What to do before trading in your car
Wood floor installation dos and don’ts
What to know about floor-to-ceiling windows
How to conserve fuel (without giving
The principles of defensive
Did you know? - Gas
How to approach a basement
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are a vital component of many automobile transactions.
A recent report from the National Automobile Dealers Association revealed that 22 percent of all preowned vehicle sales included a trade-in.
Drivers want to get the most value they can for their trade-ins. Though some factors, like the age of the vehicle, are beyond drivers’ control, there are many steps drivers can take before trading in a car to maximize its value.
Do your homework. It’s never been easier to determine the value of a car prior to trading it in. Resources like NADA, Black Book and Kelley Blue Book can give drivers a good idea of what they will get for a given vehicle when trading it in. According to Kelley Blue Book, roughly 54 percent of trade-in vehicles qualify as “good condition,” so drivers should be realistic as they determine the value of their trade-in. A trade-in value that is designated for vehicles that qualify as “excellent” is likely unrealistic, though not impossible.
Hone your negotiation skills. Dealers may initially offer less than drivers expect, as they, too, will try to make the transaction as beneficial as possible to their bottom lines. In such situations, drivers who want to get a better trade-in value should be prepared to negotiate. Some dealerships may not budge on their initial trade-in values, but some might, and drivers prepared to negotiate a better value are in the best position to get a good deal.
Shop around for a deal. Trade-in values may not fluctuate wildly between dealerships, but they likely won’t be exactly the same, either. Patiently shopping around for the best deal for your trade-in can ensure you
get the best deal possible. Request all trade-in offers be made in writing, and don’t hesitate to take one offer to other dealers to see if they will match or exceed a competitor’s offer. Don’t discount working with less traditional sellers, such as online dealerships like CarMax.
Give the vehicle a thorough inspection. No matter what resources like Kelley Blue Book or NADA suggest, no car is going to get top dollar at trade-in if it doesn’t look good or run smoothly. Address any dings or dents, clean the interior and exterior of the vehicle and take the car to a mechanic to determine if there are any issues that should be addressed to improve trade-in value. Dealerships may want to examine the car prior to making a trade-in offer, so the car should be tended to prior to visiting a dealership. In addition, drivers who conduct their own inspections are in better position to negotiate should dealerships point to certain issues with the car.
Trade-ins are a big part of buying and selling cars. Drivers can look to various strategies to ensure they get a great deal on their trade-in.
“Streng th of your agency i s in the companies that the y keep”
features can sell a home in a heartbeat. A penthouse apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows and a panoramic view of a city skyline likely won’t prove a hard sell, nor will a home with an infinity pool overlooking a landscape of rolling hills. As awe-inspiring as such features can be, some more subtle components, such as authentic hardwood floors, also can do much to make a home more appealing to prospective buyers.
Hardwood flooring is a sought-after commodity. Data from the National Association of Realtors indicates that 54 percent of home buyers are willing to pay more for hardwood floors. In fact, NAR figures indicate that 28 percent of buyers between the ages of 35 and 54 consider hardwood floors “very important” when looking for a home. Homeowners who are considering selling their homes, or those who simply want to upgrade their existing flooring, may want to consider installing hardwood flooring. Though it’s a project best left to professionals, hardwood flooring can
be installed by skilled DIYers. In such instances, homeowners may want to keep these dos and don’ts in mind.
DO hire a professional if you have limited or no DIY flooring experience. Hardwood flooring installation is not generally a project for novice DIYers. Hardwood flooring projects may present some common challenges, but no two homes are the same. So unless they have prior experience installing floors in multiple rooms or homes, homeowners may save themselves time, trouble and a significant amount of money hiring a professional to do the job.
DON’T ignore the subfloor. New hardwoods won’t erase the problem of subfloors in poor condition. According to the home renovation experts at BobVila.com, squeaky floors could be an indication that the subfloor has begun to warp or twist. Sinking floors are another indicator of deteriorating subfloors. Subfloors should be somewhat level before new hardwoods are installed, so DIYers should inspect and address subfloor issues before
installing new flooring.
DO expose wood flooring to the elements in your home prior to installation. The home improvement resource BuildDirect recommends acclimating hardwoods to the space where they will be installed. Skipping this important step could result in gaps during the winter and cupping over the summer. To acclimate hardwoods, open the boxes and spread them out for about a week while running the
air conditioner or heater at normal levels. When storing hardwoods prior to installation, avoid keeping them in potentially moist areas like a basement.
DON’T skimp on tools. A DIY hardwood flooring installation might be less expensive than hiring a professional, but homeowners should resist any temptation to increase those savings further by purchasing less costly tools or fewer tools than is necessary to complete the job. BuildDirect notes that DIYers will need at least a miter saw, table saw, cleat-nailer or stapler, finish nailer, compressor, jamb saw, chalk line, nail set, and tape measurer when installing hardwood floors. Purchase all necessary tools and read product reviews to ensure each tool is up to the task.
Wood floors can be awe-inspiring. Some homeowners can install such flooring on their own, and the project can be much easier if they learn as much about installation as possible prior to beginning the project.
