Motorhomes and holiday homes are a form of holiday investment. You get to own your accommodation and do what you like with it. You can even rent it out to others to make some money off of it when not in use.
Both a motorhome and a holiday home can be appealing concepts. But just which is better for your lifestyle? This post compares the two to help you choose which to buy.
Destination
When you buy a holiday home, you’re fixed to one location. When you buy a motorhome, you have the option of moving around. Consider whether you’re happy visiting the same destination, if you bought a holiday lodge for sale Yorkshire, or whether you would prefer to travel around.
Most people purchase holiday homes in places that they know and love. You can get to know the locals and treat the area as a second home. Some people even move out of their primary residence and move into their holiday home full time when they retire.
With a motorhome you can keep travelling to the same place, but you also have the flexibility to travel to other places. It’s ideal if you don’t want to be tied to one place. Your motorhome can still meanwhile feel like a home from home – you can decorate and furnish it as you like.
Cost
Motorhomes are generally less expensive than holiday homes, but it all depends on the type of motorhome/holiday home that you buy. You can buy caravans and basic used camper vans for under £10,000, while the most luxurious RVs can cost upwards of £100,000 to buy. If you’re buying a holiday home such as an apartment or cottage, you’ll likely pay more than £100,000. However, there are options like static caravans for sale, which can cost less than £50,000 to buy depending on the location. You can find out more about static caravans at sites like: https://www.parkholidays.com/our-parks/cornwall/caravan-holiday-homes-for-sale
There are quite a few running fees to consider when buying a motorhome such as insurance, tax, MOTs, repairs and fuel. Also consider the fact that you may have to pay for campsite fees or parking fees as you travel if you want access to an electrical hookup. Make sure to budget for these monthly costs alongside any finance you may be paying off. Renting out a motorhome while not in use can be a way to help reap back costs.
Holiday homes have running costs too such as energy bills, repairs and various taxes. You may be able to cover these by renting out your property when not in use. Just bear in mind that you may also have to pay for a local property manager to clean and inspect the property after every guest stays in it if you don’t live locally enough to regularly pop around.
Space
If you need somewhere with lots of space, a holiday home is likely to be better than a motorhome. Some motorhomes are quite roomy and have multiple beds, but you’ll still struggle to fit a large family in them. Holiday homes are therefore likely to be better for large families.
In both cases, you’ll pay more for more space. You can check out some of the largest RVs on the market here: https://www.motorbiscuit.com/these-5-large-rvs-are-amongst-the-largest-ever-made/.
Maintenance
Both RVs and holiday homes require a lot of maintenance to keep them clean and in good condition. The types of maintenance in both instances is very different, and could be something to consider.
Motorhomes are vehicles and so require the same maintenance as cars. At the same time, there are added tasks that you need to consider like cleaning the interior and emptying the toilet. Some of this work can be quite physical so make sure you’re up for it. You can find out more about living in a motorhome here https://aaublog.com/10-need-to-know-tips-to-write-down-when-youre-living-in-a-motorhome/.
Holiday homes need to be kept clean and repaired. As mentioned already, you can hire a property manager to do these jobs for you, which can be useful if you’re constantly renting it out.
Mode of travel
If you own a motorhome, you’ll need to be prepared to drive your motorhome to every destination. Motorhomes aren’t always easy to drive and you may have to avoid certain routes.
A holiday home allows you to explore other modes of travel. You have the freedom to take your car if you don’t fancy driving a large vehicle. You may even be able to take a direct train to some locations.
