A house is one of the most vital necessities in life. Every person should have a roof above his head in order to live comfortably and decently. Finding a good shelter that is convenient and safe is a must and should be done in the most efficient manner possible.

In finding a good place to live in, there are a few things one must have in mind. Accordingly, the following are some factors one should take into consideration when deciding to buy a house.

Look for a Place to Suit Your Lifestyle

The place where you intend to buy a house must fit your way of life. If you like quiet streets, outdoor activities, barbeque during weekends and be closer to nature, look for a house in the rural areas. Attracted to the sand and the sun? Look for a property near the beach. Do you like the nightlife? Try looking for a house in the city or in the suburbs.

In line with this, Pennsylvania is a good place to start finding a place to live in. The winter is not that cold and the climate is very humid during summer. The rural areas have relatively low crime rates and the urban cities are highly-diverse. Here, one can live and work in the city at the same time manages a getaway to the tranquility of the rural areas in a manner of minutes. It is a safe and convenient place to start a family. In view of that, http://www.toppennsylvaniafsbo.com/ provides for an extensive property listing in Pennsylvania. It provides complete information on available houses for sale in every corner of the Keystone State.

Determine How Much to Spend in Buying a House

One of the first and foremost considerations in buying a house is the amount of money you’re willing to spend. The budget for the new house should include not only the price of the house, but also the cost of renovation, including labor and construction materials. It is advisable to look for a house, which needs few repairs or remodeling to reduce your expenditures. The year it was constructed and the reason the former owners of the house decided to sell it must also be known. The former owners might have left due to hazards to safety due to the age of the house. Consider also the amount of taxes that should be paid regarding the property.

Choose the Convenient Size of the House

The house selected must have enough space for the whole family. The rooms must have a definite purpose and has a good lay out to meet the needs and the size of the family. If living alone, it must have adequate space without sacrificing the functionality of every corner of the house.

Ensure the Safety and Security of the House

Check for the latest available data regarding frequency of earthquakes, floods, cyclones and other calamities in the area. Look at the most recent crime rate data, especially incidences of violence, drug trades and burglary in the neighborhood. This is to ensure that the neighborhood is safe and secure to live in.

Also, ensure no part of the house has termites or other pest that will endanger the health and safety of the people that will live in the house. It will also be helpful to consider the availability of an insurance company that will insure, at an affordable fee, the house intended to purchase.

Ascertain Adequacy of Water and Electricity Supply

The house must have sufficient and constant supply of water and electricity. These are basic necessities and should not be a problem when you move in.

Consider Proximity to Schools, Workplace, Stores, etc.

The house selected must be a near as possible to schools, workplace, store, hospitals or at least clinics, stores, parks, and other important places in the neighborhood. There must also be available transportation. If owning a vehicle, the roads must be in good condition to lessen travel time from one place to another. This will reduce daily expenditures at the same time providing convenience for the whole family.

Determine the Overall “Feel” of the House

Last, but not the least, is to ask yourself if you feel positive about the house you intend to buy. Can you imagine yourself living in the house? If married with children or just starting a family, can you see your family living comfortably in the house? Do you feel safe in the neighborhood?

These are some of the basic things a prospective buyer of a house must have in mind in choosing the right house to purchase. Affordability, safety and convenience are the keys to make your new house a home.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

So, you think you would like to buy an electric car?  Maybe, you’ve seen lots of stories in the press about electric car technology being the way forward, or you want to reduce your environmental footprint, or perhaps you just want something a little different and think they look cool.  Across the world in recent years, major advances have been made with electric cars, however what does this mean for someone wanting to buy one, particularly if you are based in the UK.  What should a new electric car buyer consider?

At a basic level, buying an electric car is extremely similar to buying a standard petrol or diesel car.  The same basic isses apply and you want to think about:

What will you primarily be using the car for?  This impacts on everything. Do you need to carry lots of passengers or kit, think size, number of seats, storage space? How far and at what speeds do you regularly drive? Will you need to be able to park it near work? How will you charge it?

