Right Price Caravans: 2011

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How to sell your caravan the right way - The experts guide.

Selling A Caravan

You have probably got this information because you are considering selling your Caravan
and want it valued to achieve the best price possible and to get tips and information on the
best places to sell. For whatever reason, we are sure you will be satisfied with what is
contained in the report and hope to provide you with lots of relevant information necessary
to meet your needs.

This report will cover many key areas and although it must be said it can often be quite
difficult identifying the Right Price for your Caravan, this information will provide you with
some essential information to improve your chances of selling.

1 - General Information On Static Caravans
Make:
There are a number of Static and Touring Caravan manufacturers in the UK.
Some of these include:

ABI, Atlas, BK Bluebird, Cosalt, Delta, Pemberton, Tudor and Willerby.

Like cars they are continually making and improving the Caravans they build and each manufacturer has a range of models and sizes available. The market for new and used Caravans in the UK is huge and most Caravan parks will have a selection of brand new and used Caravans for sale on site.

Size:
Normally, Static Caravans come in two widths 12 and 10 feet wide. The length varies
considerably and ranges from 22 feet upwards to 40 feet. So a Caravan could be e.g. 22 x
10 (22 feet long by 10 feet wide) or 35 x 12 (35 feet long by 12 feet wide). There are many
variations of the sizes available. Touring Caravans come in different Berths (Number they
Sleep).

Bedrooms:
A Static Caravan will have 1,2 or 3 bedrooms (rarely 4). A two bedroom Caravan would
have 1 double bedroom (1 double bed in a bedroom) and 1 twin bedroom (2 single beds in
a bedroom) or a three bedroom Caravan would have 1 double bedroom and 2 twin rooms
(2 bedrooms with 2 single beds in each). Most Caravans would also have a ?pull out' bed
in the lounge area to provide extra sleeping space. Therefore the 2 bedroom Caravan is
known as a 6 berth and the 3 bedroom an 8 berth. Touring Caravans can come with a
separate bedroom, partitioned from the living area of the Caravan.

Model Year:
All Caravans have a model year and it is important to know what this is before selling or
getting a valuation. Even if a Caravan is built in e.g September 2006, it may be a 2007
model, therefore it would be valued as a ?model year 2007'.
To find out the model year, check your documentation that came with the Caravan.
Another way of being sure is to check the serial number or chassis number situated on the
Caravan. It is normally etched on a plate somewhere on the chassis and will have a range
of numbers that can be checked out with the manufacturer for the correct year. If you can
not identify this plate, check the boiler and electric box (normally situated within one of the
bedroom wardrobes) and look for any stickers with ?1st tested on…..(date)'.
This is an indication of the year it was first tested. But to be sure get a chassis or serial
number.

Layout:
There are very many different layouts of a Caravan some have centre lounges (the lounge
is situated in the centre with bedrooms at each end of the Caravan), some have end
kitchens (kitchen at the end of the Caravan), some have en-suite bathrooms, individual
toilet rooms and some manufacturers build special disabled units.

1 - General Information On Static Caravans (Cont'd)
Extras:
Many Caravans today are made with additional extras such as Double Glazing and Central
Heating and even extra insulation within the walls! These will add value to your Caravan
only if it is an added extra.
So in summary there are a range of Static Caravan manufactures (Makes) and Models.
Caravans come in different sizes, model years and number of bedrooms. Some have
double glazing and central heating.
To describe a Static Caravan to a potential seller you could say:
I have a Willerby (make), Westmoreland (model), 2003 (year) 35 x 12 (thirty five feet long
by 12 feet wide), no double glazing or central heating.

2 - Value A Static Caravan
Before you consider what options there are for selling it is important to identify what the
value of your Caravan is. Many of you have probably purchased your Caravan from a park
and the price you originally paid may have included site fees, siting the Caravan and
perhaps other incentives as a package deal. Basically there are four values:
1. The value of your Caravan if sold on the park to a private buyer (Retail Price)
2. The value if sold to the park (Trade Price)
3. The value sold off the park privately (Retail Price)
4. The value sold off the park to a trader (Trade Price)
The value of your Caravan today will depend on a number of factors such as, make,
model, year, size and number of bedrooms.
Also any additional extras your Caravan has should be taken into consideration such as
double-glazing and central heating.
Glasses Guide is a confidential Caravan value book used in the trade to determine the
retail and trade price of a Static Caravan.
This guide covers all Static Caravan values over a sixteen-year period. The information
used to determine the values is taken from various sources nationally and analysed
accordingly to establish these prices.
The guide comes out quarterly February, May, August and November. A number of factors
will determine how much a Static Caravan will depreciate in value each quarter,
sometimes it stays the same other times it can depreciate significantly. So there is no real
guide as to how much your Caravan will be worth from one quarter to the next.
How to sell your caravan the right way - The experts guide. Page 6
3 - Getting A Reliable Free Value
This can sometimes be quite difficult ?Who do I trust? How do I know they are being
honest? Where do I get this information?' etc, etc, etc.
As in any business there are reliable and less reliable sources of information so by all
means go out there and do your research, find out from as many different resources as
possible and hopefully you will get the information you are looking for relating to your
Static Caravan.

