Alibaba, the Chinese E-Commerce Giant IPO in August of 2014

What will the Alibaba IPO mean for it’s original investor, Yahoo!  Yahoo invested 1 Billion dollars in 2005 for a 40% stake in Alibaba. After pulling out $7.6Billion in 2013, they still have a 23% stake in the company that will be valued from $100 Billion to 200 Billion. Yahoo is about to get a huge cash infusion.

 

Alibaba is the Chinese E-commerce site. They are to China what Amazon is to the United States but with a distinct difference that they are the exclusive middlemen to a purchase between a buyer and a seller. That leaves Alibaba in the advantageous position of not having to inventory product. Alibaba is a conglomerate of businesses consisting of their main Alibaba brand that links business to business transactions and it’s consumer to consumer business portal called Taobao that functions similarly to Ebay and offers over 1 billion products for sale by over 7 million unique sellers at any given time. They also own Alipay which is the Chinese Paypal and has 300million users and controls half of the market. They also own Tmall, Juhuasuan, e Tao, Ali Express, Ali Cloud Computing, ChinaVision Media Group, Laiwang, Youku Tudou and US shopping site 11 Main. All develop different aspects of the internet like social networking, instant messaging, video sharing and archiving, and cloud storage to be brief.

Alibaba files for their Initial Public Offering (IPO)

In April 2014, Alibaba filed the paperwork disclosing their future public offering. It was a placeholder filing for only $1 billion dollar but the consensus opinion is that in August when the IPO happens the company valuation should be in the $150-$200 Billion ballpark. To put this in perspective, Facebook IPO had the company selling shares at $38 per share for a valuation of $104 Billion, so the Chinese E-commerce company IPO will dwarf that by the factor of two possibly.

What does this mean to it’s original investors.

Two companies were the original venture capitalist stake horse for Alibaba in 2005. One was Yahoo! And the other is Japan’s Softbank with a 36% share. Both publicly traded companies. Yahoo! Invested $1 Billion dollars in 2005 for 40% of the company. It currently has a 22.6% after selling stock back to Alibaba for $7.8 Billion in cash in September of 2003. Since the IPO filing disclosed that Yahoo! will be required to sell 40% of it’s outstanding shares for the IPO, Yahoo! will in turn get a cash infusion between $24 and $44 BILLION Dollars depending on valuation An interesting observation is that at a current price of $33 a share for YHOO, the stock valuation in Alibaba may be greater than the total valuation of Yahoo! As a whole. Yahoo current valuation is at $33.8Billion dollars

What will Yahoo do with the money?

In my opinion, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has done an amazing job so far She has acquired 37 companies in the two years since becoming CEO. She has hired Katie Couric from Television to be the Yahoo Spokesperson and hired the New York Times Tech editor, David Pogue to start a digital tech magazine. Her strategy focusing on smaller business acquisitions to introduce a new customer to Yahoo! and integrating new products and services into the business model takes time to evaluate it’s success but is a logical move to strengthen it’s core business and compete with Google and Facebook . The coup de grace is the acquisitions of major companies with high profiles on the internet like Tumblr, Snip IT, and Wander. These acquisitions when looked at as an overview fill some of the niches that Yahoo needed in the mobile, social networking, instant messaging and video necessities of the web. I foresee a major purchase by Yahoo before the 2014 calendar year ends that will bring all 37 of these acquisitions to a pinnacle of usefulness through integration.

How to capitalize on the Alibaba IPO

Buy either Yahoo or Softbank and hope for a higher valuation. Yahoo is on a dip on their high price of $41 in January 2014 and closing today under $34. TheStreet has given it a B rating and a BUY determination. Soft Bank on the Tokyo Stock Market closed at $74.75 with a yearly high of $88. Softbank has announced that it has plans to hold on to 30% of it’s shares after the IPO so they are obviously bullish on the long-term future growth and business model of Alibaba. At the end of May 2014, Softbank stock slipped below $70 and I feel that is an extremely profitable target price to buy. Alibaba is a giant of a company with huge potential and little concrete competition with a huge head start and now a cash infusion. Old expression, “the rich get richer.” This is as true a statement as you can make concerning the longtime potential of Alibaba as an investment vehicle for outstanding performance and long term growth in the largest business and consumer market in the world. You can take advantage now by buying shares of Yahoo! And Softbank.
Sources: NBC News, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Forbes, IBN Live, TheStreet, Market Watch

The Right Way to Buy a Used Car?

Is Buying a Used Car Better Than Buying a New Car?