Electric Car Performance

The performance (speed, distance, charging time etc) of electric cars varies considerably.  In general, the better performing the car the more expensive they are e.g. the Tesla Roadster - great performance but a serious price tag too (you won’t get much change from £100,000 to buy one in the the UK!!).  However, manufacturers are beginning to offer a range of vehicles from the 2 seater city runabout, to larger 4 and 5 seater saloons and MPVs, up to small commercial vans.  You can buy a new small electric car in the UK for under £10,000.  For those interested in cars specifically available in the UK and how they compare you can find a great electric car comparision tool here.

Current electric vehicles aren’t really ideal for that weekday 100 mile motorway commute (not yet!).  Electric cars are really a city option.  This is partly due to limits on maximum speeds (most topping out at around 50mph) but also the related issue of battery charging. 

Infrastructure for Electric Cars

Most electric cars can only go some 50 miles on one charge.  Cities are also where the infrastructure to support electric cars is concentrated.  In the UK, we are talking London first and foremost although there are some limited options for free electric car charging elsewhere in the UK e.g. Manchester, Bristol etc.   In many places electric cars also qualify for free parking and are exempt from things like congestion charges.

Following on from this is also the issue of servicing and maintaining your electric car.  This is going to be easiest in the big city where you purchased your car.  Hopefully, however some of these infrastructure restrictions will be lifted sooner rather than later.

Buying an Electric Car

Once you have decided what you need your electric car for and how you plan to use it you then want to:

Decide what you can afford Read reviews, compare prices and shop around. Speak to dealers – there are a number of retailers now based in London who will be keen for your business. Remember it is also possible to buy second hand.

Electric cars are not cheap to buy however they are cheap to run.  A slightly cheaper option though would be a second hand electric car.  Although, the second hand car market is extremely small there are some cars out there.  Just remember to look for a full service history, a warranty if possible and check the battery age (try and get the seller to put in a new battery to help sweeten the deal!)
 
Lastly, it is worth noting that the electric car market is not like the conventional car market, changes are more rapid. New (and better) electric car models are coming out every year, it may be worth waiting 12-24 months to get the right electric car for you. 

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

The Cadillac STS offers used vehicle buyers the chance to get behind the wheel of a high quality used automobile that has endless quality features. Multilink Suspension with 4-wheel drive and magnetic management control for smooth handling with a high performance suspension, with this new technology there is an increase in the exchange between management and control highest end features for the luxury used vehicle market.

A used Cadillac STS offers all kinds of incentives to jump into this incredible used vehicle including assisted braking that detects high-impact braking and helps you to maneuver the vehicle, RAY solar tinted glass, traction control at any speed by regulating the power and braking, there are also standard daytime running lights.

This is a classic American used auto, the STS has an exterior that is bound to please and several highly advanced safety features. If you are already considering buying a used Infiniti M or a pre owned Lexus GS then you should be considering this used vehicle as being in the same bracket as well as the 5 series BMWs, with which the used Cadillac STS is at the very least an even competitor when wanting to buy a used car.

This best of breed used vehicle offers no less than eight airbags keyless door control and ignition with remote control to insurance rated doors and trunk locks, a top quality anti-theft System known as PASS-KEY III helps to secure this exiting vehicle that is well worth discovering at your neighborhood used car dealership.

The STS is considered to have a pretty firm ride but this is offset by the standard Magnetic Ride Control, which can provide near instantaneous tiny adjustments to dampen this firmness, making the level of ride comfort much smoother.

Under the hood, you will find a 3.6L V6 with 255 horsepower at 6400 rpm giving out 252 lb-ft of torque when pushing 2.800 rpm. Other features include electric folding mirrors with demisters, cruise control in the instrument panel, two separate air conditioning systems. A used Cadillac STS also offers automatic and 5-speed manual (Manumatic) transmissions, a Universal Remote Control to open garage doors.

The now highly important fuel economy of the used STS is surprisingly pleasing with the 3.6L managing 17mpg in town and 26 on the open highway the Northstar 4.4L version that offers rear or all wheel drive manages 21 on the highway and 14 mpg in city driving, for such a large used vehicle these are good mpg figures.

The list of used car luxury features is just endless, Caddy miss out nothing when it comes to providing the very best in comfort and safety, such as eucalyptus wood inserts in center console and instrument panel, a sun roof with extra fast electric opening as well as a built in shading system. If you want the best in audio equipment than a used STS has that on board with the Bose sound system with a 6 CD player and 8 speakers spread throughout this used car buyers dream machine.

