Author: Emily Bell

Making Winter Feel a Little More Enjoyable in Your Apartment

Winter has a reputation problem. It’s cold, it gets dark at 4:37 p.m., and suddenly leaving your apartment feels optional at best.

But winter doesn’t have to be something you just survive. It can be… tolerated. Maybe even enjoyed. (Let’s not get carried away.)

At RPM Living, we think home should make the tougher seasons feel easier. Winter is a good time to lean into that.

Here’s how RPM recommends making winter feel a little more livable – and dare we say, pleasant.

1. Upgrade the basics you use every day

Winter magnifies inconvenience. If your lighting is harsh, your blankets are thin, or your coffee situation is disappointing, you’ll feel it more now.

Fix the small things first – warm lighting, a blanket you actually like, a mug that makes your morning better.

2. Lean into “early home” energy

Winter is not the season for overstaying plans. Leave earlier. Come home sooner. Put on something comfortable immediately.

Your apartment should feel like a reward, not the place you end up when plans fall apart.

3. Make staying in feel intentional

There’s a difference between staying in because you’re tired and staying in because you planned to.

Put on your favorite movie. Put on a playlist. Cook something warm or order the thing you’ve been craving all week. If you’re going to be home anyway, you might as well romanticize it a little.

4. Find one reason to leave the house

Not ten. One.

A coffee walk. A short errand. A quick lap around the block. Fresh air and daylight do wonders, even when it’s cold out. Bonus points if it doesn’t require getting in your car.

5. Let winter be slower

You don’t need to optimize every evening or pack every weekend. Winter is allowed to be quiet.

Rest counts. Comfort counts. Doing less, on purpose, counts.

Because winter doesn’t need to be magical – it just needs to feel a little easier than last year. And at RPM Living, we believe home plays a big role in that. If you’re searching for an RPM Living community near you, you can browse our communities across the US.

– RPM

Bishop Momo Earns Gold at the MHN Excellence Awards

We love a good gold moment – and this one is worth celebrating.

RPM Living’s Austin community, Bishop Momo, earned Gold at the MHN Excellence Awards for Best 2025 Marketing Campaign, recognizing a campaign that blended strategy, creativity, and authentic local connection.

The award-winning campaign was created and submitted by Asterisk, with strong collaboration between RPM Living’s corporate marketing team and on-site execution at the community level. Together, the teams leveraged resident experience, local partnerships, and community-focused content to bring the campaign to life in a way that felt both authentic and scalable.

It’s a great example of what happens when thoughtful strategy meets strong execution – and a proud moment for everyone involved.

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Mariana Estrada Featured in NAA’s UNITS Magazine

The conversation around the future of rental housing continues to evolve – and we’re proud to see RPM Living leaders helping shape it.

Our Chief Strategy Officer, Mariana Estrada, was recently featured in the January–February issue of UNITS Magazine in an article exploring the economic, regulatory, and operational forces influencing what’s next for the multifamily industry.

In the piece, Mariana shares perspective on how thoughtful strategy, disciplined execution, and a focus on efficiency and experience can help organizations remain resilient in a changing landscape.

Her insights highlight the importance of balancing scale with intention – and staying grounded in what truly drives long-term success for operators and residents alike.

Read the full article on NAA’s website here.

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A Strong Showing for RPM Living at the Anchor Awards

The Anchor Awards delivered a big moment for RPM Living – and our Georgia team rose to the occasion.

We’re proud to recognize several associates and communities who were honored for their leadership, performance, and impact across the region. These awards reflect the dedication and consistency it takes to deliver exceptional experiences every day.

Anchor Award winners include:

Ansley Aldridge – Leasing Professional of the Year

Dana Jiles – Regional Manager of the Year

Marcelle Littlejohn – Community Manager of the Year

10x Trellis – Community of the Year

Congratulations to our Georgia team on a well-earned showing. We’re proud to have you representing RPM Living and setting the standard across our communities.

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Ask RPM: How Do I Actually Stick to My New Year Goals?

January is ambitious. Everyone’s motivated. Everyone has a plan. Everyone thinks this is the year everything changes. And then it’s mid-month, you’re tired, and your goals are already asking for more than you can give.

At RPM, we believe the problem isn’t motivation – it’s expectations.

Here’s how to set goals that actually survive real life.

1. Pick goals that fit your daily routine

The best goals don’t require a full lifestyle overhaul.

If you want to move more, use what’s nearby – a quick gym session (at your RPM fitness center 😉), a walk, a short workout at home. If it’s convenient, you’ll do it. If it’s complicated, you won’t.

2. Make the habit easier than skipping it

Set yourself up so doing the thing takes less effort than avoiding it.

Shoes by the door. Water bottle on the counter. Meal ingredients you’ll actually use. Convenience is the secret weapon no one talks about.

3. Stop aiming for “every day”

Every day is unnecessary pressure. Three times a week is strong. Four is elite.

Consistency matters more than frequency, and guilt helps no one.

4. Track progress casually

You don’t need a color-coded system unless that genuinely brings you joy.

A Notes app list. Calendar checkmarks. A vague sense of momentum. All valid.

5. Build goals that work on low-energy days

If your habit only works when you’re well-rested, motivated, and thriving, it’s not a habit – it’s a fantasy.

Design goals for tired Tuesdays, busy weeks, and cold nights when staying in feels correct.

Because the best New Year goals aren’t impressive – they’re repeatable.
And having a home that supports your routines can make sticking with them a little easier. If you’re looking for an RPM Living community near you, you can explore our communities across the US.

– RPM

RPM Communities Recognized in J Turner’s 2025 Rising 1K Rankings

Online reputation plays a critical role in today’s resident experience – and RPM Living communities are leading the way. This year, 20 RPM communities earned spots on J Turner Research’s 2025 Rising 1K ORA Power Rankings, which highlight the most improved online reputations nationwide from January through October.

