Selling a conversion van can be pretty overwhelming if you haven't done it before. Luckily, the process isn't too complicated, and with a little bit of preparation, you can find a buyer and close the sale in no time, with minimal risk or hassles.
The process for selling a converted van begins with knowing your van's worth
The first step in selling your conversion van is to determine its value. You want to make sure you're asking for a fair price that reflects the van's age, condition, and features. To do this, you'll need to do a bit of research. Check online marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Autotrader to see what similar vans are selling for. You can also use a service like Kelley Blue Book or NADA to get an estimate of the van's value based on its make, model, and condition and then add in your estimated costs of modification. A few additional van-specific marketplaces to check include: r/vandwellermarketplace, eBay, thevancamper, vanlifetrader, vanviewer, conversiontrader, vanlifeadventure, RVT and RV Trader. More detail on places to compare market pricing can be found here.
Later in the process as you begin to work with buyers (especially those financing through banks), you may need a detailed list of all the costs you put into the van. This means materials, appliances, vehicle cost, labor, etc. It may be worthwhile to put this list together earlier on to be prepared, but also because it will help you accurately justify an appropriate valuation for your van. Keep in mind, some 3rd party financers may require receipts or evidence of costs, but that's an issue for a later part of the process.
Prepare the van - cleaning and repairs
Once you have an idea of what the van is worth, it's time to prepare it for sale. This means making sure it's clean, presentable, and in good working condition. You don't need to go crazy with upgrades or repairs, but you should take care of any obvious issues that might make potential buyers hesitant to buy. This could include things like fixing a leaky roof, replacing a worn-out tire, or addressing any mechanical issues.
Take a lot of pictures and videos of your conversion van
You'll also want to take some good photos of the van to use in your ads. This can make or break how quickly your van sells, so put some effort into getting quality pictures. It can be helpful to stage your van to some extent - you don't need to buy new items or go overboard, but make sure it's set up nicely and looks clean in terms of presentation. Make sure to get shots of the interior, exterior, and any unique features that set your van apart from the rest. You'll also want to be sure you get pictures of the operational portions of the van - including all structurally integral sections underneath, the plumbing system, electrical components, etc. It may even be helpful to have some close up pictures of the woodworking to show the level of craftsmanship within. From an administrative perspective, it may be helpful to get a picture of the odometer and VIN tag, which is typically found on the inside of the driver's door. These will be useful later in the sale process. Consider having professional photos taken - certainly not necessary, but may be worthwhile especially if your van is relatively high in value.
Recently, more and more sellers are recording videos touring the entire van and it's operation - these can be posted on many of the marketplace websites, or can be uploaded to YouTube or a similar site. We've found this to be incredibly effective in attracting serious buyers. For instance, many longer distance potential buyers will be more confident in traveling with incredibly detailed video evidence of the van's features and quality. You can never have too many pictures or videos - you don't need to post them all online, but some buyers may ask for more, and it's good to have on hand.
Post your van online as much as possible
With the van prepped and ready to go, it's time to start advertising. You have a lot of options here, but some of the most effective include online marketplaces, social media, and local classifieds. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are both popular choices for selling vehicles, but you can also try niche marketplaces like RVTrader or Vanlife Trader if you want to target a specific audience. As we mentioned before, a few additional sites include: r/vandwellermarketplace, eBay, thevancamper, vanviewer, conversiontrader, vanlifeadventure and RVT. More info here. When creating your ads, make sure to include all the important details about the van, such as its make, model, year, and mileage, as well as any upgrades or special features. More detail is better in most cases - buyers will feel more comfortable and confident in reaching out with serious inquiries if they feel like they have the full picture. For instance, in many successful van sales, the sellers list all features, appliances and materials used in each section of the build (plumbing, heating/air, electrical, etc.) - what solar panels did you use? What exact model of pump do you have? How about the batteries, oven or fridge? You'll of course want to list the price, and if you're open to negotiating, make sure to mention that too.
As potential buyers start to show interest, you'll need to be prepared to field inquiries and show the van. Make sure to respond promptly to any messages or calls you receive and be as accommodating as possible when scheduling viewings. When you show the van, be honest about its condition and point out any flaws or issues that might come up. You'll also want to have all the relevant paperwork on hand, including maintenance records, registration, and the title.
