Consumer
how
To GuIDe
2014
2 • Consumer Guide • 2014
‘How-To’
Choose a Bank
M
any consumers spend an inordinate amount of time considering other financial transactions, but they rarely put so much effort into their choice of banks. Banking services can influence a wide range of financial matters, and there are several details to consider when choosing a commercial bank. Interest Rate and Fees The true value of a bank account can be found in its interest rates. Each bank has a slightly different interest rate for savings accounts, although most will adjust these rates based on the federal funds rate. Differences in interest rates may seem insignificant, but they can result in big changes when large deposits are concerned. Banks services also usually involve fees and penalties for certain transactions. A checking account might restrict the number of checks you are allowed to write per month before you pay a fee, or you might be required to maintain a minimum balance in your savings account. Every bank has its own policies, and these should always be taken into account by anyone who is choosing a bank. Convenience Convenience is another factor to consider when choosing a bank. Try to find one that has plenty of convenient branch locations not just close to where you live, but wherever you might travel on a regular basis. It’s more difficult to conduct financial matters on the road if you’re using a local or regional bank. The important thing is your bank is accessible when you need it. There will most likely come a time when you have to stop at a bank on your way home from work or make a mad dash to deposit a check before a bank closes. Having a convenient location (or several convenient locations) will make your life much easier.
Overdraft Protection As much as you try to avoid it, the occasional overdraft happens to nearly everyone. Each bank has specific policies regarding overdrafts. Some offer overdraft protection in the form of a high interest credit line that kicks in when you bounce a check, while other banks charge a fee for each overdraft. Some banks don’t cover bounced checks at all. Consider the policies of your potential banks of choice before you come to a final decision. Bank Stability Stability is often an overlooked element of commercial banking. When you deposit money into a bank, it is important to consider the solvency of the bank’s balance sheet. Most funds held on deposit are invested by the bank under a fractional reserve banking system, and a bank with a clean balance sheet can best weather the turbulence caused by market corrections. Most banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for up to $250,000 per depositor. This value can vary depending on the type and number of accounts held by a customer. Your money should be safe in any bank, but failures can occur. A solid bank should have limited exposure to toxic assets that put its balance sheet at risk.
Every bank has its own policies, and these should always be taken into account by anyone who is choosing a bank.
Services You Need Banks offer a wide range of services. Whether you need to take out a loan or open a checking account, choose a bank that satisfies your concerns with lost cost and high return rate. Careful and vigilant shoppers can expect positive experiences with a trustworthy commercial bank.
LDP-2545-14FMBConsumerGuide_Layout 1 8/19/14 4:15 PM Page 1
Consumer Guide • 2014 • 3
Combining the latest in today’s technology with…
Hometown banking.
24 hour Internet Banking
FMB is proud to provide new services for Bulloch County that allow quick and convenient banking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! AnyTime Plus - our newest ATM machine has advanced technology that allows you complete access to your accounts. Get up-to-date balances, check transactions, and deposit checks or cash at your convenience. Internet Banking - gives you complete access to your account information from your personal computer. AnyWhere Plus - our new mobile banking technology allows you to access your accounts via your mobile phone to check balances, pay bills, transfer funds and deposit checks. FMB is committed to make banking more convenient because at FMB…You Matter to Us!
