A MUM has revealed how her family sold their three-bedroom house and purchased a static caravan with the profit they made.
Katie – who calls herself The Caravan Mum on TikTok – explained that she and her partner sold their former house for £195,000.
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After deducting the additional costs, including the maintenance and the mortgage, the couple realised they had made a whopping £10k in profit.
The thrifty parents then used the money to help them purchase a static caravan, where they now live with their kids.
Although some may seem caravans ”as not a financial investment”, Katie reckoned there are several reasons first-time buyers should opt for a static caravan instead of a regular property.
”Yeah, I get it – caravans depreciate. However, in terms of the grand scheme of how much a house costs as opposed to a caravan, it’s quite good.”
She went on in the video: ”If you buy a house outright, you’re going to need about a £25,000 deposit – this is just for the average UK house price.
”Based upon all your bills, your council tax, your water, your electric, your insurance, you’re probably paying £1,500 every single month – and that’s for your mortgage included as well.”
Meanwhile, the mother claimed that to get a static caravan you will need £25,000 – however, the other feels are allegedly significantly lower.
”Based upon the static caravan fees for the average across the UK, it’s about £5,000, so about £500 per month.”
On top of this, Katie also forks out £150 for gas, electricity – while the water and council tax are already included.
”Your water and your council tax are included essentially – you don’t have to pay council tax on a static caravan site.”
In total, Katie told her followers, the family pay just £650 a month to live in a static caravan.
If you are to add insurance on, the costs will ”go up a little bit”.
”But essentially, you’re saving around £650 every month from living in a caravan.”
This means, that a year later you will have saved a whopping £7,800 – or ”nearly £40k” in five years.
”You’ve got the deposit for a house – and more.”
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The tiny house movement began in the USA before gaining popularity in the UK.
What is a tiny home?
Tiny houses are small, fully-equipped living spaces designed to lead a more sustainable, off-grid lifestyle. Although they vary in size and shape, tiny homes tend to be between 15 and 50 square metres in capacity, made of sustainable materials and are easier — and cheaper — to maintain than traditional brick homes.
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As long as the tiny house doesn’t exceed 19.8m x 6.7m in size, it is defined as a caravan in UK law. Therefore, tiny houses are classed as legal additional living space.
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The small size and relatively low cost of tiny houses means they’re not generally considered eligible for a mortgage. However, there are plenty of options to take out a loan to fund your dreams of the perfect, moveable home.
Katie went on: ”I am not saying that a caravan is a financial investment and I am not saying that it is better than a house.
”But it is short-term gains and long-term depreciation.
”If you are struggling to save money to buy a house then a caravan is a perfect option.”
According to Katie, this way of living has enabled her to have her ”highest financial month” on her terms, working just four hours a day with her social media management clients.
”This is why I am so adamant when I talk about caravan life and living the way that you want to live, without the restrictions of the system and the government.
”Even though […] you do have to comply to a degree – as I do – you can still do it, you have control of your life.”
