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.

Austin, Texas is known for its vibrant lifestyle, so it’s no surprise it’s brimming with plenty of captivating sights and bold outlets. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite spots around the capital city to get that perfect Instagram shot.

Trace at the W Austin

The trendy W Austin hotel and Trace restaurant has incredible vibes and style around every corner including its outdoor succulent wall, the perfect backdrop for any photo.

‘Tau Ceti’ Mural

If your feed is needing more pops of color, be sure to visit the ‘Tau Ceti’ Mural. The larger-than-life artwork is a splash of vibrant hues that reaches to the sky and the varying shades of colors creates a mesmerizing optical illusion.

You’re My Butter Half Mural

This mural is a great place for a candid photo with your significant other. Tucked away in a quiet community, the mural is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Cute Nail Studio

Cute Nail Studio offers up fun nail designs and an eye-catching exterior wall. Strike a pose outside to add some bold color to your feed.

South Congress

The heart and soul of Austin, South Congress is packed with hip boutiques, trendy eateries, and vibrant nightlife. Not to mention, plenty of Instagram-worthy moments.

Laguna Gloria

With stunning landscapes, sculptures, and lake views, Laguna Gloria provides endless opportunities to capture natural beauty. For just $5 you can find even more Instagram-worthy spots inside Laguna Niguel, a branch of The Contemporary Austin Museum.

Texas State Capitol

From sprawling lawns to stunning architecture, the Texas State Capitol offers up plenty of photo-ops for history buffs and nature lovers.

Krause Springs

Located in Spicewood just outside of Austin, Krause Springs is a magical oasis in a storybook-like setting. While privately owned, there is an $8 admission fee per adult with no reservations required.

Hamilton Pool Preserve

A 40-minute drive outside of Austin, Hamilton Pool Preserve is an iconic natural watering hole created from hundreds of years of soil erosion. Reservations are required to get in and we recommend booking far in advance. The wait list can reach up to months, but this spot is popular for good reason and worth the visit.

Mount Bonnell

Austin is known for its murals, nightlife, and restaurants but Month Bonnell is a great place to escape to view the city from above.

There’s nothing more exciting than getting the keys to your first apartment. But before you do, there’s a few things to be aware of prior to signing the lease.

Can you afford it?

This may seem obvious, but many people often overestimate how much they’re able to afford, especially when a shiny new home is staring them in the face. A good rule of thumb for determining how much you’re comfortably able to afford is to budget no more than 30-percent of your monthly gross income on rent.

You may need a cosigner

If you’ve never rented before, don’t have much credit established, or don’t quite have the income required to rent, you may need a cosigner. A cosigner is someone who doesn’t live with you but is responsible for paying your rent in the event you’re unable to do so. If you need a cosigner, the community manager will let you know during the application process.

Factor in utilities

Utilities – like water, gas and electric – can add up each month and are important to factor into your monthly budget. Some communities may include a couple utilities in their monthly rent rate. Make sure to find this out so you’ll know how much to budget and which utilities you’ll be responsible for setting up.

Get renter’s insurance

Renter’s insurance is great to have in the event something happens to your apartment, like a fire or water damage. While the property’s insurance will cover the structure and building, renter’s insurance will cover your personal belongings inside and even any additional living expenses incurred in the event your home is ruined. Typically, renter’s insurance is inexpensive and well-worth it should you need it.

Read the lease

Before signing the lease, make sure to read every word of it so you don’t unknowingly violate it. This is where you’ll find information on everything from late fees and whether you can paint your walls, to how much notice you must give before moving out, and beyond. Not sure about something? Ask!

Always do a walk-through

Do a thorough walk-through of your apartment with your landlord or community manager upon move-in. Document and take note of anything that’s broken, scratched, or needs fixing. You’ll want to make sure you have proof these items existed before you lived there, so you won’t be responsible for them when moving out.

Renting your first apartment is an exciting event but can be intimidating if you’re not sure what to expect. For a seamless experience from start to finish, keep these tips in mind so you can sign your new lease with confidence.

Determine a Budget

Avoid overspending by calculating your monthly budget before you start looking for an apartment. Typically, the rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30-percent of your gross income on rent. This will also help narrow down your options when you begin your search.

