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Selling a Static Caravan or Holiday Home: Advice from the Experts

Posted on by Daly Caravans

You’ve enjoyed living or holidaying in your static caravan. You’ve had some wonderful times there, and you’re sorry to see it go – but circumstances have changed, and you’ve made the decision to put it up for sale. “I want to sell my static,” you’re thinking. “But how do I get about it?”

There are a few ways you can sell, including to the park on which it sits, or to a third party or in a private sale. But which of these options is the best? There are a few things which will have a bearing on who you sell to, and how much you charge for your static caravan in a sale, so we’ll begin by going through them here.

What Affects the Value of Your Static Caravan?

1.   Condition

If your static is in superb condition – as close to new as possible – then you will undoubtedly receive a much higher price than if it has been allowed to get into a state of disrepair, or has become very tired and a bit shabby. Although wear and tear is always to be expected, most buyers will be looking for a static caravan that has had TLC lavished upon it during its life thus far. Cleaning it regularly, and keeping on top of small maintenance jobs and repairs, is very important.

2.   Extras

If you have added brand new double glazing and a central heating system at some point after the caravan’s manufacture then this is likely to be a factor during any negotiation process over price. Similarly, if you have installed decking outside the static it can add more value. Decking areas tend to improve the exterior appearance of static caravans and, of course, provide another social space, itself a further selling point. New stairs and skirting is also a way to improve your chances of a higher price when you come to sell.

3.   Pitch

Location means a lot, and if you have a truly premium pitch position on the caravan park then you should be able to negotiate a better price. People are usually willing to pay a little more for a static caravan if the view is spectacular (or even just great) and the general position of the caravan feels above average.

Who Should I Sell My Static Caravan To?

1.   Park owner

Often the quickest way to sell your static is to your park owner. Many caravan parks will buy a holiday home for a fair price, and a big benefit of selling to a park is there won’t be sales commission or disconnection costs. As you’re not selling the pitch or licence agreement, the price will depend on the age, condition, and current trade value of your static caravan. If you sell your caravan privately or use a dealer, you might have some additional costs to cover.

2.   Dealer

A static caravan dealer is likely to offer you just about the same amount as a caravan park for your static, though you may strike it lucky and find a dealer who offers you a little bit more. Holiday home dealers tend to base their offer on calculations involving the same factors – current trade value and condition, etc. You should always get two or three quotes from different dealers so you can ensure the best return on your investment.

3.   Private sale

You may prefer to sell privately, in which case you should contact the park owner / operator and let them know that you intend to do so. You will then need to agree on a resale value for your caravan, pitch and licence agreement.

Moving on!

1.   Notice

To terminate your agreement with the park, you need to provide written notice at the appropriate moment. This can be anywhere between two weeks and three or four months – so you should check your documentation to make sure you comply with this legal requirement.

2.   Finance

You probably didn’t pay your static with a lump sum, so it’s likely that there is some finance still outstanding. It is actually not legal to  sell a holiday home with outstanding finance attached to it, so you must contact your finance company and come up with a plan for the remaining finance to be paid off, to make the sale possible. You should also pay up any outstanding bills before you leave – water, gas, electric and internet plus, of course, pitch and park fees.

Reasons to Sell Your Static Caravan with a Certified Caravan Trader

Posted on by Daly Caravans

It’s definitely time to sell your static caravan, but the deal you’ve been hoping for hasn’t materialised. You’ve advertised online on social media or through auction and sale sites, and you’ve been unlucky enough to encounter a couple of time wasting ‘tyre kickers’ as well as a bunch of messages from people with only a vague interest. You’ve worried whether your static caravan listing is even being seen! Or, perhaps you’ve tried to negotiate a sale to your park owner as you felt that might be the easiest option – but for one reason or another that deal didn’t go through, or the park owner wasn’t interested in the first place.

Whichever route you’ve chosen to travel, don’t worry about it not being successful. There’s a smart and simple way to sell. You could always contact a dealer – and not just any old dealer. Sell to Daly Caravans!

You might have invested quite a bit of your money in customisations and alterations during the course of your ownership, and the ‘book price’ of your static caravan might be lower than you would expect because of this – and that’s even though the caravan feels better. It seems crazy, doesn’t it? The general assumption is that people want to buy something ‘box fresh’ – as basic and blank canvas as the day it was born.

But, here at Daly Caravans we understand the market, we know it inside out, and we have a genuine feel for what people want. We’re balanced and able and fair enough to carefully consider the changes you might have made which have improved the quality of the caravan and the experience for people living in it, and we factor all of that in rather than just focus on that rigid book price. We can definitely pay more than your park!