201 N. Main Street Statesboro, GA 30458
www.fmbnk.com
912-489-2600 NMLS#498426 LDP-2545-14
Serving
4 • Consumer Guide • 2014
Local People
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darlEnE H arvillE
dr. GlEnn bailEy
bird HodGEs
GrEG Frost
wE
arE proud to oFFEr tHE FollowinG providEr bEnEFits to EvEry Family wE sErvE :
bErEavEmEnt travEl • national transFErability • GriEF m anaGEmEnt library diGnity GuidanCE sEriEs • CHild /GrandCHild protECtions pErsonal planninG GuidE • vEtErans planninG GuidE
175 years of service ~ here for your time of need
22757 Hwy 80 East • statEsboro, Ga 30458 Call: 764-5683 • Fax : 489-3126
Consumer Guide • 2014 • 5
‘How-To’
Choose a funeral home
W
hen a death occurs, it often happens unexpectedly. Many decisions have to be made in a short period of time leaving families feeling overwhelmed. Often, these decisions must be made when a family is grieving and unprepared. That’s why it’s important to consider preplanning your funeral or cremation service. Many people have done everything they can to protect their families from various events that may happen through purchasing such things as fire or theft insurance; but the one inevitable event often goes ignored. Preplanning will help protect your family from some emotional and financial burden that often occurs after the loss of a loved one. Preplanning your funeral or cremation service will make life much easier for those who will have to handle your affairs. Preplanning gives you the opportunity to become informed about your options and the various costs in an unpressured environment; you will have time to think things through. You’re in full control and can select and specify funeral or cremation services that truly have meaning to you and your family. Preplanning benefits your survivors the most. When a funeral or cremation service is not preplanned, someone who many not be aware of your wishes will have to make all the decisions. Unfortunately, they are often clouded by grief and other emotions. Preplanning gives you the opportunity to discuss your wishes and involve those who will be most affected by your death. More importantly, knowing your wishes will be carried out will bring comfort,
The total cost can easily run over $10,000, with the casket alone making up over half of the sum. peace of mind and relief to surviving family members and friends. When you preplan your funeral or cremation service, you can make decisions that are right for you and your family. Consider the following questions when making your decision: • Would you like a traditional or a simple, less elaborate service? • Do you prefer cremation or burial? • Would you like the service in a funeral home chapel or a place of worship? • Will it be a private family service or open to all? • What type of casket or cremation container would you prefer? • If cremation is your choice, would you like to rent a casket? • Will the casket be open or closed? • Will there be visitation for family and friends
or a private family gathering? • How much would you like to pay for your services? • What type of permanent memorial would you prefer?
All these are very personal decisions only you can decide. What is important is the funeral or cremation service is personalized to reflect your wishes and brings comfort to your family and friends. Like any event — such as a wedding, birthday or anniversary — a funeral or cremation service gives your family and friends time to support each other, to share memories and an opportunity to celebrate your life. And today, no two ceremonies are alike. Photographs, favorite music, special readings and the involvement of family members and friends are all appropriate and encouraged. Preplanning your funeral or cremation service also makes financial sense. When you preplan your funeral or cremation service you benefit from purchasing at today’s prices, free from inflationary pressures of the future. Once you have determined the costs, you can make an objective decision regarding affordability. You may decide to spend less or more, but the decision remains yours. Preplanning also enables you to purchase the services you select in a planned and managed fashion. It helps keep your financial commitment at a comfortable level, while eliminating the financial burden placed on your surviving family members. Preplanning your funeral or cremation service is a decision only you can make. But it’s a decision that will affect all the people you love most.
6 • Consumer Guide • 2014
‘How-To’
Choose a furniture store
G
ood health and sleep are closely linked. Just as we improve our eating habits for better health, we should also improve our sleep habits for better health. Sleep debt is a costly problem in our society, both fiscally and physically. Four out of every five people suffer from back pain and studies show we are not as productive or safe when we do not get enough rest. Back pains come as a close second to the common cold as the most frequent cause of lost work time. Sleep should be a priority and not just a negotiable need that is determined by our busy schedules. Good sleep not only lessens costly back problems but helps to prepare us for a more productive, alert and safe day ahead. Poor sleep and back problems are like the chicken and the egg theory. Which came first? Are backaches the cause of lack of sleep or does lack of sleep cause back problems? Both may be helped with the right mattress. The lower back or lumbar region is the most common area for back pain because it bears the wear and tear of bending, stooping, sitting and lifting. A good mattress supports the back and allows the muscles to rest and rejuvenate during sleep. Poor sleep does not allow this to happen, nor does a poor sleep surface. Experts recommend mattresses that offer superior support without being too hard. The bottom line is: The right mattress is very important to our overall health.
