Residential Park Homes vs Bungalows

A residential park home is typically a detached, bungalow-style home, usually situated within a park such as Red Deer Village in Stepps, Glasgow. Many people would find it difficult to tell the difference between park homes and traditional bungalows, other than a few noticeable design aspects. So we’ve compiled some of the top variations between the two, to makes things easier when choosing the next best move for your retirement.
Structure
Park homes and bungalows are constructed in a slightly different way. Bricks and mortar properties are built from the ground up, whereas residential park homes are usually manufactured offsite and transported to the residential village afterwards. Park homes are usually smaller than traditional bungalows, which often means when making this move, you’ll be downsizing. This is a huge appeal to prospective park home buyers; less maintenance, and easier to get around, especially if you struggle with mobility issues.
Purchase Methods
Park homes are not mortgageable, so purchasing can be slightly different to a bungalow. There tends to be 3 options; a personal loan, part exchange or buying outright. The attraction of residential park homes for sale is that those downsizing find themselves freeing up equity when buying outright, allowing extra cash to live their retirement to the fullest. Red Deer Village offers a competitive part exchange scheme for those interested in their home sale completing quickly and smoothly. There is no stamp duty or LBTT to pay.
Affordability
Park homes are low cost in terms of maintenance and upkeep. They’re well insulated so less expensive to keep warm, and are in affordable council tax bands. This leaves you with more money to invest or enjoy on other things. 2 bedroom bungalows in Stepps, Glasgow, can typically cost from £280k-£370k, so a park home can seem a much more appealing, affordable option.
Security
Park homes are often set within secure environments. Red Deer Village in Glasgow, for example is a gated community, with CCTV cameras surrounding the entrance. Plus, your neighbours are like-minded, allowing a peaceful surrounding.
Flexibility
Park homes can be designed to the exact colour variation, layout, interior and exterior you like. It’s almost as if you’re handed a paint brush and told to get creative! There is nothing within the layout or design that you just have to settle with.
Community
When purchasing a residential park home in a retirement village you’ll instantly be part of a ready made community. There will be lots of like-minded neighbours on your doorstep, which is especially convenient for home owners living alone. Residents at Red Deer over 50’s village enjoy monthly day trips in our courtesy shuttle bus as well as shopping trips throughout the week. A fantastic mix of social events and activities take place in our residents hub on a regular basis.
It can be difficult to replicate this close knit community in a traditional home environment. Village life is many of our residents favourite parts of living on a residential park.
Park Homes vs Bungalows – The Law
Residential park homes and traditional bungalows operate under slightly different legislation. Park homes operate under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 and 2013, and bungalows follow the Housing Act 2004. This means they have slightly different requirements. Certain new laws may apply to one but not the other.
To find out more Red Deer Village’s residential park homes for sale, or to find out more on how park homes differ from bungalows, please contact us on 0141 779 2973. One of our team will be happy to help!