Tips For Buying A Used Car
Lisa Broadbent • September 7, 2022
Buying a used car can be scary — especially if you worry about being scammed. There's nothing worse than seeing a car you like online, checking it out in person and making the purchase — only to realize the previous owner 'forgot' to mention some serious mechanical issues. Pretty discouraging to say the least. Below are a few tips so this doesn’t happen to you.
- The first step when buying a used vehicle is to determine your budget . It will narrow down your choices while searching the local area for deals, and you'll be able to calculate your monthly payment if you decide to finance it. If you do plan on financing the vehicle, research your options! You may find that a loan from your bank will have a lower interest rate compared to the dealership or manufacturer.
- Next, decide if you want to purchase a used vehicle from a dealership, a private owner or an online venue. If you're leaning towards a dealer or an online venue, expect a bigger price tag. Used vehicles from dealerships lots may include an extended warranty or service program, meaning these cars must be refurbished in order to meet warranty standards. Wondering where these cars came from? They're usually acquired from auctions or trade-ins. At least with a dealership and a private owner you can haggle over the price. With the online venues, the price is the price and there is no negotiating.
- If you prefer buying from a private party, expect t o do all the leg work . When you meet with the owner, be prepared with a list of questions regarding ownership history, maintenance upkeep and the current condition of the car. Do a walk-around and take note of any bumps or scratches on the car, as well as any leaks. Remember, as the buyer, you are in control of the sale! Feel free to ask as many questions as you want about the vehicle you are interested in buying – especially if you don't know much about the make of the car. It will save you financial headache in the long run. You can easily investigate the car's history yourself by writing down the VIN number (usually located on the driver’s side door or on the dash by the driver’s side) and run a report online for a small price.
- With the online venues you will need to do some of the leg work as well, such as taking the vehicle to DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle) for the inspection and registration. The purchase price will include the registration tax, but you will need to wait for DMV and the online venue to process all the paperwork, which will take months. Everything with the online venue is done through the mail and car carrier so the process takes longer. Usually with the dealership the transactions only take a month to receive the title. However, with the online process the title work is all done through the mail between the online venue and the DMV, so it can drag on.
- Whether you are purchasing from a dealer, private owner or online, ALWAYS take the car for a test drive! During the drive, it’s a good idea to drive on hills, highways and in stop-and-go traffic. You’ll get a better feel for how it drives and decide if you feel comfortable driving it. Do not sign any paperwork until you have driven the vehicle, otherwise you will have purchased it without test driving it first.
- Finally, after negotiating a price, it's time to close the deal! Before you negotiate, make sure the car is priced fairly (you can find out it's worth on a vehicle valuation website). After a price is set, you should never pay a private seller with cash. If something goes wrong and there's no paper trail, it may be tough to get your money back. Along with the car, the previous owner should provide the title, a dated receipt for the sale signed by you as well as the seller and a spare key if available. Also make sure to research the rules in your state regarding how the seller should transfer the title for the vehicle to you. Call your insurance agent prior to taking possession of the car for information on the process to insure the new vehicle.
If you are closing the deal at a dealership or online, it’s a similar process unless you are paying with a car loan or trading in your old car. Also, ask about getting an extended warranty for the vehicle at a fair price. This is usually negotiated separately from the car purchase. Most dealerships and online venue will give you a time period to return the vehicle if you are not happy with the purchase. However, if you have done your homework, you most likely will be trilled with your purchase!
Once you purchase a new-to-you car, please call Lisa Broadbent Insurance at (302) 731-0044 and we’ll help you with insurance coverage for your vehicle. Good luck and good shopping!
