Real Estate Developers are realizing that buyers of luxury RVs are looking for higher quality resorts to stay in, and often want to stay for longer periods of time. As a result, there are many luxury RV Resorts being developed across the country in popular travel destinations that offer lots for sale.
Where Can You Buy Luxury RV Lots?
We researched where the luxury RV Resorts are that offer lots for sale and found some in at least 13 states that are currently established with more in development. The common states to find luxury RV lots are of course Florida, California, Arizona, and Texas, but there are several others spread throughout the country.
We created a list of Luxury Class A RV Resort Lots along with links to their sites. You can jump directly to that section, or read on to learn more about buying a luxury RV lot in a Resort.
Why Buy a Luxury RV Resort Lot?
RV owners like to travel but most prefer to be in the warmer states during the winter. As a result, the best RV parks fill up many months in advance. If you don’t plan well and early, you may not be able to get a spot big enough for your RV in the area you want to travel to.
Owning a site in a luxury RV resort guarantees you will have a place to park your RV during peak travel months. Plus you can offset your ownership expenses and generate some additional income by renting it out when you are not using it.
What Is A Luxury RV Resort?
Just because an RV park has the word resort in their name, it doesn’t make them a true RV Resort. There is no standard that RV parks must meet to qualify them as a resort.
An actual RV Resort will have exclusive luxury amenities like swimming pools, sports facilities (like Pickle ball, Tennis and Golf), dog parks, event centers, fitness centers, and even marinas.
Some of the fancier RV Resorts are called Motorcoach Resorts and they offer amenities similar to five star hotels.
What’s The Difference Between An RV Park and An RV Resort?
The first thing that distinguishes the difference in an RV park versus an RV Resort is the type of RVs that are allowed.
Some resorts are Class A only, others will also allow Super C RVs in addition to Class A’s. There are also RV Resorts that allow all types of RVs including towable RVs (like 5th wheels).
Most RV Resorts have minimum size restrictions (often over 28 feet), and also have limitations on how old an RV can be that is allowed (often referred to as the 10-year rule). The 10-year rule doesn’t absolutely mean that any RV over 10 years old will not be allowed in the resort, many older RVs are very well maintained and are readily accepted.
It just means that any RV over 10 years old must receive prior approval from management before arrival at the resort. This ensures that old RVs will not be abandoned in resorts and cost owners hefty legal fees to have them removed.
Most RV parks have a lot fewer restrictions on the types and age of RVs allowed and if they are truly an RV park, versus a mobile home park, many permit tent camping.
There are also some RV parks that have manufactured homes or park models that are there year-round.
Most Luxury Class A RV Resorts that sell lots do not allow manufactured homes or park models and tend to be the most expensive and exclusive resorts.
What is a Park Model RV?
I never heard of a park model RV before, so I did some research and learned that the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association defines park model RVs as “a unique trailer-type RV that is designed to provide temporary accommodation for recreation, camping or seasonal use.”
Park models basically look like tiny homes or manufactured homes and, while they are considered RVs, they are only intended for recreational camping or seasonal use. They are limited in size to be 400-500 square feet depending on state regulations. Canada.allows up to 540 square feet.
Many Sun Resorts offer vacation home or cabin rentals and these are often park models.
Things To Know Before You Buy A Lot In An RV Resort
What Is The Single Most Important Thing for An RV Resort?
Just like all real estate, location is the most important thing for an RV Resort. Real estate developers are recognizing that there is a market for Luxury RV Resort properties and they are building them in some of the most popular vacation destinations.
The location also plays an important role when you want to rent or sell your lot. RV Resorts located near dining and shopping and that is available for use year-round are generally more expensive and hold their value better than seasonal properties.
What Type of RV Lot Ownership Is Being Offered For Sale?
Before you consider buying a lot in an RV Resort, find out what type of ownership is being offered. Is the land a deeded lot or is it leased land?
Deeded ownership means that you hold the title to the property and have all the rights (and responsibilities) of ownership in the property. Any improvements you make (including buildings) belong to you and you have the voting rights for the property owners association.
Lease-hold ownership does not offer the same rights and you do not own the property at all. You are basically just renting a lot from the property owner. You are purchasing the exclusive rights to use the property for the term of the lease, and any improvements you make to the property will revert to the actual property owner once your lease has expired. Mobile home parks are perfect examples of this.
Is the Resort Developer or HOA Controlled? What’s the legal status?
Depending on what state it is located in, RV Resorts remain under the control of their developer’s board of directors until either a majority of the lots are sold or a certain period of time lapses. Once either milestone is reached, control of the resort is transitioned to the Property Owners Association.
This can be a time of turmoil since the transition does not always go smoothly and owners may feel that the developer has not provided everything promised. This often results in lawsuits being filed against the developer, which can drag on for years and cost all involved big legal fees.
Find out what stage of transition of control the resort is in and ask if there are any pending lawsuits involving the resort, owners or developers.
Are the RV Lots Maintaining Their Values?
How many lots are in the RV Resort and what percent of them are sold? Are the lots taking a long time to sell? Are there many lots listed for resale by owners and do they appear to be holding their value?
What comes with the lot?
Find out what comes with the lot. Are the sites paved? Is there ample parking for your tow vehicle? Are there storage areas or sheds for your trailers or toy haulers? Can you use the community center for personal parties? Do you have to pay extra to use the resort facilities like banquet rooms?
What Size Are the RV Lots?