Deciding whether to buy a new car or a used car is not always an easy decision. A new car is new for a very short time. The minute you cross the dealership’s lot with one, it depreciates a quick twenty percent and is now a used car, whether you like it or not. For the next four years it depreciates another 50% so after five years you have something worth 30% what you originally paid if lucky. The worst investment in the world. Buying the RIGHT used car is usually a better alternative than buying a new one. It’s cheaper, someone else absorbed those years of depreciation. You usually avoid the new car lemons as any used car purchase can be thoroughly inspected by checking maintenance records and having a mechanic do the once over. No one knows that you bought the Mercedes Benz used, only you.

Benefits to buying a pre-owned car?

• Insurance is generally cheaper on a used car.
• Dealers now sell certified used cars that go thru a comprehensive vehicle checklist and come with their own warranty sometimes eclipsing the new car on the lot.
• More places to find a used car: private seller, manufacturer dealer, auction, rental car agency, and independent used car dealer.
• Certified Used cars generally have subvented finance programs through the manufacturer.
• Generally more room to haggle a deal than a new car.
• Get more car for less money

Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

About 10 years ago, responding to consumer demand as new cars were becoming almost too expensive for most people, the manufacturer dealers started offering Certified used cars as an alternative. A Certified Pre-Owned(CPO) vehicle is normally a used car of that particular dealership. If they sell Honda, the used car lot should be stocked with an ocean of late model, two to three year old, low mileage used Hondas. The CPOs are vehicles that all go thru a 100+ point comprehensive check-up, from the body integrity, to the mechanical systems, both major and minor, to a printing of a CARFAX. The car is then given a bumper to bumper warranty on top of what is left from the original manufacturers new car warranty. Some of these warranties can go all the way to the 100k mile mark. Manufacturers sometimes offer subvented CPO finance rates. They are still for people with better than average credit but it isn’t unusual to see 2.9% APRs or even 0% at times.

Steps To Buying The Right Used Car

• Check reliability reports on that particular vehicle using reliable sources like Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and Kelley Blue Book.

• Find out what market value is on the car you want. Look at what people are selling similar cars for on Autotrader, Craigslist, and other pricing sites.

• Run a Vehicle Identification Number(V.I.N.) check at Carfax or Autocheck. The V.I.N. Check Vehicle History Report(VHR) will tell you if an accident was reported on the vehicle, manufacturer recalls, whether the vehicle was service vehicle; like rental, police or taxi. The VHR will confirm the mileage and sometimes will list the maintenance visits at a dealership and will tell you if the title has been endorsed with a salvage, rain damage or total loss from an insurance company. Both CARFAX and Autocheck certify their reports and offer buyer protection with the cost of the report.

• Do a Test Drive from a cold start. The drive you take should include varied terrain, hills and valleys if possible, different roadways and at varied speeds. No, around the corner and back victory lap. If you haven’t driven the car for 30 minutes at all different speeds, you haven’t “test driven” the car. Even an uneducated ear can pick up the telltale signs of a problem. If the salesperson objects, walk away, there is something he is hiding or just plain lazy and if this is the attitude now, imagine what it will be after you bought it and ran into an issue.

• Do a visual inspection. Walk around the vehicle and look for signs of body repair. Look under the hood for new parts and repairs to inside fenders. Pop the trunk and see if you can see any signs of leaking. Use your nose. Smell the trunk; smell the interior; do you smell water? Look at signs of wear and tear that differ from what you are being told. A heavily worn driver seat and brake pedal signify a high mileage car so if the odometer reads 30k, it really could be 130k.

• Maintenance records on vehicle should be with the vehicle and reviewed. If they aren’t ten assume the car has been neglected as far as maintenance and beware. It is important that a car is well maintained to protect it’s durability. Buying a vehicle with 29k on the odometer means that the $600, 30k mile major service is around the corner. Make sure you deduct that cost from the asking price or make it contingent on the deal.

• Ask for a CARFAX. All dealers have an account with CARFAX and AUTOCHECK. If they refuse or ask why you need one, Run, don’t walk away. They are hiding something.

• Basic Warranties are standard on any dealer used car sale unless it falls into the rare “As Is” category. Don’t buy an “As Is” car unless you are okay with it breaking down the following day. A bumper to bumper warranty of a minimum of 1 year is recommended.

• Can the vehicle be Certified? There is a charge to the dealer by the manufacturer for that and it isn’t cheap, usually $595 to $1995 depending on the car, obviously a Chevy is a lower cost and a Mercedes is the higher price certification. It is usually worth the cost since the value normally exceeds the price. And since you will most likely finance the car, it should only add between $10 to $30 a month for the Certification. And that can save you thousands of dollars over the next few years and give you peace of mind on long trips since every dealer of that manufacturer is now your local repair shop. Isn’t a dollar a day worth the peace of mind?
• Hire a Mechanic to do an inspection of the vehicle. It is worth while to spend $100 to get a certified ASE mechanic to go over the car and give you a report on the vehicle. You can use your own mechanic or hire a professional vehicle inspector. They can be found online or on craigslist.

