Author: Emily Bell

How to Host a Fall Soup Swap

A fall soup swap gives you a reason to get friends together and a few dinners to take home afterward.

The idea is simple: everyone makes one soup, portions it out and trades with the group. You cook once and leave with variety. An excellent arrangement for anyone already tired of deciding what’s for dinner.

Here’s how to make it work in an apartment.

1. Set the portion plan before anyone shops

Keep the first swap small – four people is an easy place to start.

Ask each person to bring four labeled, two-cup portions of one soup. Everyone takes home one portion of each recipe, including their own.

That means each person needs eight cups of soup. Share the plan in advance so nobody arrives with a single serving and an optimistic attitude.

2. Coordinate recipes and dietary needs

Have guests claim their soup in a group chat. A mix of tomato, lentil, chicken and vegetable recipes offers more variety than four versions of chicken noodle.

Ask about food allergies and dietary restrictions before recipes are chosen. Each container should include an ingredient list so guests can decide what works for them.

For meals people may freeze, consider sending pasta, crunchy toppings and fresh herbs separately so they can be added when served.

3. Make it a chilled swap

Ask everyone to bring refrigerated portions in insulated bags with ice packs. Clear refrigerator space before guests arrive and put the containers away promptly.

When preparing soup, divide it into shallow containers for quicker cooling and refrigerate within two hours of cooking – or one hour if temperatures are above 90°F. Properly refrigerated leftovers generally keep for three to four days from preparation, so label the cooking date and freeze portions you won’t eat in time.

4. Label more than the recipe name

Include the soup’s name, ingredients, preparation date and any helpful serving instructions.

“Add a splash of broth when reheating” or “top with the included croutons” gives your guests a better meal with very little extra effort.

Use containers intended for food storage, and leave the manufacturer’s recommended headspace if you plan to freeze them.

5. Keep the gathering easy

The exchange itself doesn’t need a full dinner party attached.

Put out bread, crackers or a simple snack while everyone catches up. Share recipes through a group message, then distribute the chilled portions when guests are ready to leave.

If you’d rather host in a community space, check reservation requirements and food guidelines with your onsite team first.

A soup swap is a small way to turn familiar faces into people you actually spend time with. Explore RPM Living communities to find your next home – and perhaps a few future soup-swapping neighbors.

Before You Pack Away Your Summer Clothes

Storing summer clothes is one of those tasks that feels simple until you’re sitting beside three piles, reconsidering every tank top you own.

Before everything disappears under the bed, a little preparation can make next spring’s unpacking much easier. And possibly less confusing.

1. Review what actually got worn
Start with the clothes that never left the hanger.

Were they waiting for a special occasion, missing something to pair them with or simply uncomfortable? Those answers matter more than whether you technically still like them.

Try on anything you’re unsure about before deciding to store it. If it needs a repair, put it in a separate pile with a plan to fix it. Otherwise, you’re just packing a future chore.

2. Clean first, even if it looks clean

Check care labels and clean clothing before putting it away for the season. Pay attention to sunscreen, perspiration and small spills that may be easy to overlook.

Make sure everything is completely dry before packing. The same goes for swimsuits and beach towels. “Mostly dry” is not the standard we’re aiming for here.

3. Store by when you’ll need it again

Instead of putting all summer clothing into one bin, separate everyday seasonal pieces from vacation items.

A small, accessible pouch with a swimsuit, cover-up and a few warm-weather outfits can save you from unpacking an entire storage system for one weekend trip.

Keep a few layering basics in your regular closet, too. October has been known to change its mind.

4. Let the storage space decide the container

Measure your under-bed clearance and shelf dimensions before buying bins. Include handles, lids and enough room to pull the container out.

For delicate or structured pieces, avoid packing so tightly that everything gets crushed. Follow garment care guidance, and save compression bags for items that can tolerate them.

A container that fits your apartment is more useful than a matching set that doesn’t.

5. Leave yourself a useful label

“Summer” is a start. “Summer tops, shorts and swimsuits” is better.

For mixed bins, take a quick photo of the contents before closing the lid. Keep the photo in a phone album labeled “Seasonal Storage” so you can find one item without conducting a full excavation.

A seasonal closet change should make daily life easier, not relocate the clutter. Browse RPM Living communities and explore floor plans that fit the way you live – wardrobe included.

Celebrating 10 Years of Chad Borchgardt at RPM Living

RPM Living recently celebrated Chief Operations Officer Chad Borchgardt’s 10-year anniversary with a surprise from the Austin team. Photos and videos looked back on the past decade, while an oversized card brought together messages from associates across the company.

