As a Dallas multifamily development and property management partner, we’ve become very well-versed in renter’s insurance. It’s standard in the industry these days to require residents to hold a renter’s insurance policy and our communities are no exception. But if you’re new to renting or have never shopped for renter’s insurance before, there’s a lot you may not know about renter’s insurance policies! Here’s what to expect from a renter’s insurance policy and what you need to know to get the right coverage for your apartment.

Renter’s Insurance Doesn’t Cover Everything

It’s important to that renter’s insurance typically covers damages from issues like theft, fire, or wind, but it may not cover damage from flooding, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.

Pay Special Attention to Your Personal Liability Coverage

Generally speaking, your property manager will ask you to provide proof of a renter’s insurance policy with greater than or equal to a specific amount of Personal Liability coverage. A common amount in the industry is $100,000. Personal Liability coverage is what pays for loss settlement and legal fees in the event an insured party causes bodily injury and/or property damage to others.

You Can Take Your Policy With You If You Move

In many cases, your renter’s insurance provider can help transfer your existing policy to a new location if ever you choose to move. This process is easier when moving in-state but can also apply to out-of-state moves as well. Transferring your policy helps you avoid wasting money and keeps things simple by maintaining the same policy number, login info.

List Your Property Manager as an Interested Party

Listing your property manager as an “Interested Party” or “Additional Interest” helps ensure your property manager has access to your insurance information when they need it. It also helps streamline the process of notifying them of your Proof of Insurance when starting a new lease or when your insurance policy renews. To list us as an Interested party, you’ll usually just need the name of your community, address, and the office’s contact email.

Those are the top things you should know about renter’s insurance! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to shop the best luxury apartments in Dallas and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

Private patio/balconies are a feature of many of the communities we manage at RPM Living, adding great views and sunny spaces to apartments across the city. But not everyone knows how to turn these sunny spaces into a beautiful extension of their apartment. Not only that, but patio furniture can be expensive, so it’s not always easy to create the perfect patio/balcony on a budget! However, these ideas can spark inspiration for those who are still waffling over how best to use this awesome amenity. Read on to discover our top 4 ideas for awesome patio/balconies!

Start a Plant Collection

Your patio/balcony is the perfect place to start an herb garden or create your own urban oasis full of thriving plants. Choosing some hardy herbs or other plants that thrive in direct sunlight is the best option, so consider cacti, succulents, snake plants, certain varieties of palms, or a variety of wildflowers.

Opt for a Thrifted Furniture Set

Patio furniture sets are great, but buying online sometimes means paying a lot of money for a set that is less comfortable or stylish than you thought. Thrifted patio furniture can be a great workaround to save time and money. Wicker, wooden, and metal furniture tends to hold up well even when it’s secondhand. Best of all, you can reduce waste and make your set completely your own by upcycling a simple bench or chair with a colorful cushion, new upholstery, or other DIY project. Just make sure anything you put outside is weather-proof.

Lay Down an Outdoor Rug

If you thought rugs were only for indoor use, think again! A durable, washable rug is key, but not hard to find. Popular rug vendors like Ruggable often allow you to filter by outdoor rugs, making shopping easier. A simple rug can enhance any patio or balcony space and make it feel like an extension of your home.

Set Up A Mini Pet Park

We all love our pets, but sometimes it’s inconvenient to take your dog outside (say, at 4 am when you’re trying to sleep)! Setting up a dog-friendly space can be the perfect way to make the most of your patio/balcony. Include a washable bed, water bowl, and even disposable synthetic or natural turf where your pup can do their business when they need a quick potty break. It’s also easy to find rail guards for those with smaller pups who might otherwise poke their heads through the balcony railings.

Those are all our top ideas for decorating your patio/balconies at the our apartment communites! We hope you found this post informative and helpful! If you want to shop our luxury apartments and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

We love to see how the residents of our luxury apartments in the Houston Galleria decorate their apartments to make them their own! But even though Houston has a thriving art scene, finding great art for your apartment can be challenging and expensive! These simple tips can help you find apartment decor that fits your style while ensuring you don’t waste money on art you’re not completely in love with.

