RV Park Investment Articles

As 10,000 baby boomers retire each day in the U.S., many are finding that their average social security check of $1,200 per month isn't enough for traditional housing options. For these retirees, RV parks offer a practical and enjoyable solution. Here's why RV parks make sense for retirees.

The RV Park business is a simple concept: You provide spaces for RVs to park. As a result, the more RVs on the road, the more customers in RV parks. If that’s the case – and it has been for decades – then the RV park industry is in for a great ride, thanks to demographic shifts in the U.S. and changing consumer tastes for RV products.

So you're looking at investing capital to create a new stream of cash flow or maybe replace your day job. You've probably thought about buying commercial real estate or buying a business. They both have their own places, but there are many reasons that buying an RV Park is superior to buying a business from a franchise or a business broker. Why is that?

When RV Park owners think about signs, they often envision rectangles or squares. Look around, and you’ll see that the vast majority of entry signs follow this predictable pattern. But if you want to capture attention and stand out, it's time to literally "think outside the box."

The late Sam Zell was always an advocate of only buying assets with liquidity. That was the secret that allowed him to get in and out of real estate when he felt a crash was coming. And it saved him from doom in the 2007 Great Recession, as he was able to unload his office holdings right before they crashed. His nickname was "the Gravedancer" as he was able to nimbly get out of asset sectors right before they turned bad, as well as buy them when others thought they were doomed and they were actually about to head up. But illiquidity can actually serve as a tool when buying RV Parks if you use that lever to your advantage.

The term "buying a job" is often viewed with skepticism when it comes to investing in real estate. However, this skepticism isn't as prevalent when discussing substantial educational expenditures aimed at securing future employment. For instance, spending $200,000 on a law degree or $400,000 on medical school is generally seen as a justified pathway to a professional career. So why view real estate investment, such as owning an RV park, any differently?

Owning an RV park often starts with a simple expectation: guests will check in for a short stay and move on shortly thereafter. However, the reality is that many RV owners have diverse needs that can extend their stays significantly. These can range from temporary relocations for work projects to seasonal migrations to avoid harsh winters. Understanding and adapting to these varied customer needs is crucial for maximizing both your revenue and customer satisfaction.

In the quest for financial independence and a fulfilling lifestyle, one path worth exploring is the ownership of an RV park. This isn't merely a question of financial returns, which are impressive in their own right, but also the pursuit of a life enriched by freedom, nature, and community.

It's universally acknowledged that in arithmetic, 2+2 will always equal 4. This steadfast rule should be at the forefront of every RV park investor's mind because, in the world of real estate investing, bending mathematical truths can lead to financial ruin.

Receiving a lawsuit can be a daunting experience, sparking a mix of fear and confusion. With the evolution of legal proceedings in 2024, it's crucial to approach this scenario with a calm and strategic mindset. Here's an updated guide to help you navigate the complexities of being sued in today's legal landscape.

In the dynamic world of RV park investments, understanding the financial health of a potential acquisition is more crucial than ever. The principle of averaging—examining financial metrics over various periods to gain a more stable and reliable picture—remains a cornerstone in appraising RV parks. This approach, rooted in traditional appraisal practices, has evolved with the advent of digital analytics and a deeper understanding of market elasticity.

The allure of transforming a poorly managed RV park into a profitable venture is undeniable. Despite the potential for high returns, these projects are fraught with challenges and carry significantly more risk than their well-managed counterparts. Here's a comprehensive guide on navigating these waters successfully.

Legendary coach Jim Harbaugh was just named in charge of the Los Angeles Chargers and he announced he will be moving to California and living in his RV inside a local RV park. Why do even the elites like RV parks so much, and what does that suggest about the future of owning these assets?

CNBC ran an article recently that talked about the attractiveness of living in an RV full time. We are seeing this same phenomenon in many of our properties throughout the U.S. So, what does it mean for the RV Park industry if we start filling more and more spaces with full-time occupants?

An industry news article recently declared the following regarding the outlook for 2024: Kampgrounds of America’s (KOA) latest monthly report found more than half of 2023 consumers who camp have booked 2024 camping plans. KOA’s October Monthly Research Report found 51% of 2023 consumers who camp have at least one 2024 trip book. Even more, 58%, said their 2023 camping trips have exceeded expectations.

The thrill of acquiring an RV park brings both a sense of fulfillment and an equal measure of nervous anticipation. As you navigate the unfamiliar terrain of owning such a property, you might worry about overlooking some crucial steps. This article offers invaluable advice to help your transition into ownership be as seamless as possible and set you on the path to success.

While some might wish for a magical genie to grant them the perfect RV park deal, reality offers a different approach. Contrary to myth, locating an ideal RV park investment is not a matter of luck but a blend of smart strategy and good old-fashioned hard work. Anyone fully committed to the venture will eventually find a deal that aligns with their goals. However, there are some key principles to guide you through this process.

The conventional American retirement plan is often less than desirable, with current statistics painting a rather bleak picture for U.S. retirees: an average social security payment of $14,400 per year, average savings of $88,000, and approximately 70% of retirees receiving little to no pension. Add to this, current CD rates do not even keep with inflation – so you’re not actually getting anywhere as far as wealth-building. The question then arises: how can you secure a comfortable retirement under these conditions?

We have dedicated significant effort to refining our mystery shopping approach for evaluating our managers. By simulating a customer's experience, mystery shopping provides valuable insights into how your employees interact with prospective clients. We categorize our evaluations to cover the entire customer journey, enabling us to pinpoint any shortcomings that may be hindering your RV park's revenue potential.

The winter of 2023 has proven to be one of the harshest in recent memory, with freezing temperatures reaching even the typically mild regions of the United States. This has raised concerns for RV park owners and managers, who must navigate the challenges brought on by such extreme weather. This article highlights the crucial aspects of managing an RV park during a severe winter season.

If buying an RV Park is part of your New Year’s Resolutions, then here are the four tests you must perform before pulling the trigger and acquiring the property. All of these steps are attainable with reasonable effort and basic knowledge of how they work. So what are these important action steps?

We are huge believers in seller financing, which rates as our favorite type of debt. It has a huge number of benefits. But it can also be a trap if you don’t know what you’re doing. So what’s so great about seller carry and when is it actually not a good idea?

Many people say “your manager needs to smile when they’re on the phone”. The problem with that statement is that you can’t possibly see any correlation between smiling and treating customers well when they call, nor can anyone measure their level of “smiling” unless they are sitting there looking at them. So what are the actual keys to a successful manager when it comes to phone etiquette.

Some RV parks are open all year. Others close in the winter and only stay open in the warmer months. But does that mean you can only buy those properties during the summer season? The truth is that many seasonal RV parks are bought and sold in the frigid winter months, but there are some tricks you need to know if that’s your goal.

When you’re buying an RV park, the typical seller is an older mom and pop couple who either built the property from scratch or bought it several decades ago. That’s what everyone is used to seeing. But what does it mean when the seller has only owned the RV park for a couple years or less? Well, it’s never a good thing. Here are some of the issues to consider when you have a short-term owner as the seller of an RV park.