To get a free valuation for you Static Caravan you could try:
www.Caravanvaluer.co.uk

They will not only give you a free value, but will offer some useful tips based on the above
options on how to sell your Caravan. They may offer to buy your Caravan at trade price,
however will look to try and sell your Caravan privately for you if you are looking to get a
higher price. Please tell them you found out about their website via us!

4 - Contract
You have probably signed a contract with the park and it is advisable to read through this
to determine what agreements you have signed up to. For example if you sell your
Caravan privately on park you may have to pay 15% plus vat to the park. Your contract
may state that you have to give the park first refusal on an offer before being able to sell it
off park.
If you sell your Static Caravan off park you will probably have to pay a disconnection fee,
this averages nationally at approximately £200 to disconnect the utilities and take it off it's
pitch to a holding bay ready for collection by the transport company.
Some parks have an age rule e.g. if the Caravan is older than 15 years then it can not be
resold on park, however it can be upgraded or sold off park privately or to a trader. Are you
allowed to sell your Caravan privately on park? Some parks state that you are not! We
would advise you to read through any contract you have and consider these and any other
points.

5 - Finance*
Some of you may have taken out finance on your Caravan (either independently or
through a park or dealer). If it is taken through the park the two finance companies
normally used are Black Horse or Capital Bank. It is important to note that before selling
your Caravan any outstanding finance would need to be settled, as lawfully the finance
company have a right to repossess a Caravan if payments are not met.
If you have taken out a personal loan then you are entitled to sell your Caravan as long as
you are in a position to meet the payments. In either case it would be advisable to talk to
your finance company or other financier to check out your options before selling.
For example let's assume you have £10,000 remaining on your finance agreement and
you have been offered £9,000 for your Caravan by a trader. You would need to pay £1,000
directly to the finance company and the trader would pay the £9,000 to the finance
company. The trader would request some evidence that you had paid (normally a fax) from
the finance company plus there would need to be some agreement in place stating that
you are prepared to sell to that particular trader.
Another example would be the opposite to the above, if you had £5,000 remaining on your
finance and you were offered £8,000 for your Caravan then the purchaser would firstly
request a settlement figure evidencing the £5,000 and could pay that directly to the finance
company and the remainder (£3,000) would be paid directly to you.
*We are not financial advisors - always take advice from your financial advisor in relation
to Static or Touring Caravan finance. The above are examples only.

6 - Transport
Transporting a Static Caravan can be quite difficult to arrange depending on its size,
where it is situated and how far it has to go.
Some Caravans would need to be escorted as they are classed as wide loads and
specialised escort vehicles and/or the police may be needed to carry this out.
Normally if you have sold your Caravan to be taken off the park then the buyer would
arrange and meet the costs of the transport.
Most traders have access to transport companies and would arrange this easily. If you are
transporting the Caravan elsewhere yourself, there are a number of specialist Static
Caravan transporters nationwide, if you would like to get some information on transport
companies and prices then if you e-mail us we will try to assist you in any way possible.
Touring Caravans are usually towable by a suitable vehicle.

7 - Options For Selling
There are a number of options on where to sell a Static Caravan and this section will give
a breakdown of these options.
Please note these options are not in any particular order. They can all be effective
depending on your timescale, urgency to sell and the price that you are looking for.
Option 1: Selling Your Static Caravan To The Caravan Park
One option you have is to approach the Caravan park sales office or owner and ask them
what sort of offer they would give you for your Caravan. Sometimes they may be looking
for that particular make and model and be in a position to give you a reasonable offer.
Other times they may just say that they are not buying in
presently and for you to sell it privately.
Advantages of this option:
• You may get a reasonable offer if the park are looking for your particular make and
model.
Disadvantages of this option:
• The Caravan Park may only offer you trade price or below.
• They may not be buying Caravans presently
Advice:
• If the park agree to purchase your Caravan ask them to put that in writing plus the price
agreed and a timescale for completion.
• Will they give you a deposit as security?
Option 2: Selling Your Caravan Privately On The Caravan Park
You may be able to ask more for your Caravan with this option, however, take into
consideration any fees you have to pay if it is sold on park (e.g. 15% plus vat). Also, if you
do advertise it for sale on the park check that you can (some parks will not allow this), if
they do, will they let you put a sign in the window or do they have anywhere for putting up
a poster or advert within the park?
Advertising it via various internet providers can increase your exposure and your chances,
however don't hold your breath as this can sometimes prove to be a timely and expensive
exercise. If you do get positive responses from advertising be aware that the potential
buyers are often offered a proposition from the park.
Advantages of this option:
• If you're lucky enough to get a sale then it may pay off and you get a good return (Retail
Value) for your Caravan