If you want to purchase a used vehicle that includes every extra you can think of and many you have never considered then the Cadillac STS checks every single box imaginable, seek one out today at a used auto dealer.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

Converting from gasoline to electric requires relevant parts and components. You would need these for a successful conversion. How well your car will function after the conversion will depend on the quality of parts and the expertise of the technician who did the conversion. For these reasons, it has become necessary that you devote a lot of time to finding the right parts so that you have a trouble free driving after you get your electric car.

The right parts will ensure that your car works as a functional unit and that you do not have misaligned components. You will be able to keep your car for long if you are able to fix the right parts from reputable manufacturers.

An electric car is supposed to bring a lot of savings to the motorist. He should therefore be in a position to buy components that will ensure that in the end the conversion has become profitable. Parts that are too expensive will result in a costly conversion; in which case the motive for the conversion would have been defeated.

You would have to examine each component carefully before you pick a choice. You may want to ensure that the electrical fittings and the motor especially are up to standard. Electric car wiring differs from that of the conventional car in the way the cables are run. Using inferior cables may lead to overheating and current flow problems as the electric car has more wiring and higher current demand than that of the regular car. The motor would also need to be the right type with the correct voltage and wattage to provide optimum performance.

Lastly, you must buy cheap to get an affordable conversion. Online shops are the best places to compare prices and features.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

Neatly balanced on the border between the Aegean and Libyan seas, Crete offers one of the mildest and healthiest climates in Europe. Crete property currently attracts players from Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Britain, now picking up extra buyers in the 40-50 age bracket who might otherwise have plumped for Spain. Charmed by the benefits Crete offers over the UK – better weather, lower cost of living, home grown food – most potential buyers of Crete property are looking to spend at least three to four months of the year on the island, seeing their investment as a good way to cut living costs.

The cost of living in Greece has actually risen by 4.9% since this time last year, according to the latest consumer price index, while its economy is only set to grow by 3% in 2008. Staples such as bread and pasta now cost 18 and 26% more respectively this year than last, a price hike Greek prime minister Karamanlis blames on the turbulent world economy.

But Crete still remains a vastly cheaper alternative to the UK – a couple can expect to achieve a good standard of living on an income of £12,000 a year. Crete property commands no rates if less than 150 square metres in total, while water bills and electricity and heating will cost £200 and £500 per annum respectively, says John Batty, managing director of Anglo-Greek agency Aegean Blue.

“Equally, Ctrete property prices are less, even in urban areas – buyers should expect to pay between €200,000 to €300,000 for holiday homes. With so much fruit, vegetables, oil, wine and meat produced on the island, most food costs are also very low.”

Long-term prospects for capital appreciation are also good, adds Robert Key, director of Cluttons’ Greek branch. ”Unlike Spain, there has been no crisis in the Crete property market. Planning permission is much stricter than in Spain (building within 50 metres of the coastline is now banned under new building regulations) so the great sprawling messes that many Spanish villages became will not be repeated in Greece.”

But the current world economic climate is likely to limit Crete property price growth to a minimum of 5% on the island in the short-term, Batty continues. “One spot likely to appreciate is anything located near and to the west of Chania, rather than in the east, particularly in the Apokoronas region where price rises were the sharpest in recent years.”

Chania, located on the island’s north-west coast, has long been a firm favourite with buyers, thanks to its seaside location and evocative mix of ancient buildings, revealing the town’s roots and history in an eclectic fusion of Byzantine, Venetian, Turkish and Greek styles. EasyJet’s recent decision to run weekly flights to Chania is testament to its growing popularity as a destination.

Still well preserved despite intensive German bombing during the second world war, renovation work to restore the town’s ancient streets and walls is afoot, while the east side of its old harbour is undergoing a chrysalis from ruined dockside to trendy, loft-style water hotspot.

