Ep. 045: Community-Driven Asset Management in Multifamily with Cyndee Harding
In a recent conversation with Dustin, asset management leader Cyndee Harding of High Caliber Multifamily, shared the experience and philosophy that guide her approach to multifamily operations. With decades of accounting experience and a deep commitment to community-focused ownership, Cyndee offers practical insights for investors and operators at every stage.
From Accounting to Asset Management
Cyndee’s path into multifamily began with running her own accounting practice, where she worked closely with small business owners. That background made the transition into asset management feel natural. She views each apartment community as its own business—one that requires financial discipline, operational clarity, and thoughtful leadership.
Asset management, as Cyndee describes it, sits at the intersection of property management and ownership. It’s where strategy meets execution, and where strong financial oversight supports long-term value creation.
Turning Complexes into Communities
At the core of Cyndee’s philosophy is a belief that apartment communities should feel like home. Recognizing that many residents may never purchase a house, her team focuses on creating safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environments—regardless of a resident’s income level.
Through their “Complex to Community” initiative, Cyndee’s team implements programs that strengthen resident engagement and pride. These include pay-on-time incentives, back-to-school drives with backpacks and supplies, seasonal pool parties, Easter egg hunts, and Thanksgiving “Friendsgiving” events.
The impact is measurable. These initiatives consistently lead to higher renewal rates, more resident referrals, reduced turnover, and lower make-ready costs—outcomes that benefit both residents and investors.
Asset Management Best Practices
Cyndee emphasizes close collaboration with property management partners. Her team regularly visits properties, engages with local chambers of commerce, and prioritizes working with local vendors and businesses whenever possible.
By operating across multiple management companies, her team is able to identify best practices and implement them portfolio-wide, continuously improving operations and performance.
Transparent Investor Communication
Transparency is a cornerstone of Cyndee’s asset management model. Investors receive a detailed monthly newsletter that includes a rolling 12-month KPI scorecard covering metrics like occupancy, average rent, and renewal rates. The information is presented visually through charts and graphs, making trends easy to understand.
Property management teams receive the same data, creating alignment, accountability, and shared ownership of results.
Growth Strategy and Market Focus
Cyndee’s team primarily targets B-class and C+ properties with strong repositioning potential. While they intentionally avoid coastal markets due to insurance challenges, they remain open to exploring solutions such as master insurance policies that could allow for broader geographic expansion in the future.
Commitment to Education
A lifelong learner herself, Cyndee is deeply committed to education within the industry. Her team previously ran a successful 12-week asset management course and plans to relaunch it in 2026. The program is designed to shorten the learning curve for newer operators while offering valuable insights for experienced professionals.
Open to Collaboration
Cyndee encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Through her company’s website, individuals can schedule calls to discuss asset management or underwriting questions—reflecting her belief that the industry is stronger when expertise is shared.
Key Takeaway
Cyndee Harding’s guiding principle is simple: always be a student. Her approach demonstrates that long-term success in multifamily comes from continuous learning, genuine community-building, and disciplined operational execution.
To learn more about Cyndee and her work, visit www.highcalibermultifamily.com.
