How retired Aussies can help housing crisis with cars

The caravan life could help the housing crisis.

As more and more Aussies ditch their homes for lives on the road, numerous caravan and motorhome options are becoming available.

While prices can range from about $25,000 for a humble caravan there are some extremely luxurious options that will set you back a fair bit more — like the $5 million motorhome complete with a Ferrari tucked inside.

Many Aussies are leaning into caravan/motorhome culture as they give up their traditional brick-and-mortar homes to live life out on the road.

The move enables people to avoid rent or mortgage payments while also seeing the country.

Baby Boomers are the biggest demographic taking up a caravan lifestyle.

Termed ‘grey nomads’, this group of retired Australians is continuing to grow, meaning more and more caravans and motorhomes are hitting streets across the country.

The most expensive home on wheels is going for $4 million at a minimum.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Tourism Research Australia indicate there are more than 9.5 million Australians over the age of 50 and many of that cohort are taking up caravan and motorhome lifestyles.

Perhaps not a great thing for Aussie roads, the uptake of a caravan lifestyle could have a positive impact on the nation’s housing crisis.

Almost 70 per cent of empty nester households have no intention of downsizing and freeing up larger homes for younger families.

Extraordinary figures from Australian Seniors surveys shows just 19 per cent of empty nesters in Australia have already moved into a smaller property after their children moved out, while a further 13 per cent are considering it.

It is believed having those retirees downsize (or hit the road) would unlock almost 60,000 homes across Australia.

For those who are already keen to hit the road, here is something to dream of…

INSIDE MOST EXPENSIVE HOUSE ON WHEELS

This 12m long, custom-made motorhome is decked out with all the bells and whistles, including a car garage that tucks into the belly of the home and opens up with the touch of a button.

Not only does it have space for a sports car underneath but the motorhome is also being sold with its very own Ferrari F8, should the lucky buyer want it.

Buyers can purchase the home and sports car for $5 million (€2,820,630) or $4 million for those who just want the home by itself — which is still almost four times the average price of a home in Australia.

The most expensive motorhome in the world.

The motorhome has a luxurious interior.

The view from the driver’s seat of the Volkner Performance S motorhome.

MORE: Don’t buy it: Aus warned of 2050 $611bn loss

The motorhome wowed attendees of the Dusseldorf Caravan Show back in 2021, being a tailored version of the luxurious Volkner Performance S motorhome. At the time it had a whopping $11.5 million (€6.5m) price tag.

Now the lavish home on wheels is set to change hands for the first time, as the previous

owner passed away. His wife is preparing to sell and it only has been driven for 20,000km.

Perhaps the most impressive feature is the side garage that has a hydraulic platform — where the Ferrari is stored — that doubles as a veranda when there’s no car on it.

It also offers space for two e-bikes as well as for two pushbikes and has airconditioning and heating, as well as lights and charging outlets.

Additionally there is a large awning built into the body of the motorhome which offers protection from the elements.

The pop-up coffee corner. Picture: YouTube

MORE: Call to stop ‘ghastly’ trend taking over Aus

Inside the home features gleaming surfaces of 30-year Macassar Ebony, Corian floors, and expansive glazing and mirrors.

The kitchen is decked out with top end Miele appliances as well as a coffee station with coffee machine that pops out of the bench with a touch of a button. It also has a full dishwasher, Versace cups and glasses and a wine cooler.

Ideal for entertaining, there is a Burmester sound system and the master bedroom looks like a full-sized hotel room and comes with a TV, a king bed, a handcrafted frame for the skylight, a full sized wardrobe, Burmester controls, mirrored walls, and sensor lights.

There are two kids’ bunks built directly under the bathroom sink, but don’t be alarmed – they’re fully decked out with AC, heating, lights, internet and storage compartments.

Corian steps lead from the entrance into the living room, entertaining lounge and dining room.

Inside the master bedroom.

It also has an oversized U-shaped off-white genuine leather lounge and a custom table that combines wood and stone takes up most of the living space alongside the huge TV.

This Performance S custom motorhome also comes with 2000W of solar on the roof, an 8-kW generator, and large holding tanks. Multi-zone heating can run on diesel or electricity or both, with the motorhome capable of going long stretches off the grid.

The home is being sold through Volkner, the makers of the RV who are now also acting as the agents for the sale.

MORE: Jen Hawkins’ 4yr build as neighbours sell up

The post How retired Aussies can help housing crisis with cars appeared first on realestate.com.au.