Find a Fun DIY

Depending on the style of art you enjoy, you might be surprised at how easy it can be to create something beautiful yourself. Whether it’s a fun acrylic pour, a simple stenciled piece, or a handmade macrame project, DIY art pieces can be a particularly satisfying way to decorate your apartment because not only are they beautiful, but they can become a source of pride and a reminder of a fun experience.

Visit a Thrift Store

Thrift stores are a great place to find unique art pieces for your luxury apartment in the Houston Galleria. Not only can you find great art pieces to display as-is, but they make unique canvases for you to upcycle. You can also add visual interest and a touch of your unique style by reframing and adding matting.

Find Frameless Artwork

Oftentimes, a quality frame is more expensive than the artwork inside it—plus, you may have to work harder to find a frame that fits your existing decor aesthetic. So choosing frameless pieces like prints, posters, and removable wall decals can help save you money while offering a more casual, funky decor style. Additionally, there are practical alternatives to frames that provide an attractive way to display your art, like poster hangers, magnetic mounts, or clips.

Make Art Out of Everyday Objects

Similar to a DIY project, making art out of everyday objects can be a more affordable alternative that still allows you to show off your unique style. Finding pieces of patterned fabric to hang can be just as impactful as a painting, while mirrors can be a decorative way to make your apartment feel even more spacious. Likewise, displaying a collection of your favorite books in strategic spots around your apartment can be an aesthetic choice that provides a glimpse into your personality.

Buy Digital Artwork You Can Print Yourself

Digital artwork is often a fraction of the price of physical artwork, which can be a great way to cut down on the price of art you really love. Printing art from a digital file at a local print shop gets you the same product for less money and very little effort. Not only that, but you can avoid waiting for your artwork to ship and fast-tracks your path to enjoying your new decor.

That’s all our tips for finding affordable art for your luxury apartment in the Houston Galleria! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in Houston and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

It’s no secret that different colors can instill different emotional and mental states in those with the ability to see them, and people have been taking advantage of that fact in home decor for many years. Although the science behind this phenomenon is still lagging, there is early evidence to corroborate what people have been experimenting with for ages, leading to concepts like Color Therapy. This theory suggests that color can be used strategically to regulate mood as you move through your environment. And there are many ways you can incorporate Color Therapy concepts into your apartment.

As we discuss these tips, it’s worth keeping in mind that how color influences our mental and emotional state can vary from person to person based on factors like cultural significance, biological factors, and personal experience. We’ll discuss some broadly applicable ideas, but it’s up to the individual to explore what colors make them feel best in each context.

Add Some Blue To Your Home Office

Judging by the number of blue light canceling lenses on the market, most people know by now that blue light influences your circadian rhythm, sending signals to your body that it’s time to be awake. Simultaneously, many associate blue tones with calm and tranquility. These factors combined make blue a great choice for home office decor, or anywhere you want to feel alert while also reducing stress. Consider blue throw pillows, artwork, or even computer gear like your mouse, keyboard, and speakers.

Add Warm Tones To the Bedroom

On the opposite end of the light spectrum, red light and other warm tones can help your body realize that it’s time to wind down and relax. However, colors like red, orange, and yellow are also sometimes associated with energy, vigor, or even anger. Finding a warm-toned color that avoids these connotations can help you inject relaxing vibes into rooms where rest is a priority, so consider pink bed linens, burnt orange wall art, or even a warm-toned beige or gray for your bedroom furniture.

Use Energizing Colors in Social Spaces

Many colors can signal energy, so this is based on personal preference. In general, though, lighter and more saturated colors tend to be perceived as the most energizing options. Consider incorporating these hues into your living room and dining room decor through throw pillows, rugs, tablecloths, wall art, and so on.

Use Greens and Earth Tones For a Natural Vibe

It’s little wonder that greens and browns remind us of nature—specifically the types of nature we tend to find most rejuvenating and hospitable, like forests, meadows, and gardens. Adding some of that life-giving vibe to your apartment can be as simple as incorporating earth tones and rich natural greens to your decor. For bonus points, add these colors in the form of actual plants, which can have additional benefits for your mood and your health.

