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If youve finally found an apartment you love, or you want to renew your current lease, but wish the cost of rent was lower, take action.

Negotiating rental costs isnt against the rules, however, it isnt always guaranteed to work in your favor. Sit down with the landlord or property manager and discuss how you can lower rent with these negotiation tips:

Know the Market
Research rental costs in the surrounding area to get an idea of what other properties similar to yours are listed at. For example, if you are interested in a luxury apartment, check other luxury apartments in your neighborhood or city. If you can get a competitive, lower rate in writing, bring it with you to use as a negotiating tool.

Exchange Services for Cost
If you are willing to put in work elsewhere for a lower rate, offer it up. Most properties provide seasonal maintenance, such as shoveling snow or mowing lawns, that you may be willing to perform. From landscaping to maintenance, taking on tasks around the property may be just what you need to offer to score a lower monthly bill.

Change Lease Terms
Rather than paying your rent monthly, offer to pay a lump sum 3 – 6 months ahead. If you offer up a larger payment upfront, the landlord may be willing to knock down the cost per month. You can also discuss reworking move-out dates to fall during peak seasons that may convince the property manager of a better chance of vacancy once youre gone.

Sell Yourself
If youre looking to move into a new complex or apartment, arm yourself with letters of recommendation showing that you can and will be a great tenant. If you plan to renew, remind your landlord that you have never missed a payment and have always politely communicated any sort of maintenance issues. Having proof and good word that youre a model tenant can be a significant help to cut costs.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Do you need to put down 20 percent to buy a house?

Not necessarily. In fact, most buyers make lower down payments.

But putting down 20 percent or more does come with major perks.

A mortgage lender would consider you more financially stable and less risky.

That means you wouldnt need to pay for private mortgage insurance.

Youd receive lower interest rates, too, which could save you thousands of dollars over your loan period.

With a larger down payment, youd also likely stand out among your competition if a seller has multiple offers.

A 20 percent down payment isnt necessary, but if you can afford it, consider these upsides.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

These are the four smart devices luxury homebuyers are looking for…

Security

There are tons of options to keep your home safe with motion sensors, cameras and locks that can be monitored and controlled from any device.

Lighting

Smart lights do much more than set the mood when youre entertaining. Motion sensors illuminate hallways at night and can turn on upon your arrival home.

Smoke Detectors

They may not be glamorous, but theyre one of those small details that make a difference.

Thermostat

Smart thermostats automatically adapt to your schedule and keep the temperature just the way you like. They also regulate themselves to be more energy efficient.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Decor trends ebb and flow, and as time passes, hard and fast decor rules start to become more fluid. Dont limit yourself because of decorating restrictions you heard long ago; let your creativity out by ensuring that you know these decor myths have been busted.

Dont Mix Patterns
Traditional rules suggest that you should never risk mixing patterns. This is a myth from a bygone era that you shouldnt be afraid to disregard. Contemporary maximalist style looks stunning and glamorous, and its bold mashup of a variety of patterns, floral and colors reminds us that a cohesive aesthetic is possible to achieve without requiring all accents to be uniform. You dont have to embrace the maximalist decor style to benefit from a pop of variety with a few well-selected contrasting patterns.

Stay Away From Dark Colors
Dark colors, particularly for wall paint, were considered taboo and to be avoided at all costs. The popular perception was that dark color choices would make rooms feel cramped and dingy. However, this decor myth is slowly being busted as more and more homeowners are choosing rich and bold colors for their rooms. Deep navy blues, rich emeralds and even matte blacks are heralding a new era of luxurious design trends. Surprisingly, some rooms may even appear a little larger when all walls are dark, creating a cozy and enveloping feel thats ideal for a room meant for relaxing. Still not ready to commit? Try a bold and dark accent wall in your room to anchor the space.

Hang Art High on the Walls
You may naturally gravitate toward hanging your art high on the walls, but this is one decor habit you need to break. This is a myth brought about by simple ignorance. Bust it and instead take a page from art galleries; hang your art at eye level so that everyone can enjoy its beautiful aesthetic.

We all fall prey to decor myths from time to time, its natural since style continues to evolve. Dont let yourself get stuck in a rut because you were limiting your creativity by following decor myths.

Published with permission from RISMedia.