Caveat Emptor

Every buyer must follow these famous Latin words, “Caveat Emptor; Let The Buyer Beware.” No, truer words have been spoken. It is up to you to choose right. It will be your fault if you buy the “pig on the lot.” Don’t fall in love. Remember this love isn’t a simple divorce if all goes wrong. A bad purchase will drive you crazy and will make a huge dent in your wallet. It will make you not trust your car and limit the enjoyment and freedom you get from your car. Follow my steps. If you don’t, you may wind up being a trophy on a dubious salesperson’s wall next to the deer head.

You Should Lease Your Next New Car

Find Out Why Leasing is the Best Method for Paying for that New Vehicle.

 

Leasing is a much better way than financing when buying a new car. As a lessee, you aren’t driving the vehicle that could expose you to high repair costs. You will never need to buy tires for a vehicle. You can always be on the cutting edge of new car technology. Elevated status of driving a new car. Financial savings operating a car during it’s best part of it’s life when fuel costs are at it’s lowest consumption levels. Only paying for the monthly depreciation on half the car, not the full price upfront. Paying the sales tax on the monthly payment times the term and not the entire vehicle upfront. Lower down payment required which gives you the option to invest that money in an appreciable asset, not a depreciating liability. No hassle of trading in a vehicle or negotiating the treacherous waters of selling a car in the private market.

Final reasons why you should lease a new car

It is a two or three year “test drive” with three options at the end of the lease term. This flexibility guards you against buying a lemon. Protects you from an unseen downturn in the estimated resale value of your car. Allows you to purchase the residual value of the car thus taking advantage of a sudden unexpected higher market value or just buying it cause you love it.

Financing is a ball and chain

Financing a car is a total gamble and almost guarantees you will always owe more than what a vehicle is worth considering the vehicle loses 25% of it’s value the moment you drive it out of the dealership’s parking lot. It is now a used car and 1 year old, even if you owned it one day in real time. The expected maintenance and repair bills in the 4^th and 5^th year of your finance term will usually add an additional $50 to $60 a month to your payment when you need to replace tires, O2 sensors and other expensive repairs not to mention the dreaded high cost timing belts and major interval maintenance milestones. After the initial manufacturers warranty expires, you will legally own and be responsible for any repair, even if the car was to unexpectedly break into two pieces. You would own both halves.

Summary

You will hear the old school cavemen say that financing is better because you own something rather than renting it. Don’t believe them, they are as dumb as they look. Owning a depreciating liability is a mistake almost every time. Let someone else be locked into a car that by every mile is headed towards it’s demise. Own the flexible options that leasing affords and stop doing what others have wrongfully done for years. Because, at the end of 5 years, you own a car with an odometer range of 80k to 100k miles and a value that most likely reflects 20%-30% of it’s original value. It’s a bad investment. And once that odometer clicks 100k, I dare you to find someone willing to pay you a premium for the car. Lease a car every two years and enjoy life, we owe it to ourselves.

The Golden Rule: Buy anything that appreciates and lease everything that depreciates.

 

 

 

How to Calculate an Auto Lease by Hand and Save Lots of Money

Consumers Lease Over 50% of Their Cars, Learn How a Lease Works.

The auto lease is a mainstream method to buy a vehicle today. For decades, conventional financing was the only way to buy a new vehicle besides writing a check in the full amount. In the early ’80s, Ford Motor Company brainstormed that they would be able to sell 250% as many new cars over a 5 year period which was becoming the standard length for a new car loan as it offered the lowest payment. We will discuss in another article if buying or leasing is better but first we need to understand the mechanics of how a lease is calculated and the options afforded ant consumer.

Calculation of a Auto lease

This calculation can be used on ANY item besides a car that offers a lease plan option. Before we actually go into the bones of the calculation which is quite simple as far as math, we need to discuss what the terms are that will factor into a lease.

Lease factor definitions

• M.S.R.P.–Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price.
• Net Cap Cost (NCC)–Actual Sell price of vehicle after negotiations.
• Cap Cost Reduction(CCR)–Down payment or trade-in.
• Term (T)–Length of lease.
• Money factor (MF)–Interest rate paid on the lease…Convert by multiplying by constant of 2400.
• Residual (R)–What the value of the auto will be at lease termination or after final payment.
• Monthly Interest (MI)–the amount of interest paid for the monthly lease charge.
• Monthly Depreciation (MD)–the amount the vehicle depreciates monthly.
• Monthly Payment (MP)–the total monthly payment to lease the car.

