The RV Park Mastery Podcast

One of the attractions to buying an RV park – for many owners – is to “self-manage” the property. But is this the right choice for you? In this episode of the RV Park Mastery podcast, we’re going to explore what it’s like to self-manage an RV park and some of the issues that should be considered in making that decision.

The SBA and USDA are offering programs to help you finance buying an RV park using small business loans. The terms are incredibly attractive – so good that it would appear the U.S. government is bent on making you an RV park owner. So let them. Or at least understand the options available.

The 1970s brought us many classic rock anthems including “Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign” – but I’m sure the writers of the song never thought of it’s apt description in RV parks. In this episode of the RV Park Mastery podcast, we’re going to drill down on proper signage in RV parks including what it is, where to get it, and how to keep the cost low. From property appearance to proper marketing, every RV park owner needs to know about signs.

Buying an RV Park – like buying any asset – is a stressful experience filled with doubts and concerns. However, there is an easy way to get around this hurdle and make informed, accurate decisions that you can feel good about. In this RV Park Mastery podcast we’re going to discuss a simple method we developed years ago to make buying an RV Park a scientific decision based on math and risk assessment and not just gut feel. If you’re buying an RV Park, you want to learn this method.

Science is defined as “the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment”. So how can you apply that lofty goal to RV parks? In this episode of the RV Park Mastery podcast series, we’re going to drill down on the science of evaluating RV parks and bringing factual discipline to the emotional process of investing.

There are several valuation methods that appraisers use – and we’re going to review each of them on this episode of the RV Park Mastery podcast. Between the cost approach, comparable sales approach and income approach, each has its place and some are more important than others. Since the goal of buying an RV park is to arrive at the fair price, understanding appraisals and their methods is a key part of the purchasing process.

We hope that all sellers abide by “my word is my bond” but we all know that’s rarely the case. Instead, we have to write lengthy legal contracts to ensure that things go as planned. And one key component to any RV park purchase contract is the “specific performance” provision.

When I first got into the business, I was told about the “gypsy traveler” RV park scam. And recently I have been getting calls from people who were unaware of this age-old way to part a fool and their money. In this episode of the RV Park Mastery podcast we’re going to review what a “gypsy traveler” scam is, how to watch out for them, why they work on unsuspecting buyers, and how to make sure your deal is real and not a forgery.

“You can never be too rich or too thin” is a popular expression. However, that’s just not a reasonable goal for most investors. While it’s great to have a safety cushion, it’s unreasonable for that cushion to be limitless.

Most RV park deals are built on the framework of 20% to 30% down payment on the price of the property. However, sometimes you can go lower. Much lower. In this RV Park Mastery podcast we’re going to discuss how “zero down” or “low down” deals come to be, and what the tools and traits are to make these deals possible. We’ve done around twelve “zero down” deals and we have identified four characteristics that make these a viable alternative to traditional financing.

In less than 45 days the United States will hold a Presidential election, as well as many other federal and state offices. Elections are always a time of concern: how will the winner impact RV park investments? In this RV park mastery podcase, we discuss the real facts behind the issues that could impact RV parks, and what the best and worst case might hold on these various items. Whether you are a Republican or Democrat, this podcast will shine light on what you need to know regardless of who wins in November.

I have an old 1950s pinball machine in my house that serves two purposes 1) entertainment and 2) a constant reminder about the facts of investing. I believe that this game – titled “Super Circus” – can give more investing wisdom with one nickel than Warren Buffett can in an entire book. So what are the lessons learned? In this RV Park Mastery podcast we’re going to discuss the key lessons my old pinball machine teaches, and how those apply to successful RV park investing.

Is ten spaces enough? What about 100? What size is essential in buying an RV park? That’s the topic of this RV Park Mastery podcast – an examination of size vs. success in RV park buying. As you’ll see, there are many permutations in the algorithm of correct RV park size and only you can decide the correct answer on many of these. While bigger is sometimes better, that’s not always the case here.

We all like to emulate certain people – and one that you should definitely want to be like is your banker. If you can think like a banker, you’ll go far with your RV park career. So why is that important and how do you do it? In this episode of the RV Park Mastery podcast series, we’re going to discuss how smart RV park owners try to mirror the desires of their banker and share the same thought patterns.

You may not even own an RV park yet, but you eventually will, and at some point it will come time to sell it. In this episode of the RV Park Mastery podcast, we’re going to review the top 3 action steps to maximize your sales price and better ensure that you get top dollar as well as a faster closing. Since the price you achieve will tell the tale on your total overall return for the RV park it’s essential that you do as good a job in selling as you did in buying and operating.

One of the key goals to buying an RV park is to maximize your return on investment. So how do you do that? In this episode of the RV Park Mastery podcast, we’re going to drill down on the top 3 action steps that smart operators take to increase revenue, decrease cost, and stay on top of all things financial with their property.

In most real estate investing you make your money on the front-end, with your selection of property and your assessment of its traits and financial performance. RV parks are no different. So how can you buy an RV park in the smartest way possible, giving you the best chance of success with the least amount of risk? In this podcast we discuss the Top 3 Action Steps in successfully buying an RV park.

To hit impressive rates of return, all real estate is contingent on the use of sensible leverage. So how do you get a loan to buy an RV park? In this episode we review the various types of financing available for RV park acquisitions and discuss how to successfully obtain them, as well. Since debt is an important part of every purchase, the sooner you know the options and how to select the correct one, the better.

All forms of real estate are measured by rates-of-return, and RV parks are no different. In this episode we review all of the standard RV park performance metrics and explain how to calculate each one. Since it’s a competitive world when it comes to how you choose to invest your money, this episode will give you greater clarity on this unique investment option. You also need to have a firm handle on these terms when you start hitting banks and looking for financing.

While millions of Americans own an RV, very few people own the RV parks. And this scarcity has created a profitable opportunity for those who understand the business model and have the desire to make high levels of return. There’s also a component of enjoyment, as many RV parks owners choose to live on-site and leave their less happy work life in the past. If you’ve ever wondered about RV park investing, then here’s your chance to learn how it works.