Online buying tips for classic and vintage cars.

eBay Motors recommends ways to avoid common pitfalls

One of our favorite office timewasters, eBay Motors, is offering online buying tips for classic and vintage automobiles just in time for the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Buying a classic car online comes with a ton of pitfalls that most buyers of Late Model cars won’t experience. “Do I need to bring a trailer?” is a common question, as well as “does it run on unleaded gas?” “Is it street legal?” is also a good one.

For classic cars, eBay suggests you start with a checklist. Enter headings like “distance,” to help you estimate how much it will cost you pick up the car; “test drive” — note whether you or a paid inspector will be checking out the car; “value” will give you an idea of the car’s typical price range; “insurance” — figure out how much it will cost to keep it legal; “license plates,” checking for special classic car plates; and “storage,” or the cost to keep the car protected. Once the list is done, give it a once-over to see if the purchase makes sense.

If the numbers add up, buyers should investigate the seller, closely inspect the photos, ask plenty of questions and obviously inspect the car in person if possible.

A good place to start when looking to purchase is the eBay Garage section, which features more than 400,000 public profiles of cars (and car fans) ranging from classics to show cars to hot rods. More than 2,700 vehicles fall under the “classic” heading, and more than 1,000 are in the “show car” group.

Check out eBay Motors tips on buying classic cars. You might not be able to get a classic piece of iron before this year’s Woodward Dream Cruise, but if you start now, next August could be your coming out party. And what a way to do it.

We hope you have enjoyed these online buying tips for classic and vintage cars.

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Moving  to California Advice

Before moving to California, you should know one thing: there are a lot of people living here. At last count, almost 38 million. This isn’t to say that you’ll have to learn to fight for elbow room just to get around.

In fact, there are many places in the state where you can lead a life with plenty of breathing (and elbow) room. And if you’re coming from a sizable metropolitan area elsewhere in the nation, you might not even notice much of a change.

How To Prepare For A Cross Country Move

Your first order of business is a flurry of cleaning, organizing and de-cluttering. As you are about to find out, it takes a considerable amount of time and money to move out of state, across the country or coast to coast, so why move things you don’t even want? This process should take place at least two months prior to your moving date so you have ample time to get as much work done as possible. Here is a simple three step plan to prepare for your cross country move:

Step 1: Clean, Clean, & Clean Some More!

If you are anything like the average American, then you’ve probably been putting off Spring cleaning for a few years now. Take this opportunity to clean, dust and put everything away. Why should you be doing this? It’s impossible to take stock of what you have and what you need if you can’t find anything, and you’re going to need to clean up your house or apartment before you move on anyway. Besides, dust bunnies never chip in for gas, they’re dead weight.

Step 2: Get Rid Of Unwanted Items

Do not take trash or unnecessary items with you. Trust me; you really won’t be needing your term papers from high school again – ever. Throw them out. Do you have clothing in every size imaginable in styles no one even recognizes anymore? Donate them! The less you have to pack or take with you, the better. If you have enough stuff to get rid of, have a yard sale. The extra cash can go towards your moving expenses!

Step 3: Get Rid Of Even More Stuff!

Think you’re done paring down your belongings? Think again. Now we’re going to take stock of things you own that you might be better off re-purchasing when you get to your new home. The size and weight of your load will increase your cost of moving greatly. Don’t take the washer and dryer your grandparents passed down to you that wobbles and only works on the shortest spin cycle, you can buy a brand new-to-you used set on Craigslist when you get settled in. Take this into consideration as you look at everything you own. If it’s heavy, near the end of its usable life, or easily replaceable then consider buying a new one later.

How To Pack For A Move Across Country when needing to prepare for a cross country move.

Now that you know what you are taking with you, it’s time to organize and pack it all. You’re going to need strong sturdy packing materials. The same used moldy boxes you used the last time you moved aren’t going to cut it for moving across country. You are going to need brand new (or like-new) sturdy boxes and maybe some plastic bins as well. You’ll want tape and Sharpie Markers for labeling as well. For heavy items or things you don’t want to get wet or crushed consider putting them in the plastic bins or boxes. After you move you can always reuse these for storage.

Reach Out, Ask For Help & Call In Some Favors!

Enlist the help of family and friends. Invite them over, order pizza and have a packing party!  Get creative and get as much help as possible.  If you don’t have anyone you can ask, you can always hire local help.   There are many websites that offer day labor help for hire.  This is a great option if you need help lifting, loading, and packing anything.  Whatever you do, don’t hurt yourself trying to lift more than you can handle.