 

Lease Payment in 4 Easy Steps

1. Calculate the Residual–MSRP minus % equals value of car at termination. (MSRP – %=R).

   This percentage is set by the industry who estimates what a car will be worth. Auto manufacturers, if they are subventing the lease price with an incentive, may offer an inflated residual to get a lower payment without discounting the cost of the money. This is a critical factor and one reason why a car can give you a great monthly payment if the gurus think the car will be a top performer and hold it’s value. It’s one of the reasons that Japanese cars lease better than American manufactured cars as a rule. A Golden Rule: The higher the residual the lower the payment

2. Monthly Depreciation Calculation–Net Cap Cost minus Residual divided by Term equals Monthly depreciation (NCC-R/T=M.D).
3. Monthly Lease or Interest Charge Calculation–Net Cap Cost plus Residual times multiplied by Money Factor (NCC+R x MF=MI)
4. Calculating Monthly Payment—Monthly Depreciation times Monthly Interest equals Monthly payment (MD + MI =MP)

 

A Lease Calculation Example

Lease factors

• 2014 Honda Accord EX
• MSRP: $26,470
• Negotiated Price: $24,243
• Down Payment: $0
• Term: 36 months
• Residual Percentage: 63%
• Money Factor: .00287 Convert for interest rate (MFx2400=A.P.R.) .00287x 2400 = 6.88%

***Calculation for a 2014 Honda Accord EX Automatic for 36 months with $0 Down payment. Keep in mind that $0 Down does not include the cost of taxes, registration and title fees. They be paid upfront or rolled into the Cap Cost and spread over the term of the lease.

Step 1: (MSRP x%=R) $26,470 x 67% =$17,735 is the Residual value or Buyback.

Step 2: (NCC-R/T=M.D) $24,243 – $17,735/36 =$180.78 Monthly depreciation.

Step 3: (NCC+R x MF=MI)$24,243 + $17,735 x .00287=$120.48 Monthly Interest.

Step 4: (MD + MI =MP) $$180.78 + $120.48 =$301.26 Monthly Payment.

Simple stuff that no one needs a financial or lease calculator to understand and compute. A regular calculator or a piece of paper with the necessary factor take all the guess work out of figuring out a lease. This information can save you thousands of dollars.

Lease Termination time:

Three options at lease termination:

• Surrender vehicle: They can walk away but normally they will have to pay a disposition fee that was pre-set at the time of the contract closing. At this time any excess wear and tear and mileage charges will be noted on the vehicle condition report and soon you will get a notice in the mail to pay these charges. Divide those charges into the term of the lease, add them to the payments and that will be your new cost basis on how much that car cost you to lease
• Buyback at Residual amount: You love the car and want to keep it, just write a check or get secondary financing for the amount owed as valued by the original residual value on the contract. Dealerships have the right and do exercise that right to charge an administration fee that can range from $250 to $1,000 to broker the car deal for you. The finance companies and manufacturers don’t hold a dealer license so they are forbidden by law so dealer’s do have the right to pay for their overhead and profit accordingly.
• Trade the car: Not always going to work but suppose you barely drove the car and the vehicle only has 5,000 miles on it when the residual was established using a 45,000 mile standard. Well, you probably have equity in the car meaning, you paid more monthly depreciation than the car actually depreciated. In some cases you may have some money going to your next vehicles cap cost reduction if that is the case. Always find out what your gross buyback option is compared to what the value of your car is, sometimes you will be surprised and it doesn’t cost anything to assess this information.
• Private Sale of the vehicle: Check the value of the vehicle in an appraisal guide such as Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds. If the value of your car exceeds the buyout amount, it may be worth your time and trouble, executing the buyout and selling the vehicle on the private market making the profit yourself. A family member may need a vehicle and you know the car’s history so it could be an excellent purchase for family or friend.

Best Ways to Save Money Financing a New or Used Car

4 Tips to Save You Thousands of Dollars on Your Next Auto Loan.

 

There are a lot of ways to finance a vehicle, whether it be a pre-owned car or a new truck. Whether you buy it from a dealer or in a private party sale. Finding the right finance source for you can save you thousands over the years that you finance it. The right loan paid on time and in full can also raise your credit score. Not all banks report your good behavior, some only report bad payers.

Ways to finance a new or pre-owned car

Conventional financing

Financing that is initiated by the dealer. Normally the dealer will take a generic credit application and then have an assistant fax it over to a few different lender’s to “shop” for the lowest rate. Let me clear they are shopping for the lowest rate they can buy financing for you. Don’t confuse that meaning they are shopping to get you that rate. They aren’t. Most banks allow a dealership to “mark-up” the finance rate anywhere ranging from 3-5% over the “buy” rate. That’s some serious money if you take out a $20k loan for 5 years. They will make thousands in commission and you will spend thousands extra. Best part is the dealership and the bank normally split the profit 60/40 or 70/30 so that friendly bank isn’t so friendly. Beware of conventional financing and Finance and Insurance guys at a dealership. They are the sharpest employees in the dealership and it is their sole function to extract more profit from you.