Make a List of Essential Needs

Make a list of your must-haves before searching for an apartment. These are things you absolutely can’t go without. For example, if you have a dog, you’ll need to find a pet-friendly community. Perhaps being close to work is non-negotiable; location will be important to you. With these items in mind, it will be easier to conduct your apartment search and narrow down your options.

Be Aware of Utilities

Apartment communities may include some utilities, or none at all. Keep this in mind when searching because this will affect your monthly rent and overall budget.

Consider Parking

Parking is an important factor, especially in denser, urban areas. Make sure to inquire what the parking situation is for residents (covered, assigned, on-street, etc.) and guests. Some communities may have limited parking, which can be a nuisance for you or your visitors if you’re not aware ahead of time.

Floor Level

Every floor level has pros and cons. While this may not be the most important element to consider, it’s good to think about, especially if you have a choice. Ground-level units are much easier to access and can be less expensive. However, they often don’t have the best views and can be noisy if children or dogs are in the unit above. Top-floor units, on the other hand, can require more legwork to get to, but they generally have better views, and are quieter.

Know What You’ll Need to Apply

When you find the perfect apartment, you’ll need to go through an application process to see if you’re approved. This process typically requires several pieces of information in addition to the rental application, including:

• Credit score
• Rental history (if applicable)
• Proof of income (paystubs and/or W2)
• Personal references
• Application fee

Give Yourself Enough Time

Hunting for the right apartment can take up to a few months. Make sure to give yourself enough time to find one so you’re not rushed on making a decision.

Working from home comes with countless distractions and challenges, and it can be made even more difficult if you’re already tight on square footage. Add a functional office area into your apartment by keeping these easy space-saving tips in mind.

Dedicate a Workspace Area

Avoid your work spreading all over your apartment by dedicating a specific area to working. Keep all relevant items (laptop, notebooks, documents, etc.) in this space. Having an area solely for work will help keep you productive and organized.

Go Wireless

Opting for wireless technology can be a huge space-saver. By using a wireless keyboard and mouse, you won’t be constrained to being near an outlet or have to deal with extension cords running across your floor. Even a small wireless printer stored in a closet or under the bed can free up valuable desk space.

Use Vertical Space

If you have a lot of documents but not a lot of floor space where file storage would normally sit, add room above your desk by installing simple shelves to house file boxes and books. Not only will this declutter your foot space, it can also open up your room more by drawing the eyes up.

Find a Desk That Fits Your Space

It may be tempting to purchase a big, stunning oak desk, but choosing one to fit your small space will reward you in the end. Opt for a writing desk, which tends to run on the smaller side, or depending on your apartment, consider a corner or vertical desk. These desks can utilize space you otherwise may not use and save other precious areas of your home for your actual living.

Sprucing up your apartment might seem like an impossible task without a ton of space. By following these simple tips and tricks, you’ll get the most out of your home, no matter how tiny, without sacrificing eye-catching décor.

Incorporate a Light Color Palette

A lighter color palette will instantly make a space seem much larger than it is. White, beige, taupe and light gray hues are ideal choices for bigger items like couches, rugs, window treatments and statement pieces. Incorporate pops of color by adding smaller accent pieces like books, pillows, throws, and wall art.

Go Vertical

When you run out of floor space, look up. Vertical space is extremely valuable and often under-utilized. To make the most of it, add extra-tall bookcases or shelving to create additional storage for decorative pieces, books and miscellaneous items. In the kitchen, consider adding decorative storage boxes on top of cabinets to hold items you don’t use as often.

Utilize Mirrors

Mirrors not only come in a wide array of shapes and sizes to fit any space, they also make a room appear much more spacious than it really is. Consider adding one near the front door to be used for a quick last-look when leaving your apartment. Areas where multiple people tend to gather, like the dining or living area, can also benefit from a mirror to open the space up.

Use Floor-to-Ceiling Drapes

If you’re struggling with what to do with small windows, think outside the box – literally. To create the illusion of high ceilings, add drapery longer and wider than your window. To do this, hang floor-length drapes a couple inches below where your wall meets your ceiling and extend them slightly wider than your window.

Opt for Dual-Purpose Furniture

Big furniture pieces are what take up the most room in any home. Save space by purchasing pieces that can serve more than one purpose. For example, a dining table that pulls double duty as a desk, a plush ottoman used for extra guest seating, or a coffee table with hideaway storage.