General Buying Tips
Vehicle Buying Tips
Real Estate Buying Tips

GENERAL BUYING TIPS

When you make any purchase, whether from a business or an individual, you should do what you can to ensure you are getting what you want, protect yourself from fraud, get a fair deal, and make the purchase a satisfying experience. The old expression "Caveat Emptor" or "Let the buyer beware" is the standard for any sale. The buyer is responsible for making sure the goods are of the quality and suitability expected. Here are a few tips to guide you in general. Please see the links above for more information.

Although the seller is attempting to sell their product and get the best deal they can, most sellers realize that it is in their best interest to be honest and fair. Therefore, it is a good starting point to respect the seller and not start with the feeling that you are only going to get a good deal if you confront them as an opponent.

When you find an item of interest and first contact the seller, have a list of good questions that were not already answered in the item's description. Do not make the seller list things that you already know. During an inquiry, when you get information that makes you realize the item is not what you are looking for, politely end the discussion. You don't want to waste their time, or yours. If the seller is not cooperative or unwilling to answer all your questions, that may be the clue that this is not the one to buy.

Because a photo is worth a thousand words, SaleToSee.com offers the seller up to 12 photos free with their listing. But keep in mind that photos may not show everything, and a personal inspection is usually necessary to ensure the quality and condition you expect.

Take terms like "Good Condition" and "Great Value" with a grain of salt. Of course there is no standard for such terms, and your definition of good or great may be different from the seller's.

When you become seriously interested in an item and are ready to buy, providing a personal inspection supports all that you have been told, and does not reveal any unknown problems or disappointments, make arrangements with the seller to view the item. Tell the seller that you have made a decision to buy based on the information you have been given, and will buy if the item meets your expectations. This will let the seller know that you are not wasting their time, that you are coming prepared to purchase, and also give them the opportunity to supply any information that may have been "overlooked" in the previous contact.

Try to arrange for a time to view the item that is convenient to the seller. If the item is outdoors, pick daylight hours and good weather if possible.

It is best to agree on the price before final inspection, based on what you have been told. Once you have inspected the item, if it is as good or better (this does happen) than expected, you should be already in agreement, and pay the agreed price. If you find that the item has been misrepresented, or discover something unknown, then feel free to haggle on the price based on what you found. Try not to get upset and make accusations to the seller, as that will not do you any good, and it is possible that the seller was not aware of the problem.

Be prepared to pay for the item with cash, unless you have made other arrangements in advance with the seller. Offering a check puts the seller in an uneasy position, because they don't want to offend you, but will not be at ease with a piece of paper of unknown value.  See Avoiding Scams for information on payment safety.

VEHICLE BUYING TIPS

Buying a vehicle, whether new or used, is a challenge for even those with considerable experience. Along with the usual buying challenges, there are many other concerns. A vehicle is a complicated mechanical device with many components and systems which all have to work together and require maintenance to keep the vehicle running properly, safely and efficiently. The buyer must be careful to avoid purchasing hidden problems that would turn the joy of the purchase into a real headache.

The first step to take in buying a vehicle is usually to do some research and planning. Give some serious thought to the type of vehicle that will best meet your needs. It may not be possible to find a vehicle that will do everything you would like, but you will want to avoid making a hasty decision that will be aggravating and expensive. If all you need is something to get you from one place to another, your choices are many. If you have some particular requirements, be sure to narrow your search to only vehicles that will meet those. For instance, if you like to tow your boat to the lake, make sure the vehicle is rated to tow that load, and can have a hitch installed. Don't fall in love with the convertible if you want to put a kayak on a roof rack. And will the kids really fit in the back seat of that sporty coupe?

After deciding on the type of vehicle you are looking for, find prices from sources like Kelly Blue Book, NADA or Edmonds to see what your budget will permit. These will also give you an idea of the value of your current vehicle if you have one to sell or trade-in. Many web sites offer financing calculators to figure the monthly payments. Don't forget the extras that will add to the total monthly payments and to the initial cost, beyond the "down payment." These include the purchase taxes, registration and title fees, the insurance, and personal property taxes. Insurance cost varies with the type of vehicle, and you may want to get prices from your insurance company on a few possible models to compare the cost. Your monthly cost of owning the vehicle will be more than the financing payment, so be sure to allow for the insurance, tax, fuel, and maintenance expenses.