When you sell to Daly it’s a very simple transaction. Fuss-free and fast. We recognise that people don’t like to get too bogged down in the ‘admin of life’ and so when they’re selling they often just want it done and dusted with the minimum inconvenience. We’re happy to oblige on that front so we’ve made sure it’s a very simple process.

  • Fill in the valuation form
  • Arrange for us to view the caravan
  • Agree the sale and get your cash!

Things to consider when selling

There are, of course, things you should think about when the time comes to sell. These are the things which will affect the valuation of your static caravan:

  • Condition: Making sure that your caravan is in the best condition it can be in is always desirable. It’s such an investment anyway that people are always likely to take pride and keep on top of cleaning and maintenance, and any repairs which need to be done. General wear and tear is always going to be a factor, but you will definitely receive a higher price the better the condition.
  • Additions: Things like added double glazing or central heating will be a factor in the valuation of your static caravan. In some ways these are now expectations that almost all potential buyers have – particularly if the caravan is going to be used for extended periods. It will be someone’s home-from-home – or, indeed, their actual home – so creature comforts are important.
  • Exterior: The look of your caravan from the outside is also important, as it’s the immediate impression everyone who sees it will get, and that sets the tone! Make sure it’s clean and neat, and that any repairs have been completed. Adding things like brand new stairs improves the overall quality, and decking can also improve the valuation as that feature is very popular as more and more people recognise the value of an extra social space, an outdoor area to relax.

There are several reasons why Daly is the best dealership to sell your static caravan to. We’re a leading buyer in the UK, having been through the process over 20,500 times in our 49 years of business. Everything is completely confidential, just between you and us, and our trusted service is completely pressure-free! There are no reductions once we’ve agreed a price, and with safe disconnection and transport – the money is paid directly into your bank account. It’s a professional but friendly experience for you, the seller, and we look forward to talking to you!

When is the Best Time to Sell Your Static Caravan?

Posted on by Daly Caravans

Owning a static caravan for use as a holiday home is often an affordable and popular option – though for some people the desire to sell does crop up. If that’s the case, it could be because the static caravan isn’t used as often as you’d like due to geography or time. Or perhaps you need to sell to raise some finances to pay for something else. Whatever the reason, there are things you can do to maximise the return on your initial outlay.

We get a lot of enquiries here – some of them from sellers as well as static caravan buyers. Amongst them you sometimes ask, “When is the best time to sell my static caravan?” – and the short answer is: Whenever you like! It depends entirely upon you. There are no hard-and-fast rules about it. The simple fact is that depreciation starts to occur from the moment you buy a new vehicle of any kind – and static caravans are no different, so they inevitably lose some of their value over time.

The price you can get when selling one year is going to be better than the price you’ll get a couple of years later – so the decision to sell could be based on something like how much money you need to raise from the sale. We buy from static caravan owners all year round, but what are the things you – and we – need to know?

Condition

Chances are that because your static caravan has been your home-from-home for periods of the year (holidays and weekend breaks), you will have taken a pride in it and looked after it very well. You’ll have kept on top of any small repairs and maintenance tasks required as it has gone through its life so far, and you’ll have made sure it’s regularly cleaned inside and out.

These efforts will help to prolong the life of the caravan and keep its appeal high should the situation arise where you want to sell it. But what are the things you’ve kept on top of, and what are the things that will affect the value of your static caravan?

Moisture issues: All enclosed spaces are subject to the effects of moisture in the air. Hopefully the fixtures and fittings in your static caravan have stayed in good condition because you have regularly cleaned – wiping down surfaces to remove condensation, and so on. Installing some sort of damp absorber – particularly to counter the issue in the times you are not using the caravan – is a really good idea, and there are some top quality products on the market which will keep your caravan protected for weeks at a time.

Making sure the roof is watertight is essential. Keeping on top of any small repairs or replacements you might need to do to door and window seals is also advisable as these can be serious sources of water ingress when they’re compromised, which can lead to larger damp problems. Ultimately, the structure of your caravan can be affected by damp in the worst case scenario, and that will seriously affect its value.Fixtures and fittings: No doubt during your static caravan life you will have realised that not every night is about the outdoors or about going out. Some nights it’s good to stay in and chill out – and that probably means a TV or computer in the caravan. Having some sort of TV feed and internet access is highly desirable.

Heating: Is your static caravan efficient regarding heating? These days it’s more likely than not to have double glazing and central heating, but this shouldn’t always be taken for granted as standard. Most people who are buying a used static caravan will look to these things to automatically be there in their purchase, as they are fairly essential parts of modern living. So whether your caravan has them or not will affect its resale value. It’s also worth knowing whether your caravan has decent insulation or not.

