Why Park Homes Are Much Cheaper?

[kin_momoko]

Hi There

Does anyone know why Park Homes are much cheaper than normal house?
Thank you.

kin

[jackthehat]

Because they are Park Homes.....
They are static caravans which have had the wheel wheels removed and have been 'gussied up' a bit. But they will always be 'caravans'.

[ummmm]

Because of the materials they are made out of. They are just glorified caravans...

[Baldric]

Because they are Mobile Homes/Glorified Caravans

[ummmm]

If you lived in America you'd be trailer trash....

[Peter Pedant]

because you dont a get a home
you get a sort of tin - caravan thing

[kin_momoko]

I see, are they warm enough in winter to live in? It seems they are only available for over 50

[Hypognosis]

Hah! I thought "Park Homes" was a brand name and this thread was some kind of advert. Shows what little I know.

How come you lot all knew?


p.s. Tornadoes are not attracted to trailer parks; trailer parks are attracted to cheap land - cheap because of the regularity of the tornadoes. For cheaper insurance premiums, why not ban people from living in Tornado Alley?

:)

[jackthehat]

They seem to be.
Some of the space available in the 'caravan' form is sacrificed to insulatory-material to make sure that they are warm.

Whereabouts are you considering buying one?

[VHG]

Aren't the "houses" normally based on a caravan type structure but "made up" to look like a permanent dwelling?

I think they are normally towed to the site using their "caravan" wheels.

If they are based on a caravan (which are normally light, smallish and single storey) then it is no surprise that they are cheaper than a normal house.

Also I would guess the caravan based structure has less of a life span than a permanent brick built home so will need to be replaced in 10 or 15 years or so.

You also normally get a small plot of land (which I don't think you own) and probably have to pay some sort of service charge to the owner of the land for its upkeep.

They are also often in out-of-the-way places, which may be fine for a holiday home but not that good if you want to make it your permanent home.

All in all, it is no surprise they are cheaper.

[EDDIE51]

Modern park homes are well insulated and you can live in them in winter.
But they are really static caravans and they have a useful life of 20 years or so. A 'proper house' will last 100s of years.

[Baldric]

Lots of info here

http://www.ukparks.com/residentialhome.asp

[anneasquith]

some of them look lovely.

[RandyMarsh]

Because they are classed as mobile homes, or caravans if you like.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

As above...and generally they are sited on land owned by the site owner.When they reach a certain age/condition you may be asked to upgrade or leave.

[RandyMarsh]

Some of them have snack bars and gift shops, full camping facilities, shower blocks etc.

[kin_momoko]

Thanks for all the info. This is not an advert. I knew only little because I was not born in UK and not long in this country. Soon I will be over 50 and don't think I can be able to buy a normal home that's why what to know more. I currently live in Bristol.

[jackthehat]

You need to do a lot of careful research to avoid the pitfalls already described.

Good luck!

[Clanad]

Back here in the U.S., Park Model homes have a slightly different description than, apparently those in the U.K., so use caution.

Park homes here are not neccessarily mobil homes that have been moved onto a fixed location permanently. Park homes can be constructed as usual or they can be "modular homes"... those bult to strict standards but in "modules" that can be moved and then put together at the homesite.

The concept of "Park Homes" was actually began by Mr. Art Linkletter, an early TV and radio personality back in the 1950's or so. He (and other investors) started contructing very nice (but small) home sites in the Phoenix, AZ arprimarily for retirees. The earlier "Parks" consisted of winding streeets with attractive but desert type landscaping. Since the only less expensive homes of the times were trailer houses (as their known here) of various lengths... sometimes up to 60 feet or so. As time went on more of these popular retirement parks were constructed especially with the advent of the previously referenced modular homes.

Some cities, especailly in Arizona are almost exclusively Park Homes... such as Sun City and others...

[hc4361]

You don't own the land it stands on
It depreciates unlike houses which normally appreciate in value
You can't get a mortgage to buy one, usually
You often have to pay the site's rates for gas, electricity and water which can be higher than usual
Sites rules, regulations and restrictions can be harsh
It can work out cheaper to rent a house over 15 years than buy a park home