One project worth keeping an eye on is Leptos Estates’ Canea Corniche scheme, a refurbishment of the island’s first olive oil treatment plant building, which was set up by a French chemist in the 1880s. Minutes away from the town’s old Ventian harbour, and located just west of the centre of the old part of Chania, the project is currently one of the few city centre schemes available in Crete, one of the few parts of the western world not suffering from an oversupply of apartments. Each of the 200 flats on offer will feature a sea view, while the site’s original features, two factory chimneys and a series of ovens, will be restored as part of a plan to create a small museum with artefacts and tools on the site’s original use. The finished product will be flanked by olive trees and landscaped gardens. Construction work on site is set to start in October, when prices for the Chania property will be released.

A more traditional project on offer is Leptos’s Aphrodite Villas scheme, a cluster of 64 villas and flats surrounding a communal pool, located just a few metres away from Pyrgos Psilonerou beach slightly to the west of Chania. Prices here start at €434,000 (£344,000) for a three-bedroom villa and €174,615 (£138,000) for a one-bedroom flat.

Heading west out of Chania into Maleme, Cybarco Real Estate Development has also recently launched the Maleme Project, a beach front development in the Platanias area made up of 16 two-bedroom flats and eight three-bedroom maisonettes located 17 kilometres out of the city. Each home has access to communal gardens and a central pool, while some maisonettes come with private pools, while the beach is located a few hundred metres away. Designed for both holiday home makers and permanent residents, the homes come with lots of storage space, making it a multi-purpose home and holiday let investment - rental returns in this area can be as much as €1,500 (£1,200) a week during high season.

Similarly, Cypraaegean Properties’ Artemis Gardens project in Maleme, a two-minute walk from the beach, is set around a series of landscaped gardens, bordered by orange trees and centred around a communal pool. A mix of 18 one and two-bedroom bungalows, townhouses and flats, the firm is currently guaranteeing rental incomes of 5% for two years. Prices range from €130,000 (£103,000) for a one-bedroom basement flat to €230,000 (£182,000) for a two-bedroom townhouse.

Buyers after Crete property renovation projects on the resale market (wrecks can still be purchased for as little as €35,000) have typically been put off by the difficulty of working through the island’s complex land ownership system, under which a single plot of land may have multiple owners who cannot all agree to sell. But now Greece has set up its own land registry, the process is set to get a lot simpler, says Key. “It’s now just as safe from an ownership point of view to buy resale property as new-build. A good lawyer and surveyor are necessary to check legal and technical details before the purchase is made. All property sales take place by signing a contract in the presence of two lawyers and a public notary. The contract is then deposited at the title and land registries under the name of the new owner.”

As a member of the European Union, Greece allows overseas buyers to buy in the country and live there permanently, although a visa and residence permit is required after three months, but only if you want to buy a car or obtain a Greek driving licence. Contact the Greek Embassy in London for further information.

Money matters
As the credit crunch continues to bite, it’s impossible for most buyers to even consider purchasing an overseas home without first having a mortgage offer in place. But help is at hand, with Greece’s banks offering a range of mortgages at favourable rates.

Leptos Estates offers loans with up to three years interest free credit for buyers who can cough up an initial down payment for off-plan properties, making stage payments throughout the construction process and then stumping up the final amount on completion. “But Greece has good banking facilities anyway, which have improved considerably in recent years,” says Christos Pateras, the firm’s marketing manager. “Most banks prefer to offer mortgages of between 75 and 80% of a property’s value, which are normally repaid over a maximum of 30 to 40 years, and are available to buyers up to the ages of between 70 and 75.”

Piraeus Bank UK (PBUK) currently offers packages with rates starting at 6% interest on repayment loans and collects sterling from the borrowers’ UK bank accounts, slashing costs for the buyer by converting the monthly instalments without charging commission, and offers market rates to help buyers convert the sterling amount of the Euro deposit required for purchase. Standard Piraeus packages offer loan to value rates of 80%, repayment mortgages with interest rates from 1.75% above the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR) for between five and 25 years, and interest-only mortgages of up to ten years. “Buyers must try to let their overseas home for at least some of the time to offset some mortgage and maintenance costs,” says Irini Tzortzoglou, PBUK’s head of retail banking. “Crete with its longest season and mature tourist market is one of the best locations in Europe for generating rental income.”

