What about your Job and Finances?

When we think of street-level apartments as basements, those negative connotations come mostly from water damage: mold and musty smells, flooding and insects attracted to water. The garden-level home for you must be designed — or redesigned — with these concerns in mind. First, look at the street outside: Are the gutters wide and capable of draining off even excessive floodwaters? Are the edges of the street curved down, so water doesn’t collect in puddles? Are there any signs of recent damage, or renovation, to indicate the level of regular maintenance to expect over the coming years?

Whichever type of vehicle you choose, select a model with options that suit your needs, not just your desires. Some features may come as stand-alone options only. Generally, it’s best to choose the trim level that includes most or all of the features you desire, instead of equipping the base model with individual options. Or they may be included as part of higher trim levels and/or bundled with other items in specially discounted packages.

On the other hand, if you’ll wind up with added features you may not otherwise want, taking the higher trim level can be a lesser value. Consider factors such as insurance premiums, resale values, and fuel economy — including whether the vehicle requires more expensive premium gasoline. Compare financing rates from local lenders to find the best deals on new-car loans. Take the time to compare ownership costs. Not all features may be available with all trim levels in a given vehicle line, and some features may only be ordered as part of an option package.

Even at dealerships where the atmosphere is congenial, the salesperson’s job is to make as much money as possible on each sale. You need to find a happy medium between getting a good deal and allowing the salesperson a reasonable profit. Dealers are businesses, after all. Your quest as a consumer is to get the lowest possible price on the car you want. If they don’t make profits, they won’t be around long. Dealers can make up to twice as much by selling financing, insurance, and add-ons than they make selling the vehicle itself.