Thinking About Selling

Rabbit2.0 · Friday at 6:06 PM

The forum didn't offer "General Discussion" to post my thread in so I chose this as the next best option. Long story short, life happened and I did not get to realize the nomadic life like many of you out there. This is not a "classified ad" for my van either.
I actually came for some wisdom. It looks like the best thing to do is to sell my van. It is only 3/4 of the way built (by my plans). Other than mounting the panels, the solar is not installed, I have brand new components waiting to be put in. I have neither the time nor the resources to go further with the build.
I'd like to sell but I'm confused about what pricing. Was wondering if someone who has sold their rig could message me off the thread to provide some advise.
Thanks.

bullfrog ! · Friday at 8:40 PM

Basically a modified but uncompleted van is worth less than a stock manufactured van or a completed all systems tested and working van. Vans in this state are considered projects. Normally your best bet is to sell the uninstalled components or systems by themselves or individually and put the van back to the stock configuration as much as possible in order to come close to getting most of your money back. People usually prefer to modify vans to meet their individual preferences. If you mounted a roof rack and put holes in the roof it would probably be best to leave the rack as the holes would need to be repaired to prevent leaking. Most commercial buyers don’t mind having a roof rack already mounted but certainly don’t want solar panels.

Tony's Dream · 2024-12-21T14:53:23-0500

For me, it would depend on how far along you were on your build. Pictures would help us help you to see what is done up to this point. If you cut any holes (other than the roof rack) for windows or such, that drastically impacts your ability to trade it in to a dealership. When i was trying to sell my cargo van, I had added a window and roof vent so the dealerships would not take it in exchange. I was able to sell it privately to someone who wanted a travel van. Like bullfrog said, most nomads what it their way or fully loaded by a reputable builder. If you haven't went too far, and what you have done is something someone can take on without a huge rework, you have a chance. Show us some pictures of your van the way it is.

landyachtman · 2024-12-21T17:41:46-0500

Rabbit2.0

Please introduce yourself in the Newcomer's Corner.

Newcomer's Corner

maki2 · 2024-12-21T17:49:27-0500

Rabbit2.0 said:
The forum didn't offer "General Discussion" to post my thread in so I chose this as the next best option. Long story short, life happened and I did not get to realize the nomadic life like many of you out there. This is not a "classified ad" for my van either.
I actually came for some wisdom. It looks like the best thing to do is to sell my van. It is only 3/4 of the way built (by my plans). Other than mounting the panels, the solar is not installed, I have brand new components waiting to be put in. I have neither the time nor the resources to go further with the build.
I'd like to sell but I'm confused about what pricing. Was wondering if someone who has sold their rig could message me off the thread to provide some advise.
Thanks.

Take photos, figure out what you need to sell it for and list it locally. Add or do not add the uninstalled items as an addition to the sales package. Vehicle prices can vary regionally by thousands of dollars. You can use the internet to find out what your vehicle for year, model and mileage is worth without “improvements” in the area you live in. Yo do need to know that baseline price is exactly what the buyers in your area will also be referencing.

bullfrog ! · 2024-12-21T21:11:53-0500

landyachtman said:
Rabbit2.0

Please introduce yourself in the Newcomer's Corner.

Newcomer's Corner

He is a member from a while back! Welcome back!

Rabbit2.0 · 2024-12-22T08:49:33-0500

Tony's Dream said:
For me, it would depend on how far along you were on your build. Pictures would help us help you to see what is done up to this point. If you cut any holes (other than the roof rack) for windows or such, that drastically impacts your ability to trade it in to a dealership. When i was trying to sell my cargo van, I had added a window and roof vent so the dealerships would not take it in exchange. I was able to sell it privately to someone who wanted a travel van. Like bullfrog said, most nomads what it their way or fully loaded by a reputable builder. If you haven't went too far, and what you have done is something someone can take on without a huge rework, you have a chance. Show us some pictures of your van the way it is.

Rabbit2.0 · 2024-12-22T08:52:17-0500

Tony's Dream said:
For me, it would depend on how far along you were on your build. Pictures would help us help you to see what is done up to this point. If you cut any holes (other than the roof rack) for windows or such, that drastically impacts your ability to trade it in to a dealership. When i was trying to sell my cargo van, I had added a window and roof vent so the dealerships would not take it in exchange. I was able to sell it privately to someone who wanted a travel van. Like bullfrog said, most nomads what it their way or fully loaded by a reputable builder. If you haven't went too far, and what you have done is something someone can take on without a huge rework, you have a chance. Show us some pictures of your van the way it is.

Attached pictures to a previous reply. I have basically sound silenced, insulated, built cabinets, the garage. There's things that need tweaking like the cabinet doors. And things I held off on. First time doing anything with my hands like it.

Rabbit2.0 · 2024-12-22T09:15:11-0500

maki2 said:
Take photos, figure out what you need to sell it for and list it locally. Add or do not add the uninstalled items as an addition to the sales package. Vehicle prices can vary regionally by thousands of dollars. You can use the internet to find out what your vehicle for year, model and mileage is worth without “improvements” in the area you live in. Yo do need to know that baseline price is exactly what the buyers in your area will also be referencing.

Thanks maki. Hope you are well. (Returnibg member and you and bullfrog replied to me a lot)

maki2 · 2024-12-22T09:32:02-0500

Tough love time…
Unfortunately have left it looking like it “needs a lot of work”. But if there are not very many cargo vans on the market you will find a buyer for “as is”.

It is no different than selling a house in as is condition. Someone will either buy it to finish and flip it for a profit, buy it and gut it or buy it to finish for themselves. But in every case you are very unlikely to get back the value of labor and materials you put into it.
You yourself have gotten stuck in “needs too much work “. Too much work too finish it. Too much invested financially and emotionally to tear it out.

But who knows what will happen, it is like real estate it all comes down to scarcity on the market place or finding just the right buyer at the right time who falls in love.

WanderingRose · 2024-12-22T09:39:23-0500

Thanks for the pictures, and it looks like you’ve made a good start on this very nice build.

I don’t see where you’ve listed the make, model, year of your van, which will be important to pricing suggestions.

And if you’re able to finish out that interior, just with the basic framework, that would bring it to a “move-in” condition for many, and might help with marketing.

IMHO.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Tony's Dream · 2024-12-22T14:38:27-0500

Though I agree with many of the posts, I think you have finished it enough to make it desirable to someone with limited experience at rebuilds. Good luck.

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