A special congratulations goes to The Watermark, which ranked #3 out of thousands of communities across the country. J Turner Research even traveled to personally deliver the trophy, recognizing the team’s standout achievement.

View the complete Rising 1K rankings and recognized communities on J Turner Research’s website.

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RPM Living Awarded Property Management Company of the Year (Silver)

RPM Living has been recognized as Property Management Company of the Year (Silver) in the 2025 MHN Excellence Awards – an achievement that reflects the dedication, strategy, and innovation happening across our communities every day.

This recognition celebrates the work behind the scenes, where service becomes an experience and thoughtful strategy delivers real results. From strong partnerships to teams who genuinely care, the award highlights the art and science that define RPM’s approach to property management.

To explore the full list of 2025 MHN Excellence Awards winners, visit the official MHN website.

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How RPM Collected 4,362 Pairs for Soles4Souls – Tips from Our Top Contributors

This year, RPM teams showed up in a major way – donating an incredible 4,362 pairs of shoes to Soles4Souls, an organization that turns unwanted shoes into providing relief, creating jobs and empowering people to break the cycle of poverty. Two standout contributors helped push that number even higher:

Melissa Rosado, Remote Payroll Account Manager (Florida): 486 pairs
La Sierra Apartments (San Antonio): 704 pairs

Both took completely different approaches, but each proved that a little creativity – and a lot of heart – goes a long way. Here’s how they did it, and how you can bring their strategies into your next drive.

La Sierra Apartments: How a Community Came Together

La Sierra focused on meeting residents where they already were. Their top strategies included:

  • Encouraging move-out donations: Residents who were relocating were invited to drop off any new or gently used shoes they no longer needed – turning a stressful transition into an easy moment to give back.
  • Highlighting the drive at resident events: The team promoted the shoe drive during multiple community gatherings, making participation effortless and visible.
  • Sending reminders and follow-ups: Simple nudges kept the drive top-of-mind and boosted resident turnout.

Result: 704 pairs collected and an entire community energized around giving.

Melissa Rosado: Getting Creative with Your Network

Melissa’s approach was all about expanding the circle. Here’s what worked:

  • Shared the drive in her kickball league’s WhatsApp chats: Quick messages = fast momentum.
  • Posted in multiple local Facebook groups: Broad reach, zero cost, and highly effective.
  • Enlisted help from the owner of the kickball league: He emailed all participants on her behalf, creating immediate community buy-in.
  • Welcomed support from unexpected places: Even a local Zumba class joined in once they heard about the cause!
  • Stayed grounded in the mission: Melissa loved knowing her donations would support families in countries like Haiti and Honduras – providing consistent, quality food, housing, and education for five months.

Result: 486 pairs collected by one person – powered by purpose, connection, and a little hustle.

Both Melissa and La Sierra proved there’s no one way to make a big impact. Whether you tap into your community, your social circles, or everyday touchpoints with residents, small efforts add up fast. Because when we rally together, extraordinary things happen.

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Rachel Carter Named to Global Top 100 DAP Professionals of 2025

RPM Living is proud to celebrate Rachel Carter, Learning and Development Program Manager, who has been named one of the Top 100 Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) Professionals of 2025. This global recognition highlights leaders across industries who are advancing digital adoption through thoughtful, people-first solutions.

Rachel’s journey with RPM began onsite, where she gained firsthand experience with Yardi workflows and the day-to-day realities faced by property teams. That perspective continues to shape her approach today. Under her leadership, RPM has launched more than 360 WalkMe solutions designed to support associates and simplify processes across the organization.

Congratulations to Rachel on this well-earned recognition, and thank you to everyone who supported her along the way.

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How RPM Veterans Are Spending Their Well-Earned Veterans Day Off

This Veterans Day, RPM Living is doing something we’re genuinely proud of: Giving every RPM veteran the day off.

It’s a small gesture for people who’ve served in big ways – and we wanted to spotlight how a few of our own RPM veterans plan to spend their time off.

Chase Workman – Leasing Manager (pictured returning from his first deployment to Iraq in 2018)

Chase is mixing progress and fresh air. He’s planning to spend part of his day catching up on homework (he’s nearing the end of his bachelor’s degree in accounting with only 14 months to go!) and then taking his fur baby to Floyd Lamb Park for a stroll – and yes, they’ll be stopping by the pet store afterward for a treat.

Johnathan Mathis – Maintenance Technician (pictured in uniform during his time in service)
Johnathan's plan is to relax, recharge, maybe sneak in a workout, and simply enjoy having a day to himself.

John Yanik – Senior Maintenance Manager
John has a clear mission for his day off – he’s hitting as many Veterans Day food perks as possible. San Diego has no shortage of restaurants that recognize veterans – Chili’s, Claim Jumper, Red Lobster, Dunkin’, Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill, Woodstock’s Pizza, Stone Brewery Tap Room, Melting Pot, Applebee’s, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que … and more – and if there’s a deal or a free entrée, John’s on it.

Jose Nunez – Maintenance Technician (pictured while serving in Afghanistan)
Jose is choosing to take his day off on an alternative date – his community, The Douglas, is hosting a Veterans Day get-together and he wants to spend the actual holiday celebrating with fellow veterans.

Dee Shaw Knox – Community Manager (pictured in uniform during her time in service)
Dee’s plan is much like Jose’s – she’s spending her day enjoying the complimentary meals and appreciation events offered throughout her area. A well-deserved day of good food and good company.

To all Veterans (however you choose to spend the day), thank you. Your service, your perspective, the culture you help shape and the heart you bring matter more than we can express in one blog post.

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