Getting your static caravan ready for sale

All good things come to an end – and that goes for the static caravan holiday home you and your family have grown to love through the years. There comes a time when you’ll may think about selling it.

So, if that’s the stage you’re likely to have reached round about now, here are some tips and suggestions about preparing for such a sale – who knows, you might also secure a better price for your static caravan, too!

Even when you have made up your mind to part with your caravan and a sale seems imminent, remember that you’ll still need to keep it adequately covered by the appropriate static caravan insurance right up until the moment ownership changes hands.

Here, then, are our tips and suggestions for getting your static caravan ready for sale (whilst keeping it on the same site):

Remove any surface-level customisations

  • at the risk of over-generalising, it is usually true to say that private and trade buyers alike tend to prefer caravans that are as close as possible to the original specification;
  • most of those viewing your static home will want your caravan to look just as it did when it emerged from the factory with its original specifications;
  • they are almost certain to make an exception, though if you have installed some form of central heating or double glazing;
  • this is a judgment call because you don’t want to risk damaging your caravan by removing things you’ve done to it over the years or by lifting recent modifications only to expose a static caravan that is in less than perfect condition;

Make sure your caravan inside is perfectly clean – and smells like it!

  • this is not to suggest for one second that your caravan is either dirty or suffering from bad odours – it is simply recognising a fact of life that “lived-in smells” don’t always trigger the right psychological reaction in potential buyers;
  • for example, you may not even notice your pet’s smell any longer but if potential buyers do – and they happen not to be pet people – you going to struggle to sell to them;
  • there are plenty of products that will help you achieve the desired results – for a spick and span caravan that looks and smells as good as new;
  • don’t forget to clean inside any fridges, wash any furnishings and attend to ventilation etc.;

Be sure your caravan is in good functional order – mechanically and electrically

  • this should be self-evident, of course – it’s never going to be easy selling a static caravan if you need to keep apologising for things that are not working;

Clean and polish external areas

  • buyers are typically aware that older caravans may show some external signs of their age;
  • that’s a different thing entirely though to saying they appreciate visible mud splatter, peeling paint and indications of rust;
  • spend a bit of time and elbow grease in getting everything outside cleaned down, polished up and if necessary, repaired;

Avoid hassling viewers

  • this is more about mental than physical preparation but try to give people viewing your caravan the space to breathe while they are doing so;
  • many potential buyers can be put off by people hovering at their elbow, attempting to show and describe every single nut and bolt;
  • it can also make the home seem smaller;
  • you should, of course, make certain in advance that you have secured all valuables;

Check with your park

  • some static caravan owners may be unaware that their site has a contractual right to be consulted as part of the sale and in some cases, even to approve a potential new buyer;
  • this is unlikely to be a problem but it’s an issue better dealt with in advance rather than at the time you are thinking about signing the sales paperwork;

Fix significant breakages inside

  • if you have a torn covering, split work surface or the like, try to make sure that these are fixed before visitors arrive;
  • sometimes superficial problems, that are not at all serious, can have a hugely detrimental effect on buyers – out of all proportion to their true nature;

Read up on protecting your financial interests with buyers

  • sadly – and as in many other spheres of transaction – scams and deceptions are attempted by some of those looking to buy or sell a static caravan;
  • there are some very easy precautions you can take in order to check the potential buyer of your caravan, so as to ensure that they are sincere and unlikely to yield major traumas as you go through the process – past masters at keeping both buyers and sellers safe in the private marketplace, Exchange and Mart, offers some handy hints and suggestions about avoiding scams. While it relates to tourers and motorhomes, many of the points are very valid.

It’ll be a sad day – of course it will – when it’s eventually time to say goodbye to your faithful static caravan. Our tips and suggestions are offered to help you as you prepare for that final transaction, present your caravan in its finest colours and condition, and hopefully avoid some of the pitfalls sometimes encountered when making a private sale.