the biggest mattress myth The old adage “hard is better” is truly a myth. No single sleep surface is right for everyone. Therefore a store that carries a varied selection of comfort levels made by the top “S” brand mattress manufacturers, is the place to start. Such variables as body temperature, sleep position, and
lighting should be taken into account. Mattresses come in plus, pillow-top, ultra plush, ultra plush pillow-top, firm and cushion firm. And all these comfor levels are just that - comfort levels. It si different from support level. Support level has to do with the coil count and coil construction. The proper support may be achieved in all of the different comfort levels. Depending on whether you are a stomach, side or back sleeper (or a combination) will determine the cofort level you will sleep better and long on. And that is the goal. Although there are some exceptions to the rule, a good coil count number to keep in mind for proper support is a follows: Twin, 420 or higher; full,m 600 or highter; queen, 736 or hight, king, 930 or higher. THe qauality of fabric and different foams used should also be taken into consideration. It is important to find a mattress with edgegauard because it gives you more mattress surface to acturally sleep on. You might as well use all of it since you are paying for all of it! Everyone has natural curves in their back Usually the harder the surface the more the back has to drop out of alighment to meet the mattress. The optimal mattress has enough padding to support your back without allowing it to drop out of its natural alighment. A plush mattress with good support will do just that. VALUE Most people sleep about one-third of their life. What else do you do for that amount of time that affects the other two-thirds of your life? We think nothing of spending $300 to $400 on a VCR that comes with a one-year warranty and that, if you are lucky, will last five years. But many people think it is appalling to spend $600 to $700 on a new queen mattress that comes with a 10-year non-prorated warranty and will easily last 10
years. This same mattress, if picked properly, will give you many nights of great sleep and ultimately better productive days, too. Many will pay up to 40 percent more for a new car than they did a decade ago, yet the same person expects to pay the $299.99 prices of a decade ago when it comes to buying a new mattress. Value is relative, but when you think of using an item everyday, 365 days a year for 10 years, a good quality mattress for say $700 is costing you a little less than 22 cents per day. Shopping for the best value doesn’t mean finding the lowest price. Bargain bedding is no bargain when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. Are you the type of person who will spend $150 on running shoes that you wear three or four times a week but is only willing to spend $330 on a mattress that you sleep on eight hours a night for 10 years? There have been many advancements in mattress manufacturing. Many are designed by orthopedic doctors with the proper support and great comfort levels to keep you properly aligned all night. Mattresses have many price points to meet everyone’s pocket book. Bottom line: If you aren’t satisfied with your current bedding and sleep comfort, there is a proper support mattress out there for you in your price range. And remember: How you sleep at night generally determines how you will feel for the rest of the day.
Come see Craig Deal, “The Deal Maker”, (owner of Deal’s Furniture & Mattress Outlet, (the ‘Boro’s best mattress store) for all your mattress needs!
Consumer Guide • 2014 • 7
Deal’s Furniture, Mattress Outlet & GiFts
Hwy. 67 at Fairground, Statesboro
(912) 681-3824
64 East Main Street, Statesboro
(912) 243-9999
8 • Consumer Guide • 2014
‘How-To’
Choose a gastroenterologist
P
Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases, from liver problems to stomach ulcers and pancreatic or colon cancer. The common denominator is that all of the diseases affect either the liver or the digestive tract. As with other physicians, patients looking for a Gastroenterologist most often base their choice on the Gastroenterologist’s reputation in the community. Indeed, reputation is an important indicator of the physician’s ability to communicate well with patients and other physicians, and to some degree his/her patients’ outcomes. Reputation can also be a function of a physician’s bedside manner. In the past few years, however, many procedure-based specialties are incorporating more specific measures of quality and performance that are available to patients if they only know to ask. The soon-tobe mandatory incorporation of quality metrics is one of the lesser known positive changes in our country’s healthcare system. For example, a patient looking for a Gastroenterologist to perform screening colonoscopy can now ask (and should) two very important questions of the physician who would perform it: what is your “adenoma detection rate?”, and “how many colonoscopies did you do last year?” Precancerous polyps are expected in 25% of men and 15% of women who undergo screening colonoscopy. Colonoscopy by a physician whose rate of detection falls below these numbers can double the risk that a patient will develop colon cancer before subsequent colonoscopy. And, as with any procedure or surgery, physicians who perform more of them have better outcomes. Studies show that physicians who perform less than 125 colonoscopies a year often do not achieve current
quality standards. A typical gastroenterologist performs over 1,000 colonoscopies per year. Availability of technology is another important determinant of a Gastroenterologist’s ability to perform. For a town of Statesboro’s size we have remarkable technology. Last month East Georgia Regional Medical Center installed highdefinition endoscopy equipment (which has been shown to improve adenoma detection) and for two years we have had endoscopic ultrasound. Patients are surprised to learn that we are able to do things here that are not available in Savannah. In 2014, patients should no longer rely solely on physicians’ reputations to choose who they will see. It is more like buying a car, or a stock. Performance data, available technology, and quality of support services should be considered.