That’s it for our color therapy tips! We hope you found this post informative and helpful! If you want to shop our apartments and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

There’s seemingly no end to the amazing pizza places in San Antonio, but that’s no surprise. The amazing eats nearby are just one of the things that makes our communities some of the best luxury apartments in San Antonio. In this awesome city, it’s easy to find a pizza place you’re obsessed with, whether you’re a fan of deep dish or New York-style, classic pies or novel ingredients. San Antonio has it all, so we’re rounding up just a few of our favorite pizzerias near our luxury apartments in San Antonio!

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana

Dough Pizzeria focuses on the classic Neapolitan pizza style made with local ingredients and a traditional wood-fired oven. So popular they’ve expanded to three locations (two in San Antonio and one in Plano), this pizzeria also features Italian classics like pasta and tiramisu. We highly recommend the Fontina pizza (caramelized onions, oak roasted mushrooms, thyme, and a rosemary balsamic reduction) and the Prosciutto Crudo (topped with arugula dressed with a lemon-truffle vinaigrette).

Main Street Pizza & Pasta

This mom-and-pop pizzeria is one of the best known in San Antonio. Located in Midtown, this pizzeria is one of the best choices in town for casual, classic pies at a reasonable price. Additionally, they offer delicious pasta classics, stromboli, and salads as well as other Italian-American staples, so it’s easy to visit with friends or family and have everyone find something they love.

Pizza Classics

Similar to Main Street, Pizza Classics is a relaxed, family-owned mainstay with a menu of other eats in addition to classic pizzas done well. It also features interesting specialty pies like BBQ Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, and White Pizza with basil and artichoke.

Stella Public House

Stella Public House is located in Southtown along the river and offers a hip, farm-to-table style experience that focuses on local ingredients and community. Their menu features more adventurous choices perfect for those looking for something out of the ordinary, though it also has classics sure to satisfy traditionalists too. We recommend the Mr. Southtown, featuring chipotle marinara, jalapeno cheddar pepperoni, caramelized onions, and black olives. The Poached Pear + Gorgonzola is also delicious, with poached pear, blue cheese, caramelized onion, serranos, and honey.

Barbaro

In Midtown, Barbaro reigns as another of San Antonio’s favorite pizzerias. It focuses on “off-beat” pies like the Hashbrown (featuring taleggio cheese, kale, and honey) and the Benton’s Country Hams (featuring smoked mozzarella, red onion, Cholula, and cilantro). Plus, you’ll also find Sicilian pizza, gluten-free pies, and make-your-own pizza options.

That’s it for our top pizzerias near our luxury apartments in San Antonio! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to shop the best luxury apartments in San Antonio and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

Since we are a regional property management company in Houston, TX, and other Texas hubs like Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, we get a lot of residents who are first-time gardeners looking for low-hassle houseplants that can stand up to hot summers and variable humidity. If you live in one of our luxury apartments in Midtown Houston, North Austin, Downtown San Antonio, or really anywhere else in Texas, these beginner-friendly houseplants are great options for your Texas apartment.

Spider Plant

Spider plants bear lots of skinny, ribbon-like leaves that will make your apartment feel like a place of abundance, without the need for a lot of light. Its arcing green leaves look great in a hanging planter or on a tabletop, and its roots can handle being a little crowded, so you don’t need a huge pot to accommodate them. Spider plants do need to be watered a little more often than some other plants on this list, though—around once a week for best results. It’s not the end of the world if you’re a little late with watering, this plant will tolerate a belated watering every so often.

Snake Plant

A snake plant sprouts several stiff, ribbon-like leaves that grow upward with a variegated pattern akin to reptilian scales, which is how the plant gets its name. This hardy indoor plant can survive in any light, including low light, and does not need frequent watering, nor does it require pruning. Bear in mind that very low light conditions may reduce the colorful variegation on its leaves; nevertheless, this plant provides a vibrant addition to any room.

ZZ Plant

If you’d prefer a fern-like plant, the ZZ plant is a perfect choice. Yielding waxy green leaves across a number of stalks, the ZZ plant also tolerates low light and infrequent watering. It’s a resilient little plant that can spring back to life even after some neglect. Don’t worry if it drops some leaves while you’ve been a less-than-perfect gardener. Just water it as normal and it should be revitalized before too long.