Most banks prefer to offer mortgages of between 75 and 80% of a property’s value, although some will happily lend up to 100%, adds Key. “There are a myriad of mortgages on offer with fixed-rate deals starting at about 3.7% and tracker mortgages starting at 5.25%. Several banks are also offering mortgages in Swiss Francs, starting at an interest rate of 2.46%, while it’s also possible to obtain mortgages in pounds sterling or dollars, which may be a good bet due to lower interest rates in these countries as a result of the currently economic situation.” 

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

Spanish property is now more popular than ever, thanks to an increasing trend for getting away from it all, downsizing and the rapid emergence of numerous low-cost airlines.

As they say, ‘timing is everything’ and currently timing is excellent. European interest rates are low and the choice of property is superb ranging from stylish apartments to farmhouse (fincas) and charming village houses in rural locations full of character – not forgetting luxurious modern and classic villas and modern Spanish resort townhouses and the new ultra chic, high spec apartments with extensive communal facilities.

Many Spanish properties provide shared facilities such as gardens, swimming pools, tennis courts and gyms.

Understandably, the coast is still favourite with many buyers of Spanish property. Government statistics show property prices will increase in Spain by between 11% and 16%. For low cost renovation projects look to Spanish inland areas where prices are often far lower.

Flexible mortgages are now available from a wide range of well known lenders. These recalculate the outstanding capital and interest daily allowing you to make overpayments on the outstanding loan whenever possible. Mortgages are also available which permit you to take a break from payments thereby increase the interest payable. A complete break from payments may also be arranged as long as there is an adequate balance in your account.

Getting the mortgage

If possible, buy your Spanish property outright. That way obviously you own the property and avoid increasing your existing mortgage debt. If a mortgage is the best way for you to purchase a Spanish property one can simply add to one’s principal mortgage or take out a new separate mortgage on your foreign property. Increasing your existing borrowings is probably one of the cheapest options. Alternatively one can consider a second mortgage on your new Spanish property or holiday home.

Having a Spanish mortgage doesn’t automatically involve dealing in foreign currency. Abbey and Barclays offer buyers of foreign property euros or sterling loans. If you intend to rent out your Spanish property the rent may be received in euros in which case a euro mortgage allows you to offset the rent against repayments.

Obviously if you choose not to rent out your Spanish property but still have a euro income of other sorts then a euro loan is sensible. However those earning sterling in the UK will find a mortgage in sterling a sensible option. This way you needn’t worry about exchange rate fluctuations. The majority of euro mortgages will be of the repayment type and also with repayment periods shorter than British loans. In Spain, many have a term of 15 to 20 years. Clearly this will impact on your monthly payment amount. loan-to-value ratios will usually also be lower and therefore may restrict the amount of available Spanish funds. Around 75% may be the typical LTV.

Different types of lenders

There will always be more than one type of lender for a second home or Spanish property . You have a choice of the large Spanish banks such as CAM, BDV and Solbank as well as almost all UK lenders. The Spanish banks are very keen to arrange mortgages with non Spanish borrowers. All the major Spanish banks have branches located in almost most mid to large size towns both inland and along the length of the Costa Blanca. Their staff will speak English and will guide you along all stages.

Your Spanish property will serve as collateral against the loan i.e. the bank’s security. Loans of around 70 -80% are commonplace. Beware though that the bank will impose fees of around 1%-2% (arrangement) of the advance and around £200 to £400 for the valuation survey.

Many recognised high street UK banks have branches in Spain for example Abbey and Barclays as well as the Royal Bank of Scotland. These are staffed by Spaniards almost all of whom will speak English and are well trained in the provision of financial packages to purchasers of Spanish property.

Many specialist mortgage brokers also exist and these are worth talking to in order to locate some of the more competitive mortgages.

Your buying checklist

Don’t forget to add around 10% to the property price to cover the unavoidable costs of the transaction.

Which location? Use (almost!) the same criteria you would when looking at property in the UK. Is your preference for rural, village, town or bustling resort? Just how important is proximity to the sea? Ditto shops, hospitals etc.

Most importantly, familiarise yourself with the region. Go there, hire a car and become knowledgeable about the various Spanish towns and villages in the area.

Check what services the property is connected to. Establish whether connections already exist for gas, phone, electricity and water. Can you get broadband Internet?