Questions to consider when choosing a gastroenterologists • Do you want a doctor who is close to home or work? • Are you more comfortable with a male of female doctor? • Do you have any language requirements? • Does the doctor accept your health insurance? • Do you want a doctor who special.izes in a certain type of medicine?
Consumer Guide • 2014 • 9
For appointments call Office: 912.486.1600 Fax: 912.681.4184 East Georgia Regional Medical Office Building, Suite 102 Statesboro, GA 30458
10 • Consumer Guide • 2014
‘How-To’
Choose a Diamond
C
ould you buy a car without taking it for a test drive? Would you buy a house without taking a tour? The diamond buying process is similar and deserves the same “hands-on” approach. Finding the perfect diamond should be a personal experience between the shopper and a reputable gemologist. Numerous diamond guides are available for the cyber shopper, but buyers beware: not all information online comes from accurate sources. Diamond buying can be confusing and frustrating, especially in this cyber age. Consult these diamond industry web sites for more information: Gemological Institute of America. (http://www.gia. org) and American Gem Society (httpalwww.ags.org). A shopper who buys a wholesale diamond online through a faceless, impersonal site may save some money but they forfeit the benefits of developing a personal relationship with their jeweler. Furthermore, they often find the qualities of the diamond are grossly misrepresented. Buyers should consider these questions: will the online jeweler personally assist in your future jewelry buying needs, and more importantly, will the company be there in the future if you experience a problem with the ring? Choose a jeweler who has been a long-standing, honest member of your community. Become acquainted with the jeweler who can assist your future purchases instead of making a one-time sale. What does a buyer need to know before shopping for a diamond? A prospective buyer should have a general ideal of what they want before they enter the store. A car shopper might tell the dealer, “I am looking for a newer model foreign sedan, in black, with cruise control, leather interior and a sunroof.” These details narrow the options and speed up
the decision process. A diamond has similar specifications. A jeweler can guide you to the exact diamonds that match your preferences if you provide exact details, such as, “I am looking for a I-carat round brilliant cut stone mounted in platinum.” Diamond quality is measured by these criteria: Color: refers to the amount of body color in a diamond. Color grades range from “D” (colorless/ white) to “Z” (yellow) and into the intense yellow colors. The Gemological Institute of America’s grading scale lists “D” as the finest white; stones of this grade are very rare.
Diamonds with grades “E” through “I” are also high quality white colors and appear white in a white gold or platinum setting. Grade “T’ is a stone with more yellowish color, and the intensity of the stone’s color corresponds to the alphabet letters. Diamonds can also show other colors such as brown, silver, and grey, as well as blue, pink, green, and red colors. A diamond’s quality is determined by the lack of color, since color is the first to catch the viewer’s eye. Clarity: refers to the amount of natural inclusions in a diamond. Inclusions occur naturally in diamonds. Some appear as chips, feathers, tiny crystals inside the diamond, or fractures on the edge. Often the
inclusions have little effect on the diamond’s beauty or durability; however, heavily included diamonds will not reflect light as well and may appear cloudy. Some inclusions may appear dark or black to the naked eye. Clarity grades range from “FL” (flawless under l Ox magnification) to “I-3” (inclusions visible to the naked eye). “I-1” clarity is the first grade where inclusions are visible without magnification. The best buys in diamonds are found in the mid-clarity ranges (“VS” ‘ to “SP) where the inclusions are present but are not visible and do not diminish the diamond’s beauty and durability. Terms such as “VS” (very slight or very small), “S1” (slight or small inclusions) refer to the number of imperfections that determine clarity. Cut: refers to the angles and proportions of the diamond A diamond’s cut affects the amount of light that enters the stone, reflects inside it and returns to the viewer’s eye as sparkling brilliance. The angles of the pavilion are critical for light return. Brilliance is lost if the angles are too shallow or too deep. A diamond with a lower grade cut may appear cloudy and dark. The facets on the top or crown of the stone break white light into the spectral colors and produce the “chandelier” effect. The angles of the crown must be good to give the viewer the maximum sparkle and produce the variety of colors (blue, green, yellow, red, and violet shades) that are very special diamond traits. What does a buyer need to know before shopping for a diamond? Diamonds are an investment item and should be insured, just like a house or a car. A reputable jeweler provides the buyer with certificates and detailed information about the stone for insurance evaluation purposes. A diamond investment pays emotional dividends to the wearer.
