Hi all I was wondering if anyone has sold there house and bought a Park home and travelled in there caravan ? Or just sold everything and lived in there van full time . I am so confused dont know what to do for the best , the rent on the park home is an expense on top of your travel expenses and as funds are limited we need to be careful for our future as if we sell this house we may not get back into the housing market if things dont work out the way we would like .We are on pension and are wanting a change as we feel stagmented and life is rushing past us .Also Hubby has had back op and is very limited to what he can do
It depends where you live, if you are lucky enough to live in a city, large town or a coastal location, you can always buy in a more isolated town or area and you will have a Cash surplus left over. If not, yes it is a dilemma.
If you live in your own home and then set off on travels the ongoing cost of your home continues and if living in a residential park the weekly costs are the same or can be even less than cost at home, don't forget in a park there are no lawns or gardens to be looked after while you are away.
Also take into account if you sell your home and then travel in your van the money you receive from the sale of your home could prevent you from receiving a pension, my advice would be to talk to a Centrelink Financial Advisor before selling up so you get the right advice before you make a move.
If hubby has had a back operation you might consider a motor home rather than a caravan as there is much less work in the setting up each time you stop.
Cheers
David
Hi.
Preferably buy a small van and rent out existing home.
You probably pretty financial with that one.
Spend 6 months doing your thing in that van.
A 12 ft van V a 20 ft van.
Walk out 8 feet.
That's the difference. It's all psychological.
You can live just as easy in a small van with Annexe. as a big one. Plus it a lot cheaper.
2 people. 16\18ft 6 in van. Ideal.
Less crap dragged around. smaller tug. MUCH less to maintain and run.
What vehicle have you to tow with?.
Can you put family\friends rentals in home. furnished. Or un-furnished (Hire of Container on top of)
$12k will buy a nice small older van Plus an older ute or suchlike will tow it.
I paid $12k for a 1999 535 Caromal Tandem susp. Added HWS and water tank\shower unit. Porta Potti inside or in outside tent.
2010 D-Max. ute. Immac. $23.5k. All up owes me around $36\37k.
You can go a lot cheaper.
The rig I sold was a 6.5mtr Off roader. $77k new. I got $38k for it coupla yrs ago.
Perfect Bigger home. Patrol to tow with.
Orig Pricing. $53.5k for Patrol $77k for van. ($130+ grand starting price.)
and they weren't expensive rig. Just middling range.
I know a bloke with $6k Disco. and 16ft Evernew for $12k. as new.
$6k van will do same job.
BIG and NEW are NOT required. Some just WANT. Then find out weight\towing \legal problems after.
Whatever you get. Make sure that Loaded. Both reasonably BELOW Max weights.
with tug. a minimum of around 2\3\400kg HEAVIER than van being towed. Never lighter.than.
Spent the higher figure on Tug than Van. For reliability.
Fancy van Sick tug. No wallet
Hmmm. Embarrassing no.
All a van is. Basically, Is 2 single beds (Equates to a lot more interior room in smaller vans. and easy to make up an exercise area when needed.(6 x 3 1\2 in ply sheet under one mattress. Swivel round across both_=double bed.
Galley and dining room. Outside tut tent for shower\TUT. SImple.
THEN. When you done the 6-12 months.
Stay as you are.
Sell and update.
Get rid of, and go home.
Without too much money involved.
Buy Good cond,. smaller\cheaper. You'll always get same (pretty much) figures back for it.
As you trying out.
Prices stop dropping at a certain point. depending on name.
Cheap. reliable. pretty well made. Lots of= (my recommendations ).
Evernew. A league of their own. Bought from Factory only.(Buy in Vict. Much cheaper..)
Coromal. WA build. a zillion around. Plenty of good, AND bad.
Check them out Mine is a good buy. Went to Melb from CQ for it.
5.35m size Tandem axle 1.85ton. They tow beautifully. ALL of them.
Mid range. Roadstar, Regal Regent and half a doz others. (Read forums)
I had a very good. UNblemished 30 odd yr run out of Roadstar.
But they Semi offroaders and heavy. (Used Patrol)
Don't go in with a fixed name on either. Suit to buy size you need,
to keep legal and safe to tow.
And IF you haven't towed anything b4.
PLEASE take a caraven tow course. (1-2 day. Well worth it)
My sister lives in a park home that she owns outright here in Perth BUT the park rules dictate she cannot rent it out, so she is up for the $150 park fee per week whether she's in residence or off travelling. So it would be worth checking out if that's also the ruling for where your park home is situated.
