HOW TO FIND A RV PARK TO BUY By Frank Rolfe

Many investors are considering buying RV parks as not only an investment, but as a lifestyle choice. With millions of Americans approaching retirement, a very fundamental concept is combining one's retirement years with one's investment objectives - and this often points to an RV park as the best of both worlds.

RV parks not only offer high investment returns, but a satisfying, enjoyable lifestyle. The opportunity to be your own boss, and enjoy a beautiful scenic area, work with happy customers, and spend a good deal of time outside, is an unbeatable opportunity for most people.

But how do you find an RV park for sale?

Well, there's more strategies than you may think.

Internet resources

There are hundreds of RV parks for sale, right this very moment, that you can view from the comfort of your home. If you have computer access, go on the internet and you will see more parks than you can consider in one day. The #1 website for listings of RV parks for sale is www.rvparkstore.com. It lists hundreds of RV parks, with their basic facts and locations. Another site is www.loopnet.com, although you will have to register on that site before you can see any listings. You may also find RV parks for sale on eBay and Craigslist.

The internet allows you so see a huge amount of deals simultaneously, which helps you to define the specifics of what you have an interest in - both for your budget and for your interests. Prior to the internet, it would have been impossible to see this many listings.

Direct mail

Once you have narrowed your geographic interest, it is advantageous to send postcards or letters to the owners of RV parks in those areas. You would be surprised how many RV park owners will respond to such a mailer. Their reasons for selling vary widely, from a death, divorce and estate planning, to a desire to travel or change locations themselves.

Even RV park owners who do not have an interest in selling may know other operators who do.

Cold calling

An alternative to a direct mail campaign is to call the owners of RV parks in the areas you have an interest in and see if they want to sell. This may sound more scary than it actually is - remember, you are not trying to sell them anything, only to give them money if they want to sell. You will find that most are very pleasant and more than happy to talk to you. They can also dispense a great deal of information on the realities of owning and operating an RV park.

Brokers

As you look through the listings on Rvparkstore.com and other places, you will start to notice a small fraternity of brokers who deal exclusively in RV parks. You need to also call these brokers and see if they have any properties that meet your criteria.

You will soon find that most brokers specialize in a tight geographic area, and may have sellers who do not publicly list their RV park for sale. As a result, a broker may be one of your best ways to find the ideal park for you. And you can often negotiate more effectively through a broker, so they effectively pay for their own commission.

Word-of-mouth

As a result of talking to a lot of people, the word will get out that you are looking for an RV park in a certain area. And that sets off a chain reaction of people hearing about you from word-of-mouth. It may be a friend of a park owner, or a different broker, or a banker settling an estate - it doesn't matter, because you only need one.

Conclusion

For many people, RV parks are an ideal investment. And there are many available out there if you know where to look and are diligent in your search. Through a combination of the internet, U.S. mail service, and telephone, you can find hundreds of listings to consider in a very short amount of time.

By Frank Rolfe

Frank Rolfe has been an active investor in RV parks for nearly two decades. As a result of his large collection of RV and mobile home parks, he has amassed a virtual reference book of knowledge on what makes for a successful RV park investment, as well as the potential pitfalls that destroy many investors.