Talk to the people you meet there. Question them on the area. It’s pros and cons.

Variety is essential – view a VERY broad selection of properties. Without this you will lack any real perspective of the market and what is available within your budget.

Regarding any properties which are part of an ‘urbanisation’ discover how much the community fees are and when payable. Try to talk to the president of the community. Visit the town hall planning department to establish what if any new development is intended in the vicinity (or within view) of your property.

ALWAYS appoint an independent, English speaking solicitor. There are plenty. This is essential.

The actual process of buying a Spanish property

Firstly there will be a deposit to be paid – negotiable between £2000 and £10,000 and a purchase contract to be signed. This is known as the ‘compra venta’ and is a binding agreement which details the sale and the date by which you agree to complete.

When you complete on the property, everyone involved will convene at the notary office – a government official charged with overseeing the transaction and the witnessed signing of all binding documents. It’s at this point that the deeds (escritura) are signed. On signing the escritura one must then pay the outstanding purchase amount including all legal fees and taxes etc. This includes 7% of the agreed price on new properties or of the escritura value on a resale property.

After this stage, the necessary transfer taxes and fees are paid.. The new ownership (transfer of ownership) will be registered by the notary. This is done with the Land Registry.

This registration document is known as the and “copia simple” and you should ensure that you receive a copy.

Additional info regarding taxes and other costs

Combined purchase costs, taxes and Solicitor fees will usually equate to around 10% of the purchase price. This will cover advice on the contract, the investigation of the property title, the report on any enquiries undertaken, handling of tax payments and the procedures required for your final completion and property registration. The fees to be paid to the notary may be between are around £250 – £475. Land Registry will cost approx. £240. Clearly there may be other costs such as your surveyor, or those incurred with banks. These will vary from case to case.

Ongoing living costs in Spain typically will include Urbanisation or “Community Fees” for general upkeep and insurance of the community and shared areas such as gardens and pools.

Local i.e. town hall related taxes include a “wealth” tax or ‘Patrimonia’(around 0.2% is typical), property tax and the “IBI” – a yearly form of property tax. Like council tax this varies depending on area. Often this will include charges for rubbish collection. Insurance. Comprehensive insurance is obtainable from many insurers. Utility fees such as electricity and water.

Other considerations

It is usual for property owners to appoint a “gestor” or “fiscal representative” to handle your admin. and other fiscal affairs. One other essential document is your will. Make a Spanish will. It might cost around £150 but is vital to represent your interests in Spain.

When choosing a Spanish bank account always study the maintenance charges as they vary a lot from company to company!

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

We’ve seen them zooming down our neighborhood street, with their owners’ hair flapping wildly in the wind and their fat pocketbooks hanging out of their back pockets, mocking those of us with four wheeled vehicles. We’ve seen them in pictures of European countries, with little French men in their flashy helmets, maneuvering the streets of Paris. And yet we still think, there’s no way we could afford a scooter, Or can we?

An old tactic used in a new way will help you buy the cheap scooter you’ve been looking for. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that you saved up to 50 percent on your scooter once you’ve done the necessary leg work. The secret tactic is price comparison and patience. The internet makes this tactic more possible than ever. Here’s how to find the scooter of your dreams for the price in your head:

1) Start at Froogle.com. This is Google’s shopping search engine. Start by typing in “electric scooter,” “electric scooter sale,” or “electric scooter discount.” You should find an impressive number of scooter retailers as a result. Write down the best prices and deals.

2) Search Google. Run the exact same searches, but instead of just paying attention to your results, pay attention to the ads. Vendors pay tons of money to place their pay per click ads on the side of these pages. The ads pop up based on key words. Visit these sits and write down their best deals as well.

3) Utilize Yahoo.com. Run the same searches on Yahoo’s site, and you’ll be surprised by the different yields compared to Google. Pay attention to the Yahoo ads as well, because Yahoo owns Overture, which handles the whole pay per click business. Compare as many scooter companies as possible because, after all, more is better. Visit the sites and write down what you discover. You should have a lengthy list by now.

4) Visit Ebay. This online auction site will help you find the consumer price for scooters. Run a search both for “electric scooter” and “electric scooters” and write down your results. Watch the auctions for a week or so and write down the prices you see the scooters selling for. Also, consider using the “watch this auction” feature which will basically bookmark your selected auction.