Consumer Guide • 2014 • 11
12 • Consumer Guide • 2014
‘How-To’
Choose a pharmacy
i
f you’re like most people, you didn’t choose a pharmacist, you chose a pharmacy for your medication needs. Your pharmacist is a very important part of your health care team and should be chosen carefully. In between doctor visits, your pharmacist can be an important resource for you. This is especially true if you are using multiple medications or need help with products such as blood glucose meters, asthma inhalers, or other special care items. Some key questions to ask when choosing a pharmacist include: - Does the pharmacist take time to answer your questions in a manner that you understand? - Does the pharmacist tell you about each new medication and explain such things as how and when to take the medication and what you can and cannot take with it?
- Does the pharmacist have any special training in disease management, such as a certified asthma counselor? - Does the pharmacist show concern for you and your family? - Does the pharmacist recommend vitamins or supplements to take or tell you which ones you should NOT take with your prescriptions? If your current pharmacist doesn’t meet your needs or doesn’t take the necessary time to make sure that you understand your medications, visit other pharmacies and ask if the pharmacist has any special certifications or training. Find out if the pharmacy has any special services that they can offer you such as demonstrating a new inhaler. See if you can find a pharmacist that is easy to talk to, yet shows concern and is able to explain what you need to know as a consumer of both prescription medications and vitamin supplements. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A PHARMACY Where your family pharmacist works should also be an important consideration when deciding where your medication needs are going to take place. Most people taking medications visit a pharmacy monthly and should consider several factors when choosing which pharmacy to patronize. Convenience is an important issue with all of the time pressures that people feel these days. The pharmacy should be in a convenient location with convenient parking nearby. If you are unable to get to the pharmacy, the pharmacy should make sure that your prescriptions are mailed to your home or delivered to your home or work. Having the ability to open a charge account or have a credit card kept on file for charging prescriptions is a convenient feature, especially when you are on a trip or someone else is picking up the prescription for you. The pharmacy may offer any special services that set them apart from the other pharmacies. You might be interested in special packaging to make it easier to remember to take your medications. If you have diabetes, finding a pharmacy that can demonstrate several glucose monitors to find which one works
The right pharmacy may offer special services that set them apart from the other pharmacies. best for you can make testing your blood sugar easier. Some pharmacies also have the ability to “download” the readings off of your diabetes monitor and print them out for you. This will help both you and your doctor control your diabetes. Ask if the pharmacy can measure your “Alc” level to check your long-term glucose control. Look for a pharmacy that offers a private counseling area so you can ask personal questions without being overheard. Other conveniences that should be taken into account include a toll-free phone number to use if you live out-of-town or are on vacation. Ordering refills over the Internet is something new that many progressive pharmacies now offer. Many times, you can also look up health information on the pharmacies’ web sites as well. It’s a good idea to get all of your prescriptions filled at a single pharmacy. The pharmacy keeps a complete medication profile on you. These profiles record all medications that you are taking, health problems, and drug allergies that you have told your pharmacist about. By going to one pharmacy, your pharmacist will be able to continuously update your patient profile - making sure all the information is accurate. This will help avoid problems that occur when some medications are mixed. With a little effort, you should be able to find a pharmacy that will be your partner in your goal living a healthful life.
Consumer Guide • 2014 • 13
T GREVA ICE! SER
GREAT
SAVING
S!