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Taking precautions to prevent ice dams is an important part of preparing your home for winter weather. Knowing what an ice dam is , minimizing the conditions that allow one to form and removing an ice dam as soon as you spot one can help prevent serious damage to both the roof and the inside of your home. Take action before snow starts falling An ice dam may develop during the cold winter months if warm air from your home or attic melts snow on your roof. In freezing temperatures, the melted snow may refreeze once it reaches the colder edge of the roof. Keeping the temperature of your attic at 32°F or below can help prevent snow from melting and ice dams from developing. The following are some steps you can take to help prevent the snow melting-and-freezing cycle that often causes ice dams: Insulate your attic. Be sure your attic is properly insulated to help prevent warmth from escaping through ceilings. Whenever possible, an insulation value of R-40 is recommended. Prevent air leaks. Check and seal any openings where warm air or heat could escape into the attic, such as insulating or caulking around vent pipes, exhaust fans, chimneys, attic hatches and/or light fixtures. Improve ventilation. Increase the number or size of attic, roof or soffit vents that allow cold air to circulate and flush warmer air out during the winter. Install a water-repellent membrane. When replacing the roof covering, install a water-repellent membrane underneath the shingles. This acts as an extra barrier that helps prevent water from seeping inside the building should an ice dam form. Tips to help prevent ice dams through the winter Ice dams can sometimes form despite your best efforts to keep your roof at the proper temperature. Be sure to monitor the weather and maintain your roof throughout the colder winter months for additional protection against ice dams, such as: Clear gutters and downspouts. Prevent water from accumulating and possibly freezing in your gutters by cleaning leaves, debris and snow accumulation from in and around gutters and downspouts. Making sure that your gutters are properly pitched can also help prevent the collection of water in low spots and help reduce the potential for ice buildup in gutters. Remove snow accumulation from your roof after every storm. Whenever possible, use a roof rake to clear snow about three to four feet from the edge of your roof soon after each storm. Snow accumulation along the edge of your roof increases the likelihood of an ice dam developing, which prevents water from draining off the roof. This water can then back up underneath roof shingles and make its way into your home. Remove ice dams as soon as you spot them. Check your roof often and know how to help identify and remove an ice dam. CAUTION: Avoid using a ladder in snowy and icy conditions. This can be extremely dangerous and is best left to the professionals. For questions or concerns about insurance to protect your home’s roof, please contact us at 302-731-0044 , or email lisa@broadbentins.com . Our agents and staff are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, with the exception of holidays.
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The Dress, The Date, The Hair, The Music, and what to do after… all things that are on your teen's mind before the infamous prom night. Driving is usually not an important component in a teen's mind, but for parents it can be a big worry. Many parents often overlook the need to have honest discussions with their teens about safe driving and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Statistics show that prom and graduation season—the months of April, May and June—are the most dangerous time for teens. One-third of the alcohol-related traffic fatalities involving teens each year occur during those months. Here's an honest and teen-friendly guide to sharing concerns with your teen for one of the most important nights of their adolescent career. Many parents often overlook the need to have honest discussions with their teens about safe driving and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Have a good time. Explain to your teen that you want them to have fun and enjoy themselves. Just don't drink. Years from now, they will laugh when looking back at prom, but not if they don't remember the night. Relate it to your prom. Explain to them what you did right or wrong and what the consequences were. Don't be afraid to tell them the truth if you made some bad judgment calls. This can only help them to feel that you are human and that you regret those decisions and don't want them to make the same. Remind them of their future. High school is a great time, but they have their whole future ahead of them. Don't ruin that by drinking or doing drugs on Prom night or any night. Immature vs. Mature. Your teen may think that drinking or doing drugs and driving is what the grown-up thing is to do. Explain to them that is the most immature and irresponsible decision they could make. Being mature is about making the right decision and keeping your future in sight. Drive safe! If they are driving, make sure that they understand the responsibility of driving on Prom night. Share these six tips with your teen: Wear seatbelts. Don't speed. Be a defensive driver. Not everyone on the road is going to be as safe as you, watch out for other unsafe drivers. Don't drink or do drugs. This impairs judgment for driving and could potentially end in a fatality. If you do make a mistake, or find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, call your parents immediately. They will respect you for being mature enough to see the danger and making the right call. Don't ride with anyone who has been drinking or doing drugs. This takes your life out of your hands. Pay attention to the road while driving. Don't get distracted with cell phones, radio, or passengers. Driving is a very important responsibility and shouldn't be taken lightly. Teenage drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group and it's largely due to driver error. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one in four crash fatalities involve someone 16 to 24 years old, nearly twice as high as other age groups. Don't let your teenager be a statistic. Talk with your teen and communicate the importance of safe driving on Prom night and every night. Your safety is number one to us. If you want to make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your teen driver, you can contact the insurance team at Lisa Broadbent Insurance at (302) 731-0044 today to get an evaluation and free quote. Stay safe wherever you choose to go on the road.
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