Single Mom Roadschooling Van Life Adventures with Kate & Mel
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        • Vent Placement in Conversion Van
        • Cutting a Hole for a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van
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        • Van Conversion Solar Set Up - Everything You Need
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  • Home
    • About >
      • Our Van >
        • 2018 Ford Transit Cargo Van
      • The Backstory
      • We Found a Van!
      • Pre-Purchase Van Freak Out
      • Vanlife- Van Purchase Day
      • Registering an Out of State Vehicle
  • The Build
    • Planning is Different Then Doing - VanLife Van Build
    • How Much Does it Cost to Convert a Van?
    • How Much Time Does it Take to Convert a Van?
    • DIY Van Conversion Checklist >
      • Phase One DIY Van Conversion - Research >
        • Designing Your Perfect #VanBuild While Going on Practice Van Life Adventures
      • Making Decisions for Your DIY Van Conversion >
        • Rural Internet
      • Selecting and Buying the Van DIY Van Conversion >
        • Finding a Van
      • Prepping the Layout- DIY Van Conversion >
        • Detailing the Van Before Conversion
      • Installing Windows on Van Conversion for #vanlife
      • Selecting a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van >
        • Vent Placement in Conversion Van
        • Cutting a Hole for a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van
      • Solar Panels on Conversion Van >
        • Wind Solar Power on Conversion Van
        • Van Conversion Solar Set Up - Everything You Need
        • How Much Solar Power Do I Need?
  • Our Adventures
    • Friends on the Road
    • Sea World - Orlando
    • Aquatica- Orlando
    • Treasure Island Florida
  • Resources
    • Vanlife Websites and Blogs
    • Vanlife Hashtags for Families on the Road
    • Vanlife YouTube Channels
    • Financially Supporting Van Life
    • Random #VanLife Stuff
  • Roadschooling
  • YouTube
  • Contact
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YOUR CART

Step-by-Step DIY Van Conversion

Our DIY build. 
Please read our 
disclaimer (you know, the one that says we are not experts!)
Phase Three - Selecting and Buying the Van

  1. This is the step where the rubber meets the road.  (Get it? It's a van life pun. Vanlifers are filled with puns, you know.) Determine what type of van you want. What is the budget?  Will you cash pay or finance? Do you prefer older or newer? Year? Mileage? Make and model, for example:
    1. Sprinter
    2. Transit
    3. Dodge RAM Promaster
    4. Chevy passenger van
    5. SUV
  2. Would you prefer low, mid or high roof? Extended or not? Are you willing to travel out of the area for the purchase? (We did!) If yes, how far?
  3. Create a list of vans you find online: make, model, year, mileage, etc. so you will know if it’s a good deal when the time is right. See our list here.
  4. If financing, search around for the best deal and get pre-approved.
  5. Narrow search results and make contact with seller(s).  Keep in mind, vans could be selling fast and there may be no time to dilly-dally.
  6. Have a pre-purchase freak-out. (It's required.)
  7. Test drive and get inspections.
  8. Negotiate and close the deal.
  9. Celebrate and brag on social media! Woo hoo!!

Back to DIY Van Build
Go to Resources
Go to Phase Four 


Kate & Mel

Meet Us
We are Kate & Mel, daughter and mother wannabe van life nomads who have set out on a (sort of) gypsy life adventure in our soon-to-be converted van.  Join us!

Find Us on Social Media
Instagram: Kate & Mel Adenture
YouTube: Kate & Mel 
Twitter:  Kate & Mel Travel 
Pinterest: Kate & Mel Adventure 

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#mommysgotavan #vanlife  #familyvanlife #roadschool #roadschooling #vankids #vanmom #homeonwheels #gypsysoul #campervan #vanlifegirls #vanlifewithkids #wanderluster #fulltimetravel #solotraveler #nomadlife #hippiespirit #travellife #vanconversion #nomadfamily 

Single mom and kiddo set out on a nomad, van life, roadschooling lifestyle. Watch the beginner diy van conversion, first time homeschooling on the road experiences, and newbie family van life adventures unfold.  
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Melinda is the Director of Family & Children's Counseling Services, a therapy practice in Northern California, and author of the first National Supervised Visitation online training program. Her therapy blog can be found at The Motley Ms and her business consulting page can be found at MelindaHaynes.com.