Buying a static caravan as an investment?

stressheadno2

That's great info thanks. We have been looking over the last few weeks that's all. What month or time of year do you recommend to buy ? Our children are getting older and we would of liked a place to go for weekends mostly and maybe the odd week. Was thinking of renting it out to cover most of costs. Maybe doing it privately maybe better to vet the renters before accepting their bookings and having more control. We do like Wales and Anglesey as well but felt the lakes is easier to travel back from (around 1hr 20 for us St Helens way). when we've traveled back from wales we always find very heavy traffic .Plus there is quite a lot to do around the lakes and on the edge of yorkshire. Aiming to keep it around 8 to 10 years until retirement and then maybe look at property abroad where we can spend longer breaks.Any more info you can share would be greatly appreciated.Fees and costs are a big help to know what we need going forward.

ANDY597

I looked into this very thing recently with the idea I would air bnb a static. Contacted the site I was interested in and reached out to some of the renters on Airbnb for information. All but one were reluctant to speak to me (obviously) but one chap was very transparent with his experience.

My overall conclusion was that if your going to use it yourself, its just about do-able however as an investment it wasn't worth the time and effort. (assuming you did handovers, cleaning etc yourself to keep costs down)

stressheadno2

Thanks, was thinking of trying to contact some owners on various sites for some feedback.Didn't actually think of airbnb.Did you try through anywhere else.

MataNui

Site fees usually hit peoples accounts around November and need paying by Jan. We started looking a bit around April but ramped up the search at the end of August last year. We were looking for a used van that was already sited. Cost being one reason (not footing the depreciation on a new one of these) and we wanted decking which can be 12k on top to get fitted new.



After a lot of being called with ones that we didnt like we eventually got a used van (but only 3 months old. It still had the plastic wrap in the shower and dishwasher) that they sited on a plot we had already seen (we told them we loved the plot and the decking but the van on it was junk) and they rebuilt that decking around it including that years plus the next years fees for several thousand less than it would of cost us for the same model 4 years older private sale (accounting for commission and fees).


So, i would probably say look now but dont rush. Let wherever you pick know you are serious but hold off the purchase till they are a bit more desperate if you can. It might take you a while to find somewhere you like anyway. Look around and know the costs/differences so you have a fair idea if you are being screwed over.



The happiest people on the park are the ones that use the vans most often. Its one of the only honest things the sales manager told us. We are also only an hour 15 or so away and because we dont rent it and leave our stuff there can just jump in the car after work Friday and be there sitting on the decking with a cold beer before tea time. So sticking to the Lake District would be a good idea. The ones who complain most are the ones who are not there often and rent their vans out.


I addition to fees which vary from a couple of thousand to several (ours is 6200) there is rates (about 250), Water (about 350), Insurance (about 275), Gas and Electric (another few hundred since its only used weekends. If you rent this could be a significant additional cost). Some extras like draindowns and gas safety checks add another few hundred to the bill.



Thats quite a lot of costs to cover by renting. As i said. The ones who rent are the ones who seem least happy and are always in the owners services complaining about stuff. Its not in any way a financial investment. You wont make a profit, you wont cover the costs of ownership and purchase, you probably wont cover the costs of ownership (not if you want to use it yourself) but if you go into it knowing all that it may be the best money you could spend. We think so.


Another thing. Dont do it if you need finance for the van. You will see a lot of vans on the market around 2 years old. People buy them on finance thinking they can afford the monthly payments and forget that the first year has around 6k in fees included. Then the second year they have the same payments plus another 500 per month and end up needing to rent to cover the cost. Then they sell up as soon as they can. Dont be that person.

stressheadno2

Thanks very much that is some great advice for us to consider.Much appreciated.

ANDY597

No, my research was limited to Airbnb,

Janinejenks

I know this is an old post but I wanted to jump on as it has lots of useful info that it still relevant. 

MataNui, I wondered if your caravan park was QuayWest by any chance? We’re looking at purchasing our first caravan at Quay West, Newquay which is a Haven site. But there is so much to learn and the costs vary widely. We’d really like a sea view which we expect to pay extra for but private sellers are adding £20-30k onto the value of the caravan for those particular pitches which seems a lot. The whole process is overwhelming and the Haven staff haven’t been very helpful. 

p00

My advice is dont do it.
From experience: I bought a 25k static on Haven. The fees are like a mortgage around your neck and it doesnt stop at fees. Gas and electric testing etc are on top. Renting: oh yes you can do that and if you are lucky you will cover some of the cost of the fees. If you are unlucky you will have to do repairs, fix damages , certainly either clean it or organise a cleaner after renting each time.  I was very fortunate with the few rentals I did.
Renting makes it not really your home as such. I liked to have mine as a home by the beach and as such it was filled with homely stuff.  When you rent this cant happen unless you empty it or lock away your personal stuff.  I suppose that comes down to how much you think of it at your home or retreat rather than just a caravan.
The couple next to me had their caravan on finance and were amazed to find out in the small print that they had to let Haven rent it out certain weeks - BEWARE of any clauses.
If on finance find out how much the caravan is actually going to cost you in the end.
On selling: Nightmare.  If you sell privately Haven take a %. Plus VAT. You also are not guaranteed the plot its on.  Sell to Haven you get about 1/3 of what you paid depending on the caravan. That's what happened to me.
Not only do they badger you to upgrade all the time I can say that if you are older the rental season can be a bit annoying with thousands of children running about etc. the pools are full, the bars are full etc. If you have children or grandchildren its a great place to holiday with them because there's always something to do.
Another point is do you want to keep going back to the same place. I was working so went on a Friday evening back Sunday evening. It was about an hour away. Its surprising how much time you spend packing the car, travelling, sitting in traffic and then reversing the system. It is like running 2 houses.
Now Im retired I could (in theory) go for several months. I have considered it again for that reason. I would love to be by the sea. BUT the never ending rise in costs do not make it reasonable as I think that personally the amount of holidays I can have for the costs involved. I could visit my sister in New Zealand for several months cheaper than having a caravan for instance.
DO BE CAREFUL. Think of the costs over say 4 or 5 years. What if you can no longer afford it through illness or job loss etc.
Good luck with whatever you decide.  I wish I had thought about it more but it was a great learning curve. 
p00 xx