RV 12 Value retention

[Jcy482]

I’d like to build an Rv12 soon. I have the means to do it, but also know that I am likely to want a change within a year or two. I know these aren’t an investment and losing a little money is ok. I’d just like to understand what kind of loss I should be expecting. Let’s say I spend $80k and put 100 hours on it. What could I likely expect to recoup? How long should I expect it to take to sell? Just to be clear, it’s not about trading up, but rather a constant need for a new project.

[gasman]

$70K return. And maybe don't paint it to reduce losses...... sell in less than 90 days.

[NinerBikes]

I think your losses would be less if you held it 3-4 year, and put 300 -400 hours on it.

[mike newall]

You should make profit !!!

All Vans aeroplanes are appreciating, not depreciating.

We built 2 and comfortably covered our costs, sold within 6 months, unpainted so the new owners can make their own choice.

Was done as an engineering project for a buddy who can't fly but wanted to tick the box of building.

[WingsOnWheels]

In the US at least, I have not seen any real $ growth for the RV-12. The LSA market has lost (or not gained) some value since the advent of basic-med.

Originally Posted by mike newall

You should make profit !!!

All Vans aeroplanes are appreciating, not depreciating.

We built 2 and comfortably covered our costs, sold within 6 months, unpainted so the new owners can make their own choice.

Was done as an engineering project for a buddy who can't fly but wanted to tick the box of building.

[Dave12]

I’ve built and sold two 12’s and didn’t lose any money on either one of them. I actually made money on the 1st one. It was sold in 2014 and took two weeks to sell by word of mouth. At that time 12’s were a hot commodity. My second 12 was sold in 2019 and the market was very different by then. I didn’t lose any money on it and it took a month to sell. In both cases the first guys to come look at them bought them. Both of them presented well with no excuses required. A buddy just bought a decent 12 for a surprisingly low price. All three of these 12’s were carbureted models and it appears that since the Is was introduced, have lost some luster. I think the Is models are probably a better investment

[Jcy482]

Originally Posted by gasman

$70K return. And maybe don't paint it to reduce losses...... sell in less than 90 days.

Interesting! I would think if I were buying a finished plane I would not want to have to paint it. That said, I like the idea! Definitely some encouraging responses here. No one has laughed at the idea and said get your check book out!

[dothetime]

Originally Posted by mike newall

You should make profit !!!

All Vans aeroplanes are appreciating, not depreciating.

We built 2 and comfortably covered our costs, sold within 6 months, unpainted so the new owners can make their own choice.

Was done as an engineering project for a buddy who can't fly but wanted to tick the box of building.

Profit? Are you adding anything for your labor or is your time worth nothing?
Dave

[croner15]

Originally Posted by Dave12

A buddy just bought a decent 12 for a surprisingly low price. All three of these 12’s were carbureted models and it appears that since the Is was introduced, have lost some luster. I think the Is models are probably a better investment

There are some tempting deals on the legacy 12s right now in the $60-65k range. That's making me rethink dropping 35-40k on a 150/2 before transitioning to the RV world. I may keep saving for another year.

I'm just shy of 100 hours so that may be the ticket to building time and figuring out the mission that will determine which RV to build.

[RFSchaller]

I took a negotiating class years ago. One exercise Split us into teams of 4 and gave half the teams an undisclosed amount of money and instructions unknown to the other half who were sellers of a fictions stock. The Secret instructions to the buyers were they could keep whatever money they didn’t spend. The undisclosed instructions to the sellers were that they could keep the money the buyers gave them.

The actual amount was $30 for each buyer group. In the end the actual price paid by the buyers ranged from $5 to $25. The point the instructor made was that it’s worth what someone will pay, and you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.