Meet Ashli Martin, the dynamic Assistant Community Manager at Van Alen Apartments in Durham, NC. With a background that seamlessly blends healthcare administration and property management, Ashli brings a unique perspective to her role. Her journey from Memphis, TN to the bustling community of Downtown Durham is a testament to her adaptability and passion for building strong, vibrant communities. At Van Alen, Ashli’s dedication to resident engagement and her knack for creating memorable experiences make her an invaluable asset to the team.
A Blessing in Disguise: My Path to Property Management
Property management ended up being one of those “blessings in disguise” for me. Initially, I was deeply immersed in the healthcare field—pre-med, working at UNC after moving from Memphis, TN. Healthcare was all I knew! When I first moved to the area, working remotely made it tough to meet new people. So, I started attending resident events at Carraway—because honestly, how else do you make friends as an adult? That’s where I built a close relationship with Jamie, the Community Manager.
In 2023, I was looking for a part-time job to help pay for my wedding, and Jamie recommended I apply to the Concierge Team at Van Alen. With my very type-A personality, I fell in love with the resident interactions, the fast-paced work environment, and especially planning those events. Before I knew it, I was promoted to Concierge Manager, officially said goodbye to healthcare administration, and found my stride in leasing. And well, the rest is history! 😊
A Day in the Life at Van Alen
I like to get in about 25-30 minutes before the office opens to prepare for the day ahead. It sounds super responsible, right? But really, I just love having that quiet time to enjoy the breakfast I meal prepped the night before. 🤭 After following up with hot leads and getting ready for any tours I have on the books, I sneak a peek at any vacant units to make sure they’re looking all move-in ready.
I’ve been at Van Alen for a little over 2 years now, so I’ve built close relationships with many of our residents. They’ll often stop by throughout the day to say hi, and we’ll catch up on everything from upcoming weddings to new fur babies—and even some couples merging households into one unit! Our team is always brainstorming fresh ways to engage with both current residents and new prospects, so social media planning is also a key part of our day.
After the post-lunch zoomies kick in, I spend the latter half of my day prepping for upcoming move-ins or planning our next resident event.
The Rewards of Building Community
With Downtown Durham being one of the fastest-growing cities, many of our new residents are transplants, just like me. I often connect with prospects who’ve had to uproot from their hometowns for residency or fellowship opportunities. That’s exactly how I ended up in RDU! Because of this, I totally understand what it feels like to be in a new place, trying to figure out where to start when it comes to building a sense of community in a home that’s far from home.
When my husband matched at UNC, there were no virtual tours offered at the time, so we really had to take a leap of faith and choose our new home based on photos, social media, and recent reviews. It’s so rewarding when I meet people on tours who let their guard down once they realize I’ve been through the same moving journey. Building that trust early on helps me match residents with their perfect homes—and that’s something I absolutely love.
Engaging with the Van Alen Community
It’s all about getting to know the residents—whether it’s in passing, connecting during their tours, or just catching up at resident events. We’re super active on Instagram, so if you spot @livevanalen in your comment section, it’s probably me there, hyping you up and showing some love!
A Memorable Success Story
Back in October, I had a walk-in tour with a prospective resident who was feeling really stressed about her apartment search. She was wrapping up a program at Duke and needed to move ASAP while also preparing for graduation. I made sure to give her the full Van Alen experience, showing her everything we have to offer—from our Sky Lounge with stunning views of the stadium to our Zen courtyard, where she could picture herself putting the finishing touches on her thesis.
We found her the perfect apartment, and she applied right there in the Cyber Cafe with me in person! Just a week ago, she found out that she successfully defended her thesis and was approved for graduation. Her first stop to share the good news? Our leasing office! Moments like these are what make working here so special. The whole team cheered for her and gave her a big bear hug!
Essential Skills for Property Management
Of course, my role as ACM requires me to stay organized and communicate effectively. But with the added responsibility of maintaining our social media presence, there’s definitely a creative side to the job as well! Big shout out to our amazing marketing team for always helping us come up with fresh and fun ideas!
The Joys of Working at Van Alen
There’s truly never a dull moment here at Van Alen—haha! Between the fast-paced rhythm of the office and the ups and downs of property management, having a good sense of humor really makes working here so much fun. There’s also something incredibly special about growing alongside this community. Van Alen was built in 2019, so I always think of our community as “established, but still hip!” We’ve continued to reach new heights together, and that’s something I truly treasure.
Advice for Aspiring Property Managers
I’m definitely a Type A personality, so while I thrive in fast-paced, competitive environments, I also really value routine and structure. That said, property management is one of those fields where you have to be ready for the unexpected! My advice? Let go of the pressure to have everything just perfect and embrace the art of adapting on the fly.
Preparing for a Role in Property Management
Shameless plug for Northwood Ravin here—our company truly fosters growth, so if you’re looking to expand in your current role or start fresh like I did, there are endless opportunities to dive in. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—curiosity will take you a long way. Also, staying on top of current market trends and keeping an eye on how other communities are doing is key to success in this field.
If you’re specifically interested in a management role, I’d recommend starting by asking for a little more responsibility with your current tasks. That extra hands-on experience will give you the insight and confidence needed to take that next step.
My Personal Interests
I’m a huge foodie—I absolutely love to cook! You’ll often find me trying out new recipes, whether they’re family favorites passed down through the years or the latest creations I’ve spotted on TikTok. My husband and teammates are usually my willing taste-testers. When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll find me in the gym, perfecting my RDL form and doing some heavy lifting (well, heavy for me, anyway—haha). Traveling is another big passion of mine, so if you ever see my OOO message in Outlook, chances are I’m somewhere tropical soaking up some sun with my husband, Sidney!
Closing Thoughts
I always remind myself that work is where a lot of us spend the majority of our time—sometimes even more than we spend with family and loved ones. Luckily, my team here at Van Alen makes it easy to look forward to each workday. That’s something I don’t take lightly, and I’m truly thankful for it.
What Makes Van Alen Special
We’re the #1 luxury community here in downtown Durham, and it truly feels that way! Any building can offer fancy amenities and beautiful finishes, but what sets Van Alen apart is that we have all of that—and then some—thanks to our amazing staff. You can’t replicate the genuine care and love we put into keeping Van Alen thriving.