Credit Union

Normal procedure is for you to go to your credit union, tell them the car you want to buy. They will work out terms of a loan on an approximate amount borrowed and then you go to the dealership, find the car you want and the dealership faxes over a buyer’s order to the Credit Union. The Credit Union cuts a check to the dealer, adds in a lien fee for the dealer if they are doing the title work and it is a wrap. Very clean deal with no shenanigans. Some Credit Unions don’t report to Credit agencies so you may not get credit and raise your credit score. Make sure to check to see if they do or don’t report.

Subvented Financing at the dealership

If Honda or any auto manufacturer is running a special interest rate on a car, that rate is available only through the dealer so you will go through them to get that financing. It is a pretty straightforward procedure but these programs are normally for only the best credit worthy people. Make sure you have plan B if you are rejected. Lots of dealerships convert these rejections to conventional financing and make a ton of money selling them the interest rate as I described earlier.

Your Own Bank

Check to see what your own bank is offering for terms on a car loan. Talk to the loan officer and see if they can pre-approve you for a particular amount. Lock that offer in and then see what the dealer can do for you. Just like they make money on finance, it is also a tool for them to move a car off the lot. They submit a lot of applications and can sometimes get a lower rate than you can at your own bank. With all the terms presented, you can choose the best one for you.

 

Tips to Get You the Most Money for Your Trade-In Vehicle

Get the most money for your trade-in vehicle by follow these easy steps. Let a 25 year veteran of the automotive industry guide you to ways to save money and time. Don’t get robbed the next time you trade-in a vehicle.

 

It’s time to go to the car dealership and replace old reliable. Instead of the last adventure selling your car to a private buyer, you find yourself too busy for the hassle. Well, too busy can cost you money if you don’t prepare properly. I spent 25 years in the car business and I will teach you quick and simple ways to get the most value for your trade-in. Otherwise I guarantee you, a few days later you will feel like you got robbed by a guy with a pen and a smile.

 

Game ON!!

Can’t tell you how many times I appraised a vehicle that was filthy both inside and out. It was a distinct sign that the person was not a prepared buyer and I immediately alerted the sales podium that “the game was on.” Now, before you start getting all holier than thou, try to understand, we didn’t solicit them, they came to us, if they came unprepared, is that out fault? Certainly isn’t.

 

Clean the vehicle before going to the dealership

Clean the vehicle inside and out. Not only do you not show your cards as unprepared, but you immediately increase the curb appeal of the car. Ask any used car buyer why they bought the car they did, they will most generally say, “it was really clean and looked well maintained.” Sending the car to a professional detailer that charges you $80 for a full wash and wax will be the best money you can spend and more than likely to increase the trade-in value by at least $500. The appraiser will have one less thing to do and spend internal money on if they have to try and sell your trade-in down the road.

 

Get a ballpark figure on what your car is worth

There are plenty of free resources on the internet that offer virtual appraisals online. Some of them are: Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and Autotrader. Dealerships don’t use these sources for their appraisals but you can get a ballpark idea if you answer the questions about your car honestly. The biggest error most people make is describing the condition. Condition is subjective and people love their cars so they tend to look at that with a less than objective eye. Remember, these above sources are on the high side because they are click generated businesses that rely on people to visit and revisit. If they offer bad news, you will likely not return. They deliver the good news, not reality based.

 

Quick reminder on condition

• Excellent: 5% of vehicles. Looks brand new and no mechanical issues.
• Very Good : 25% of vehicles. Minor cosmetic issues but no mechanical problems.
• Good: 50% of all vehicles. Has minor cosmetic issues and no major mechanical problems.
• Fair : 15% of all vehicles. Requires both mechanical and cosmetic repair.
• Poor : 5% of all cars. It’s a wreck, don’t expect much more than 25% of the Good condition.

**Seasons Change–A convertible loses value in the winter. A 4×4 doesn’t do well in flat states and terrible when the summer arrives. Also dramatically loses all value when a spike in the national gas price.

 

How a dealership figures out a trade-in value

Dealerships as I said, don’t use the above sources for a car’s value. They use two sources generally, sometimes a third. Every used car manager carries two small books with them. They are called “Galves Used Vehicle Car Values.” They are dealer subscription based and published according to region and updated every 20 days or so. There is an edition for trucks and cars. They also publish them for motorcycles and anything else where as Dale Earnhardt once said, “Where rubber meets the road.”

