We will be spending our winters in Florida near Titusville - Cocoa area to be close to family in the winter months. We are thinking about buying a lot in The Great Outdoors RV and Golf Resort. What is your feelings about buying vs. renting?

Bought RV lot in 2001.....still on it. Wise choice.

For some, yes, Lady. For others... And the fees in ten years are? Assessments?

Without knowing a bunch of different $ amounts... HOA, property taxes, cost to rent, it's hard to say. In our Snowbird park renting for three months is cheaper than owning. At five months of use ownership makes economic sense. Knowing you have the same lot, being able to personalize it, and having the same neighbors may over rule economic considerations.

It all boils down to what you want and expect out of your experience. Lots of people own their own lots, some even have RV and even mobile homes on their "lot" they own. I think the advantage of owning your own "space" is so you have an assurance you have somewhere to return to each year. I think you have the assurance it's the SAME place every year. You have the comfort knowing it's "yours". The a lot of personal security in having your own site.However, if you are the adventurous type, and like change and variety, then lot ownership is not for you. You'll have the responsibility of taking care of it and maintaining it 24x7x365. Granted you may hire someone to tend to the property when you are gone, but you are still responsible for it. Ownership means having roots. If you enjoy going to new places, meeting new people, and enjoy planning ahead for the next year's season, then lot ownership will only be a real millstone around your neck.But, if you are the type that wants that security of your own space, the guarantee it will be there when you come back, it will remain the same, it is YOURS, then buying and anchoring down is for you. As I stated above, folks have been doing "lot" purchasing in Florida for a LONG time. Here's a photo of my grandparents, taken sometime in the middle 1950's. They purchased a lot in Florida, complete with trailer. They went to Florida for years and years until age wouldn't let them go any more. Then they sold it.My grandmothers' sister and her husband also had a "trailer" next to them. They spent a lot of time together. I wasn't even born yet when these photos were taken:

Dutchman, great photos. Those trailers!

RV Lot...buy or rent | Good Sam Community

Buckeye_Chuck
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017
Guy Roan wrote:
jamesroadking wrote:
Why in the world would you even consider buy an RV space. So many reason not to. I like to keep the option open to leave when I want. The whole purpose of buying an RV is to travel and see the country. If you want to stay in one spot it would make a lot more financial senses to buy a house or at least a condo.

Simple, you can't buy a house or a condo with a big swimming pool, a club house, with two beaches, a boat ramp within a hundred feet and a whole bunch of other amenities in the Florida Keys for what you can get an RV lot for.

EGuy

Well said. As I get older and the drivers get crazier on the roads I'm starting to enjoy limiting my travels somewhat. I'll still travel home to Ohio and do a side trip or too but that's about it. Maybe I'll buy two lots one north and one south.
Guy_Roan
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017
jamesroadking wrote:
Why in the world would you even consider buy an RV space. So many reason not to. I like to keep the option open to leave when I want. The whole purpose of buying an RV is to travel and see the country. If you want to stay in one spot it would make a lot more financial senses to buy a house or at least a condo.

Simple, you can't buy a house or a condo with a big swimming pool, a club house, with two beaches, a boat ramp within a hundred feet and a whole bunch of other amenities in the Florida Keys for what you can get an RV lot for.

Guy
jamesroadking
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017
Why in the world would you even consider buy an RV space. So many reason not to. I like to keep the option open to leave when I want. The whole purpose of buying an RV is to travel and see the country. If you want to stay in one spot it would make a lot more financial senses to buy a house or at least a condo.
LadyRVer
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2017
Lwiddis.. POA (aka HOA) fees, 65.00 a month, increased from 45.00 a month in 2001. Property taxes, at 100.00 a year, qualify for homestead. 2 special assessments in 16 years, 95.00 and 200.00. 65 a month for W,S, all amenities.

I can rent it out, sell it or come/go as I want. Upscale resort.

Works for me, might not work for you. Seem OP is looking at both pros and cons.
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2017
Buckeye Chuck wrote:
. . . What is your feelings about buying vs. renting?

Good question. We're talking about "feeling" here and that's exactly what it is.
We feel good about having a solid destination that is "ours". We don't have to make reservations. We don't wonder or have uncertainty about availability. We can do what we want with it; plant, paint, remodel, etc. No permissions needed (within municipality regs of course).

On the practical side, it might be cheaper to rent. And it might feel more liberating not to pay taxes or make repairs.
Buckeye_Chuck
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017
The park we are considering is a condo park.
Guy_Roan
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017
From my take:
We bought our lot two years ago in a Campground/Condominium RV park in the Keys and absolutely love it.
If the park is a "condo" park the owners own the entire park and the regulations are set forth by the state of Florida with an elected board. All the rules are voted upon, by us the owners at our annual elections as is our board of directors
All the rental spaces fees go back to the park which in our case is us
If you buy from a private park ( not "condo") you are subject to any rules and regulations that the private owner sets forth

We didn't know all of this when we bought and now realize that we have really lucked out!

Our park is as good as it gets with every amenity that you would want

Guy
korbe
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017
"Buying vs renting". If I could easily afford either, it would come down to dollars and sense.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017
Buckeye Chuck wrote:
We will be spending our winters in Florida near Titusville - Cocoa area to be close to family in the winter months. We are thinking about buying a lot in The Great Outdoors RV and Golf Resort. What is your feelings about buying vs. renting?

1. If you are going to " snow bird" for at least 6 or months a year, then buying might be of interest.
2. First make sure the RV park you are considering has absolutely every amenity you want and need. If possible talk to as many people already in the park so you get a true picture of how the owners/management/staff support and treat the RVers in the park.
3. If buying, make sure you know exactly what all the year round fees are. Will they let you rent out your lot when you are not there?
4. If you are only Snow Birding 3 to 4 months a year, I would just rent. If you leave a deposit a year in advance you can usally get the site.
5. My reservation about buying is now you will feel committed to go every year. It also depends on your health conditions and age, will these factors limit your stays or travel?
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2017
Dutchman, great photos. Those trailers!