One team member wrote, “You made me feel so welcomed on my first day… Thank you for everything you do to make this company feel like home.”

It’s a message that speaks to the kind of leader Chad has been throughout his time at RPM – steady, supportive and invested in the people around him. His leadership has helped shape the company, but it’s the way he makes people feel that so many associates chose to celebrate.

Thank you for 10 years, Chad. We’re grateful for all you’ve brought to RPM Living and the people who call it home.

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Christopher Cunningham and Jenny Juarez Named to HAA’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2026

Two RPM Living leaders are among the Houston apartment industry’s rising stars. Christopher Cunningham, Senior Vice President of Operations, and Jenny Juarez, Regional Vice President, have been named to the Houston Apartment Association’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2026.

Each year, the recognition celebrates 40 professionals under 40 who are helping shape the apartment industry. Christopher and Jenny were selected alongside fellow Houston leaders for a class that reflects the talent and dedication behind the industry’s future.

At RPM Living, both bring leadership, experience and a genuine commitment to the people around them. We’re proud to see their contributions recognized and grateful for the impact they make on our teams every day.
Congratulations, Christopher and Jenny – we’re excited to celebrate this well-deserved honor with you!

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How to Make Room for a Hobby Without Actually Having More Room

The best small-space hobby ideas do not require an empty room, a permanent worktable or a cabinet full of supplies you may never use again. With the right setup, you can make space for painting, puzzles, knitting, journaling or nearly any other interest – without allowing the hobby to take over your apartment.

Start with the smallest version of the hobby
Before buying a complete set of supplies, choose one beginner project.

Borrow equipment when possible, purchase a small starter kit or look for a local class that provides the materials. This helps you figure out whether you enjoy the actual hobby or simply enjoyed watching someone else do it online.

If you stick with it, you can add supplies based on what you genuinely use.

Give the hobby one container
Choose a bin, basket, cart or case that fits everything needed for your current project.

The container creates a natural limit. When it is full, finish something, use what you already have or remove an item before adding another.

Look for a container that can slide beneath a bed, fit inside a closet or sit neatly on a shelf. The hobby should be easy to reach – otherwise, setting it up will feel like its own separate activity.

Store projects in progress differently
Half-finished projects are often harder to store than supplies.

Use a shallow lidded container, document box or portable tray to keep everything in its current position between sessions. For puzzles, felt puzzle mats or puzzle boards can help clear the dining table without starting over.

Before choosing a new hobby, consider what happens when you stop in the middle. If a project needs to remain untouched for three days, make sure you actually have a safe place for it.

Protect the surface underneath
A washable mat, cutting board or inexpensive tray can turn a dining table, coffee table or kitchen counter into a temporary hobby space.

Choose protection based on the materials involved – especially when working with paint, glue, sharp tools or anything that produces heat. Follow product instructions and check your lease or community guidelines before using materials that create strong odors, fumes or excessive noise.

A hobby should improve your week – not create an awkward maintenance request.

Keep frequently used tools together
Store the tools you reach for every time in a small pouch or cup inside the main container. When you sit down, you can begin without searching through every supply you own.

Keep replacement materials and rarely used extras farther back. Easy-to-reach storage should be reserved for the items that help you start.

Let the hobby leave the apartment sometimes
Some hobbies are easier to enjoy when they are not limited to your floor plan.

Bring your book, sketch pad, knitting or journal to a community lounge, outdoor area, local park or coffee shop. If your hobby requires larger tools or special equipment, look for workshops, studios, maker spaces or classes nearby.

You do not need more square footage to try something new – you simply need a setup that makes starting and stopping easy. If flexible spaces and community amenities would give your interests more room to grow, browse RPM Living communities and find a home that fits more of what you love.

How to Make Working From Home Feel Less Like Living at Work

When you are working from home in an apartment, the distance between your desk and your evening plans may be approximately six feet. Without a clear separation, it can feel like you never fully leave work – you simply close the laptop and continue looking at it from the couch.

Keep work within a physical boundary
Even if you do not have a separate office, decide exactly where work is allowed to spread.

It might be one side of the dining table, a desk or a rolling cart that holds your supplies. At the end of the day, everything should fit back inside that boundary.

This keeps one unfinished project from slowly claiming the dining table, kitchen counter and the chair where you planned to relax.

Change the room when work ends
You do not necessarily need to put your entire workspace away. One visible change can tell your brain the workday is over.

Turn your desk chair away from the computer, close the laptop and place it inside a drawer or cover the monitor with a piece of artwork or fabric designed for that purpose. If you use the dining table as a desk, remove the work items and replace them with something unrelated – even if it is simply a bowl or vase.