 

Auction Market report

The second place a dealership will get their value is a car auction market report. This report is all the vehicles sold at a particular auction in a month’s time frame. Takes in for softer seasonal markets. This is the best value source for them if they have deemed your car an auction piece and they have no thought of retailing it in their used car lot. If they are going to bring the car to auction, they best be real close to the value of the car, or they will lose money at the auction easily. They are dealing with other car people there who know as much or more than they do about the secondary market.

 

The Wholesaler

The third source is a local wholesaler. Let’s face it, if your car has 150k miles, is 12 years old and has some issues, the dealer won’t bring it to auction and they won’t retail it on their lot, they will sell it top a local wholesaler. The dealer and the wholesaler work closely together and they expect each other to describe cars accurately and they are willing to offer a solid price to the dealer even before you have accepted the deal. The dealer has per-sold your car to them before you have even signed on the bottom line. That’s why in some cases, the appraisal process seems lengthy. As you can now see there is a lot going on behind the scenes.

 

Last few things that will give you more dollars in your pocket

 

Have title and lien release in possession–Dealership needs these things to expedite recouping their money on the trade-in value. No paperwork, it delays them getting whole which will cost you money cause they will make the necessary deductions approximating what the delay in time costs in dollars and you will be paying not them.

 

Separate negotiations

Avoid combining the buying of the new car and the trade-in into one negotiation, Negotiate both separately. Avoid and deny a trade-in until you have firmly established the bottom line on your purchase before introducing the trade-in. A nice way to do this is after you finish the deal. Just say politely with a smile, “You know, you guys were easy to deal with and I was going to sell the car privately, but if you can meet the price I found on Kelley Blue book I would gladly sell it to you.” The negotiations are open!

 

Sandbagged

The salesman knows he just got sandbagged but they will not blow up the deal for the trade. They generally will offer you a fair price and chalk it up to a smart consumer. Don’t worry the dealer has a ton of morons to make up any margin they lost.

 

Finally, check for a tax advantage for your trade-in in your state

In New York, a trade-in value is subtracted from the price of the car so, the net difference is taxable. That is a huge benefit to buyers and can be hundreds of dollars. A quick example: New Car is $25,000, trade-in is $10,000 that leaves a taxable difference of $15,000. That’s what is taxed, not the $25k. So in this case, you would save at 8% tax, $800 or 8 Benjamin Franklins. This is a good reason why a trade-in can sometimes trump the money made selling it privately since you don’t have the tax benefit of the trade-in.

 

 

Cost is More Important Than Price when Buying a New Car

Let a former car professional who has retailed thousands of cars and managed some of the largest car dealerships in the United States help you understand the difference between initial price of a vehicle and the cost of ownership. You will be surprised at the difference.  Sometimes, cheaper vehicles cost more over the life of ownership.

 

Cost of ownership is more important than initial price

Cost is most definitely more important than price and should be used when choosing a vehicle. Buying a vehicle we are focused on getting the best deal but we should also be looking at what the best cost is. Cost is the entire monies associated with ownership over the life of the vehicle ownership. It is normally never even considered when choosing a model and that can lead to thousands of wasted dollars.

What is cost of ownership and how is it determined

Here is a typical cost on a 2014 Honda Civic Sedan Ex Automatic

Cost per year: 1^st 2^nd 3^rd 4^th 5^th Total

• Depreciation $3,401 $1,751 $1,541 $1,365 $1,226 $9,284
• Taxes & Fees $1,597 $340 $303 $266 $231 $2,737
• Financing $744 $591 $433 $267 $96 $2,131
• Fuel $1,597 $1,645 $1,694 $1,745 $1,797 $8,478
• Insurance $2,904 $3,006 $3,111 $3,220 $3,332 $15,573
• Maintenance $172 $684 $373 $1,261 $1,220 $3,710
• Repairs $0 $0 $107 $259 $378 $744

Certain things to take into consideration in the above example:

• an estimate of insurance that is based on the median premium in Nevada for single over 25
  
• uses a national gas price figured at 50/50 highway and local driving at 15,000 miles per year.
  
• Taxes and fees assumes a 8% tax rate and DMV fees for registration in Nevada
  
• financing is with 10% down using a national finance rate of a person with above average credit at a term of 60 months

Figures don’t lie

• So, what does this all mean. Well the price of this civic is $22,000 and the cost to drive it over 5 years is $33,373 for a total of $55,373 plus the $2,000 down payment for a whopping total of $57,373.
• Now the vehicle has depreciated $9,284 so the car has a value of $22,000 minus $9,284 totals $12,716, which is a median price you should realize if you sell it based on normal wear and tear and good condition with no more than 75,000 miles on it.
• Subtracting the $12,716 from the total cost of 5 year ownership of $57,373 leaves us a net cost of $44,657 divided by 60 months of usage, that civic cost you $744.28 per month or $24.08 per day. Lots of money for basic transportation.