The Place For All Your Prescription Needs! Locally Owned/Operated
Fast, Friendly Service
Full Service Pharmacy
Flu & Shingles Vaccines
Convenient Drive-Thru
On-Line Refills
Free Local Delivery
Compounding Pharmacy
Treating Your Family...Like Family! 23630 A Hwy 80 East • Statesboro • 912-764-2223 Monday-Friday 9am-6:30pm & Saturday 9am-1pm • mccookspharmacy.com
14 • Consumer Guide • 2014
COME SEE THE DIFFERENCE! • Grades Pre-K4 through 12th • College Preparatory Curriculum • SACS/SAIS Accredited • Small-School Environment • Exceptional Athletic Programs
• Christian Principles & Atmosphere • Average Size of 17 Students per Class • SAT & ACT Scores Consistently Above Local, State, and National Averages • C.A.M.P.S., A.I.M. and Much More
www.bullochacademy.com 873 Westside Rd. • Statesboro, GA Phone: 912-764-6297 Fax: 912-764-3165
Consumer Guide • 2014 • 15
‘How-To’
Choose a private school
C
hoosing the right private school for your child may sound like a daunting task. It is indeed an important choice, but don’t let it overwhelm you. If you are anxious, then your child may
become anxious. Consider the following tips as you begin this process.
First Steps First, observe your child for a day or two. This may seem odd, but as you make your way through this search you will see how important this first step is. You will want to ask yourself what your child’s natural gifts are. What are her strengths and weaknesses? Are you interested in having the weaknesses addressed by a private school? What are his interests or talents? Do you want those nurtured? Secondly, make a general mental list of the things your ideal school would offer. Do you plan on having your child attend a local day school or are you open to an overnight school, (often referred to as a boarding school)? Maybe you will come to love a certain school that is just far enough away that it doesn’t work with your own tight schedule, but with the right transportation options, it still might be a match for your family. Don’t rule anything out at this point. Look Online You may want to peruse the Internet, but be cautious that websites can sometimes be misleading. Most school sites have information such as admission and values statements as well as policy summaries. You also want to look at the photo galleries
and video/virtual tours. This can give you some idea of what to expect on the campus; but again, photos can be misleading. Nothing replaces the experience of a real-life tour. Depending on how far away the school is, you should check out the transportation options. You will want to know what your choices are in case you find a school you are really interested in that may make it tough to fit transportation into your schedule. At this point, you should make the long list of schools. It should include every school you and your child think should be in the running. Even if it has, for example, only two main positives, they may be really important positives. Get More Details Once you have your long list compiled, go through each school name and ask yourself what questions still need to be answered. You may want to call schools for which you have questions. Pay attention to how you are treated by the staff members. Are they friendly and helpful? Are your questions being answered? Remember these will be the people you will be dealing with throughout your child’s school career. Next, you will want to go and visit some of your top private school choices. Take a few notes as you walk around campus. Ask questions about the enrollment paperwork and any testing your child will have to complete. Picture your family engaging in school activities, and particularly picture your child spending time there. Try to meet as many of the staff and teachers as are available which, of course, depends largely on what time of year you go on your tours. If your child attends the tours, make sure to ask her what she thinks of the schools.
Narrow The List After your tours have been completed, start reviewing your notes. At this point you will already have begun to make a short list of schools in your mind. You have been considering the location, the type of school, how your child will be treated and the setting of the campus. Now turn your thoughts to financial matters. Make wise and comfortable choices regarding how much should be spent on this education. Don’t forget to ask each school on your short list if they have any financial aid. Many do have some funding in this area, and it could make the difference in your final decision. Finally, make sure to have admission procedures at your fingertips. Timing is everything as many of the best schools have wait lists. If all goes well, you’ll be able to apply and have your child accepted at a school that meets your needs. And the rewards will last a lifetime.
Pay attention to how you are treated by the staff members. Are they friendly and helpful? Are your questions being answered? Remember these will be the people you will be dealing with throughout your child’s school career.