Hiring Cross Country Movers

How To Choose A Cross Country Moving Company

You could have avoided the packing and organizing step by hiring a moving company to do to the work for you. If you have an unlimited budget and don’t want the stress of doing things on your own then you can actually hire a moving company to both pack and transport your items for you.

What Is The Average Cost To Hire Cross Country Movers?

Unfortunately that question cannot be answered easily. There are a lot of factors that go into pricing a move like the size, distance, time of year, etc. Hiring cross country movers will almost certainly be more expensive than moving yourself with a rental truck. However, there are a lot of great perks that come with hiring movers to pack and move your household too. There is a lot of heavy lifting, wrapping, packing, folding, boxing, taping, and walking that goes into a cross country move that can be avoided by hiring movers. If you aren’t sure whether or not you can afford to hire cross country movers, then I strongly recommend getting some free quotes below. You can compare prices from up to 6 different cross country movers and find the cheapest rates available. From there you can determine how much money you will actually be saving by doing everything yourself. There is no obligation so you might as well.

Shipping your Car Across Country

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thanks to Moving Across Country.net for their contribution.

5 Best Snowbird Locations

Some retirees decide to relocate to warmer climates, and others opt to age in place. Snowbirds enjoy the best of both worlds by trading cold winters at home for sunny extended vacations in various retirement hot spots. But where is the best place to enjoy a warm winter?

There are several approaches to the snowbird lifestyle. Buying a second home in a favorite location lets retirees establish a familiar winter retreat and catch up with the same social circle year after year. Another option is to try out a new destination each winter with a rental home or RV, and planning a winter trip through a few different areas is a great way to see more of the world.

Whatever your preference, the following five states feature some of the country’s best snowbird destinations:

Florida

The Sunshine State is just as popular with snowbirds as it is with relocated retirees. With vast stretches of coastline, this tropical peninsula is a great choice for those who love the beach. The southeast coast includes hot spots like Miami, Palm Beach and the Florida Keys, yet it can be a more expensive, fast-paced destination. On the Gulf Coast, snowbirds can enjoy spectacular golf courses and less crowded beaches in popular retirement areas like Sarasota, Naples, Fort Myers and Tampa Bay.

Arizona

Phoenix may be the location of Sun City, the first modern-day active adult community, but Arizona has many other areas which are popular with snowbirds as well. About two hours south of Phoenix, Tucson offers a mix of city attractions and small town charm. The area has a lower elevation with a warmer climate in the winter, and it features many diverse outdoor recreations including some great golf courses. Snowbirds also flock to affordable Arizona cities like Yuma and Quartzsite year after year.

California

Southern California’s Coachella Valley has long been a popular winter retreat for both snowbirds and celebrities when looking for the best snowbird locations. Palm Springs features a spectacular climate and resort-style living, and it is a well known hot spot for vacationers as well. Indian Wells is another fashionable destination, particularly for golfers, but snowbirds may find more affordable winter homes in the Palm Desert area. Beyond the Coachella Valley, snowbirds often settle in the San Jacinto Valley’s Hemet area or enjoy a coastal retreat in San Diego.

Texas

As one of the country’s largest states, Texas offers many warm winter destinations that appeal to a wide range of retirees. Snowbirds who want a tropical beach setting may head to South Texas coastal areas like Galveston (near Houston) and Port Aransas (near Corpus Christi). Further inland, Austin is known for its music scene, but it also features fabulous outdoor recreations including golf courses, lush parks and the Highland Lakes. Snowbirds are also known to enjoy settling in New Braunfels, a charming German town that is less than an hour from both Austin and San Antonio.

New Mexico

A warm winter retreat doesn’t have to mean escaping seasonal activities like skiing or snowshoeing. New Mexico’s mountainous terrain lets snowbirds spend warm, sunny days in the lowlands and still visit a nearby ski lodge for a day of snowy fun. Albuquerque is one of the state’s most popular areas, with over 300 days of sun each year and a wide range of indoor and outdoor attractions, including the nearby Sandia Peak Tramway for a quick lift up the mountain. Further south, Alamogordo also features 70-degree days in the valley and a range of ski resorts in the surrounding mountains.

With so many great destinations, snowbird retirees have plenty of options. Visiting several different areas may help you choose the snowbird destination that is best for you.

by Bill Ness on December 10th, 2012

Remember to always research a car shipper before you plan your move to your new best snowbird location.

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