Summary

Now we will all have different numbers plus or minus a few bucks based on our driving habits, fuel expenses, finance rates, and insurance costs. But you starting to get the picture. Choosing the wrong car can cost you a fortune. Next article I will show you the wrong car to purchase even though the price looks attractive.

How to Get the Best Price on a New Vehicle

Let a former car professional who has retailed thousands of cars and ran some of the largest car dealerships in the United States help you avoid the pitfalls and traps when you purchase a new car.

 

Tips on how to get your best trade-in allowance

The old car just died, you knew this day was coming and put it off for as long as you could. It’s time to go and buy a shiny new car. Thrilled? Yeah right, about as much fun as going to the dentist. I would agree if you are unprepared, it will feel like torture and probably hurt your wallet as much as a trip to old painless Paul. But with some proper planning, research and due diligence, it can be a great trip, especially when you win. Nothing better than the new car smell and knowing you won the battle at the dealership.

 

“A battle is won before it is ever fought”

No truer words were ever spoken and this was said by Sun Tzu, a great warrior in 500 B.C. And he didn’t even drive a car. Proper homework for the battle at the car dealership starts on line with research. After you have narrowed down which car you are interested in purchasing. You can now do the research required to get the best deal.

Researching Incentives

First thing you need to find out are what incentives are on the car. They can be in form of rebate, owner loyalty programs, matching down payments because of miles or points accrued on credit cards. There are sometimes special lease price or subvened finance charges that can give you a 0% interest rate. There are military rebates, sometimes some fortune 500 companies, like General Electric, offer employee rebates for buying American cars. Hybrid and Electric cars have federal rebates and some states offer rebates as well on Eco-friendly cars. All of these rebates are programs with definite expiration dates so be aware of them as well.

Researching invoice price

Websites like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and Autotrader all offer manufacturer invoice pricing. These are legitimate prices that dealerships pay for their cars. Now before you get all huffy that the invoices are bogus and don’t reflect every dime a dealer pays. You are right there is some hidden money. They don’t include holdback, special stair step volume discounts dealers get for hitting volume plateaus, advertising money, and floor-plan costs, which is the amount of money it costs for the dealership to keep the car on the lot in inventory. But the invoice truly reflects what the dealership sales manager perceives as rock bottom. The General Manager and owner operate the business using different numbers but what should concern you is the sales manager as he or she will set the lowest price the dealer will accept.

Best Price strategies–There are a few strategies to use when negotiating.

• Work from invoice up, not M.S.R.P. Down.
• Work on a particular model in stock.
• Be flexible to a point of options and color.
• Understand that the dealer has a time frame for when this car needs to be off the lot, be flexible.
• Some cars are just plain high demand/high price vehicles and are hardly discounted if at all.
• Be friendly, Be fair and most of all don’t get personal, it’s business.
• Shop a few dealers before settling on the best price and most convenient location for you.
• Check your own bank or credit union for bank rates.
• Be aware that the dealer Finance and Insurance manager’s job is to sell you a warranty and other high margin vehicle options and mark-up the finance rate. Be wary of them.
• Take a friend with you. Dealerships can be intimidating so it is nice to have someone on your side
• Hold your cards close to your vest and don’t say, “Wow, I love that car.” That’s a bad move.

A new car should be a great time in anyone’s life. That new car feel and smell. The new gadgets to play with and the look on the neighbor’s face all make for the fun. Overpaying for a car is no one else’s fault but your own, so do your due diligence, do the research and hit the open roads with that brand new car and know you got a great deal.

 

How to Get the Best Price on a New Vehicle

Let a former car professional who has retailed thousands of cars and ran some of the largest car dealerships in the United States help you avoid the pitfalls and traps when you purchase a new car.

 

Tips on how to get your best trade-in allowance

 

The old car just died, you knew this day was coming and put it off for as long as you could. It’s time to go and buy a shiny new car. Thrilled? Yeah right, about as much fun as going to the dentist. I would agree if you are unprepared, it will feel like torture and probably hurt your wallet as much as a trip to old painless Paul. But with some proper planning, research and due diligence, it can be a great trip, especially when you win. Nothing better than the new car smell and knowing you won the battle at the dealership.
“A battle is won before it is ever fought”

No truer words were ever spoken and this was said by Sun Tzu, a great warrior in 500 B.C. And he didn’t even drive a car. Proper homework for the battle at the car dealership starts on line with research. After you have narrowed down which car you are interested in purchasing. You can now do the research required to get the best deal.