Pothos

Pothos plants are another popular low-light option for apartments. In fact, pothos plants don’t do well in direct sunlight, so they’re well-suited to an indoor environment. Their trailing, ivy-like vines bear spade-shaped leaves that can be variegated with white or silver, depending on the variety (though plants variegated in this way usually need a bit more sunlight than their all-green counterparts). They won’t naturally cling to walls or trellises like ivy, but their vines can grow very long if left unpruned.

Succulents

Finally, the obvious choice: succulents. Succulents have become very popular lately due to their need for infrequent watering and ability to thrive in minimal space. They come in a variety of colors and shapes, and all of them do best in partial to bright light (typically, the more light, the better). Make sure they’ve got a spot by the window or can spend most of the day under bright artificial light if natural light is unavailable.

That’s it for our Texas-friendly houseplant suggestions! We hope you found this post informative and helpful! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in Midtown, Houston and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

As a property management company in Houston, TX, and other Texas hubs like Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, we’ve had our fair share of Texas barbecue. In fact, we’ve got a short list of favorites in all these Texas cities that are beloved by staff and residents alike, so we thought we’d share our recommendations here! Today, we’re starting with our top picks near our luxury apartments in Museum District, Houston.

The Pit Room

Located in Montrose, just a few minutes from our luxury apartments in Museum District, The Pit Room is well known among Houstonians—and for good reason. Their menu includes all the classics (the brisket and beef ribs are must-tries, of course) as well as offbeat offerings like venison sausage. They also offer tacos and breakfast tacos as well as a delicious variety of sides like loaded Frito pie, elote, and mustard potato salad.

Good Co. Barbecue

Located on Kirby Drive, Good Co. Barbecue features cozy interiors, shaded picnic tables, and delicious bbq in a converted barn. In addition to the classics like brisket and ribs, you’ll also find Czech sausage bbq po-boys and unique sides like Jambalaya Texana. Their Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie is also delicious if you can manage to save room. Plus, Good Co. will even mesquite smoke your own meat for you if you drop off at least 10 pounds. How cool is that?

Pinkerton’s BBQ

If you’re up for a drive to The Heights, Pinkerton’s BBQ is well worth a visit. Here, the brisket is tender and the ribs fall right off the bone. But you’re also missing out if you don’t get a blueberry cobbler to finish it all off! Plus, the service is wonderful and the sides are just as good as the meats (well...almost). This is definitely a must-try in Houston.

Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack

Located in South Side, just minutes from our Museum District apartments, Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack specializes in hickory-smoked meats, but you’ll also find po-boys, fish and shrimp dinners, burgers, sides, and desserts. We highly recommend the peach cobbler, banana pudding, and Jake Fries to go with your sliced brisket, Chicago-style Rib Tips, and Smoked Oxtails.

Houston Sauce Pit

If the words “vegan barbecue” fill you with intrigue, you’ll be happy to know there’s an incredible vegan BBQ spot right here in the Museum District. This food truck is gaining notoriety as one of the only vegan BBQ spots around and takes its name from its founders, Jarrett Milton and Courtney Lindsey, owners of the popular Houston Sauce Co. (so you know their sauce is one of the best parts)!

That’s it for our local Houston barbecue recommendations! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in Museum District, Houston and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

In our many years of property management, Austin TX has proved to be one of the best places to get a taco across all of Texas. Our regional managers and on-site staff in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and other Texas hubs may disagree, but Austinites know that you can’t beat the Texas capital when it comes to great tacos. And with all these incredible taco joints, we knew we had to highlight some of our favorites among the staff and residents of our Austin apartments, starting with the best taco spots near our luxury apartments in South Austin.

Taco Joint

Taco Joint is beloved by UT Austin students due to its convenient location in North Campus, but thankfully there is also a location on East Riverside near our luxury apartments in South Austin. With delicious options for both breakfast and lunch, including tacos, tortas, and other Tex-Mex faves, this versatile taqueria has something for everyone. Staff favorites include El Senor Crockett (beef fajita meat with grilled onions, peppers, and smoked gouda) and the chorizo and egg breakfast taco.

