New trend has RVers buying sites, rather than renting
Many upscale RV resorts across the country are now selling sites, and many buyers are eager to join the trend.
"This segment of the industry is generating increasing attention from consumers," said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC).
While most campgrounds, RV parks and resorts rent their sites by the night, week or month, there are growing numbers of parks that have started selling their sites, particularly Sunbelt parks that cater to snowbirds.
Prices to buy an RV site range from about $50,000 to $250,000 or more, depending on the park's location and amenities.
"If someone comes down and spends $3,000 or $4,000 a year every winter in Florida, and let's say they come down five years, they have already invested $20,000 in Florida," said Eduard Mayer, president and CEO of Elite Resorts Management Inc., which has developed several RV resorts in Florida that sell their sites.
Many parks also set up rental pools and allow owners to rent out their sites when they're not using them. The resorts take a percentage of the rental income to cover their management services.
Buying isn't for everyone, however. RVers who don't want to commit themselves to a certain area should probably stick to renting, advises ARVC's Profaizer.