After you have decided on the type of vehicle that will meet your needs, have found the price ranges to expect, and know your budget and all the costs involved, you will be well prepared to start the actual hunt for the best deal. Of course the internet is an excellent source, and SaleToSee.com is a good place to start. Decide how far you are willing to go for a vehicle, and keep in mind that there will be some cost involved if you have to travel a long distance. What seems to be a great deal in Texas or California may not actually work out that well once you figure the cost of travel and the time involved.

Get as much information about the vehicle as possible. Ask questions to find out all the details. See if the owner has documents such as a warranty, the owner's manual, maintenance records, ownership history, and of course the title and registration. Check to see if the vehicle has a current DMV inspection.
Inspect the vehicle in good light. If you have to go at night, ask to have it driven to a well lighted place. In addition to actually seeing, be sure to use all your senses, including touching, listening and smelling for anything unusual.

Your inspection should include checking:

• Body for dents, rust, evidence of repairs, and paint checking or fading.
• Tires for amount of tread & uneven wear. Is there a spare tire & jack?
• Exhaust system for leaks or damage
• Fluid levels and condition: Engine & Transmission oil; Brake fluid; Engine coolant (antifreeze)
• Brakes, including the parking brake.
• Windshield and glass for damage and discoloration
• Operation of doors, hood and trunk lid.
• All lights including turn signals, brake, back up, and parking, and interior lights
• Interior condition. Include headliner and other details often overlooked.
• Driver's seat for comfort and support. Check all seat belts for condition and operation.
• Heating, defrost, ventilation and air conditioning operation. Check the blower on high and low speeds.
• Operation of all electrical equipment: radio and CD player, power windows, door locks, seats, sunroof, horn, wipers and windshield washer, etc.

Now for the test drive:

• Notice how the engine sounds at start up. Any leaks or smoke?
• Does the engine run smoothly and sound normally?
• If possible drive at highway speeds on a good road and lower speeds, on a rough road.
• Notice how the vehicle tracks. Does the steering pull to one side?
• Test the cruise control, if equipped.
• How is the suspension, does it sway in curves or bounce excessively on the bumps?
• Check the acceleration. Does the engine seem sluggish or hesitate?
• Does the transmission shift smoothly without slipping?
• Check braking. Notice if there is vibration in the steering wheel when braking hard.

Before making a final commitment to buy the vehicle, you may want to have a mechanic inspect it. Of course you would be expected to pay for the cost, but it would be worth it if you have any concerns about the mechanical condition. You may also want to get a report on the vehicle's accident and repair history. These are available from CarFax.com for a fee. Some auto dealers will provide a report free if you ask.

REAL ESTATE BUYING TIPS

We cannot present here everything you should know about buying real estate, but just a few basic tips. Please use the links at the bottom of this page, and other resources such as the library, to find more information. Buying real estate is a very complicated process, and when it involves your residence, that makes it all the more important, because your happiness will be directly affected by the decisions you make in selecting a new home. The services of various professionals including attorneys, real estate agents, home inspectors, surveyors, pest inspectors, and other inspectors will usually be very helpful in making your real estate purchase successful.

You will want to decide whether to work with a real estate agent, or search on your own. An agent will be very helpful if you find one that will listen to you and is genuinely interested in helping you find what you are looking for. If you look on your own and call several agents about listings you find, it will usually be difficult to sort through the many details you will accumulate. Working with one agent will help you keep track and has many other advantages. Your agent should have a good knowledge of available properties, the community and real estate values. Your agent should find information on any available property that may be of interest, and not just the ones listed in their own office. He/she should also be willing to work for you to find a home for sale by owner. Make sure you understand who the agent represents. As a "buyer" you may be surprised to find that the agent actually represents the "seller" in a transaction, unless you have a buyers agreement with the agent. If you find that your agent is not satisfactory, you may find another to work for you, unless you have made a contract commitment.

Location, Location, Location the three main factors to consider in a real estate purchase.