Additions: Your static caravan might have additional bits and pieces which can affect the value. For example, a decking area built right next to it might be a desirable feature for some buyers, as they will look to spend time out of doors but not away from the caravan. A veranda may be something else they’re looking for as, similarly, it ‘extends’ the immediately usable area as a social space and, if the scenery around the caravan is picturesque, overlooking the sea or a lake, a veranda is highly attractive and so can be particularly good as a selling point.

Pitch: The position of the caravan on a park can add value to it when it comes time to sell. If it’s on an exclusive and desirable pitch that might offer you some leverage on raising the price slightly above the actual value of the caravan itself.

When the time comes for you to sell, remember to investigate any obligations you have to the park it is sited on. There may be something contractual to adhere to, about offering them first refusal. There may also be disconnection and removal fees payable to them if the caravan is to be removed from their land, etc.

Here at Daly Caravans, as a static caravan trader we buy any caravan as long as it is in the condition described and a sale can be agreed. Ware always on hand to buy, with a simple three-step process. First of all, fill in our quick and easy valuation form (containing questions about your caravan) and if we’re interested we’ll contact you within a week with an offer to buy. Following that we will arrange an appointment so we can check the static is in described condition and, finally, if you accept our offer we’ll discuss payment with you as well as make arrangements for collection etc.

Put simply, again, the best time to sell is whenever you’re ready!

Reasons to Sell Your Static Caravan Now…

Posted on by Daly Caravans

There comes a time when you might decide to sell your static caravan – and, when the moment arrives, Daly Caravans can help you. We offer a free valuation of your static and in many cases will even buy your static from you.

But what are the reasons you’d sell?

Let’s presume your static caravan has been your holiday home. It’s on a caravan park in a beauty spot at the coast or near to a nature area, a place you’ve taken your family each year to indulge in a few weeks of relaxation in a favourite location.

The kids have flown: The static has been a great base for the family, a home from home and a base from which to go off exploring each day. Somewhere warm and welcoming to return to when the day’s adventures are done. Now, after several years of making memories and your static being at the centre of them, your kids are that little bit older and so are less interested in coming on holiday with you. Maybe they’ve grown up and moved out, or perhaps they spend much of their summer with friends instead of you… The need to hang on to that holiday home has diminished and you just don’t go there as often as you used to, if at all. That, in real terms, is money just sitting there doing nothing. An asset you could realise, to give yourself an injection of cash.

Inconvenience: Time or distance are also possible reasons for getting the static caravan off your hands. Maybe you invested in a moment of madness, thinking that you would spend every weekend as well as your holidays in it – but it has turned out that coast or the forest or nature park are just too far to travel or too difficult to reach on a regular basis. Perhaps work or other aspects of your ‘normal’ life or responsibilities, such as childcare, or care for the elderly, or even your own personal injury, are too pressing to dedicate much time to enjoying yourself at the static. Your home or work situation may have developed in unforeseen ways, and holidays or short breaks at the caravan have had to take a major back seat. If that’s the case, is it really cost effective for you to keep ownership?

Money, money, money: Another reason that you may decide to sell your static is the running cost. Perhaps you originally invested in the caravan without considering the recurring additional costs that go into the day-to-day running of it – and not just when you’re using it! There will probably be regular site fees to pay, and you may also have cleaning and occasional repairs to pay for too. When you also factor in the rising utility costs these days, it means your holiday home will cost you by the month – even without you being there to enjoy it. If you’re using it regularly then the costs could seem like small beans to you – an acceptable price to pay for the maintenance of your static caravan. If that’s not the case, and these additional costs are not something you considered or budgeted for, and are just too much to manage, then this could be your justification for selling the caravan.

Your personal finances might be undergoing some strain, and you may be struggling to make ends meet on a monthly basis. The sale of your static caravan, though not especially something you are looking to do, could be ‘the difference’ and be what is required to see you through a tough time.

How do I sell my static?

Static caravans are a great way to enjoy your leisure time as they really do provide a home-from-home and happy memories. But when the time comes and you’re thinking “I need to sell my static caravan”, Daly Caravans is there for you.

With a simple three-step selling process, we can help you if you’re in any of these need-to-sell situations. First of all, you fill in our quick and easy valuation form (which contains questions about your static caravan) and if we’re interested we’ll contact you within 7 days with an offer. The next step is arranging an appointment so we can check that the static is in the condition you described and, finally, if you accept our offer we’ll discuss payment with you as well as arranging disconnection and collection of your static caravan.