16 • Consumer Guide • 2014
‘How-To’
Choose a car
B
uyers often find the process of finding a new car fun. Test driving vehicles and playing with all of the gadgets that today’s increasingly tech-heavy vehicles have to offer can be akin to kids visiting a candy store and being given carte blanche to fill up their baskets. But as enjoyable as finding a new car can be, the financial commitment that such a purchase requires can make the process somewhat nerve-wracking as well. Buyers often assign the most risk to preowned vehicles, and rightfully so. But some buyers even regret their purchases after buying a new car, whether the car does not suit their lifestyle as much as they had hoped or the vehicle simply isn’t living up to the expectations drivers had for it at the time of purchase. Savvy buyers will consider the following factors before taking the keys to their next new cars.
final decision. Many a driver has grinned when driving a brand new SUV off a dealership lot, only to frown on that first trip to the filling station. Insurance companies typically provide free estimates to prospective customers, so do your homework on the different makes and models you’re considering, getting an insurance quote for each vehicle. In addition, consider the expected fuel costs of each vehicle before making a decision.
affordable and attractive option. So considering a car’s potential resale value before buying it new is a smart move that can pay dividends down the road when you’re back on the market for a new vehicle. Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) is a valuable resource to gauge the resale value of vehicles, and buyers can even calculate the resale value of a car over its first five years. This can help consumers determine which options to get on their new cars and even help to govern their driving habits in an effort to keep the vehicle’s resale value as high as possible. When buying a new vehicle, it can be tempting to buy the most visually stunning or gadget-heavy vehicle on the dealership lot. But buyers should consider more than just appearance and accessories before buying their next new car.
Prospective buyers should consider a host of factors before purchasing a new vehicle.
• Additional costs: Many new car shoppers plan to finance or lease their vehicles, but the down payment and monthly payment is not the only number buyers must confirm before buying a vehicle. After the purchase price and monthly payments have been figured out, the two most significant costs buyers must consider are insurance and gas. Some vehicles cost more to insure than others, and the cost of a policy will depend on more than just a buyer’s personal driving history. The vehicle’s safety features, where a driver lives and the type of vehicle, both its make and model and the category it fits into (i.e., sports car, luxury vehicle, etc.), are all going to be used to determine the cost of an insurance policy. Buyers also must consider how much a vehicle will cost to fuel up before making a
• Reputation: Thanks to the Internet, today’s vehicle buyers have a valuable tool at their disposal that those of yesteryear rarely had: their fellow drivers. When considering certain makes and models, go online to see what fellow drivers and professional reviewers have to say about a given vehicle. Sites like Edmunds.com and Safecar.gov offer professional assessments of various makes and models, while various message boards exist to allow drivers to review the performance of their vehicles. Such resources are invaluable and can paint a realistic picture of what it might be like to own and drive a particular automobile. • Resale value: While selling a car you don’t even own yet is probably not foremost on your mind, it is important to consider a car’s potential resale value before buying it. The high costs of new vehicles has pushed many buyers out of the new car market, making preowned vehicles a more
Consumer Guide • 2014 • 17
FUSION
$18,988
2011 CHEVROLET
SILVERADO “LIFTED”
$33,529
Advertised price subject to change and subject to availability. See store for details. Sale ends 8/31/14.
Advertised price subject to availability, Tax, tag and title not included. See Dealer for details. Sales ends 7/31/14.
