What does the future hold for 55+ park model communities?

[Thunder_Mountai]

The wife and I were talking the other day about how changing demographics will affect the park model retirement communities. We are currently in the Apache Junction/Mesa area. Have no clue how many thousand park models are in the area, but it is significant. Where we are, most of the park model owners are well into their seventies and eighties. They are early baby boomers and parents of boomers. Numerous units are vacant and for sale as the residents are aging out. We're not seeing younger boomers in park models.

All that said, we see high end mixed RV/park model communities such as The Palms in Yuma and Canyon Vistas in Gold Canyon going like gang busters. To us, they appear to be niche markets for the wealthy. They have a $300,000 to $500,000 motor home sitting beside a $200,000+ casita. Many of the residents do appear to be a bit younger than the AJ/Mesa crowd.

We visited friends in one of the older park model communities where the units are from the 1970s and '80s. Units needing upgrading are available in the $10,000 range and even cheaper. The units are small and crammed in together.

We know that 10,000 boomers are turning 65 every day. What are they doing? We know the market for class C and smaller units is booming. We saw one they other day with four slides! Most of these people seem to want to see the USA moving from place to place rather than buying a park model in Arizona and other snowbirding states.

Appreciate your comments and observations.

[Chuck_thehammer]

RVcrazy wrote:
Which park in Mission?

Mission Bell. they will accept RV/MH as long as there is open sites.

[was_butnotnow]

Our story.
Well, all was good as we sold our S & B in 2003 and went full time and a few years ago decided we needed a backup plan if needed. So went looking for a more permanent winter vacation place in AZ after doing the Quartzsite LTVA thing for years. Everything in Q was priced out of site so expanded and found what we have 40 miles east of Tucson.
As most 55 + people find an RV resort and buy a lot and maybe put a park model on it. We went looking for more of a regular S & B and found a 4 acre all fenced lot with 2300 sq ft three section palm-harbor house with 1200 sq ft steel garage/shop for about the price of a park-model with a lot. High up with great views on dead end road but does have great neighbors who watch over it when we travel for most of the year.
Cost $116K water $200 a year HOA $100 a year for road work Taxes $1300 a year. Ins. $500 a year
That's it, pretty cheap living in the winter season. Camp host last and this coming year for BLM in Idaho.
You can find good winter places but you have to look long and hard.

An RV resort with RV and park models all crowded in wasn't for us. BUT meeting people is an advantage it that is what you are looking for.
All take care,

[RVcrazy]

Which park in Mission?

[TomG2]

joebedford wrote:
Sounds like it's gradually becoming a trailer park.

When it becomes more profitable to be a trailer park, it will become a trailer park. The 55+ designation can be dropped if the owner sees fit.

[joebedford]

Sounds like it's gradually becoming a trailer park.

[BarbaraOK]

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
here in Mission Texas... this park is under orders by the corporate owners to switch over from RV/MH/park models.. to all park models . to the point the park is purchasing used park models and moving them into the park.. many over 60 feet long. 6 this past month.. and another one next week.

they are NOT for rent..
they are for sale by the park and must remain here for 5 years..

and the 55 years old part... is now 40..

So they are changing to an manufactured home park. A Park Model, by definition, has a limit of 400 sq feet. Obviously the corporation has decided that they want a change in direction.

[Chuck_thehammer]

here in Mission Texas... this park is under orders by the corporate owners to switch over from RV/MH/park models.. to all park models . to the point the park is purchasing used park models and moving them into the park.. many over 60 feet long. 6 this past month.. and another one next week.

they are NOT for rent..
they are for sale by the park and must remain here for 5 years..

and the 55 years old part... is now 40..

[doxiemom11]

The site we are on is big enough for our rig, Jeep, utility trailer and cycles, but we would prefer much bigger. This park with less than 200 sites is actually bigger than we like - unless they were spaced much further apart. I think we found a good compromise between what we actually like and what is offered in AZ.

[cruiserjs]

WE have been 'Winter Visitors" in our park here in Mesa since 1994 and full time residents since 2010. Yes it is age restricted but we have been noticing that the current crop of visitors is getting younger every year. Many appear to be pushing that restriction, perhaps with an older partner. Our activity director and mangers have certainly noticed the change and keep the park-wide activities geared to that population. Live music every afternoon, reasonable prices at the newly remodeled grill poolside activities all result in crowded patio with almost all chairs/ tables full. These young ones make us 'oldies' jealous but what fun just observing. No - this life style is not about to wither away. Reservations for favored spots for next winter just opened up and it already appears that we will be full again next winter!!
The future is still BRIGHT at least in Mesa.

[BarbaraOK]

Same in our park in Mesa, AZ. There have been a couple park models that have been perpetually for sale for the past 4 years. This year the price on one of them was suddenly lowered and it now has a new owner. Didn't even see the couple, so I'll assume one became sick and they decided to really get it sold.

[pawatt]

TomG2 wrote:

Geeze wrote:
I've actually been watching the market on park models in that area for three or four years. Some of the homes advertised right now have been on the market for several years.

Some of those properties are not really, "For Sale", but if someone offers them more than it is worth, they can have it. There are some real bargains in the "For Sale" units, not so much in the "You can buy it" models. I have heard people say, "If it sells, it sells. If it doesn't, we will be back next year". (And they want to come back next year)

This is so true, have seen it again and again.

[TomG2]

Geeze wrote:
I've actually been watching the market on park models in that area for three or four years. Some of the homes advertised right now have been on the market for several years.

Some of those properties are not really, "For Sale", but if someone offers them more than it is worth, they can have it. There are some real bargains in the "For Sale" units, not so much in the "You can buy it" models. I have heard people say, "If it sells, it sells. If it doesn't, we will be back next year". (And they want to come back next year)

[pawatt]

Geeze wrote:
My wife and I have been considering the RGV as a spot to winter when we retire. I've actually been watching the market on park models in that area for three or four years. Some of the homes advertised right now have been on the market for several years. Initially we were thinking that was the route we wanted to go but if you can't get rid of it when the time comes it might not be the best option. We've decided to go with a motorhome to begin with.

Unless you go with an older moterhome it will depreciate as much as the cost of a couple park models within a few years.

[Geeze]

My wife and I have been considering the RGV as a spot to winter when we retire. I've actually been watching the market on park models in that area for three or four years. Some of the homes advertised right now have been on the market for several years. Initially we were thinking that was the route we wanted to go but if you can't get rid of it when the time comes it might not be the best option. We've decided to go with a motorhome to begin with.