Nationwide Auto Lease

What is An Auto Broker?

Most consumers are accustomed to the idea of engaging professional assistance when it comes to important purchases. For instance, realtors and stock brokers are routinely used to assist with the purchase of real estate or investments. These are things that a consumer could technically arrange on their own, yet many find that it is easier and/or smarter to solicit professional assistance.

Despite the fact that a car purchase is one of the major life investments consumers make in their lifetime, the concept of using an auto broker to help arrange the sale of an automobile has not yet become widely embraced by the general public - in fact, many people do not even know that using an auto broker is an available option when it comes to making a car purchase. Below we will attempt to outline some of the key benefits that auto brokerage services hold for car buying consumers.

What an Auto Broker Does?

Quite simply, an auto broker manages the process of buying a car on behalf of a customer. This includes finding the desired vehicle, negotiating the price, delivering the final paperwork, and securing financing, if necessary. An auto broker’s job is to help the customer save time and money in the car buying process.

Why Use An Auto Broker?

Auto brokers offer several advantages for consumers. The following are a few of the key benefits:

Convenience - Saving Time
Using an auto broker saves consumers the time and effort of having to car-hunt at dealer lots, an activity which most people find to be less than desirable. Because auto brokers are essentially professional car buyers, the entire sale process is typically seamless and straightforward.
Negotiations - Saving Money
Because auto brokers have professional relationships with networks of car dealers, they are able to secure discounted pricing that they can then pass along as savings to their clients. Even when the auto broker's fee is factored in to the total cost of the car, the consumer still usually ends up saving money on their purchase.
Preferential Treatment - Getting What You Want
Auto brokers ensure that their clients receive great treatment by car dealers, and are often able to enjoy perks that are not available to members of the general public. For instance, if there is a waiting list for a high-demand vehicle an auto broker's customer may get bumped up toward the top of the list.
Peace of Mind - Buying with Confidence
Consumers who use auto brokers enjoy the confidence of knowing that they have a professional advocate on their side in the car buying process, so they don't have to worry about the possibility of fraud, deception or other consumer woes that are all to common on the auto industry,
Who Can Use an Auto Broker?
Any consumer who wants to buy a car can use an auto broker. In the past, auto brokers have had a reputation for serving the higher end of the car market (e.g. luxury cars), but most brokers today will work with just about anyone seeking to purchase a new car, or a late model used vehicle.

What Does an Auto Broker Charge?

Auto broker fees are typically determined either as a flat rate or as a percentage of the value of the car being purchased - some brokers will take their fee as percentage of the savings they negotiate for you. Whatever the pricing model, auto broker fees typically range between $400-$800 dollars (higher for certain luxury vehicles). Most auto brokers get their fee directly from clients, although some get paid by the dealership.
Even when the auto broker's fee is factored into the total expense of the car, the end cost to the consumer is usually less than or equal to the deal they would have got on their own - so minimally, the consumer gets the service of the broker for no extra cost, and in many cases, saves money on top of having the convenience that the broker service provides.


