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Selling Your Car


In most cases, you can sell your car on your own for more than you will receive by trading it in. However, prepping your vehicle for sale will take time and depending on its condition may also cost you some money. Assess the car's condition, and then decide how much you want to spend on minor repairs, always remembering the liability involved with a private-party sale.

These steps will help you get the maximum sale price for your vehicle:


  1. Make sure it is washed, waxed and detailed.

  2. Make sure it is mechanically sound and free from dents, dings and scrapes.

  3. Make all repairs yourself rather than selling it "as is".

  4. Have your mechanic check out your car and issue a report about its condition.

  5. Remove all of your personal items from inside the car, trunk and glove compartment. For safety reasons, don’t leave any documents that have ...

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There comes a time in life when you realize you need to buy another car. But you have no idea how to begin. You Google a “how to” but, after reading it, the task still seems so big that you don’t know where to start. So you turn to Dad! After all, he’s bought lots of cars for the family, so he must know how to do it. You find out that Dad does know a lot and is willing to help you every step of the way. But you have to do the legwork because that’s the best way to learn! Here are tips from the Dads playbook on buying a car: Father and Son Lesson #1: Purchasing a pre-owned vehicle is a smart financial decision. So you should feel good about taking that path. When you buy a pre-owned vehicle, you avoid the huge depreciation that comes right after you ...

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To lease or not to lease...


OK, so it's not as important a question as the one Hamlet was trying to answer, but your decision sure can have a big impact on your finances.

But before you read any further, please note that this article addresses leasing by an individual, not a business.

How do you know if leasing makes sense for you, or if you're getting into something you'll regret a few months down the road? A lot depends on being honest about your lifestyle, your finances, and your future plans.

Here are some popular ideas about the benefits of leasing:



  • I get more car for my monthly payment than if I took out a loan

  • I get to drive a new car

  • My vehicle is always under warranty

  • I don't want to have to deal with selling or trading in my vehicle when I'm done with it

  • I ...

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Before jumping at either choice, you need to ask yourself how long you intend to keep your vehicle. First Reliance Bank’s low vehicle rates, combined with the rebate may be the best choice. If you're like most people, you trade in your vehicle before the term of the loan is up. A rebate of up to $3,000 is all up front and you receive the full savings benefit immediately. With the 0% financing, it takes years before you realize the full savings. The following example is based on trading your vehicle in after 3 years:

Dealer Financing First Reliance Bank Loan
Loan Rate 0% APR 2.99%* APR
Term of Loan 48 mos. 48 mos.
Vehicle Price $23,000.00 $23,000.00
Down Payment/Trade In $2,500.00 $2,500.00
Negotiated Discount/Rebate - $3,000.00
Amount of Loan $20,500.00 $17,500.00
Monthly Payment $427.00 $387.00
Total Amount Paid at 36 mos. $15,372.00 $13,942.00
Remaining on Loan Balance $5,128.00 $4,573. ...

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A lot of us think of Dad as Superman. We just expect him to be there when we need him. We count on his support. He leads us on family outings that make memories for life. He unselfishly sets aside his wants and needs to make sure we realize our dreams. His free time is our time – no matter how little he has. So what do you give a Superman? How do you make him smile? There’s something that doesn’t cost a penny, but could be the most valuable gift you ever give your Dad. It’s time. We live in a busy world. From the demands of work to the pressures and joys of carting the kids from activity to activity, many of us don’t seem to have a moment to spare. In fact, some of us have our days so jam-packed that we can’t even imagine how we ...

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