??s about buying an RV lot in Fla

[kathyp]

We luv florida-gulf coast particularly the venice area. We want to eventually purchase a condo or preferably a small home in Venice area. Untill we are rready to do this, we have though about purchasing an RV lot near Venice. Can you suggest how, where and what we should know to do this. Is it possible to do this, and are there safe , clean friendly associations or the like where we, I'm 60 in a couple of months and my hub is 56. I think i'd be more inclined own strict ownership versis an association type, but don't know if any privatly own sites are available. Thank you so much for your help. We might consider an Christian Association.

[GaryKD]

Hi kathyp,
I can not answer your question about the Venice area. If I may, please be aware of the following.

One should purchase a lot in an RV community because they will use the property. These purchases almost never make a profit when the property is sold. They usually are a loss. Knowing this, if you find a community you like and:
1. you are a cash customer who can close quickly
2. the purchase price is significantly below market value
3. you are aware of the closing costs paid by the buyer
4. you are aware of the different ongoing expenses associated with owning the property
then move forward to close on a property.

I buy and sell these kinds of properties. My motive (profit) may be different than your reason for making the purchase. Just be aware, buy cheap or you will suffer a loss on the sale.

Lastly, due your due diligence. There are many nice resorts to buy into. Some have outstanding law suits against the home owners' association. Until these are settled, the properties are of little value. This is one of the first items one should get off the table before spending time looking further into the resort.

[Half Dimes]

GaryKD makes some very important points.

If it were me, and my ultimate goal was to own a condo, I would go that way first. The Florida real estate market is still in the dump and there are many good values to be had, especially for a cash buyer.

[Wizard]

If you already have an RV, then you may would want to long term lease a RV site in a campground.

One I know that is really nice is Harbor Lakes at Port Charlotte, not very far from Venice.

[kathyp]

I like the idea of leasing. We will think about that. We would even think about buying a lot which would be zoned for an rv untill we built.
Thanks for the info.KathyP

[frankdamp]

If you're an RVer, why would you want to tie yourself to going back to the same place time and time again? That's what we love about having an RV rather than a vacation cabin (same place every time) or a boat (8mph top speed).

When friends asked why an RV rather than a boat (many thousands of boats around here) my reply was "one chunk of rock sticking out of the sea and covered in fir trees looks a lot like another and I couldn't go to Utah's canyon lands in a boat". Not to mention that the typical large-ish power boat burns a lot more gas than an RV.

A friend with a 35' boat, with twin Volvo engines, said " Calculating gas mileage is easy. At 14 knots, it burns 14 gallons an hour." Our 32' F53 Class A gets about 8 mpg at 55 knots and has almost as much accommodation on board as his boat!

[kathyp]

I am an RVer, I am also a camper(tent), I also rent a cabin every summer in a remote lake, I also love renting homes in Venice , I also like cruising. Isn't great that some of us simply like variety and to share it with others.
Doing one thing, doesn't mean you can't do and try other things.

have fun RVing and everything else you try.

[GaryKD]

Hi frankdamp,
Owning a lot in an RV resort can make perfect sense for many RVers. For me, it becomes a base camp to stay when I want and go when I want. For me it all comes down to the area the resort is located in. There needs to be a variety of activities to suite many different interests. The area should also be available year around even if there is a "season".

For me, I leave South Florida in May/early June and do not return until November. In 33 years of RVing, I've seen the USA quite a bit. It's getting to the point I'm not sure what I want to see again. I will tour a couple of months, but not 5 months. For the rest of the time I like a really nice resort to spend my time in.

I leave south Florida because the heat is really oppressive in the summer.

[Triker56]

Quote:

If you're an RVer, why would you want to tie yourself to going back to the same place time and time again?

There is a difference between a RVer that part times and a Full Timer that has been in all the states and a lot of them more then once. And have seen that & done that.

After over 11 years of Full Time I'm like GaryKD. I spend the winter in FL at same spot every year.
Right now it is 77º outside.

Then the 1st of May I head north and hit the same spots there, visiting the same family & friends.

Go crappie fishing at the same campground spot for a week, go to the same motorcycle races and sit at the same campground for a couple months or so. This summer will be the second summer for this same one.

Why I do this? Is because I can.
The wheels under my RV makes this possible.

Not everything is the same every year. This year I will get to meet my new Great-Grandson for the first time, who will be 5 months old in May.

OH! Last summer to break up the same routine. I did attend a motorcycle Rally in N. IL and a Fleetwood MH Owners Rally in S. IL.

[movin-on]

I vote for the lot...When those 150 mph counterclockwise winds visit Fl, you can just start her up and drive away...

[kathyp]

GaryKD , Thanks for the feedback, as well,as others, yes, I like the idea of owning a lot. We like to get up and go to, but we wouldn.t stay , I don't hink, in Fla.in the summer. I do not do well with the high heat and humidity, however we have not experienced past May there. We would keep our farm in upstate NY, and that is not far from our kids who are in Mid vermont. We also have set up three sceenic lots on our farm, which has views of the tri state hills and mountains. so who could beat that for coming back to. I luv Florida's west coast and as a wildlife rehabilitator, and a Recreation Therapist, I want so much to spend most of my time down there volunteering for wildlife and for disabled folks, helping them have fun. My hub does missionary work and want to help in some way using his contracting skills, and his programming skills. I am a fly fisherwoman and would like to find a group down there who helps disabled military with flyfishing activities. Life is good, we need to pray for the MidEast so our life can stay that way, and help the soldiers who ultimatly will keep us free, and are burdoned with that task.
God Bless all of us and Happy Superbowl Day.

[Glassalley52]

We own a permanent RV lot in Indian Acres, Thornburg, VA and plan to spend the warm months near family and friends. We are looking to purchase a similar lot in either Texas or Florida (Ft. Myers area) for the winter months. The problem is finding something that is for all and not just the over 55 set.

[two-niner]

You may want to go back to the Wizard's response. He is recommending a nice RV park that is central to all you may want to do.

I lived and worked in Port Charlotte for sixteen years. Nice place !

Kerry

[Billieg]

Venice is a nice place with little crime but expensive. You may want to check out Englewood right down the road.