Anyone living in Static/Mobile home?

Candy53

Hi,

I just wondered if anyone is, they could give me some pros and cons. Our children are grown up, and we've been thinking about a static home as an option.

Thanks,
Candy

sofaspud1234

My mother lived in a static mobile home for around 15 years and she loved it. She kept it immaculate it was new when she moved there. She sold last year to go into sheltered accomodation. She also managed to sell for what she bought it for, which was good. If your looking to do that look for one that's been looked after as the one next door to my mothers had leaks and was bodged up by the owner, so be cautious.

seven-day-weekend

They can be fine and many people love them. Be aware that usually they will depreciate in price.

NeverAgain_2

A decent spec holiday static - about £40K for a new one sited - is not suitable for year-round occupation.

Even with central heating and double glazing, it's just too cold for the depths of winter.

There's also the site to consider, regulations- and their application - varies, but you will not be able to stay in the caravan for 52 weeks of the year.

Most sites close for a few weeks Jan/Feb.

All the above can be cured by buying a residential unit on a residential site, but it's much dearer, £100K won't really get you started.

lincroft1710

Most mobile home parks (which are licensed for all year round living, as opposed to holiday home parks) have a minimum age limit for occupants of 55 years. A few do not even allow under 55s to stay as short term guests with their over 55 friends/relatives

Secondhand homes can start as low as £40K, but this will tend to be for a refurbished old single unit. A brand new "twin unit" can easily cost £140K and for the best homes on the best parks, £200K is quite common. But as a previous poster said, mobile homes do depreciate.

I am not sure about site rents, not so long ago it was about £100 per month, may now be nearer £150. However Council Tax will usually be Band A or B.

There are some splendid, well run parks with spacious plots, but these are usually the most expensive. However many parks do seem cramped and there is the odd horror story of unreasonable park owners.

You do need to do a lot of research as to whether this would be a suitable lifestyle for you and also thoroughly check out any park you are thinking of living on.

cattie

I think you do need to do a lot of research before making your mind up. If you watch tv and read the newspapers you will of heard of the nightmare situation some park home owners have found themselves in, thanks to unscrupulous site owners.

If you want to move, a park home is more difficult to sell and as pointed out, is a depreciating asset. As soon as you buy it, a fair chunk is already lost of the price & unlike a house or flat, there is never the chance to gain any equity in the property.

Why not consider a retirement flat or bungalow instead? Usually cost far less than non age barrier properties and providing you have bought in a good development with reasonable service/maintenance charges, it shouldn't be too difficult to sell and you have the chance of the property increasing instead of decreasing in value.

manda1205

NeverAgain wrote: »

A decent spec holiday static - about £40K for a new one sited - is not suitable for year-round occupation.

Even with central heating and double glazing, it's just too cold for the depths of winter.

There's also the site to consider, regulations- and their application - varies, but you will not be able to stay in the caravan for 52 weeks of the year.

Most sites close for a few weeks Jan/Feb.

All the above can be cured by buying a residential unit on a residential site, but it's much dearer, £100K won't really get you started.

We have quite a few residential mobile home parks in our area and as they are residential you live their all year round. I think you're thinking of holiday parks which as you say are usually 48 weeks a year or more.
OP, I used to live in one in my mum and dads garden when I was about 16yrs old (was good for sneeking boyfriends in ). I only had electric heaters in bedroom and a gas fire in the living bit, this was definitly adequate enough for me. They are now much more up to date now and have double glazing and central heating. I'd definitly consider living in one and as I said we have a lot of parks in our area so they can't be all that bad. As others have said though, don't expect to make any money from them as they will just depreciate.

iloveblackpool

my family and i are desperatly trying to find a family residential park where we can live in a static in blackpool we are struggling as we are new to this if anyone can point me in the direction of a site that would accept us to live there all year round (i willing to pay the council tax) i would be hugely gratefull


kind regards