The goal is to stop your workstation from being the first thing you notice all evening.

Leave yourself a clear starting point
Before signing off, write down the first task you need to complete tomorrow.

A short note such as “finish paragraph three” or “respond to Jordan’s email” is much more helpful than reopening your laptop to a vague list of unfinished work.

This also gives your brain permission to stop mentally rehearsing tomorrow’s schedule while you are trying to watch television.

Separate your work technology
If possible, use different browser profiles for work and personal use. A separate profile can keep bookmarks, logins, email and open tabs from blending together.

You can also remove work apps from your phone’s home screen or silence their notifications after your workday ends, depending on your role and availability expectations.

Nothing ruins a relaxing scroll quite like accidentally discovering an email you were not supposed to think about until morning.

Change what you hear
Sound can help create separation when your surroundings stay the same.

Use one playlist, background sound or pair of headphones only while working. When the day ends, switch it off and play something completely different.

This works particularly well in a studio or one-bedroom apartment where physically moving to another room may not be an option.

Use another space when you need a reset
If your community has a business center, coworking area, outdoor space or clubroom available for resident use, occasionally changing locations can make the week feel less repetitive.

Review amenity hours and policies before setting up. Even working somewhere else for an hour can make returning to your apartment feel more like coming home.

Your home should still feel like yours after the workday ends. If a dedicated workspace or helpful community amenities are part of what you want next, explore RPM Living communities and find a home that works for work – and everything after it.

David S. Lynch Shares Why the Associate Experience Shapes the Resident Experience

RPM Living Chief People Officer David S. Lynch often references the movie Field of Dreams when speaking about business. While the story centers around building a baseball field, David connects its familiar message to something every successful company needs to build – relationships.

David recently joined Multi–Housing News’ Management Diaries podcast to discuss how the relationships companies build with their associates ultimately shape the experiences those associates create for residents.

Before entering the multifamily industry, David spent 18 years working in hospitality. That experience helped form his belief that the associate experience will always show up in the resident experience – whether through engagement, turnover, leasing or everyday service.

When associates feel engaged and supported, they’re more open and willing to develop meaningful connections with residents. Stronger resident relationships lead to stronger communities and, ultimately, stronger business performance.

During the conversation, David also challenges the idea that an associate leaves a company solely for slightly higher pay. Compensation matters, but retention is rarely that simple. Culture, leadership, communication and the overall associate experience all influence whether someone can envision a future with an organization.

David also discusses his “skill–will–ability” approach to hiring and development. The framework considers what someone already knows, what they are motivated to do and what they are capable of learning. He explains why a company should clearly define its culture before hiring and training – and why the people closest to the work should help shape the processes they use.

The connection to Field of Dreams brings each of these ideas back to one central point: When companies invest in relationships with their associates, the impact carries through to residents, communities and the business as a whole.

Listen to the full podcast

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RPM Living Leaders Share How Resident Retention Supports Property Performance

Resident retention is about more than lease renewals – it reflects the experience residents have throughout their entire journey with a community. As operating costs rise and renters have more options, creating an experience that makes residents feel heard and supported can also have a meaningful impact on property performance.

In the Multi-Housing News article “For Operators, Resident Retention Is an NOI Strategy”, RPM Living leaders Erin Nielsen, Vice President of Customer Strategy, and Catherine Behringer, Vice President of Operations, share how resident feedback, communication and service delivery work together to support retention.

The article highlights RPM Listens, RPM Living’s proprietary platform designed to proactively engage residents and gather feedback throughout the customer journey. By giving teams greater visibility into the resident experience, RPM Listens helps identify opportunities and address concerns in real time rather than waiting until renewal or move-out.

While the platform’s direct revenue impact is still being measured, RPM Living is tracking experience metrics that can serve as leading indicators of resident retention and operating performance. The approach reflects a continued commitment to listening, improving and creating living experiences residents recommend to others.

Read the full article from Multi-Housing News.

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The End-of-Summer Closet Swap That Does Not Require More Storage

Good end-of-summer closet organization does not require packing away every tank top the moment September appears on the calendar. Late summer weather has a habit of sticking around, which means you need a closet that can handle warm afternoons, cooler mornings and at least one week when the forecast makes absolutely no sense.

Start with what you are still wearing
Before moving anything, look at what you have actually worn over the past two weeks.

Keep those pieces easy to reach, regardless of which season they technically belong to. The weather – not the retail calendar – should decide when your summer clothing moves out of the main rotation.

