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Bears_Den's avatar
Bears_Den
Explorer
May 14, 2016

RV lot ownership or seasonal rental

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place. Friend and I were talking and got on the topic of owning an RV spot or having a seasonal spot. We milled around the pros and cons but was wondering of those who actually do this what are special things you have to do to your rig when you leave it there. Do you get more use out of it by doing this? Thanks!
  • I prefer owning a lot over storing it somewhere. It allows me to use it every weekend when I'm off work and I don't have to actually go anywhere. Depending on where you buy, its an investment in real estate rather than an expense. It all depends on how you plan to use it and what options you have within 60-90 minutes of where you live. I wouldn't want to drive 2 hours or more every weekend to get to it.
  • We own a lot at Pacific Shores Motorcoach Resort in Newport Oregon. We typically stay there for the cool and wonderful summer weather from May through October and use it as a base camp to venture out and explore the beautiful Northwest. However, we have an RV garage at home and therefore never leave our mh at the resort as we have too much $$ invested to let it set unattended for 6 to 7 months, plus the Oregon coast "winter" weather leaves a lot to be desired.

    We do love having our own site that we can stay at when ever we want and we're able fix up to our desires and even rent out if we wish (but never do). Being an HOA owned resort, we do have a few political and personality differences and it does, on occasion, create some harsh feelings....but that is typical and we just go with the flow.

    Hope this helps

    Ron
  • Renting would be preferable if you aren't sure you want to go back to the same place, year after year. The downside is you wouldn't want to do any customization on a rented site. Even if you were "assured" you could rent the same site the next year, the park could change ownership and those agreements would go out the window. Also with renting you never know what the wind will blow in for a neighbor.
    Ownership parks will come with more expenses. There will probably be more rules and like someone else stated, the HOA board members will likely be both a blessing and a curse. But in an ownership park, your site improvements are yours, no questions asked and you will probably have a greater sense of community, since the turnover tends be lower. Just do your due diligence to be sure the park is well capitalized, there is no deferred maintenance and that there is no huge assessment on the horizon.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    I'm assuming some place cooler in the summer... renting As above said... same place year after year? If set up properly you can have pride of ownership with a rental site. Click on "View Profile" below and go to the last item.
  • Any links for RV lots to buy out there, if so please post the ones you know as we've thought of this for years, like to look into it.
  • If you use them - either option would be worthwhile.

    Just be wary of people / salesmen - telling you how great the benefits are and that you can camp elsewhere for free or very low cost.

    There are companies that specialize in that, but many ownership programs do not.

    Finding a location is a bit difficult. A couple we know bought a place in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, after spending 10 winters in the area. About two years ago, they found a place they liked, and spent another winter there - just to be sure.

    Some RV magazines have ads for spots, you can also call parks in the area where you want to stay. Personally, I'd only consider an ownership plan if we stayed in the area/ park several times over a few different years. To make sure that was where we wanted to anchor.

    My father's idea of camping was to take the trailer to the same lake, the same COE campground as much as possible. One year, he and mom spent 183 nights in the trailer in that one campground.

    I prefer to travel. Two weeks, and I get itchy feet.
  • Just think it out carefully...do you want to go to the same place all the time? There is an awesome country out there. :)
  • When I was a kid my parents owned a lot. It was great fun and my dad never had to worry about towing it anywhere. I was able to make friends with some others in the area, had my favorite things to do. My dad could putz around like he enjoyed. My mom just liked getting out, she was not happy that he wouldn't take the camper anywhere. I am quite sure if they didn't go that route I would not have learned to love camping.
    Today my style is a different spot whenever I go out.
    What is going to fit your style?

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