Buying a static caravan: used or new?

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by: plantman
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Word Count: 536
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2010 Time: 6:34 PM
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If you are thinking of buying a static caravan, the chances are that you have seen the glossy sales brochures or enticing websites of the various caravan manufacturers and admired all that their brand new holiday home models have to offer. You may also have noticed the accompanying price lists and decided that these new caravans are out of your price range and that a used - or "preloved" - holiday home is the option for you. Alternatively, you might be fortunate enough to be in a position where you can buy a holiday home from new and decided that's what you want. But might you be missing out on something special if you rule out a used caravan?

Budget is clearly a major consideration here, but it needn't be the overriding factor. Of course, used caravans are generally cheaper and even if you have a budget of less that £5,000 you should have a wide range from which to choose. However, new static caravans are often available for under £13,000 and, with many holiday parks offering finance and low deposit options, you may find that you can afford a new static caravan without needing to rob a bank!

If you do have a larger amount to spend, and had your heart set on buying the very latest caravan model available, it's fair to say that you're unlikely to be disappointed. But in insisting on a new caravan, you might be limiting your options unnecessarily. Even at the higher end of the budget scale, there are some incredible used caravans on offer that might just give you that much more than a new model of a similar price. As with cars, buying a new caravan comes at a premium. By opting for a top quality used caravan, you could get the luxury you're looking for while avoiding the pitfalls of depreciating prices.

Age is also an issue if you're thinking about letting out your caravan at any point. As with buying, letting a newer caravan involves a premium so, if you do buy a brand new holiday home, you should generally find that you can charge that much more per week.

On the other hand, buying a new caravan may incur extra costs if you've got to move it to the site of your choice and get it connected. If you buy a used home, you could be lucky enough to find the perfect caravan in the perfect site, all ready to move into so that you can start enjoying your new holiday lifestyle straight away.

As ever, it all comes down to personal preference and, if you're determined to be the first ever occupant of the very latest caravan model then you're unlikely to be swayed by the potential benefits of buying a used holiday home. What is clear is that there are some great deals offers out there on both new and used static caravans. The more flexible you're willing to be in your choice of caravan, the better the deal you'll get on it and the happier you'll be with your holiday home in the long run.

About the Author

Park Resorts has static caravans for sale in coastal destinations across the UK or great caravans for hire to suit all budgets.