Anything you have not touched all summer can move into storage first. There is little reason to give prime closet space to a sundress that has already been ignored since May.

Create a small transition section
Choose a narrow section of your closet for pieces that work across seasons.

Lightweight sweaters, denim jackets, button-down shirts and neutral pants can stay together so you can build outfits without searching through two separate wardrobes.

Limit this section to items that can be worn at least three different ways. If something works with only one very specific outfit, it probably does not need a spot in the transition lineup.

Store by fabric instead of season
Not every summer item needs to disappear.

Lightweight cotton shirts and breathable dresses can still work with jackets, boots or other fall layers. Meanwhile, heavy fabrics that will not be comfortable for several more weeks can remain in storage.

Sorting by fabric weight makes more sense than treating September 1 like a mandatory wardrobe deadline.

Use your luggage as temporary storage
If your suitcases sit empty most of the year, use them to hold clothing you will not need for the next few months.

Place clean, completely dry items inside breathable storage bags before putting them into the suitcase. Keep a note on your phone listing what is stored there so you do not buy another black swimsuit next summer because you forgot where the first one went.

Avoid storing anything damp, stained or in need of repair. Future you does not want to reopen that problem six months from now.

Make a separate place for clothing decisions
Keep a bag or basket nearby for items that need to be donated, sold, repaired or cleaned.

Do not mix these pieces back into the closet while you are deciding. Once something returns to a hanger, it has a way of earning another six months without actually being worn.

Give yourself a deadline for dealing with the basket so it does not become a permanent piece of bedroom furniture.

Photograph outfits before putting pieces away
If you found a summer outfit combination you loved, take a quick photo before storing any part of it.

Create an album on your phone for outfits you would wear again. When the season returns, you will already have ideas instead of staring into a full closet and deciding you somehow have nothing to wear.

A thoughtful closet swap is less about finding extra storage and more about using your easiest-to-reach space for the clothing you need now. If more closet space is part of your next-home vision, browse RPM Living communities and find a floor plan that fits your lifestyle.

Your Apartment Laundry Routine Is Missing One Important Step

Most apartment laundry tips focus on sorting colors, checking pockets and remembering to move your clothes before someone else needs the machine. Helpful, yes – but if your clean laundry still feels stiff, smells slightly off or loses its shape too quickly, the problem may be happening somewhere less obvious.

Use less detergent than you think you need
More detergent does not necessarily mean cleaner clothes.

Using too much can leave residue behind, especially when washing smaller loads. That buildup can make towels feel stiff, trap odors and leave dark clothing looking dull.

Check the detergent instructions for your load size and machine type rather than filling the cap automatically. If your clothes feel slippery or overly scented after washing, that may be a sign you are using too much.

Stop crowding the machine
A washing machine needs enough open space for clothing to move through the water.

As a general rule, you should still be able to fit your hand comfortably between the top of the clothes and the inside of the drum. If you have to push everything down to close the door, split the load.

This is especially important for towels, jeans and bedding – all of which become heavier once wet.

Wash items based on texture – not only color
Rougher fabrics can create friction against softer ones.

Try washing jeans, towels and clothing with zippers separately from lightweight shirts, activewear and delicate fabrics. Close zippers before washing and place anything with hooks, straps or Velcro inside a mesh bag.

Your white shirt may survive being washed with a white towel, but that does not mean it enjoyed the experience.

Give damp towels somewhere to go
A towel tossed directly into a hamper may stay damp for hours, creating the perfect conditions for a musty smell.

Hang used towels until they are completely dry before placing them in a hamper. If your hamper has a fabric liner, wash that occasionally, too. Clean clothes will not stay fresh for long in a basket that has been collecting damp fabric for months.

Take laundry out of the machine promptly
Clothing can begin developing an unpleasant smell when it sits wet inside a closed washer.

Set a timer on your phone as soon as you start the load. If your community laundry room is shared, the timer also helps keep machines available for your neighbors.

Before leaving, quickly check the drum and door seal for socks, washcloths or other small items. The missing sock may not be gone forever – it may simply be pressed against the back of the machine.

Let everything dry completely
Clothing that feels even slightly damp should not go into a drawer or closet.

Thicker waistbands, pockets and sweatshirt hoods often take longer to dry than the rest of the item. Give those areas a quick check before folding. If something needs more time, hang it in an open area rather than placing it in a packed closet.

A few small changes can help your clothes feel cleaner, last longer and avoid the dreaded second wash. If an in-home washer and dryer or convenient laundry space is high on your next-home wish list, browse RPM Living communities to explore your options.