| Author | Message | ||
| Cory hart (Chart1)
Registered Member Username: Chart1 Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 67.184.212.122  Rating: N/A |
Just wondering if there is a certain layout that is better than others for resale. Of course quality workmanship is a must but what other things to consider when building a bus, roof raise,size of bed in back, shower, bunks? Also where do you go for a good appraisel on a converted coach? | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 189 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
Just like buying a house, the layout of a bus is only as good as what the customer wants. Personally-probably be best to aim at a retired couple with queen bed in back, etc rather then a bunk house for a family of 10. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1157 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.245.5.185 Rating: N/A |
"Just like buying a house, the layout of a bus is only as good as what the customer wants." Ab-so-lutely!!!!....on both thoughts! Just don't "sell it short"...IF you can "prove up" the value. (your time may not be worth more than 10 cents on the dollar sometimes). Receipts, etc will help you along. Think POSITIVE....and don't be in a hurry, if at all posible! Also, one can "donate" a coach to a worthy cause for good value---depending one one's tax bracket, this could be the way to go; lotsa' ways of skinnin' cats, so they say. BTDT Best wishes!!  RCB | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 1091 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.73.36  Rating: |
As an avid RVer, I can tell you what I looked at when I had been considering buying someone else's handicraft: Professional simplicity. We like to see things plain and simple, not a bunch of bundled wires hooked up to devices that look nothing like what we've ever seen, and with explanations that defy gravity. There's normally a circuit breaker box, so we expect to see a breaker box. And we expect to see the wiring done in a professional manner, not a bunch of extension cords disappearing into the walls. The plumbing should be an equally uncomplicated design, with a shut-off valve where it would be of most use, and a waste hook-up that's at the location of any commercial RV. Holding tanks that are easy to fill and empty, and a place to store the waste hose. And of course, the proper way to change from campground water to holding tank, without flooding the RV due to an oversight. We look for safe heating devices that can be used easily, and exhaust vents that work in the rain. Air conditioning that doesn't take a genius to turn on or regulate, and a generator that runs quietly. A full or queen sized bed, preferably centered between the walls. A decent bathroom with easy to use facilities. A full kitchen, with stove, microwave, double sink, large refrigerator, and stove. Oh, and plenty of storage for pots and pans, etc. A large living area, with seating for guests. A dining area, with movable seats. Wood or laminate flooring. Awnings. A screen door. And maybe 30 mpg. People are afraid to buy a homebrewed anything; there's absolutely no way to know if things have been done safely. There are some individuals that can tell you that everything they've done is 100% code compliant, but have overlooked things that make it livable. No-one wants to buy a headache, and nothing is selling right now, greatly narrowing the chances of selling a converted old bus to someone that doesn't want a headache. And? Visit an RV dealer and look at what's being offered. If your bus looks as good or better, you have a better chance at selling it, than if it looks like a backyard conversion. Most of us wanted to do it ourselves, not ever thinking about a resale; we just wanted to do one "our way". | ||
| Cory hart (Chart1)
Registered Member Username: Chart1 Post Number: 20 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 67.184.212.122 Rating: N/A |
I am not looking to sale at this point but maybe an upgrade to a newer bus at some point down the road. I am more interested in finding someone that specializes in bus conversion appraisals. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1159 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.245.5.185 Rating: N/A |
Great Post, JTNG....one couldn't say it much better!!!! RCB | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1863 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157  Rating: N/A |
whatever is is, take half of what you spent on it, then divide that number by ten. That'll give you a good starting point.Market demand will depend a great deal on the price of diesel fuel. You couldn't give a coach away when fuel hit almost $5.00 per gallon. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1160 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.244.144.159 Rating: N/A |
Can't agree with you, JWR...on either point. An old friend of mine...long since deceased...always said, " it's all in the way you frame the deal"...I have seen over many years, he was right! John said it just about right. Take a look at what is out there (RVs), the prices on them and plan your market approach to those who CAN AFFORD the price...not broadcast to those who are looking for a sucker deal..... There are plenty of folks out there who want a good conversion...not fancy, just practical...who can recognize value and possibilities, calculate probabilities and use the results to their (and your) advantage. No need to try to make a killing...but protecting one's investment and passing on a bona fide (and provable) product is in everyone's favor. Sure...they might like Aluminum wheels, new carpet, no carpet, window treatment...change of lighting or what ever...but meantime usable, reliable (disclosure a must)and not any different than buying a new "used" home, vehicle or RV. What one pays for a "value coach" most likely will leave lots of room (check the RV prices) for "upgrading", possible new batteries, new tires, etc, etc.. "All in the way one frames the deal". FWIW RCB | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean)
Registered Member Username: Sean Post Number: 1018 Registered: 1-2003 Posted From: 67.142.130.29  Rating: |
ADP and Autosource are the two big names in appraising bus conversions. Note that the appraisal will be based on "comps." If you have a 1989 Prevost, it doesn't really matter that you converted it new in 2008; it will be grouped in with other 1989 Prevosts. For this reason, most appraisal experts will tell you to keep the total cost of the project to about twice the cost of the shell. IOTW, if you spent $10,000 to buy the shell, figure on no more than another $10,000 for the conversion. With few minor exceptions (generally for vehicles considered collectible), you will be in big trouble value-wise if you spend several times the shell cost on the conversion. If you start with a 1989 MC-9 worth $10k, then put $60k into the conversion, it will most likely be appraised at $30k-$40k, not $70k. When you go to sell it to the "average" buyer, you will be selling a 1989 model, and nothing you can do to it will change that basic fact. When we finished our conversion, we could not get it appraised. There just were not enough Neoplan Spaceliners in existence to have a comparable base. We had also overspent on the conversion, given the age of the shell, and we had difficulty getting insurance. As it stands, we are insured for just about 80% of what we spent, and I would guess that in a private sale, we'd have trouble getting even half that. My personal advice to you is to ignore resale value while doing your conversion -- make it the way you want it to be for the way you will use it. If you are concerned about getting back a significant percentage of your investment, buy a used Marathon, Liberty, or Vantare. Those models hold their value as well as anything, once the drive-away depreciation is taken care of. Even then, an RV is always a depreciating asset. FWIW. -Sean http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com |