5) Here’s where the patience comes in: wait two weeks, and then do this all over again. You will know a good price when you see one then, and then you can buy your scooter.

This method should yield a smarter, scooter owning you. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you saved more than 50 percent on your new electric scooter. Don’t feel guilty about the savings either. You did the work, so you deserve the savings. Obviously more tricks to finding deals exist than this, but utilizing this old tact and new venue is at least a start to saving you money.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

The rising cost of gasoline today has finally knocked some sense into the American automobile market. The absurd prices of gas may have taken the country unexpectedly but other countries have already been exploring the use of alternative fuel and more fuel-efficient cars. Brazil, for example has been using ethanol from corn since the 1970s when the Middle East embargo forced the country to consider other fuel options. They are now one of the world’s largest producers of ethanol.

Japan is also one of the leaders when it comes to the use of hybrid vehicles, even releasing designs and prototypes for a fully-automated electric vehicle. Majority of the automobiles that come from Japan and other Asian countries have the best fuel economy feature.

Unfortunately, the United States have been lagging behind in terms of alternative fuel use and fuel efficient cars. General Motors have been criticized for its very uneconomical automobile line but recently, they have released hybrid versions of their popular vehicle lines.

Environmental Impact

Hybrid vehicles have become very important in recent years not only in terms of the fuel crisis spanning the world but also of the environmental impact that it causes. Oil refineries are one of the world’s largest producers of air pollution and oil spills brought on by large tankers often kill diverse marine and aquatic plant life that has taken millions of years to evolve.

The use of Biodiesel and ethanol tried to solve this problem. Ethanol from corn is very popular but it can also be taken from other vegetable products. It produces considerably less air pollution and emission from the vehicle is almost zero. Environmentalists and biologists call it carbon neutral, the emission from ethanol refineries and vehicle emission equaling only to the nitrogen released into the atmosphere by the natural decay of corn and other vegetable product.

Hybrid Vehicles

A hybrid vehicle uses an electric motor for power and combines that with an internal combustion engine. It increases fuel efficiency and causes less pollution. Depending on the type and model of the hybrid vehicle, it can save you at least 30 percent on fuel cost.

There are three types of hybrid vehicles using the following engine types:

• Mild hybrid engine – This engine type does not have an electric motor but have an oversized engine starter that will turn off the gas engine during coasting or braking but can instantly turn on when power is needed.

• Full hybrid engine – This engine types have an electric motor and a combustion engines that can work independently of each other.

• Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model – uses electricity from any wall outlets that can recharge the battery which acts as back-up for the internal combustion engine.

Why Drive a Hybrid?

Hybrid vehicles, aside from being fuel efficient and cost-effective, are also safe to drive at par with any gasoline-powered automobile. Hybrid vehicles are designed to be one of the safest cars in the market today with airbags and anti-lock brake systems. If alternative fuel, in the form of biodiesel or ethanol is used, the driver can cut further his fuel budget in a month.

Another point in driving a hybrid is the tax rebates made available to the US automobile-buying public. Some states in the US offer tax incentives, tax credits and tax breaks if you purchase a hybrid vehicle. This is part of the program of the government to encourage consumers to purchase cars that can help save the environment as well as solve the fuel crisis in the country.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

Mobility scoters have become a common way for the elderly and others with mobility issues to maintain there lifestyles with better ease. Weather you want to go around the block, get your mail, go to the shopping mall or grocery store, a mobility scooter can be used in a multitude of situations.

Who needs a mobility scooter?

A mobility scooter can be used for a multitude of reasons. Individuals with multiple sclerosis, leg injuries, severe forms of arthritis, general fatigue, mild cerebral palsy, severe stroke, or seniors just plain tired of walking everywhere, has a use for scooters. If an individual has trouble walking everywhere whether because of an injury or fatigue they might want to explore getting a scooter to supplement some of your walking.

Factors when buying a scooter

Weight

When buying Mobility scooters how much you weigh is an important factor. Standard power chairs generally have an weight capacity of 250 lbs – 350 lbs. If you or a love one weighs over this amount, the mobility scooter might be generally uncomfortable or parts of the scooter will break at an accelerated rated due to the stress of the excess weight. If you are close to the weight limit, you should factor in heavy objects which you are going to be carrying on the mobility scooter when it is in operation.

