How do I get the title for a car, if the person you buy from still owes on their loan?
I'm in the market for a new-to-me used car. If I buy from a private party, all cash to them, completely paid for on my side, but the person selling still owes money on their car loan, how do I know that they will use those funds to pay their loan and transfer the title to me? I realize a receipt would prove I paid for the vehicle, but if the people I buy from don't pay their finance company, I doubt the finance company would sign off on the title because of a hand written receipt.
?2010-05-26T07:05:54Z
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OK... Here's how to work this deal.
1) A few days before you pick up the car, the seller has to contact his bank and request the title be sent to his local bank branch or finance company. 2)On the day of the sale, both you and the seller go to the bank and sit down with the bank manager or assistant. 3)You hand the cash for the car to the seller, and the seller hands the money to pay off his loan directly to the banker. 4)The banker fills out appropriate paperwork to indicate that the lien on the title has been released, and hands the title to you, free and clear. You own the car at this point, and you take the newly cleared title to the DMV to record the sale and register it in your name.
You never give anybody money for a car until you get a clear title. What you need to do is meet them at their bank or lending company and give them the check at the bank to ensure the bank gets paid and the bank will release the lien in your presence and give you a clear title.
If they refuse to meet you at their bank, walk away and shop elsewhere. You're about to get scammed.
You don't pay unless you are together with the seller at the lien holders office and as soon as you pay, the lien holder releases the title and hands it to the seller who then signs it over to you.
ANY other way and you leave yourself open to be screwed.