Modernhomes showcase many dazzling features, but perhaps none draw as much as instant attention as floor-to-ceiling windows. Often seen in high-rise apartments that boast panoramic city views, floorto-ceiling windows also are right at home in single-family dwellings.
Homeowners considering floor-toceiling windows may have lots of questions. The following rundown can provide some basic information that can help homeowners decide if floor-to-ceiling windows are right for their homes.
Cost is often the primary consideration when mulling a home renovation, and that’s even more significant as the world confronts the rising costs associated with inflation. The cost of installing floor-to-ceiling windows depends on a host of variables, including how many windows will be needed and where homeowners live. According to Modernize®, a service that facilitates connections between renovation-minded homeowners and local contractors, a floor-toceiling window wall costs somewhere between $700 to $1,600 per linear
foot. Framing and glazing will add to those costs. Homeowners considering floor-to-ceiling windows are urged to receive several estimates for the project prior to choosing a contractor.
One of the more appealing aspects of floor-to-ceiling windows is all the natural light they allow in. Of course, all that light also can drive up energy costs on sunny summer days. One way around that is to install energy efficient windows. Such windows
Defensivedriving can prevent accidents and save lives. Defensive driving also could save drivers money on car insurance. With so much to gain from driving defensively, a refresher on the principles of defensive driving could benefit drivers of all ages.
What is defensive driving?
Drivers undoubtedly have heard the term “defensive driving,” but may not fully understand what it means. In the simplest sense, defensive driving is an approach to driving that focuses on anticipating and reacting to potential hazards when behind the wheel. Defensive drivers apply various skills and techniques to defend against potential accidents caused by reckless drivers.
Who can benefit from defensive driving?
Anyone can benefit from a defensive driving course. New drivers may benefit the most because it gives them a strong foundation for safe driving. A defensive driving course also
Gasprices have been historically high in 2022. According to the fuel price comparison site GasBuddy.com, as of June 2022, the least expensive state for regular gas was Georgia, at $4.43 a gallon. The most expensive was California, where drivers could expect to pay about $6.34 per gallon. During June, which marks the beginning of the summer travel season in many areas, fuel costs in most part of the United States averaged around $5 per gallon.
With prices so high, many drivers have been looking for any way to save money at the pump. Some may have cut back on driving habits while others might have organized community carpools. Others may have taken to other modes of transportation. For
those who have no option but to drive their vehicles, there are ways to reduce fuel consumption without resorting to walking or cycling.
How much weight is being carted around in a vehicle can directly affect the amount of gas it consumes. Remove any unnecessary items from the trunk or cargo area of a truck or SUV. Consider removing extra accessories, like roof racks or hitches.
Resist the urge to “gun it” when coming off a stop light or stop sign, as rapid acceleration wastes gas. Press the accelerator pedal gently to increase speeds gradually and conserve fuel. Similarly, coast to a stop, rather than slamming on the brakes.
Turn off the engine if you will be idling for more than a minute. Idling for longer than that is merely wasting fuel. Modern engines do not need to be warmed up for more than 30 to 60 seconds, even when the weather is cold. Driving will warm up the car faster than idling while parked, provided you drive moderately until the temperature gauge shows the car has reached the right temperature.
Historically high fuel prices will undoubtedly prove to be one of the defining stories of 2022. As the average price for a gallon of gas reached heights drivers might never have imagined as recently as February 2022, some might have wondered just how much that same gallon might have cost roughly 100 years ago.
According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, the average price for a gallon of gas in 1929 was 21 cents. Inflation calculators indicate that 21 cents in 1929 would have about the same purchasing power as $3.59 has in 2022, suggesting that drivers had a far less painful trip to the pump in 1929 than they have had for much of 2022.
While it’s true that the air conditioning will drain fuel when in use, driving with the windows open makes the vehicle less aerodynamic by causing drag. Some experts recommended leaving the windows down during slower, city driving and using the AC for higher speeds on the highway.
Keep tires properly inflated
Poorly inflated tires can make a vehicle less efficient by causing more friction between tire and roadway.
Check the PSI rating for the tires and inflate accordingly. Many modern vehicles automatically alert drivers when tires are low on air.
Drive a consistent speed
When driving on the highway, switch to cruise control to maintain a consistent speed. Driving steady reduces drag, which in turn reduces fuel consumption.
Stick to a maintenance schedule
Maintaining your vehicle by getting routine oil changes, fluid checks and other simple maintenance helps a car or truck run properly, and that can help conserve fuel.
These are just a few strategies drivers can employ to conserve fuel in the face of historically high gas prices.
Afully finished and functional basement is a dream for many homeowners. Such a space, when completed, can serve as an entertainment space, a man cave, an artist’s studio, or any number of additional functions.
Despite their usefulness, finished basements are something of a rarity. In an analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, the National Association of Home Builders® found that only around 24 percent of single-family homes built in 2018 have basements. Homeowners who do not currently have a finished basement but are considering such a project can approach the remodel with a few key factors in mind. Careful consideration of these factors can ensure the project is budget-friendly and worthy of homeowners’ investments.