We have recently become debt free and although we don't want to sell our home any time soon it's a wonderful feeling to have that asset and know we can rent it out or downsize should we need to. All the best with your decision - time is passing us all by at the same rate and we need to get out there and do it - I haven't seen any regrets about that big decision from anyone on this or similar forums.
cheers, Kay
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"Someday" is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. (Tim Ferris)
If you can keep your own home the asset keeps growing , If you don't own a home and you want to settle down down the track you wont have enough money to buy back into the market , And rent kept going up good luck .
SNIP~~~ my advice would be to talk to a Centrelink Financial Advisor before selling up so you get the right advice before you make a move.
Cheers David
Gday...
I consider the advice by Roving-Dutchy above is the best, first-course of action.
EVERYONE has completely different situations, expectations, assets, income needs, health and outlook.
The Centrelink Financial Advisers are a very good resource who will determine your personal circumstances and provide you with advice that will maximise your situation.
They attract no fee, and despite being an employee of Centrelink, their advice is completely unbiased - even giving advice that may help you attain a benefit - or additional benefit.
The problem with seeking advice on forums is that none of us really know or understand your personal circumstances. What is suitable to, and working for, one of us could be completely to your detriment.
Cheers - John
[edit: rocky can't spell ]
-- Edited by rockylizard on Friday 10th of November 2017 04:11:26 PM
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Ditto to exactly what John (Rocky Lizard), and David (Roving Dutchy), above have already said
I have heard of plenty who have sold their home, to go travelling full time, and thoroughly enjoying the lifestyle
I have also heard of (not many but a few) others, who now think that it may have been a mistake, to sell their home
Whatever you decide, I can only sincerely wish you both happiness, for your future travelling plans
We love owning our home base adjacent to Port Phillip Bay, paid off more than 30 years ago. We spend around half of the year away travelling in our modest pop top & 2 year old run-out model Nissan Navara. It's always great to get home after a trip away. No way are we going to sell up & live on the road like a couple of gypsies. We bought our house back in the early 70's for $36,000. We could sell it to greedy developers tomorrow for over a $1,000,000 ( for the land not the house), not interested. Our advise is don't burn your bridges.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Friday 10th of November 2017 06:33:06 PM
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Cheers Keith & Judy
Don't take life too seriously, it never ends well.
Trip Reports posted on feathersandphotos.com.au Go to Forums then Trip Reports.
Always nice to hear an update on someone's financial status, whether it be how much their home is worth or the amount of superannuation they have accumulated. It holds so much interest to the other forum members, even though they have never met them.
I imagine if that subject ever was exhausted, we could sit back and hear in detail how important they were when they were in the workforce with the grand finale being how smart their children and their grandchildren are.
Imagine spending an hour or so with them at happy hour. I am sure you would only do it once.
Always nice to hear an update on someone's financial status, whether it be how much their home is worth or the amount of superannuation they have accumulated. It holds so much interest to the other forum members, even though they have never met them.
I imagine if that subject ever was exhausted, we could sit back and hear in detail how important they were when they were in the workforce with the grand finale being how smart their children and their grandchildren are.
Imagine spending an hour or so with them at happy hour. I am sure you would only do it once.
Gday...
It is surprising you can talk at all with your tongue so far into your cheek.
But, interestingly, I must agree in some way. When a member of a forum asks "financial advice" to help their "retirement plans" the "financial situation" of the responders has no bearing, and probably no relevance, on the original poster's circumstances. Sure, advice of what is available could be helpful, but what "worked for me" may be unhelpful ... indeed misleading.
The only advice that one can give that will be worthwhile to such questions is to refer them to a reputable, unbiased source of information where their situation, circumstances, financial status and plans can be pertinently evaluated to their advantage.
Every single member of this, and all other forums, have vastly differing circumstances and financial situations depending on their journey through life to this time of 'retirement'. To trot out "what I have and did" may in no way be relevant, or informative, to the questioner's situation.
Cheers - sorry for butting in agen - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Thank you everyone for your opinion , I was just looking for how people felt emotionally ,changing there way of thinking and lifestyle .I have had some good information and will take onboard the advice given. Finances do come into matters but I will get a professional to help with that side of things I will turn off comments now for this post thank you all
-- Edited by marydoll on Saturday 11th of November 2017 01:00:11 PM
I've been vanning. and living in them over a long period of time )Over 50 yrs).
