THE DOWNLOAD MONEY MATTERS
Not all states print on the title what happened to that auto. If in doubt, walk away
from the deal!” — Lauren Fix,
Car Coach columnist
shipping and relocation. “Even if a car has been repaired,
there may be lingering effects that can cause problems down the road,” Giranda says. Musty smells are a clear red flag,
as is rust on the undercarriage. Electrical problems, such as dim headlights and taillights, gauges that do not work properly, and trouble starting are telltale signs of water damage. “If you see any water stains on
the upholstery or floor mats, it’s a good indication that the car has been flooded,” Giranda says. “You should also be wary of any
residue or sand on the floor, as this could be another sign that the car was submerged at some point.” You might need to look a little
deeper, says Cody Crawford, co-founder of automotive blog Low Offset. “The devil’s in the dirty details,” he says. A submerged car will have grass,
a fender-bender or two weeks at the bottom of a lake. “Not all states print on the title
what happened to that auto,” she says. “If in doubt, walk away from the deal!”
TIPS FOR SUNNY SKIES AHEAD The best remedy to avoid a flood- damaged car? Do your due diligence, of course. First, get the car’s vehicle
identification number (VIN) from both the dashboard tag, visible from outside the car through the windshield, and from the door sticker. (They should match.) You can use that number to do
your own online sleuthing before making an offer, Fix says. If you are interested in a car and
suspect it may have a dodgy history, it pays to look closely, says Joe Giranda, director of sales and marketing at CFR Classic, a California company that specializes in international car
dirt, sand, or silt in unexpected places, he says. “When the water level recedes, the water itself may be gone, but much of the debris remains,” Crawford explains. “It’s difficult for someone cleaning
a car to remove all of it. You can usually uncover little tidbits of information that demonstrate the condition of the car.” A smart buyer asks a lot of questions, says Diana Rodriguez- Zaba, president of ServiceMaster Restoration in Chicago. Always ask the seller if they
know much about the vehicle’s title history — and if the seller says yes, ask for proof, such as an inspection certificate from a qualified mechanic or salvage yard. “However, if the seller says no, ask
why. Is it because they didn’t want to disclose the information?” she explains. If you have any doubts, bring
your car to a trusted mechanic to get a second opinion, Rodriguez-Zaba suggests.
HOMES OUT OF REACH High interest rates, low inventory, and rising prices are keeping folks — especially young people — from buying homes. So, what does it take to buy a home this year? Before the Federal Reserve raised interest rates, those with a monthly housing budget of $2,000 could buy a home valued at more than $400,000. But today, with that same budget, the buyer could afford no more than a $295,000 home. If you’re in the market for a
home, here are some tips for getting the best deal: Ask the sellers for a lower mortgage rate. With a temporary rate buydown, the seller pays a portion of the buyer’s interest payment upfront, reducing your mortgage payment for the first few years. Use a first-time homebuyer assistance program. Many offer down payment assistance and help with closing costs. Ask the seller to finance the purchase. Seller financing at a below-market interest rate will lower your payments for a short term. You’ll have to find a mortgage lender to pay off the balance after the initial term. Buy a fixer-upper you can work on over time. Rent out part of the home for extra income.
WE’RE ON THE MOVE U-Haul recently reported on
the states with the most one-way moves. California had the largest net loss, dubbed the “California Exodus,” while Texas was the No. 1 growth state. Fifty percent of all one-way U-Haul moves went to the Lone Star State, followed by:
2. Florida 7. Washington
3. North Carolina 8. Arizona 4. South Carolina 9. Colorado 5. Tennessee 6. Idaho
10. Virginia MARCH 2024 | NEWSMAX MAXLIFE 79
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