Want to buy a static caravan, or do I???

LilacLillie

I've been toying with the idea for a few years of buying a caravan, on a site near the sea and train station (not all family drive).
It may be a good time to be looking but I don't want to go through a dealer, rather try a private seller.
Where do I start to look?
A company on a Google search is offering free caravans, average of 15yrs old, you only pay the fees.
As I can remember my MIL had one years ago and the fees were high.
A quick search suggests about £4000 upwards a year!
Is there anyone with advice or experience that can help point me in the right direction please.
Thanks
LL

mineallmine

Hi, This site has some useful info:

NACO – The National Association of Caravan Owners
http://www.nacoservices.com/article-help.html

chattycathyuk

Hi

Ive been buying statics for a few years now, taught from my old nan who use to buy to rent.

Static caravan sales are very similar to car sales if you buy from dealer, i will never buy from any dealer as that rob you soft, they dont just make 1-2k on you 5-7k before that get out of bed.

Its always best to buy privatley, you will get a caravan at the right price.

Few tips

> Check age limits on site, site who say you can stay on site for 15 years or more will not let you sell your caravan privatley if your caravan is more than 10 years old. you will have to sell to site who will offer you peanuts!
Eg: you buy 2003 caravan you have 3 years left to sell privatley. age is very inportant!
Some sites will kick you off if you caravan is more than 5 years old, this is how they make you upgrade and get your caravan for peanuts

> Most site's charge 15% when you come to sell your caravan and wont let you sell private, my site charge a ownership name transfer, whic the buyer and seller may split. Most well know holiday parks use this 15% policy, and also tell you what you can sell your caravan for, once you sign the contract you havent got a leg to stand on.

> Caravan size 10ft wide and 12ft wide that 2 foot make a lot of differents!

> Site fees! some fees dont included gas and water you will have to pay extra for this so check before you buy.

> Renting out, alot of people are scared about renting out, but this really does help pay your site fees, my caravan is on a north wales park, ive book 9 weeks out upto now return is £3020 site fees are £2250, so there is money to be made! never had any proplems as we only rent are caravan to familys over 30.

> Once your caravan is removed from a site base your caravan is worth bottom book! Trade value. this is why you need to find a good friendly caravan site! if i was you talk to people around the park you are thinking of buying a caravan on, this will give you more insight to what the rules are.

I have a website where people offer there caravans for sale privatley, you contact them and not the park. This park is in north wales. i know alot about other parks if you have one in mind?? i cant put my link here but if you pm i will send you some links and more info!!

Kindest Regards

Cathy x

LilacLillie

Wow! Thanks Cathy, lots of good advice there.
I shall look it at all at the weekend as I am away from home at the moment.
LL

Essex-girl_2

I had a static caraven on a nice site for 6 years - was brilliant but we gave it up at the right time.

I also saw a free caraven advertised - well I wouldnt have put a dog in it, its an advertising ploy. We ended up going to a different site and buying one. The site had a small swimming pool and a club house. The first few years were great but by the last year some of the other 'owners' were not so pleasant.

Also I was saving £300 per month to pay my fees, water rates, electric and insurance. We went every weekend and school holidays so I feel I did get my moneys worth. I still know people who are on site & its empty this year because of the credit crunch so I guess you may get a bargain.

jenhug

If it were me I would buy a twin axle touring van and put it on a seasonal pitch. At least if you dont like the site you can move to another and there tends not to be an age limit applied to touring vans.
I can recommend the website www.ukcampsite.co.uk for excellent advice.

rtw123

Hi ChattyCathyUk

Hope you can help! You seem to know a lot about caravans.

My Mum & Dad are buying a caravan on a site on N Wales and they are going on Saturday to pay the money. However, we are a bit worried about them handing over £8250 for something we have not had 'properly' checked. Is there a company that will come out and give the Caravan a once over? Or do you think we are worrying about nothing? We have checked in cupboards, under the beds etc to look for signs of damp but couldn't see any. It looks in immaculate condition, well cared for. Just would like to hear if it's normal to spend money without it being checked by someone official beforehand?

Any advice would be very much appreciated as I have been searching on line for info but can't find anything!!!

Look forward to hearing from you.

RTW123

Goldjag

Cathy

it seems that you know quite a bit about caravan parks.

Do you know if there is a list anywhere of parks in North Wales that will allow
us to site our existing static caravan on. We are getting hassled by the owners
of our existing park and need to move on.

Goldjag