Researching Incentives

First thing you need to find out are what incentives are on the car. They can be in form of rebate, owner loyalty programs, matching down payments because of miles or points accrued on credit cards. There are sometimes special lease price or subvened finance charges that can give you a 0% interest rate. There are military rebates, sometimes some fortune 500 companies, like General Electric, offer employee rebates for buying American cars. Hybrid and Electric cars have federal rebates and some states offer rebates as well on Eco-friendly cars. All of these rebates are programs with definite expiration dates so be aware of them as well.

Researching invoice price

Websites like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and Autotrader all offer manufacturer invoice pricing. These are legitimate prices that dealerships pay for their cars. Now before you get all huffy that the invoices are bogus and don’t reflect every dime a dealer pays. You are right there is some hidden money. They don’t include holdback, special stair step volume discounts dealers get for hitting volume plateaus, advertising money, and floor-plan costs, which is the amount of money it costs for the dealership to keep the car on the lot in inventory. But the invoice truly reflects what the dealership sales manager perceives as rock bottom. The General Manager and owner operate the business using different numbers but what should concern you is the sales manager as he or she will set the lowest price the dealer will accept.

Best Price strategies–There are a few strategies to use when negotiating.

• Work from invoice up, not M.S.R.P. Down.
• Work on a particular model in stock.
• Be flexible to a point of options and color.
• Understand that the dealer has a time frame for when this car needs to be off the lot, be flexible.
• Some cars are just plain high demand/high price vehicles and are hardly discounted if at all.
• Be friendly, Be fair and most of all don’t get personal, it’s business.
• Shop a few dealers before settling on the best price and most convenient location for you.
• Check your own bank or credit union for bank rates.
• Be aware that the dealer Finance and Insurance manager’s job is to sell you a warranty and other high margin vehicle options and mark-up the finance rate. Be wary of them.
• Take a friend with you. Dealerships can be intimidating so it is nice to have someone on your side
• Hold your cards close to your vest and don’t say, “wow, I love that car.” That;s a bad move.

A new car should be a great time in anyone’s life. That new car feel and smell. The new gadgets to play with and the look on the neighbor’s face all make for the fun. Overpaying for a car is no one else’s fault but your own, so do your due diligence, do the research and hit the open roads with that brand new car and know you got a great deal.

 

 

Easy Ways to Increase Rental Income from a Property

A Guide to Maximize Rental Property Income

You have just closed on your next home but you haven’t sold your current house. What to do? Should you drop the price and hope for a fast sell? Should you hold tight and get the price that you know is a fair representation of the market. Should you get a new realtor? Should you sell it yourself? All options but the best might be to rent that house. Here are some easy ways to get more rental income. Simple things that require more time than money.

 

Paint the interior and a Thorough Cleaning

A neutral coat of fresh paint can be the exact thing a dreary room needs to convince a prospective renter. Clean bathroom and kitchen cabinets and counter tops. Bleach the shower/bathtub and make that toilet shine. People are very picky when it comes to hygiene and this is the most important area.

Replace inexpensive things in home

Replace any burned out light bulbs. Check the shower head for calcium buildup and replace. Easily find a high pressure water efficient head for under $10. Check all switches to make sure they are operating perfectly and clean the switch plates.

Heavy Duty Door locks, Deadbolts, security chains and peephole

If looking for a female tenant, security will be a very important factor for most women. All of the above are simple ways to dramatically enhance the security of a house. Most can be done easily and affordable by a homeowner and a prospective tenant will recognize the upgrades as a necessity when they are pointed out.

Hire a property manager

For some a property manager is invaluable. Their cost is a tax deductible expense and it saves the owner from getting involved in any part of the process. No advertising the premises, no collecting rent, no screening tenants, instant access to credit checks, etc., their fee is based on the amount of rent so you are pseudo partners with the same goals.

Run a credit check

Impressions can be deceiving. There is a reason the prospective tenant is renting and not owning and you need to find out. Run a credit check, include it as a cost on the rental application and don’t let anyone negotiate that away. Tell them it is non-negotiable and a term of the rental as well as a subsequent signing of any additional leases in the future. You will immediately know if they have ever been a part of an eviction proceeding or have a track record of civil lawsuits and judgements.
Check references

Get 5 references, hopefully one will be his last landlord. These references are extremely important as they show he is not a transient but has roots in the community. The time spent can save you thousands of dollars in unpaid rent, Marshall fees, court fees and aggravation if you rent to the wrong person and you need to evict.

Hire a Certified Public Accountant

A C.P.A. will be able to help you offset profits and losses made on a house. Complications are normal when you are a landlord. Taxes have to be calculated using complex formulas of depreciation, profits, losses, maintenance and expenses.

 

Treating a rental as a business is the mindset you need to be a profitable landlord. Most people fail as they don’t have a business plan and treat the rental as a hobby investment.