How to plan your residential park move? Things to consider
If you’re looking for a place to retire and want to release the equity in your existing home, residential park living could be for you. Modern residential parks are friendly communities of like-minded people living in luxury bungalows at superb locations.
However, deciding on a residential park home is a little different from traditional bricks and mortar properties so before you take the plunge, we’ve consolidated the top ‘need to know’ points to help make your park home search simpler. Make sure to have these answers
Property search criteria
What is your preferred park location?
Most park home buyers move to be near to family, others buy at south-coast developments for the lifestyle and warm weather. Here at Quickmove we can help you shortlist park locations across the UK, advising which parks have availability, proximity to local amenities and transport links.
With our park home finding service we can help you find both your ideal location, your perfect park home and manage your hassle-free move using our property part exchange service. Simply tell us the area(s) you’re interested in, and we’ll put together a suitable package that meets your requirements and budget.
How much are you aiming to spend on a new park home?
If you have an existing home to sell, your budget will be largely dictated by the market value of the property and how much cash you’d like leftover following the transaction. On downsizing, many buyers use residual funds to boost their pension pots or spend on a special holiday or new car. To give you an ideal, prices of brand-new park homes depending on their location, size, and specification – typically range from £100,000 up to £350,000+ for prime coastal sites.
What is your monthly budget for ongoing costs?
As with any other property, you will be responsible for paying for water, electricity, gas and council tax for your park home. You will also need to pay ‘ground rent’ which is a payment made to the park operator to keep your home on the plot. Fees will vary from site to site and can range between £160 and £260 per month depending on the location. It is important to note a park owner can propose to change it once a year.
Are you looking for a pet-friendly residential park?
For many, pets are part of your family, and it is only natural to want to have your furry companion by your side. Most residential parks welcome pets and will allow up to 2 animals per home, however if you are unsure, we recommend checking their sites rules.
What size home would you like?
Park homes are detached, single-storey bungalow-style homes. Park homes come in two main sizes, single-units and double-units. Single units tend to be a maximum of 14 feet wide are a popular option for lone buyers on park homes. They are available with either 1- or 2-bedrooms and come with all the luxurious fittings of the larger formats.
Most park homes are ‘double units’ which means that they are built in two halves. Those two halves are transported separately to the park on low loaders and joined together on the chosen plot to create a ‘bungalow-style’ layout. Available in a large range of floor plans, typically 40ft/50ft x 20ft, double units can include two or three bedrooms, a utility room, study, en-suite shower and/or, a walk-in wardrobe, the ideal choice for those who require extra space for family and friends to visit.
How soon do you wish to move?
You will also need to consider how soon you would like to move. By setting yourself a timeframe it can help you to decide if you need to decide on a home straight away or wait and search the market further or order a bespoke park home from a manufacturer. We recommend deciding whether you’re looking to move immediately, in the next 3-6 months, 6-12 months or 18 months.
Browse a selection of recommended developments with our find a park page or call us for no-obligation advice.
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