In that time We've seen and spoken to.
Some that never had a brick box. (affordability) Some that NEVER wanted a brick box. (Ties you down) Some that have box and travel. some that HAD box. sold and travelled.
There are a LOT on forums say....
Ohh. Sell the home. live the good life. etc. Some say. Sell. Buy a fancy rig (to your finances. let life look after itself.
What all seem to forget... Is that we. NONE of us. will stay mobile and healthy forever.
Me. I've been super fit forever. (seems like) last coupla yrs. Broken neck caught up. Foot collapsed. etc.
I've gone form Bike\walk Daily. plus boats out to sea.
Last 8 months. I've been a true veggy. Bed, computer bog tv bed.
Think TWICE.... then again. (This is providing you don't have investments co cover anyway) BEFORE.. you sell a paid for asset.
Selling and downsizing. Only you know the figures on that one.
It'll be VERY hard to get back into it. With NO income = NO loans. Pricing risen. YOU spent some?.
One of you 98% surely. will stop the travelling through health ONE DAY.
Don't think of how you are today. Think WHAT IF??????. 'IT happens. Keep the home. Buy smaller rig. They still move you around. and cheaper to run too.
I sold my bigger rig. cause I hadn't used in over 5 yrs. Bought This one. $37k. from return for van. Put money from Patrol sale, into that yrs O\Seas trip.
If I never use. It don't really matter. Van Just sits beside pool for fishing trips and emergency's. DS-Max I use as daily drive.
Think twice BEFORE you flog it. I know a few that regret.....
Buy a smaller rig. 1.5ton single axle van. A older Ute or mid size SUV will tow.
It's got the bed's. lounge. galley. Roll out\annexe. (Tut and shower EASY to add.)
Even the biggest. fanciest won't do more than yours. As people tend to realise over the yrs.
-- Edited by macka17 on Saturday 11th of November 2017 01:09:20 PM
Always nice to hear an update on someone's financial status, whether it be how much their home is worth or the amount of superannuation they have accumulated. It holds so much interest to the other forum members, even though they have never met them.
I imagine if that subject ever was exhausted, we could sit back and hear in detail how important they were when they were in the workforce with the grand finale being how smart their children and their grandchildren are.
Imagine spending an hour or so with them at happy hour. I am sure you would only do it once.
Hi DMaxer
I agree with you 100% .
l was brought up with the idea you did not discuss your wealth as it was considered very rude.
We live in a very nice home on a Creek surrounded by birds and fish and only a kilometre from the ocean but if anybody wants to live in a park home that is up to them and I have heard it is a very good lifestyle so go for it.
The only thing I brag about to fellow birders is that i have sighted every species of Honeyeaters in Australia .
I also agree with you on your comments on the sometimes very boring happy hours.
There is quite a distinction between a Park Home and a Relocatable Home Village.
We live in the latter, if you are considering a Relocatable PARK HOME, I would assume you are talking about a Relocatable Structure in a Traditional Caravan Park which is usually a lot less to purchase, and you do not have a bullet proof tenure, (Right to live there for say, a 99year lease on the site you occupy), compared to a Relocatable Home Village, usually marketed as Retirement Village, NO Stamp Duty and NO Exit Fees.
We live in one of the latter, Retirement Village in a Relocatable Home, no Stamp Duty on entry/purchase, or NO Exit Fees, however if & when you do sell you will need to pay Agent's Commission on the sale to the Operator, or the Estate Agent if either sell it for you.
There is a huge growth in these type of complexes, but be sure to do your Homework very thoroughly before you commit to any, be it either style, or the Traditional Retirement Village which has an Exit or Deferred Management Fee, as they prefer to call it.
It is a Minefield believe me, your best advice is to be able to speak to someone who is living in the type of complex you are considering, but speak to more than one occupant, as you then get a cross section of understanding how it works. Just do NOT TAKE THE WORD of the Developer or the people selling the Property, they wish to make a sale at any cost.
You will find your local Legal Aid Office will have some information about all relevant schemes, but again this is only an overview to start with.
Your Profile does not give any idea where you are located but, if you wish to send me a Private Message here I would be very happy to try to answer some of your questions.
and as funds are limited we need to be careful for our future as if we sell this house we may not get back into the housing market if things dont work out the way we would like .We are on pension and are wanting a change as we feel stagmented and life is rushing past us .Also Hubby has had back op and is very limited to what he can do 
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It is surprising you can talk at all with your tongue so far into your cheek. 
