Elite Resorts ??

Bob & Ann wrote:
GoPackGo
Of course the final choice is yours. My only advise is to not get caught up in the moment. Think through everything and make sure that is what you want to do. If you decide that is what you want then CAREFULLY look at ALL of your options. Some have coach houses or allow you to build one in the future which is nice as it gives you a little extra room to spread out. Some allow nice looking storage buildings which is nice to store your seasonal stuff. Then look at the amenities and find one that offers what fits your needs. Don't pick a spot where you are paying for more then you want. Another words if you don't golf then don't pay to be in a golf facility. Then you need to decide if you want to be in a senior community or one that has a mix of all ages. Sometimes it is nice to find one that has been around for a while to see if they enforce their restrictions. I can see that it is nice to have a spot that you can call home. When you purchase don't plan to get rich on the sale down the road as you more then likely will not. If you buy it buy it for yourself and enjoy. But do check on the following before signing any papers.
Make sure that it is fairly priced in the market you are in.
Spend a day talking to owners in the park to see what they have to say.
Ask for a copy of the restrictions to see if you can live by them.
Check out the financial standing of the development.
Check to be sure there are no big law suits against the development.
Check out what your yearly taxes on your lot will be.
Check out what the associations fees are and decide if you are prepared to pay them 12 months a year.
Check out the rules of selling your place as some require you to sell through the condominium instead of through your own realtor which could make it harder to sell.
Make sure that it is not in a flood zone and if it is ask what the cost of flood insurance is.
Make sure that it is convenient to where you want to be. As you mature it is nice to have doctors, hospitals and stores within a reasonable distance.
If you decide to go in this direction take your time, avoid pushy sale people and one time only deals.
Enjoy your search

Double ditto. Owning brings a lot of hidden issues. In our travels, we've seen a lot of "owner" resorts close as well. Definitely print out Bob and Ann's list and use it when looking at these places.

I am not a fan of HOA's (we live in a retirement community with one that has politics / favors worse than Washington, DC) but westernparkowner makes a good point. Also Bob and Ann have good info as well.

Book by it's cover? No, reality on attitude. Only Superman warranted the name. :-)

We stayed in the one in Clermont for 5 weeks in Feb. it was nice, but... There have been reviews about the odor from the water treatment plant near one end. They also had an issue with the pool that has probably been fixed. We attended the Valentines event and dance and had a good time, but it was the only activity I saw during our stay. It is family friendly, if that is a plus for you. Next door to Publix. We would stay again if we could re t privately. If you rent through the office, you can be bumped if someone buys the lot during you stay to another lot... Good luck on your decision.

Personally, I would only buy into a park that is owned and operated by the HOA. If it is corporately operated, there is the possibility decisions will be made based on profit and not on the actual needs of the park. This can apply to repairs and maintenance, staffing, changes in park policy, etc.
People on these forums often complain about HOAs, but they actually do tend to reflect the common interests of the members (though not necessarily the interests of any specific member) Yes, there will be some infighting, some chest puffing and usually two factions on each issue, but they still function better for the needs of the park than a corporate office 1000s of miles away.

GoPackGo
Of course the final choice is yours. My only advise is to not get caught up in the moment. Think through everything and make sure that is what you want to do. If you decide that is what you want then CAREFULLY look at ALL of your options. Some have coach houses or allow you to build one in the future which is nice as it gives you a little extra room to spread out. Some allow nice looking storage buildings which is nice to store your seasonal stuff. Then look at the amenities and find one that offers what fits your needs. Don't pick a spot where you are paying for more then you want. Another words if you don't golf then don't pay to be in a golf facility. Then you need to decide if you want to be in a senior community or one that has a mix of all ages. Sometimes it is nice to find one that has been around for a while to see if they enforce their restrictions. I can see that it is nice to have a spot that you can call home. When you purchase don't plan to get rich on the sale down the road as you more then likely will not. If you buy it buy it for yourself and enjoy. But do check on the following before signing any papers.
Make sure that it is fairly priced in the market you are in.
Spend a day talking to owners in the park to see what they have to say.
Ask for a copy of the restrictions to see if you can live by them.
Check out the financial standing of the development.
Check to be sure there are no big law suits against the development.
Check out what your yearly taxes on your lot will be.
Check out what the associations fees are and decide if you are prepared to pay them 12 months a year.
Check out the rules of selling your place as some require you to sell through the condominium instead of through your own realtor which could make it harder to sell.
Make sure that it is not in a flood zone and if it is ask what the cost of flood insurance is.
Make sure that it is convenient to where you want to be. As you mature it is nice to have doctors, hospitals and stores within a reasonable distance.
If you decide to go in this direction take your time, avoid pushy sale people and one time only deals.
Enjoy your search

Google is your friend.

Elite Resorts runs one campground in Connecticut - Strawberry Park, and will have four resorts in Florida when they open the Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts in Tarpon Springs and Lake Okeechobee.

They've been in the resort/ RV business for at least 15 years.

Salt Springs has an average 6.3 rating on RV Park Reviews.
Citrus Valley in Clermont has an average 8.3 rating.
Strawberry Park in Connecticut has an average 7.4 rating.

I would suggest that you visit one or both of those resorts and see if you like them. Both are mostly ownership lots, but do have some rental spots available.

Even with close 1,000 RV spots in their resorts - they are still a smallish company in the business - and the likelyhood of finding someone with actual experience with the company on this forum is very small.

Lauren wrote:
With a name like that they must have a real attitude I would not want to deal with!

Wow, judge a book by its cover.

Be prepared to spend LOTS of $$ AFTER you buy. Dues, taxes, (and increases of both all the time).

There are so many campgrounds and RV Resorts in Florida....and you've got wheels and tires under your rig....I tried the seasonal thing once...after 4 months seeing I had so much money involved with it....I felt OBLIGATED to go to the place and use the RV. So....travel and "Trailer Life Directory" is where it's at for me.

g'luck whatever you do.

With a name like that they must have a real attitude I would not want to deal with!

Spent 2 months here http://www.citrusvalleyrv.com/. Very nice and friendly Resort. Would not hesitate to return. Was about 3 yrs, ago.