Be patient throughout the process. It may take some time to find the right buyer, and you may need to deal with some tire-kickers or lowball offers along the way. But if you stay persistent and keep your eye on the prize, you'll eventually find someone who's willing to pay a fair price for your conversion van.
Don't be afraid to negotiate
If a buyer is interested in purchasing the van, it's time to negotiate the sale. This can be a bit nerve-wracking, but remember that you have the power here. Before entering negotiations with any potential buyers, have in mind your absolute lowest price, and ideal price point given the research we previously discussed. Don't be afraid to ask for a fair price and be willing to walk away if you don't feel like you're getting a good deal.
Close the sale of your converted van
Once you've found a buyer who is interested in purchasing your conversion van and you've agreed on a price, it's time to process the sale. As a seller, there are a few things you'll need to do to ensure a smooth and successful transaction.
Documentation is critical - be prepared and thorough
First and foremost, it's important to make sure you have all the necessary paperwork in order. This includes the vehicle title, bill of sale, and any maintenance records or warranties. It's also a good idea to provide the buyer with a release of liability form that transfers ownership of the vehicle and protects you from physical or financial damages. The exact documents required by law in each state, country or region will differ, but generally all of these are a good idea to have prepared regardless. These documents facilitate the sale and transferring ownership of the van to the new owner.
Conversion van bill of sale
Creating a bill of sale for your conversion van is an important part of the sales process. A bill of sale is a legal document that records the details of the sale, including the purchase price, vehicle identification number (VIN), and any other relevant information. It provides both the buyer and seller with an official record of the transaction and can be used as proof of ownership and payment.
To create a bill of sale, you can use a template or create one from scratch. Many online resources offer free bill of sale templates that you can customize to fit your specific needs. Many state DMVs in the United States have off-the-shelf bill of sale forms that you can simply download and use for your transaction. The bill of sale is typically a relatively simple document, and shouldn't be a very stressful to mark up. For instance, to create a bill of sale from scratch, you'll really only need to include the following information:
The names and contact information of the buyer and seller
The date of the sale
A detailed description of the conversion van, including the make, model, year, and VIN; given the custom nature of conversion vans, it's helpful to include general information on the modifications made to the van (ex. plumbing, electrical, etc.)
The purchase price and payment method
Any warranties or guarantees included with the sale
Any additional terms or conditions of the sale, such as the condition of the vehicle or any special circumstances
Both the buyer and seller will need to sign and date the bill of sale - but hold off on doing this until you have confirmation of payment as described below.
Creating a release of liability contract when selling a conversion van
A release of liability contract is a legal document that protects the seller of a conversion van from future legal claims and liability related to the vehicle. This isn't required by law in many regions, but is a really good idea to protect yourself as a seller. When a seller transfers ownership of a vehicle to a buyer, they are essentially transferring responsibility for the vehicle as well, including any accidents, damage, or other issues that may arise after the sale. By signing the contract, the buyer agrees to assume all responsibility for the vehicle and releases the seller from any liability related to the vehicle.
This is particularly important when selling a conversion van, as these vehicles are often customized and can have unique features or modifications that may increase the risk of accidents or other issues. For example, if you've installed a gas or electrical system, you may not want to be responsible for injury or damage to the van 5 years down the line. Without a release of liability contract, the seller could potentially be held responsible for any accidents or other problems that occur after the sale, even if they were not directly involved, and even if they are a result of the buyer's negligence of upkeep or misuse.
Many examples of boilerplate language can be found online if you want to attempt structuring your own contract, but you should really consult a professional lawyer who specializes in contract law, as it can save you from major issues in the future and the language can get quite technical. That said, a few important components to make sure you address via your contract; these are general areas to explore covering, we are not lawyers and are not providing legal advice:
State similar details as included in your bill of sale: buyers and sellers, make, model, color, year, VIN, odometer reading, conversion modifications, date of sale, purchase price (and payment method)
Statement that Buyer acknowledges the Vehicle is sold 'as is' with no express or implied warranties as to the condition or performance (including after-market modifications)
Statement that Buyer agrees to waive, release and discharge from all liability arising from negligence or fault
Statement that Buyer agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and promise not to sue the Seller from all liabilities, injuries, deaths, losses, damages, demands, expenses or claims related to Vehicle or modifications, etc.