Torchy’s Tacos

Although it’s become a chain and expanded beyond its Austin roots, Torchy’s remains one of the most beloved taco joints in Austin. With multiple locations near our luxury apartments in South Austin, this convenient chain makes getting great tacos fast and easy. Every Austinite has their favorite, but our top picks are the Trailer Park (trashy, of course), and the Brushfire, although we can never say no to the rotating Taco of the Month either!

El Primo

This food truck on South 1st keeps it simple and utterly delicious. Specializing in authentic Mexican flavors, the tacos, burritos, and tortas at El Primo come in asada, al pastor, chicken, barbacoa, tripas, and lengua varieties. Plus, they’ve got breakfast taco classics like bacon, egg, & cheese and migas, ham, egg, & cheese.

Papalote Taco House

People love Papalote Taco House for its unique combinations and delicious dipping sauces. Among the options are several vegetarian tacos that are likewise delicious, so this one is a good choice for a crowd with mixed dietary considerations. When you go, try the Hongos y Epazote (Mushrooms with hominy, serranos, onions, epazote, queso fresco, and a slice of fresh avocado) or keep it classic with a Chicharron (Refried beans and pork cracklings covered with homemade red sauce, and topped with cabbage, queso fresco, and crema).

Velvet Taco

Velvet Taco didn’t get its start in Austin, and its presence on this list may be controversial, but it’s hard to beat if you’re after novel flavors and a wide range of options. Velvet Taco features everything from Green Chile Pork and Mexi-Cali Shrimp to wildcards like Shrimp & Grits and Spicy Tikka Chicken. Plus, their menu features a few gluten-free options as well as vegetarian choices, so it’s a good spot to visit with all your friends. While you’re there, try their red curry coconut queso (it’s incredible).

That’s it for our top South Austin taquerias! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in South Austin and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, more and more of our communities are seeing their residents transition from office and other on-site work to remote work from their homes. From our East Austin luxury apartments to our spacious apartments for rent in North Dallas and beyond, our role as a property management company in Austin, TX and other urban hubs like San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston has meant that we’ve had to strategize about how to make our communities as work-from-home friendly as possible.

In addition to many amenity updates and added services across the properties we manage and develop, we’ve compiled a list of helpful tips for residents who work from home in our communities. These tips can help you set healthy boundaries and achieve a better work/life balance when home and office are one.

Set Work Hours

One of the biggest challenges of working from home is making sure work time doesn’t bleed into personal time and vice versa. Make sure to set official work hours and communicate them to your coworkers. Mark these work hours on your calendar if applicable. Stick to these work hours as best you can, and try to avoid making a habit of checking work emails or completing other work tasks outside of this time.

This will benefit not just yourself, but your employer and coworkers, who can form concrete expectations about how and when you’ll be getting your work done and when you’ll be available for meetings.

Establish a Dedicated Work Space

When you work from home, it might be tempting to work from the bed or couch, but you’ll work better and enjoy better relaxation if you keep some separation between your work and relaxation areas. Even if it’s just a small desk or a dedicated corner of your dinner table, establish a consistent work area and try not to migrate from it too much during your workday, except when taking breaks. This helps your mind and body pick up on cues that it’s work time and avoid confusion from relaxation- or entertainment-oriented parts of your environment.

Schedule Breaks

You should take breaks no matter where you’re working, but be intentional about them. When working at home, it’s particularly easy to take a break whenever you want, but if you’re getting up from your computer, browsing the internet, or playing with your cat every 15 minutes, you’re not going to get much done. Schedule a few breaks (a couple 15-minute breaks and one longer break midday is a popular structure, but you can choose whatever works for you) and avoid getting off-task outside of those breaks. That way, you get all the benefits of break time without letting breaks unintentionally steal your productivity.

Avoid Multitasking

You may think you’re a multitasking master, but the truth is that our brains are terrible at multitasking, no matter who you are. Focus on one task at a time as much as possible, and eliminate unnecessary distractions like a TV playing in the background or a Twitter feed open in one tab of your browser. The fewer distractions you have and the less context-switching you can do, the more efficiently and effectively you’ll do your work.

We hope we’ve given you the tools you need to work from home effectively! If you want to shop our East Austin luxury apartments and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.