RV Resort site ownership

[merle&louise]

After looking at the "bargins" for sale at Bluewater RV Resort in Key West, I was wondering if RV Resort ownership is a good deal. It looks like these RV lots have appreciated in value significantly. Any thoughts good or bad?

[jello_jeep]

Tuga, I own a couple in Lake Havasu.

I am going to keep one, and sell the other after building a casita on it and doing some improvements. Hopefully be able to make enough to pay for the other one!

I like it, as I have a place to go thats not far away, and its always available, no reservations needed.

Real estate will always go up eventually, so as long as you are not "counting" on it for a short term gain you are ok.

Also search for a place where property tax is not too high, and even more importantly, a place that has low monthly fees, as they could eat you up.

There is my .02!

[garyde]

Hi Tuga. I have looked at the Las Vegas Luxury Resort and also the one in Palm Springs Area. Both are almost totally empty in the summer because of the heat. No Shade Trees, lots of palms, and Pools. Too expensive for what little use I would get out of it. $149000 -359000. The affluent Snow Birds like them. I would rather have $ in Propety with buildings. A safer investment. You can always rent and it,s a lot cheaper unless you are wantng to stay for 3-4 months at a time every year for many years.

[Just Plain Jeff]

Writing from Central Florida, we're seeing the swift loss of decent rental RV sites. Last year in Polk County alone, 2200 sites were lost due to condo/housing development. The good things about having your own site is that you don't have to make reservations and they continue to appreciate above the general housing market as few new parks are putting in simple pads.

The newer sites that are being put in are usually incorporated with some type of a house or super-sites as the developer's margins are higher there.

We are selling our place in Mount Olive Shores near Lakeland, FL due to a desire to be able to head west and put up a house in Maine, but only very reluctantly. Nice to have a place to call home whenever you want to go there.

A few years back we had the three house + bus thing going and it was too much of a headache keeping track of everything.

Simple is good.

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

After looking at the "bargins" for sale at Bluewater RV Resort in Key West, I was wondering if RV Resort ownership is a good deal. It looks like these RV lots have appreciated in value significantly. Any thoughts good or bad?

Tuga, It is my percetion that it comes down to the individual, his intent, use and personal finances.
Where is one in life; lots of free time, or none? Old with only a few active years to go? Healthy and able to travel far and wide without concern of medical facilities? Do you want to go to the same place time after time , or do your finances allow you to have it in your closet for use when you want with no detriment to your life if you don't.
I think if one looks at the RV lot as he would a painting to hang and enjoy while he has it and not to look at it as an investment, then it works.
Surely if you can wait long enough its value will increase, but you have association fees and taxes to pay.
As with ordinary realestate when the price goes up the market size goes down. Those able to make high dollar purchases have the whole world from which to choose and the choice is often whimsical or fanciful. Not nesessary. Your lot may not be in the fashionable location of the moment. If something should happen to you for instance would your wife be encumbered not only with the disposal of the bus but the lot as well? Maybe she would KEEP ON TRUCKIN, I don't know? If someone moved into the space next to you and were incompatible with you and your values it might take a very long time to sell.
To me the bus is about travel and getting there more than about being anywhere time after time. That's me. "Everything is relative". Decide for yourself. Be happy. JIM

[lewpopp]

Jeff, Let me try to figure this out.

We want to sell our place in Mt Olive Shores and go west and get a place in Maine.

Either they moved Mt Olove Shores, Maine, or you would travel west and then settle in Maine. Just asking.

[Just Plain Jeff]

Lew: Since I do not have the gift of your mellifluous magnanimity, we po' folk and want to have one 'base.' Due to family reasons, it is better to have an all-season base in Maine, and travel around. That way The Boss can supervise New England whenever she wants to, as she is now.

If we travel in the West, such as the great reports from Harry and others suggest, having a place in Florida doesn't make as much sense.

You got it now?

(Casey the Wonder Dog should explain it. She has taught Lewie circus tricks!).

[lewpopp]

Jeff,

I'm not trying to be a smart ass. The way you wrote it sounded as tho you were going west to Maine.

BTW Casey is a nutless male and when I tell him what you said he will give me the largest grin with the "Jimmy Carter" teeth ascewed.

As for me passing bucks , I should have known better to fall into a pose for anyone, especially you. Go get 'em scoop !!!!

[kmuller]

Tuga - we've had a site at Pelican Lake, Naples (pelicanlake.com) for a few years now. Great place, great location...south Naples, right before you go over the bridge to Marco Island. We bought it when we could afford to, knowing when we retire in about ten years the prices would have gone up to the point that we wouldn't want to buy in. Even with the roll back of prices in SW Florida of late, we are still up significantly since we bought. The rental income pays for the RE taxes and monthly assessments. It is hard to believe, you could have purchased all you wanted in 2001/02 for about 65k each. Now they run from 199 to 400k.

[merle&louise]

Thanks guys for all of the answers. Sorry it has taken me so long to post, but we just returned from our little trip to the FL keys.

Karen and I have decided for now not to buy anything, we just like to move and see new places. So we would prefer to just rent a site and tolerate the hassels of renting (having to move when and if the owner wants his lot, no vacancies, etc). Also, living in south Louisiana; we have fairly mild winters, so it wouldn't make sense to leave a mild winter climate to travel to another mild winter climate.

I appreciate all of the responses. Thanks