Investment value: Conventional wisdom among home renovation and real estate experts suggests that a basement remodel is best if done to satisfy current inhabitants and not necessarily to appeal to prospective buyers once the home is put up for sale. Remodeling magazine
reports that a midrange basement remodel costing around $70,000 will provide a return of around $49,000 (or 70 percent) at resale. Though that’s not a poor return on investment, homeowners who are remodeling a basement solely for the potential ROI at resale can find other projects that provide a greater return.
Foundation: The foundation of the home must garner ample consideration before beginning a basement remodel. Certain foundation issues, such as soft concrete, cracked or curved outside walls and cracks in the flooring, are indicative of significant issues with the foundation. These issues can be costly to address, and they must be remedied before the basement remodel can begin.
Existing space: Some homeowners may have bought their homes with partially finished basements or even finished areas that they simply want to
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include extra insulation to prevent cool air from escaping the home on summer days, which can reduce the need to lower the thermostat on your air conditioning. A wall of glass also can provide less insulation against the cold. The extra insulation in energy efficient windows also helps keep warm air from escaping a home in the winter. Energy efficient windows may cost more than less efficient alternatives. However, over the long
remodel. In such instances, a preremodel inspection from a licensed home inspector can save homeowners lots of money and heartache over the long haul. Partially finished or even aging finished basements might not have been renovated in adherence to codes, which could lead to costly violations down the road. An inspection in advance of a remodel can give homeowners an idea of what they will need to do to bring the basement up to code. Local officials also can provide a list of necessary permits and a detailed description of requirements to ensure the remodeled basement adheres to code.
Soil: Soil surrounding the home should be tested prior to beginning the project. Radon is an odorless gas found in soil that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes can increase individuals’ risk for lung cancer. Radon can seep into basements and increase that risk even further if it is present at elevated levels in the soil surrounding a home. Radon tests are simple and inexpensive, and no basement remodel project should begin without first conducting such a test.
Finished basements are valuable spaces. Homeowners who want to finish or remodel their basements should consider a host of factors before beginning the renovation.
haul, a wall of less efficient floor-toceiling windows will likely cost more due to excess energy consumption.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the view floor-to-ceiling windows provide, especially in homes surrounded by serene natural settings like woods or properties that abut waterways. But that view outward also provides a view in, potentially compromising privacy. All that extra exposure to sunlight also can cause fabrics to fade over time. Floor-to-ceiling blinds and shades
can protect homeowners’ privacy and reduce fading on furniture, but this extra feature will add to the final cost of the project. Smart window tinting is another way to improve privacy and reduce fading, but this feature also will drive up the cost.
Floor-to-ceiling windows can be aweinspiring. Homeowners considering such windows for their homes are urged to do their homework to ensure their homes are well-suited to this unique feature.
The industry standard regarding when to get an oil change used to be every 3,000 miles. However, with modern lubricants, most engines can now go between 5,000 and 7,500 miles before oil should be changed. And AAA reports that engines that require full-synthetic motor oil actually may be able to go as far as 15,000 miles between oil changes. Most latemodel cars now require syntheticblend or full-synthetic, low-viscosity oils. These oils minimize friction and maximize fuel economy. In addition, newer cars are designed with monitoring systems that automatically determine oil life. While earlier systems were timeand mileage-based, advanced systems will analyze vehicle operating conditions to determine when oil begins to degrade.
may help drivers remove tickets from their driving record or remove points from a license for first-time offenders, indicates DefensiveDriving.org. Defensive driving courses also may help prevent high insurance premiums or rate hikes following a ticket or accident.
The principles of defensive driving Defensive driving courses differ, but the following are some of the basic principles of driving defensively.
Be alert to surroundings. This is one of the most important aspects of defensive driving. Paying attention to the road and avoiding distractions prevents accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says removing one’s eyes from the road for five seconds while driving 55 miles per hour is like driving the
length of a football field with your eyes closed. Drivers should scan the horizon, check blind spots and know what’s going on around their vehicles.
Employ the three-second rule. Leave sufficient distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. A driver should pass a stationary object on the side of the road no earlier than three seconds after the vehicle driving ahead of them has passed it.
Don’t drive impaired. Drugs, alcohol and fatigue can adversely affect performance behind the wheel. Precise movements, fast-thinking and focus are adversely affected when driving tired or under the influence.
Leave yourself an out. Figure out a way to avoid collisions at all times while driving. This includes not being boxed in by other drivers or barriers. This can be achieved by leaving significant distance between your
vehicle and the one in front of you, by obeying the speed limit and ensuring there’s a lane to move into that’s free and clear.
Avoid bad drivers. Steer clear of drivers who are acting recklessly, and give them a wide berth. Move over, slow down and keep an eye on these drivers to avoid a collision. Similarly, move over for tailgaters and avoid succumbing to road rage.
Be courteous and follow the rules. Respect the rules of the road that you learned in drivers’ education classes. This includes wearing a seat belt, obeying the speed limit, slowing down for bad weather, and giving over the right of way to a reckless driver if it means staying safe.
Defensive driving is a strategy that can help reduce accidents and save lives.