These steps should help you research car lease deals and determine your best options.
1. Get your credit score. Obtain your credit report from one of the three major reporting agencies—Experian, Equifax or TransUnion—to correct any inaccuracies before beginning the car leasing process. To benefit from the best rates, request and maintain your credit report annually. Federal law requires that each of the three credit reporting bureaus provide you with this information upon request, free of charge. The higher a credit score, the better a deal can be made. Knowing your credit rating and what is on your credit report helps you address outstanding issues as well as eliminate erroneous items. This will work in your favor when seeking a car lease.
2. Determine your shopping criteria. Select a few vehicles to do some comparison shopping by either similar pricing or similar features. If pricing dictates your search, always look at the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for a starting point for the overall car cost. You will also want to do a little research about capitalized costs and invoice pricing before negotiating a deal.
3. Perform a keyword search. Whether you have good credit or bad credit, you will be able to narrow your search to those lenders who work with people like you or who are in your situation financially. Make sure that the keyword search is specific to the type of lease deal that you are looking for. If you have bad credit, search for sub-prime lenders that offer bad credit lease financing. Keep your search as specific and narrowly focused as possible for the best results.
4. Select a vehicle with a high residual. A vehicle's residual value has a great effect on the financial costs for any lease. The vehicle's residual value is its worth at the end of the contract. Certain vehicles - usually ones within the class of commonly referred to as "economy sizes" will have lower residual values than models with considerable features or luxury cars. Check out a car's residual value online at places like Edmund's or Kelley Blue Book. Vehicles have different depreciation values usually running up to 30 percent in the first year of the lease and than an additional 15 percent the second year. Lower depreciation adds to a vehicle's residual value and also affects your monthly payment.
5. Identify the type of lease. Basically there are two types of car leases - closed or open end deals. Closed end deals set the vehicle's residual value at the time the contract is negotiated. When the contract expires, you pay any excessive mileage fees. With an open end deal, the residual value is determined at contract end. If the discovered value is better than market, the leasing company owes you the difference. If it is less, you owe. Typically, even with regular wear and tear, residual values determined with open end leasing result in lower values. Unless your leasing needs and your ability to care for a vehicle, returning it in tip-top shape to gain the utmost value, an open end lease is not recommended.
6. Compare interest rates. Interest rates are an important consideration when comparing lease offers. The longer the lease contract, the higher the interest rate. This is due to the depreciation expense that the dealer carries the moment you drive the car away. You should understand how the interest rates differ between offers and whether an offer being made represents the lender's best effort. Furthermore, keep in mind the factors that will influence the lender's decision in the interest rate offer. If you have a poor credit score or some items on your credit report, these aspects will cause your interest rate to go higher. Understand what is reasonable for interest rates based on your financial profile so that you can get the best possible number.
7. Check out the money factor. The money factor is an interest rate converted to APR (Annual Percentage Rate) by multiplying it by 2400. Example: An automobile money factor of .00220 would translate to a 5.28 percent APR. Any rate lower than the average national new car interest rate is a rate you should be looking for that will help make this a good car leasing deal.
8. Look for subvented offers. The best deals for car leasing will include an offer called subvented, wherein a deal is made with a combination of high residual value, low money factor and discount pricing. A deal like this will be a genuinely good negotiated one resulting in a low monthly payment making it an attractive offer.
9. Sign up for notices. Many manufacturers, and leasing companies, will keep people informed about the special deals that they have coming in the future. Sign up for the notices to be delivered in your email inbox. This way, when the leasing company offers a special rate, or introductory offer, you will know about it. Finding car lease deals online requires a little bit of patience, but in the long run you will be saving yourself a lot of money.
10. Compare terms and conditions. Does the lease offer have any unusual conditions or terms that are out of line with what is generally accepted? For example, if you are required to place a large deposit prior to the purchase of the car, or must pay a high amount for additional miles incurred over the annual lease limit, you may want to consider a different lease opportunity. You should never leave the lease terms to chance without at least attempting to read the fine print and asking questions where appropriate. It is only through this process that you can determine whether the terms for one offer stacks up favorable or not against another lease offer.
11. Check for rebates. Always check a manufacturer's website for current deals that might include purchase and lease rebates. These may not be known, or offered, by your selected dealer. Awareness of instant and mail-in rebates can lower the total cost of the financial arrangements made for your leased vehicles. Normally, third-party issued rebates are applied toward a down payment. Manufacturers offering a rebate through their captive finance companies like Ford Motor Credit or General Motors Acceptance Corporation will add the rebate to the vehicle's residual value. Always be wary of dealers claiming rebates are never available for leasing arrangements. Some, in fact, are specifically engineered for people seeking to lease a vehicle. Always make sure a factory rebate comes directly to you and not to the dealer.