Whether you are looking for a home, or an investment, you not only need to consider the community you would like, but also the many other factors related to location that could be very important. These vary in importance with your individual preferences, but may include such factors as:

• The school system
• Convenience to shopping and work
• Community activities and services
• Transportation and traffic
• Public safety (fire, police, medical) services
• Cost of owing and maintaining the home

Why are the costs of owning and maintaining a home related to location? There usually are differences in the cost of utilities, taxes, insurance, and services provided from one region or community to another.

Consider for instance: Are there public roads, or is the property in a community of private roads with property owners responsible for maintenance?

Is there public water and sewer? You will be charged for water on a public system, while if there is a private well, you need to pay for the electricity to pump it and occasional service on the system. Private septic systems also require some maintenance. Public water systems may lower the cost of homeowner's insurance due to the fire protection provided by the water lines.

In your home search, it is a good idea to keep notes. Photos are also very helpful, just be sure to organize the photos, and use notes to reference them, to avoid getting the property features mixed up.

Once you have picked your community, there may be other specific location factors to consider. Do you want to have a wooded or an open setting? Would you prefer close neighbors, or privacy? Do you want the view from a hill top, or the shelter of a valley? Also consider the direction the home faces. Do you want the morning sun to shine in the kitchen? A view of the setting sun from the deck, or the energy saving features offered by a southern exposure? How does the home sit on the lot - does the surface water drain away from the foundation? Carefully check any home for water problems, but particularly one on a very flat lot, or with a slope toward the home. Most newer homes are built with drainage systems to deal with surface and underground water, but it can be an important consideration. Also check for natural and manmade hazards on the property, especially if you have children. That nice six foot stone wall in the front yard, along the driveway, could be a real hazard for a child running after a ball, if the top does not have the protection of a fence.

Once you have found a place that seems to be ideal, there may still be some more to do. If you are not familiar with the area, it is a good idea to make inquiries. You can get a wealth of information by talking to neighbors, and other local folks, including town officials, business owners and public servants. Most will be happy to answer questions about their community, and be willing to tell you both the good and the bad. If your ideal property is bordered by some vacant land, imagine how that could change, and if it would make a difference to you, find out what restrictions are on the use of the land. You may be unhappy if a shopping center appeared next to you nice private spot.

Before you make a purchase decision, you must check out the structure, and the features of the home carefully. If the home is not quite what you are looking for, but has much to offer, consider what could be done in the way of remodeling or repairs. Is there room on the lot to add on to the house to get the required number of bedrooms or the garage that you would like. This is something to keep in mind when narrowing you home search, since a lower cost home with the potential to have changes may actually be better than trying to find the ideal.

Although the owner of the home is of course interested in selling, most owners are happy to answer questions honestly. Ask the owner about the neighbors, the cost of the utilities, and the features of the heating and cooling systems. Ask about the age of appliances, mechanical systems, windows and doors, and the roof. Have any major repairs been made and would there be warranties?

You may also want to ask for a sample of the tap water so you can give it a taste test. On your tour of the home, don't be in a hurry, and don't be bashful about looking, listening, and even smelling. Your nose may give you a clue to a problem such as mold or ventilation issues. However, you should only concern yourself with the property that is for sale, and don't ask about or touch any personal property. While on the subject of personal property, it may be a good idea to ask if there are any items attached to the home that the owner is not including with the sale. Generally anything attached to the home is considered a "fixture" and will be included with the property. However many sellers have excluded certain items in their sale plans, such as the antique dining room light that belonged to a great aunt, but they forget to mention it. The buyer assumes that it is included and gets a shock upon finding a hole in the ceiling after taking possession of the home. It is perfectly acceptable for the seller to exclude fixtures from the sale, if this is disclosed to the buyer before the purchase agreement, and it should be in writing to avoid misunderstandings.

To protect your interests, it is advisable to make the purchase contingent upon a home inspection by a licensed home inspector. This should be in writing, as part of your purchase agreement. Then if problems are found, you have options, instead of unpleasant surprises after owning the home.

You may also wish to have an attorney review your purchase offer, and may make your acceptance of the offer contingent upon that review and approval by your attorney.

Please visit these sites for more information about buying real estate:

U. S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

Virginia Association of Realtors

National Association of Realtors

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Homes