property Standards:
Conduct daily property inspections and oversee make-ready and vacant unit inspections.
Coordinate quarterly and annual inspections of all apartments.
Monitor and respond to service requests to ensure quality maintenance operations. - Resident Relations & Communication:
Serve as primary liaison between residents and management.
Respond to resident feedback
Coordinate and participate in community events.
Foster a welcoming and helpful environment for residents and staff - Increased community engagement by planning and executing various events and initiatives.
- Developed partnerships with local businesses and organizations to enhance community offerings.
- Oversaw facilities maintenance and repairs to improve resident quality of life.
- Built relationships with residents, families and community.
Assistant Community Manager
SL Nusbaum
02.2018 - 04.2021
- Rent Collections & Financial Administration:
Collected and secured rental payments; delivered late rent letters and notices to vacate.
Personally contacted residents daily regarding unpaid rent and managed bad debt collection processes.
Scanned and verified daily bank deposits, prepared monthly close-out reports, and maintained deposit accounting accuracy.
Verified move-out accuracy and coordinated data with rental collection agencies. - Systems & Reporting:
Utilized Yardi to input daily transactions, clear validations, and manage operational checklists.
Generated timely and accurate accounting and operational reports. - Compliance & Legal:
Maintained working knowledge of fair housing laws, evictions, collections, towing, and safety regulations.
Supported the eviction process by following proper legal procedures. - Leasing & Resident Services:
Assisted with leasing tasks including tours, application processing, and lease execution via E-signature.
Helped promote resident retention through the renewal program and positive resident relations.
Responded to resident reviews on Apartment Ratings, google and supported SatisFacts survey initiatives. - Maintenance & Property Support:
Conducted common area inspections (including balconies/patios) and reported maintenance issues.
Assisted with vacant unit inspections and coordinated turn processes to ensure market readiness.
Managed work order follow-up to ensure timely resident service responses. - Administrative & Community Engagement:
Maintained organized office files and ensured adherence to operational, tax credit and safety policies.
Participated in planning and execution of resident events and community functions. - Maintained knowledge on lease and renewal rates to advocate for appropriate changes.
- Monitored community activities.
- Provided mentorship, guidance and support to staff members.
Assistant Manager
Hawkeye Hotels
04.2012 - 10.2018
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
- Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
- Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy, and reducing discrepancies.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly.
- Completed regular inventory counts to verify stock levels, address discrepancies, and forecast future needs.
- Managed inventory levels to minimize stockouts while reducing overhead costs.
- Mentored junior staff members in their professional development by offering guidance/support in their assigned roles.
- Assisted in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new employees to maintain adequate staffing levels.
- Collaborated with the management team to develop strategic plans for business growth and improvement.
- Promoted teamwork within the workplace by encouraging collaboration among staff members on various project tasks.
- Scheduled staff shifts to ensure proper coverage
- Implemented staff training programs, enhancing product knowledge and improving customer service skills.
- Coordinated with vendors to ensure timely delivery of products and resolve any supply chain issues.
- Ensured compliance with all safety regulations by conducting regular inspections of equipment/operations within the hotel
- Maintained compliance with health and safety regulations, ensuring safe environment for both staff and customers.
Education
High School Diploma -
Stonewall Jackson Senior High
Manassas, VA05-2002
Skills
- Community engagement
- Mentoring
- Fair housing compliance
- Teamwork
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking Abilities
- Budget control
- Document management
- Property maintenance
- Activity planning
Accomplishments
Ranked 1% Elite in J Turner research magazine for reputation since 2021
Maintained 100% occupancy while minimizing turnover through proactive resident retention and timely lease renewals.
Led the community through a successful tax credit audits with no major findings by maintaining accurate resident files and lease documents.
Developed and executed resident event programs that contributed to higher retention and community engagement
Timeline
Real Estate Agent
Long and Foster
08.2023 - Current
Community Director
Highmark Residential
04.2021 - Current
Assistant Community Manager
SL Nusbaum
02.2018 - 04.2021
Assistant Manager
Hawkeye Hotels
04.2012 - 10.2018
High School Diploma -
Stonewall Jackson Senior High
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