Three Park Home Living Myths

So – you’re thinking about park home living, that’s great news!  Park homes are famously affordable, and for anyone keen to retire to somewhere quiet and secure, there are few better choices out there.  However, while you may have heard that living in a park community is a good thing, you may also have heard a few negative opinions.

LOOKING FOR A RESIDENTIAL PARK HOME?

Opinions are fine!  However, there are a few myths about park home living which we are always keen to debunk.  The fact is, the park home industry has evolved massively over the past few decades.  What might have been true 40 to 50 years ago simply isn’t the case anymore!

SellMyGroup is always keen to show prospective buyers the benefits of investing in a great park home.  However, we do understand that many buyers have reservations before getting too deep into the process.

In this guide, we’ve put together the three biggest myths about park homes and living in park communities.  We think it’s important you know what to expect from your park property, and at the same time, that you have access to the facts.

If you have heard any of the myths listed below, it’s time to think a little differently.  Don’t believe everything you read or hear!

Myth 1 – There Are Hidden Costs

It’s easy to think that park home living is too good to be true.  You not only get a luxurious property in wonderful surroundings, but you also get lots of access to on-site facilities and maintenance.  For many people, it can seem like moving into their own private slice of paradise!

However, it surprises people when park homes are so affordable.  Many retirees find that their ideal park homes actually cost a lot less than they would expect to pay for bungalows or sheltered housing.  This, naturally, has led people to assume that parks add hidden fees along the way!

It is true that parks will expect you to pay some costs.  This can include pitch fees and local rates.  However, these are equivalent to what you might pay for service charges or maintenance elsewhere.  You get a lot for your money!  As for local authority rates, think about how much money you spend on council tax elsewhere.  It is the same principle!  However, you’ll probably find that you actually end up paying less tax on a park home property.

Some people are suspicious that parks add subsidies and hidden fees along the way.  The fact is, however, they can’t!  Laws such as the Mobile Homes Act 2013 make sure that park owners are fair and just with site fees.  What’s more, there is actually a lot in place to protect buyers and owners – more than you might think!

Therefore, don’t worry about park home costs.  All residential parks have to legally tell you costs and fees before you sign.  This is all in your agreement, which you can even check with a solicitor before you move forward.

Myth 2 – Park Homes are Poorly Made

Believe it or not, some people believe that park homes simply aren’t up to scratch.  Anyone who has seen a luxurious park home or two will probably tell you otherwise!  It is true that, over the decades, the quality of park homes has seen changes.  As with everything, quality and finishing evolve over time.  That’s why current park homes are perfect for modern living.

The building quality of park homes has seen huge improvement over the past decade.  This is partly because the industry is so popular!  Greater demand for quality homes and bespoke properties means designers and builders have to work harder than ever before.  For park homeowners, this can only be a good thing.  For example, park homes in the Tingdene, Omar, Prestige and Homeseeker collections build to the BS3632 specification.  This ensures owners can always expect comfortable, luxury park home living.

However, the BS3632 specification won’t apply to all properties.  For example, it doesn’t apply to holiday homes.  Therefore, there can be a lot of misinformation over the ‘general quality’ of park properties.  It is massively unfair to assume that park homes are of poor quality, regardless of why you may think it!

Maintenance

However, do bear in mind that park homes still need maintenance.  You can’t just move into a park property and assume that it will continue looking great on its own!  All properties need regular care and cleaning.  As an owner, you’ll need to make sure to keep your home looking great.  Don’t worry, however – as maintenance is generally the same as what you would expect from everyday properties.  In fact, there will probably be less for you to do.  Park home roofing, for example, can last for decades at a time, and you won’t need to repaint for five or six years.

Myth 3 – Park Homes Always Lose Their Value

There’s a common story going around that park homes don’t keep their value for very long.  If you’ve heard this one before, don’t listen to it!  Naturally, myths such as these can really put people off park home living altogether.  In our view, that really isn’t fair!  That’s why this is a myth we are always happy to bust.

There is no factual reason why park homes should lose their value.  There simply isn’t the data available!  Park homes can fluctuate in terms of value, of course.  However, this is only the same as what you can expect from everyday properties and residential homes across the UK.  Therefore, you really don’t have anything to worry about.

All kinds of things can change the value of a property.  For example, the location of a home, the size of a property and its condition can all change its pricing.  That’s why it’s very important to make sure you maintain your park home.  Believe it or not, park home value revolves around land value.  We’re happy to say that the value of land is increasing.  Therefore, you have even less to fret about.

The demand for park home living, too, will help to boost value.  More and more retirees are choosing park homes in later life.  While there is a consistent demand for park properties, there will be little risk to value going down.  Unless the market is declining, value will stay high.

Think about all the wonderful residential parks opening up in the UK right now.  You only have to take a quick look at our properties listed at SellMyGroup to see that homes are still in high demand.  Don’t worry about the value of a park home going down!

Avoiding Myths

It’s important to avoid consumer myths no matter what you do in life.  However, there are always sadly going be negative stories which might put you off park home living.  We think it’s important to take a step back and look at the facts.

The park home industry is booming!  As cities get bigger and noisier, the demand for quieter, slower living increases.  Therefore, more and more people are confident in buying park homes.  There is a harmful stigma going around that suggests park homes are too good to be true.  This really isn’t the case.

To avoid park home myths, make sure to read a variety of sources.  Make sure to visit and enquire with different parks, too.  You don’t have to stay loyal to any given park or community until you buy.  You should also find comfort in that law changes have made buying park homes easier and more protective for you in the long run.

What’s more, park communities are often family-run.  You won’t be moving into a park that’s overseen by a big conglomerate only in it for the money!  We list park homes on behalf of genuinely friendly, salt-of-the-earth site managers and owners.  We think it’s important that buyers understand that they are entering into agreements with like-minded people.  Park owners simply want to make sure retirees get the best start to their retirement, with safe and comfortable standards they can rely on.

Finding the Perfect Park Home

Park home living is something that’s always in reach.  To some people, living in a quiet, gated community can seem like a dream come true.  For those who live at these fabulous parks, it genuinely is!  That’s why it is so important to look beyond harmful myths and to explore the park home industry for yourself.

SellMyGroup is always here to make sure you have access to fantastic support.  Not only do we list some of the best parks and properties in the UK, we also publish useful guides on what to expect when buying, and how to make the most of your home.  You can also take your time looking through our guides to some of the UK’s most popular park home regions.

If you’d like to buy a park home but are unsure whether it is the best choice for you, don’t worry!  Take a look at our further guides and posts to learn more.