Option 2: Selling Your Caravan Privately On The Caravan Park (Cont'd)
Disadvantages of this option:
• Your Caravan may be for sale for a very long time. Through experience we find that it
can be quite difficult selling a Caravan privately on the park.
• You are only attracting people who want to come to that particular park
• You may have to pay 15% plus vat

Advice:
• Check with the park about advertising it on park e.g. signs in the window
• Check whether a charge of 15% plus vat applies
Option 3: Selling Your Caravan Privately Off The Park:
Depending on the age of your Caravan this maybe a good option. If your Caravan is older
there are some people who are looking to purchase Caravans for ?self build' purposes
(they live in the Caravan whilst they are building a house), to temporarily house people on
farms, as office space etc. There are very few parks that will allow anyone to ?bring on their
own Caravans' as basically there is no profit in it for them.
E-bay is a good advertising resource for older Caravans, however there are other options
below that may prove to be more beneficial, saving you the time and money needed to put
it onto Ebay.
Advantages of this option:
• Getting a reasonable amount (Retail price) for your Caravan
• If you have an older Caravan there is more of a chance of selling it for self builds etc
• If a private buyer has identified a park that will allow them to take on your Caravan
(Rare)
Disadvantages of this option:
• Whoever buys may not have the experience of organising transport
• Other parks will not allow Caravan on
• Can be a time consuming exercise

Advice:
• Get a deposit and letter from the private buyer agreeing to the sale. Set out the price
agreed and if possible a timescale for removing the Caravan.
• Ask what transport arrangements they have made or are going to make regarding the
removal of the Caravan

Option 4: Selling Your Caravan To A Trader:
This option can be one of the easiest and quickest ways of securing a sale, however you
are unlikely to get near to a ?retail price' for your Caravan. There are traders all over the
UK who are always on the look out for second hand Static Caravans and will give varying
prices depending on the make, model and year of your unit.

Advantages of this option:
• A quick and easy option
• Often a firm offer will be given
• Traders will arrange their own transport
Disadvantages of this option:
• You may not get the price you are looking for
• Varying offers can be confusing
Advice:
• Always ask what price they will be prepared to go to
• Ask what is the process for payment
• How quickly the process will take
• Who pays for transport
• Get a deposit and confirmation agreement form/letter beforehand
Above are the four main options available to you for selling your Caravan. There are
others such as transporting the Caravan onto your own land or placing it elsewhere whilst
you attempt to sell however these are rarely used and not available to the majority.
There is the option of renting it out but again this can often prove to be timely and costly
however it may be worthwhile contacting your park to talk through this option.

8 - Preparing To Advertise
If you decide to go down the route of advertising your Caravan the following information
may benefit you:
Writing the Advert
If you decide to advertise your Caravan on e-bay, via the internet or elsewhere some good
advise is to make that advert different. You want yours to stand out above the rest. Good
photos (below) are important and so can the wording you use be a ?seller'.
Don't ?follow the sheep' entice a potential buyer to ring you or get more information from
you.
A sheep advert may look something like this:

Static Caravan For Sale
35 x 12 3 bed 2003 - Excellent
Condition – Situated at Clacton–on-
Sea - £12,999
Contact (0111) 34…….
Be different and use attractive phrases such as site fees paid, free t.v, microwave etc.
many extras, sea views, friendly community, comfortable, clean (carpets upholstery etc),
spacious, double glazing/central heating/panel heaters, non smokers, excellent position/
location etc etc etc
Creating an impact with your words can make a lot of difference to a buyer. Give it a try!!
Photographing Your Caravan
Most people nowadays have access to a digital camera and using quality pictures will
sometimes increase your chances of selling.
Always take seven to nine pictures, one to two of the outside, possibly with one of the
make and model stamp on the side (if it has one), two to three of the lounge and kitchen/
diner one of the bathroom/toilet and one each of the bedrooms.
It is difficult to get excellent shots of the bathroom and sometimes the smaller bedrooms
and wide lens cameras are good for this.
However, good (in proportion) photographs will be sufficient. Make sure the Caravan is as
tidy as possible before shooting as it can be quite off putting seeing clutter lying around.
Section 1: Shows some photos of how NOT to do it. Notice how the external shot does
not show the full Caravan and the internal ones have cushions lying around, the mattress
in the bedroom is off the bed and the picture is to dark and the toilet has the cistern lid off!
How to sell your caravan the right way - The experts guide. Page 12
However tempting it may be do not have photos of people or pets in or outside the
Caravan as this can put potential buyers off.
Section 2: We have taken what we believe to be better shots. They are clearer and show
more of the Caravan and have potential buyers appeal. It gives a more professional look
and with a bit of practice only takes fifteen to twenty minutes to do.
Try to size the pictures to approximately the same as above as attempting to send them
via e-mail to an advertiser can take a long time to download. If you are physically sending
them by post to a potential buyer then larger photos would be more appropriate.
9 - A Checklist On Values and/or Selling A Static or Touring Caravan
Internal and external condition along with other important information about your Caravan.
By having a good assessment will assist you when selling.
Potential buyers will want to know the overall condition and by having a full assessment to
hand will not only demonstrate that you have done your homework but will put you ahead
in terms of a potential sale
1. Write down the make, model, size, model year and any added extras of your Caravan
2. Try to get the chassis or serial number to hand
3. Get a value of your Static Caravan by contacting a company such as
www.caravanvaluer.co.uk
4. You may want to consider the options highlighted in section 7 available to you based
on the value of your Caravan, taking into consideration the following:
• Your timescale for selling - How quickly do you want/need to sell your Caravan?
Some sellers want to get it off site before their site fees are due. Some fall out
with the Caravan park for various reasons and need to get off quickly. Others
need to sell quickly as they are moving abroad and need the money etc etc
How to sell your caravan the right way - The experts guide. Page 13
• Finances - What is the lowest you are prepared to take?
• How much do you need? Do you want to cut your losses and get out rather than
wait or maybe you are in no rush and prepared to hang on for a possible/potential
retail buyer to come along. Have you got any outstanding finance that needs
paying off?
• The Contract – Does the park allow you to sell privately? How much commission
will they charge you?
5. Take some quality photographs if you intend advertising or marketing it and write an
?attractive' advertisement.
6. If you sell take a deposit plus some form of written agreement stating what the Caravan
is (make, model, year, size) and the price agreed. (A reputable trader will always
provide these as a matter of course).
You may want to consider using the Static Caravan appraisal form at the end of this book
as this allows you to get an overall picture of the condition of your Static Caravan. It covers
the essential areas such as the make, model, size, number of bedrooms and model year.

CARAVAN APPRAISAL FORM

Make:
(e.g. Willerby, Cosalt Atlas, BK,
Delta, Carnaby, Swift, ABI, Tudor)
Model:
(e.g. Lyndhurst, Sahara, Montrose,
Ascot, Vendee etc)
Model Year:
(e.g. 2005, 1998, 2002, 1991 etc.)
Size:
(e.g. 32 x 10, 28 x 10, 35 x 12, 32 x
12 etc.)
Number of Bedrooms:
(e.g. Two (1 x double and 1 x twin
Room, Three (1 x double and 2 x twin
Rooms etc)
Additional Extras:
(e.g. Double Glazing, Central
Heating, Galvanised Chassis, Full
length Bath etc.)
Chassis/ Serial Number:
(Normally situated on a plate on the
chassis running underneath the Caravan
or elsewhere on the Caravan.
Consists of numerals and/or letters
depending on the make.)

Carpet
Carpets are normally situated in the lounge/dining area, passage way and the bedrooms.
They may be elsewhere depending on your particular make and model. Sometimes
carpets get worn and faded and spillage occasionally occurs.
A carpet can be cleaned and brought up to an excellent standard by using a good
shampoo and carpet cleaner. Replacement is possible if worn or faded and prices vary
(average: £350 - £500 or sometimes more) depending on how much carpet is needed and
who is replacing it.

Upholstery
Upholstery covers the fixed seating area in most Caravans and is normally in the lounge
and dining area unless the Caravan has loose furniture such as dining table, chairs, setee,
arm chairs etc. If the upholstery is damaged with a burn mark, worn etc then sometimes to
bring it up to a good standard it may need to be replaced.
This can be a costly exercise as it is difficult to patch it up and/or get the right match and
often the whole lot needs to be done!!

Condition of the exterior (Other)
There are occasions when the outside of the Caravan may be damaged in some way and
it is advisable to check and note down any damage that you can see.
Take a look at the chassis that runs underneath the Caravan, some are galvanised,
greased or protected by some other means.
Is the chassis rusty, broken or in need of attention?
What about the panels, are there any creases or large dents?
Are the doors and windows in sound condition? Does the roof need attention in any
way? What about the wheels do the tyres need air?
Is the tow bar or A-Frame attached to the front of the Caravan or has it been taken off
and placed elsewhere like under the Caravan?

Any modifications?
At this stage you should have all the details relevant on your Static Caravan to get a
valuation. The value you get does not necessarily mean that is what you will get, you may
get more or less depending on where and who you sell to.
You may for example be able to get more than retail if you sell privately on the park or less
than trade if your Caravan has been modified or needs new carpet/upholstery etc.
You may for example be able to get more than retail if you sell privately on the park or
less than trade if your caravan has been modified or needs new carpet/upholstery etc

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