subject: Caravans For Sale For Permanent Housing Or Temporary Accommodation? [print this page] In some parts of Australia and, indeed, some parts of the world, caravans for sale are being snapped up almost as quickly as they are advertised because some people are looking at them as an alternative way of securing permanent housing in a tough economic time. Is this really a suitable use for a caravan, however, or should they only be used for temporary or short-term accommodation?
Advantages
Some people discover that there are many advantages associated with living in their caravans, including:
It is much cheaper to invest in a caravan these days than it is to invest in a house or construction project, even if you are buying brand new.
It is possible to pick up and move whenever you feel like a change of scenery, no packing necessary.
There are a number of caravan sizes currently available, allowing you to choose one that suits your needs. You may even buy one with a defined living and bedroom area.
Most new vans are now fully equipped with a bathroom, allowing you to park in even the most remote locations with the convenience of having a toilet, shower and basin onboard.
Disadvantages
Accordingly, there are a number of disadvantages associated with buying a caravan for sale as a permanent housing solution, including:
The materials used in their construction are not meant to be as durable as those used in the construction of a house. This means that caravans will not lost any longer than a decade or two.
The caravan will quickly depreciate, meaning that you will not get any sort of profit back on it if you decide to sell in the future.
They can pose a safety hazard if you live in areas that have high winds, as homes without foundations are prone to blowing over.
There isnt that much space inside, making them suitable for a single person or a couple in most cases, but completely unsuitable for families with children.
At the end of the day, caravans are not meant to be lived in as permanent housing they are designed to be used for weekend or week-long getaways, and you could perhaps get away with using them for temporary accommodation for a year or two. Even though buying a caravan for sale and using it as your place of residence may seem like an attractive idea, it is important to keep in mind the intended use of such a van.
