Lifestyle

Used Car Prices on the Rise: What You Need to Know

Published

5 years ago

June 21, 2021

The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic are wide-ranging. Some are also easy to overlook. Not every effect of the pandemic is as obvious as others.

For example, rental car companies often sell their vehicles after a year or so. This practice plays a critical role in determining the average cost of pre-owned vehicles. Many used cars are actually formerly rental cars.

However, because travel was extremely limited during the pandemic, when rental car companies sold off their vehicles early, they didn’t buy replacements. The low demand for rental cars made buying new vehicles unnecessary at the time.

This has resulted in a shortage of used cars available to buyers. Because rental companies didn’t buy as many replacements as they typically would, they now don’t have as many vehicles to sell to used car dealers and buyers.

This is one of several reasons used car prices are remarkably high right now. The implications of this for car buyers, owners, and sellers are numerous.

For example, if a car owner was considering eventually selling their vehicle and upgrading to a new model, now may be the best time to do so. Used cars are currently scarce, but that won’t always be the case. As their availability returns to normal levels, so will their prices. If a seller waits to sell their vehicle, by the time they do, they may not get nearly as much money for it as they would if they sold sooner rather than later.

It’s also worth noting that the pandemic made manufacturing and designing new vehicles very challenging for several months. This also contributed to the rise in used car prices. With fewer new vehicles available, buyers had to purchase used cars. Increased demand yielded increased cost.

However, new vehicles are beginning to hit the road again as the pandemic winds down. A buyer might thus sell their used car for a good price now in order to upgrade to a new model.

Even someone who doesn’t currently own a vehicle might want to consider these factors if they were planning on buying one in the near future. This is the case if they initially planned on buying a used car to save money.

Typically, buying a pre-owned vehicle instead of a new one is an effective way to limit spending when a buyer is on a tight budget. However, given that used car prices are currently much higher than ordinary, the amount of money a buyer could save is currently somewhat limited. They may simply be better off buying a new car that’s in better condition and boasts more innovative features.

Additionally, while demand for used vehicles may eventually wane, reducing their cost as a result, experts believe that might not necessarily happen soon. Now that vaccines are available and restrictions are being lifted, many people are buying used cars out of a desire to travel. This trend may continue for at least a year. As such, the high demand for used cars is probably going to remain consistent for some time.

Whether someone plans on buying a car, selling a car, or both, they should remember these points when deciding how to proceed. The rise in used car prices may be one of the more overlooked ripple effects of the pandemic. However, for drivers, it could also be one of the more significant.

Lifestyle

Why Karina Debora Sayed Believes Great Real Estate Starts With the Right Energy

Published

1 min ago

December 24, 2025

Michelle Langton

Mexico’s real estate market moves fast, with shifting trends and clients whose needs could not be more different. One day, you might be working with a first‑time buyer, careful and nervous about every choice. Next, you are helping an experienced investor map out a plan for the next decade. Success in this field takes more than listings and contracts. It takes a real understanding of people and what matters to them.

Karina Debora Sayed has built her career on that understanding. As the founder and president of Playa Realtors, she leads an agency where energy, alignment, and teamwork matter just as much as market expertise. With 25 years of living and working in the region, she knows how far honesty and the right fit can take a client’s journey.

A Team Built for Different Needs

Karina often says with a smile that she is not a milanesa with fries, not everyone’s favorite dish. And that is perfectly fine. Every client brings something different to the table, and she enjoys that variety. Some clients need a steady hand and deep patience. Others want someone who can dive straight into complex investment analysis. Karina knows when to step in herself and when to let her team lead.

This is what makes Playa Realtors stand out. They are not a one‑size‑fits‑all agency. Each person on the team brings unique strengths. A few agents are exceptional at guiding emotional buyers through big life decisions. Others thrive on research, data, and planning for investors who need hard numbers. When a conversation calls for insight on growth potential or a wider vision, Karina takes that seat at the table. Her decades of experience in the region help clients see beyond the present moment and into what is possible over time.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

Karina rarely does the property tours herself. That is where her team excels, creating a relaxed, informative experience on the ground. Her focus is on helping clients understand the “why” behind an investment. She talks through lifestyle goals, long‑term value, and how a purchase aligns with the future they want. It is a part of the process she loves, the moments when a client realizes they are not just buying property, they are building a life.

This kind of guidance does not come from scripts or quick sales tactics. It comes from years of watching how the region has evolved, how neighborhoods change, and how people’s needs shift. Karina’s role is to connect those patterns with the dreams in front of her, so buyers feel confident in their decisions.

Lessons From a Demanding Market

Working in this industry has taught Karina that forcing a match never ends well. Early in her career, she saw agencies push through deals that looked good on paper but did not serve the client’s long‑term interest. Those experiences shaped her approach. She chose to build a company that values clarity over speed and relationships over transactions.

Inside Playa Realtors, team members are encouraged to be honest about what they do best. That transparency builds trust not only among themselves but with clients. Buyers know they are getting the right person for their specific needs, not whoever happens to be available. This focus on fit is why so many clients return or send referrals. They feel understood, not processed.

A Legacy Built on Alignment

Karina’s leadership is calm, direct, and grounded. She has no interest in being everything to everyone. Instead, she creates space for her team to shine and for clients to feel supported in ways that go beyond a single purchase. It is common for a transaction to turn into a second purchase or even a friendship because the relationship does not end when the papers are signed.

For Karina, great real estate work starts with energy, the kind that comes from listening, matching people with the right guidance, and building trust step by step. In a busy, competitive market, that approach is rare. But it is exactly what has made Playa Realtors a name people trust, and why Karina’s way of leading feels less like selling and more like building something that lasts.