Some RV Resorts are built to accommodate the maximum amount of RVs per acre. This means small lots and little room for outdoor kitchens and landscaping. Find out if the lot sizes are big enough to comfortably fit your lifestyle and big-rig.
How Is The Resort Managed?
Is the resort being managed by the developer or is there a Property Owners Association (POA)? Can the board do improvements without a vote from the owners?
Find out if there is on-site management of the resort and if there is security. Having management and security on-site helps ensure that residents and guests receive excellent service and that the amenities and facilities are well maintained.
What Are The Property Owners Fees and What Is Included?
RV Resorts have Property Owners Associations (POA) that have regular dues. They vary based on the amenities and number of residents. Some include utilities like water and internet service and others require that you contract those services individually.
Is daily trash pickup included in your fees? What about your yard and the common property maintenance, is that included in your POA fees? Do you have to pay additional fees to have your property maintained when you are traveling and not at your site?
Determine how financially sound the POA is. Are there adequate reserve funds set aside should repairs of the common areas (like the pool or gym) be needed? Ask for the history of any Special Assessments and whether there are any upcoming. Also, ask if there are any regular annual assessments and if they have limits (no more than 10% from the prior year?).
It’s very important to maintain the resort to ensure your property values increase.
What Resort Amenities Are Important To You?
Some RV Resorts offer spas, gyms with trainers, golf courses and even marinas. Others are located in remote mountain areas that may only be accessed at certain times of the year.
Consider what amenities you really want and realize that the more amenities and facilities, chances are the resort fees will be higher.
Some parks that are not resorts and are still worth visiting are those in the Florida Keys. All 23 RV Parks in the Keys are waterfront, but not all can fit large Class A RV’s. A few offer lots for sale.
What Are the Resort Rules and Restrictions?
There may be rules on the size, type or age of RV the resort will accept. Ask to see a copy of the resort rules and restrictions including the POA bylaws.
Keep in mind that often resort rules may be different for owners and guests.
Some resorts are age 55 and up communities and have restrictions on the length of time kids (or grandkids) can visit.
There may be limits on the number or breed of pets or the types of vehicles permitted on the property.
Many resorts on the east coast ban all-terrain vehicles and gas-powered golf carts due to noise and speed restrictions. In the west, some RV Resorts permit All-terrain vehicles since they use them in the mountains.
Can You Build On Your Lot?
Many of the luxury RV Resorts allow you to build on your lot. Buildings may be as simple as small cabanas or tiki huts, to very elaborate outdoor kitchens and even small homes.
Also, ask about landscaping and if there are any restrictions that limit you from adding trees or bushes for added privacy. Is there an architectural board and do you have to go through them for any improvements you make on your lot including plants or buildings?
Even if you are not planning on building on your lot right away, find out what is allowed. Also, find out if you are required to use the developer’s builders or if you can select your own.
Can You Rent Your RV Lot Out When Not Using It?
Find out if there are restrictions on whether you can rent your lot out when you are not using it. Are you required to use the resort rental program or can you rent it out on your own? If you are required to use the resort rental program, what are their fees?
Can You Finance An RV Lot?
It can be difficult to finance an RV lot but not impossible. Not all banks will lend money for recreational property. There may be a lender associated with the resort or the developer may offer their own financing terms for buyers.
Ask for an estimate of annual property taxes.
Do RV Lots Appreciate in Value?
According to Motorhome Magazine, RV lots do appreciate in value. Averaging a 15 percent return on investment, and with in-season monthly site rents ranging from $2,500-$4,000, buying a site in a luxury RV Resort can be a good investment.
Do you visit the same place every year with your RV? Owning an RV lot there may make good financial sense, especially if you can rent it out.
Final Tip On Buying A Lot In A Luxury RV Resort
Before you buy any lot, rent a site and get a feel for what the community is like. Talk with other property owners and find out what they like and don’t like about their resort. Often the property owners are so friendly and fun, they make your decision easy.
We have friends that visited a luxury RV resort in the mountains with plans to stay a week, and wound up buying a lot by the end of the week! Now they own two lots in luxury resorts and spend their winters in Florida and summers in the mountains. Not a bad RV Life!
Whether or not buying an RV lot is the right thing to do depends very much on your individual financial situation, but many real estate developers are betting on this growing market.
RVnStyle is not a licensed attorney or financial specialist and the information contained in this post is informational only and is not intended to offer any legal or financial advice. Consult your own legal and financial professionals when making a decision about whether you should purchase your own RV lot.
Luxury Class A RV Resort Lots
Here’s a shortlist of some of Luxury Class A RV Resort Lots that are for sale by state. There are many more than what we have listed here, but as you can see, they are spread throughout the country and lots more are in development.
We are creating a complete list of luxury RV Resorts that sell lots by state, along with the RV class and size restrictions. Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive the updates at:
Arizona
We didn’t find any RV Resorts in Arizona that offered lots for sale. If you want to visit the West Coast and the Grand Canyon, there are 18 RV Resorts that can accommodate your Class A RV.
California
If you want to visit other luxury RV Resorts in Florida, there are 19 Big Rig Resorts in Florida to chose from.
Montana
North Carolina
There are actually 13 RV Resorts in North Carolina to choose from.
Nevada
South Carolina
Texas
If you love the Texas Gulf Coast, there are at least 12 RV Resorts there. Many offer sites for sale, but not all are Class A only.
Virginia