Me and the BOSS are looking to get a static caravan at some point this year but don't want to spend more than £10,000 but we know buying is the easy part as how do we go about siting etc we liv in Blackburn Lancashire and want to be able to drive there most weekends so would like it to be around an hours drive tops. How do we find out who takes what and if they have space?
We looked into buying a static a few years ago and all the sites we contacted said we had to buy the van from them.
It appears to be quite common practice for sites to insist you buy a van from them. Many seem reluctant to accept caravans from other sites.
Maybe you should look at sites in your chosen area and then see whether they have any suitable statics for sale or ask if they will accept a static you buy elsewhere.
Also check if there is an age limit on the vans as some sites won't allow you to keep a van on site once it reaches a certain age (eg 10 years old)
I think if I wanted to stay in one place I would look at siting a large tourer. From what I have heard of most static sites, they are a big rip-off. As HEJC72 says, most sites will only allow units they have sold on their sites, they usually have age limits, and when you come to sell you either have to remove it from the site or sell it to them for peanuts.
Site operators have it all sewn up between themselves, in my opinion. That's why there are so many statics for sale on ebay for next to nothing, all un-sited of course.
There are a lot of 'starter' offers around that at first glance look like a real bargain, we passed a Park Homes site on the Yorkshire coast last week that was advertising its January sales, the Banners offered a 'preloved' mobile home with all connection fees and a years ground rent with prices starting at 5k, but when you read the small print, the ground rent and service charges, tied up contract to that company for x-amount of years, and the clause to remove the caravan after a certain age, made it a very expensive holiday home indeed.
Like others have said, you are much better to have a large tourer on a seasonal pitch with the option to move on if needsbe, there are plenty of alterative sites available with much less faff and fuss than trying to sell up or move on from a static mobile home should the need arise.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Just out of curiosity I thought I would have a look on ebay for static caravans. Several on there for under £1,000, many look quite nice, and one just sold for £102!! The problem is that it's highly unlikely that any site would take them, so unless you have your own piece of land ready, or are self-building a house and can put it in the garden, really they are worthless. Transport can be expensive too.
I would agree with other posts. The MOST important thing is to check the maximum age caravan is allowed on the site you have chosen. I would also find the site you like 1st before buying the caravan. Once your happy with the site see what used vans they have for sale. most sites are acting for owners on their site anyway. Now is a good time to buy as site fees are due around this time of year Unfortunatly a number of owners find they can no longer afford the site fees anymore or just get bored of having the caravan in the same place. So my advice would be if you see one you like even if its advertised on site for a few thousand more than you can afford, make an offer you will be surprised what owners will accept to be rid of the costs of keeping it on site. I speak from bitter experience after paying £34000 for one then finding we hated the site, selling it 9 months later for £20000. Other bit of advice is get one with at least double glazing and if the budget allows central heating. It makes all the difference. If you have got 10grand to spend I would expect to find one without too much trouble. Good luck. Geoff
Just to add. Once we found the site we really liked, and got another caravan (used with DG & central heating £12k) we loved the life, even lived in it for almost 2 yrs.
My advice would be not to buy a static at all to be honest. They are nice, and it is tempting to look around the big, modern vans and at the offers from various sites, but when you read the small print, you will soon come to see how must it will actually cost, and it's not cheap.
Most sites expect you to buy the van from them, at inflated prices, then pay their pitch fees which can be high, especially at coastal sites. There will usually be an age limit on the van being kept there (about 10 years or so) after which time, you will have to remove it or sell it back to the site for next to nothing. Electricity, calor gas etc. will be charged as extras and you will also need insurance, which can also be expensive, depending on where the van is sited.
If you are planning to rent the van to help to cover costs, bear in mind that not everyone will look after your property as you might expect and you will have to repair any damage caused or pay cleaning bills. Some sites do not allow you to rent the van to anyone else, so read the contract carefully - bookings sometimes have to be through the site office.
The contract you sign on buying a static should be considered very carefully (read the small print). Holiday site owners can virtually write their own rules and change them to suit. Being a holiday van owner can be a costly and worrying burden; I can honestly say this speaking from personal experience (my parents) and I would not advise anyone to buy a static van at any price unless you have a bottomless pit of cash you don't mind throwing away.
My advice - buy a large tourer and site it on a seasonal pitch. From a financial point of view, a much better prospect in my opinion.
There is another way..most static sales companies have a list of sites they are allowed to sell a van onto.There is usually a commission to be paid to the site-owner and this will be added to your purchase price. West lancs caravans is just up the road from you near Garstang. Could be worth a visit?
Personally, I wouldn't touch one with a barge-pole as the site operators can make up rules as they go along. There are virtually no controls on them. Even site operators that seem very nice can suddenly decide to sell up. You could easily get a new site operator who decides to have a clear-out. If they decide they don't like you, or don't like your van, you are gone, and there's little you can do about it!
They look lovely when you see them at shows, and I have rented one a couple of years back and enjoyed the experience, but I wouldn't buy one at any price, unless I had my own piece of land to put it on.
Patches advice above is very sound, in my opinion.
some sites want you to pay them to keep the van on there park the new Owner pays 15% transfer fee of the selling price of the caravan. They have you with the dogs n*ts,regarding rates age of van even having to buy there gas, so many things to really look into.
------------- Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!
Weve just bough a two year old van from Harrison Leisure in Southport, not far from you, and had it transported to France, so hardly a weekend retreat! But the price was good, we paid 2500 euros for the installation and 'gate fees' and the site charge 2100 euros approx each year, no age limit on vans and you can sell to anyone (weve just sold our old van at a good price for both 'parties' and NO fees to pay to the site owner)
follow the advice from everyone else, check on age limit etc and be prepared to put some miles on the car driving around to find sites that will accept an 'older' van onto their site at a reasonable cost! watch out for the clauses re only being able to sell through the site as that could result in you losing a lot of money!
but don't be put off, do your homework and sums and if it works out - go for it !!!
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Topic: Buying a static