Statement that if any provision in the contract is invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions are unaffected
Signatures and dates for buyers and sellers
Some states require a release of liability to be filed with the DMV or other relevant agency in order to transfer ownership of the vehicle. Failure to file the release of liability can result in legal and financial consequences for both the buyer and seller.
Before selling your conversion van, have recent maintenance records available on hand
While you aren't obligated to share maintenance records with the Buyer, it's a good idea to have copies prepared to protect yourself in the future. If the buyer asks to have the van inspected, you should feel inclined to oblige as failure to do so may raise red flags. That said, even if they don't make the request, performing a maintenance check-up before selling the van will give you a record of the state at time of sale. This will be really important as protection in case the Buyer returns and attempts to take advantage of Lemon laws, arguing that a mechanical issue was known at time of sale, or omitted. Some sellers create a detailed maintenance log that shows all of the work that's been done on the van over the years. This can be a valuable selling point that demonstrates the van's history and helps build trust with buyers.
Collect payment for your van in a secure manner
After the price is agreed on, and documents are in order, it's time to collect payment. There are several ways to collect payment, including a cashier's check, wire transfer, or cash (if you feel comfortable). Typically a wire transfer or cashier's check are most secure and should be the default route. It's important to make sure you get a receipt or confirmation of payment that can be used as proof of the transaction before transferring the title or the actual van. This will provide both you and the buyer with peace of mind and protect both parties in case of any disputes.
The process for payment may depend to some extent on how they are paying; for instance, if financing some third parties may play a role - and require details from you surrounding the vehicle's valuation, banking information, etc.
Transfer ownership of the van
Once payment has been received, it's time to sign over the vehicle title. The vehicle title is the legal document that shows ownership of the vehicle. Generally, with most titles, you'll fill out a portion of the backside - which will request odometer reading, sale price, buyer and seller details (potentially including address). Be very careful filling out the title and attempt to avoid mistakes because in many states, crossing out, white-out or otherwise markup may invalidate the title or require a separate form to verify the adjustment / edit.
In addition to signing over the title, you'll also need to get signatures for the bill of sale and release of liability form. Some states may require one (or both) of these to be notarized.
Depending on your state's laws, you may also need to transfer the registration and insurance of the vehicle to the new owner. Make sure to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to find out what steps you need to take. It's important to complete these steps promptly to avoid any delays or legal issues.
Clear remaining items, documents and license plates from the van
Before handing over the keys to the new owner, make sure to remove all personal belongings from the van. Be sure to remove your license plates, EZpass and any sensitive documents you may have kept in the glove box. Other items includes anything that was not part of the sale, such as camping gear or decorations. This will ensure a clean and professional transfer of ownership and avoid any confusion or disputes over personal property.
The process may differ by region - each state and country has their own guidelines; check your local government's regulations!
The process for selling a converted van as an owner can vary depending on the state, region, or country where the sale takes place. Each jurisdiction has its own regulations and requirements that must be followed in order to complete the sale and transfer ownership of the vehicle.
For example, some states may require a notary public to witness the signing of the vehicle title or bill of sale, while others may not. Some states may also require additional documentation, such as emissions testing or safety inspections, before a sale can be completed.
In addition, the requirements for transferring registration and insurance of the vehicle to the new owner may also vary depending on the jurisdiction. Some states may require the seller to notify the DMV of the sale, while others may require the buyer to apply for new registration and insurance on their own.
It's super important to research and follow the specific regulations and requirements in your jurisdiction to ensure a successful and legal sale. You can typically find information on the requirements for selling a vehicle on your state's DMV website or by contacting your local DMV office.
If you're unsure about any aspect of the sale process, it's always a good idea to seek professional advice from a licensed attorney or a reputable dealership that specializes in selling conversion vans. They can provide guidance on the specific requirements in your jurisdiction and help ensure a smooth and successful sale.