trade-in-valuatorlisted

# Trade-in Valuator > **Caveat**: this skill is one author's playbook + 5-scenario stress test. Verify state fees / CPO terms / EV credits / dealer practices against current sources before quoting numbers to a dealer or making financial decisions. Not tax, legal, or financial advice. last_verified: 2026-05-18 Narrow-trigger skill: produce a defensible trade-in valuation, decide separate-sell vs trade-in, and stage lien-payoff timing. Defers full reference content to `../orchestrator/references/trade_in.md` and state-specific tax mechanics to `../orchestrator/references/state_fees.md`. ## When to invoke User says any of: "valuate my trade", "what's my Civic worth", "KBB vs private party", "trade-in tax credit", "lien payoff", or the CN triggers in the frontmatter. Skip this skill if there is no trade (Phase 1 trade gate = NO). ## 5-anchor valuation framework Per `../orchestrator/references/trade_in.md` Section 1: every trade vehicle has four book/market valuations -- and for **EVs and PHEVs, a fifth anchor: battery State of Health (SoH)**. Capture every applicable anchor at Phase 1 -- misreading them is the #1 source of buyer loss in trade-in deals. | # | Anchor | What it is | Typical relationship | Role | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | KBB Instant Cash Offer | Real cash a participating dealer will pay TODAY, no negotiation | Lowest of the four (dealer floor) | Walk-floor outside option. Any dealer trade offer below this is asking buyer to subsidize. | | 2 | KBB Trade-In