BG155131
$22,888
BH529696
$11,969
300 LTD
$17,477
DR204364
$17,977
ESCAPE
2013 FORd 80116956
CTS
$31,892
BKC69399
ET249893
$14,995
RAM 1500 CREW
2011 FORd
2011 CHRYSLER
2008 VOLVO 82046712
$15,995
$11,999
C30
500
2008 CAdILLAC
FIESTA
CM128365
200
DN650286
DR204364
$19,999
$19,488
$15,456
2012 FORd
2013 CHRYSLER
2012 dOdGE
CHARGER
MALIBU LT1
DF151691
$14,970
2013 CHEVROLET DL688841
SENTRA
yARIS
CL013051
2013 NISSAN
$19,888
$19,888
2014 FIAT
2012 TOYOTA AC840491
DX022232
$25,475
MAXIMA
$26,825
ROGUE KROM EDITION
BW268888
2010 NISSAN
2013 TOYOTA
TACOMA
SILVERADO LTZ
CZ151561
$33,888
AR210679
TAHOE LTZ
2012 dOdGE
2011 NISSAN
CS199673
2012 CHEVROLET
2010 CHEVROLET
18 • Consumer Guide • 2014
‘How-To’
Choose a realtor
C
he terms agent, broker and REALTORS are often used interchangeably, but have very different meanings. For example, not all agents (also called salespersons) or brokers are REALTORS°. Learn who is a REALTOR’ and the reasons why you should use one. As a prerequisite to selling real estate, a person must be licensed by the state in which they work, either as an agent/salesperson or as a broker. Before a license is issued, minimum standards for education, examinations and experience, which are determined on a state by state basis, must be met. After receiving a real estate license, most agents go on to join their local board or association of REALTORS’ and the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS’, the world’s largest professional trade association. They can then call themselves REALTORS. The term “REALTOR”’ is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSand subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics (which in many cases goes beyond state law) It is the REALTOR’ who shares information on the homes they are marketing, through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Working with a REALTOR’ who belongs to an MLS will give you access to the greatest number of homes. HOW TO EVALUATE AN AGENT Without any obligation, you can invite local REALTORS’ to visit your home and give you a “listing presentation” about why they’re the best ones to market it for you. Two to three presentations will probably give you a good opportunity for choice. A listing presentation includes having the REALTORS° review with you the reasons why you should list with that particular individual, and providing you with information that will assist you in making initial decisions about selling your home. Recent laws in every state have defined the duties of someone specifically retained as a real estate agent. Most states require a real estate agent to explain his or her role at the outset of any conversation A professional agent will promptly provide this such a disclosure.
Look for an agent who: • Is a member of the local board or association of REALTORS. • Explains and discloses agency relationships (the role of the agent, i.e., who they are representing - the buyer or the seller) early on in the process at “serious first contact,” • Advises you on how to prepare your home for the market. • Shows some enthusiasm for your property, listens attentively, instills confidence, operates in a professional manner, and has a complementary personality style to yours. • Has researched your property in the public records and the MLS. • Brings data on nearby homes that have sold (or failed to sell) recently. The following are important questions to ask a potential agent: Are you a REALTOR? • Do you have an active real estate license in good standing? To find this information, you can check with your state’s governing agency. • Do you belong to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and/or a reliable online home buyer’s search service? Multiple Listing services are cooperative information networks of REALTORS’ that provide descriptions of most of the houses for sale in a particular region. If there’s on nearby MLS, how often do you cooperate with other local brokers on a sale? • What have you listed or sold in this neighborhood lately? • Do you cooperate with buyer’s brokers? • What share of the commission will you offer a cooperating broker who finds the buyer? And in addition to the criteria mentioned above, there are a number of very important reasons you will typically prefer to work with a REALTOR.. Among them is the fact that they adhere to the NAR’s highest standards of ethical conduct and professional training.
WHAT A REALTOR° WILL DO FOR YOU Some of the duties your REALTORS° will perform for you include: • Walk through the process of selling your home from beginning to end. • Provide comparable information about the prices for which other properties have sold and analyzing data for you to gain a true comparison. • Supply information regarding local customs and regulations you may want to consider. • Share information about your home through the Multiple Listing service and on the Internet. • Place advertisements for your home. • Field phone calls. • “Qualify” potential buyers to make sure they would be financially able to buy your property. • Negotiate the sales contract. • Alert you to potential risks. • Comply with the disclosures required by law. • Provide you with an estimate of the closing costs you will incur. • Help you prepare for a smooth closing of the transaction.
Consumer Guide • 2014 • 19
Hirsch
(912) 764-6774
REAL ESTATE TEAM
408 S. Zetterower Ave StAteSboro, GA 30458 w w w. e r A .co m
Pat Hirsch
Owner/Broker
Pat Hirsch 912-690-0924
mandy Lane 912-682-8742
Holly brannen 912-481-7511
Joann Hammond 912-682-3880
Jerome Jones 912-687-5663
renee Kalloniatis 912-682-1827
vada Hunter 912-601-2881
Iricel Anderson 912-271-5594
Paige Jackson 912-687-4876
Susan engbrecht 912-601-4653
20 • Consumer Guide • 2014
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