Scooter dimensions.

The size of the scooter is going to be important based on your environment. If you use your scooter indoors where the hallways are narrow and the corners are tight, then a smaller scooter with a small turning radius will be your better choice. You can find those measurements in the specifications section when review the details of any scooter.

Scooter Type

Deciding on how you will use the scooter will tell you what type of mobility scooter that you need.

4 Wheel Scooter

If you feel that you will be using your wheel chair on tougher terrain such as rural areas, farms or grassy areas then a 4 wheel scooter will probably give you the best stability to ride comfortably in those areas.

3 wheel scooter

But if you want to be able to maneuver through tight spaces such as in your home, the mall, or generally places where there will be a lot of people, buying a 3 wheel scooter is your best option.

Transporting the Mobility Scooter

As with any heavy piece of equipment transporting it from point A to point B has to be factored in.

Transportation means

Will you have a car or a truck when transportation the scooter? If you have an large truck than transferring mobility scooters, especially the larger size models will be easier. More space means that the scooter can be easily loaded, transferred and unloaded with ease. But if you have an car and plan to carry your mobility scooter in the trunk of your car then a scooter that disassembles would be a better fit. Many scooters can be disassembled into three pieces, each piece generally weighing 15 – 34 pounds.

Strength

Weight again should be factored, but this time it is for carrying weight. A scooter can weigh between 110 pounds and 190 pounds. So if you plan to transfer a full mobility scooter knowing whether you have someone that can lift a mobility scooter is important. If you choose an model that disassembles than each piece weighing between 15 and 34 pounds will be more manageable.

Seating

How you use your mobility scooter affects your seating requirements. If you drive in your scooter as well as sit in it most of the day, then you might want to consider getting a comfortable seat, one that has many layers of foam padding. The adjustability of a seat can be a factor for some, if you are tall or just want easy maneuverability then making sure your mobility scooter has a seat which can be raised or lowered should be considered. If you have severe mobility issues than making sure your mobility chair swivels for easy exit or entry would be important you. But if you only use your mobility scooter occasionally and sit in it rarely then a standard scooter seat will be just fine.

Arm types

If you ride in your scooter a lot and are constantly getting in & out of it then having adjustable arms is big. Imagine having to move around your scooter’s arms every time you exit and enter it. That can be a real hassle; luckily most manufacturers make arms that can swivel up or sideways for easy access. Some manufacturers even have chairs that can be adjust wider to accommodated larger individuals.

Accessories

Every mobility scooters can be customized to fit a particular need of a buyer. Many of these items usually cost extra, just like upgrading to leather seats when you buy a new car.

Pouches and Baskets

A basket is usually a steel or plastic cart which attaches to the back or front of your scooter. A pouch is can be just a carrying bag, or some specially designed bag to hang on your mobility scooter.

Oxygen Tank, Crutch holder

If you have to carry a respiratory tank around or a crutch you can order an holder for both items. The holder attaches to the back of your mobility scooter carrying your respiratory tank or cane in a specially designed holder for each particular item.

Headlights

If your drive your scooter at night or have vision problems then buying headlights is another option. Headlight allow for the driver to see better at night when driving the scooter as wheel as signaling to bystanders the scooter’s location. We have to remember that these are large machines which can hurt people if a collusion occurs; especially when it is dark and vision is further impaired. If you drive your mobility scooter at night often then to be on the safe side get lights.

Left or right handed

If you are left handed than an left handed driving scooter would be preferable if you are right handed then you would chose a right handed driving scooter. Also if you had a stroke or some other aliment which has left you weak on one side of your body than buying a scooter which drives in accordance to the stronger side of your body would be a good fit

Colors

Most scooters come in a variety of colors, variations of reds, blues & greens are typical colors.

Remember before you buy a mobility scooter to always make sure that it will fit into you or a loved ones lifestyle by going over all the factors that goes into purchasing & owning a mobility scooter. A mobility scooter that is researched & tailor to fit an individuals needs can make someone’s life a lot easier.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars