Why Buy at a Luxury Motorocoach Resort and What To Look For
Luxury Motorcoach Resorts:
Interested in Owning A Site? Here’s
What You Need To Know.
If you’ve been enjoying the Class A or Super C lifestyle for any length of time, you know that sometimes planning for the road ahead can be difficult. Especially, when you’re among the throngs of folks looking to escape the blustery winter for some South Florida, Arizona, or California sunshine. You’ve probably been through it yourself, trying to lock down that perfect lot at the perfect resort in the perfect location at the same time the rest of the coach community is also clamoring for prime destinations. It can get a little crazy making.
While there’s certainly nothing wrong with continuing your luxury coach journey one vacation season at a time, there is something to be said for the peace-of-mind that comes with owning at your favorite luxury motorcoach resort. After all, it’s nice to know you’re guaranteed a prime site at your motorcoach paradise of choice anytime you want it.
This is why more and more Class A and Super C motorhome owners are opting to purchase their own sites at luxury RV resorts. Even though owners of these high-end (and expensive) coaches usually have the means financially, purchasing a site is still a major investment and there are some tips and tricks to making sure you do it right. Let’s dig into it.
Why Buy At A Luxury Motorcoach Resort?
We already talked about the comfort and confidence that comes with knowing your site will be available anytime you want it. But owning is also often a smart decision from a purely financial perspective.
Depending on how long you season for and how often you travel, you’re probably spending thousands and thousands of dollars renting sites without earning any equity in your investment. RV lots tend to appreciate in value, often faster than stocks or even traditional home purchases, so with the right purchase, you could be quickly ahead of the game.
Additionally, as an owner at most resorts, you’re free to rent your site to other luxury coach enthusiasts when you’re not using it. At many resorts, this added income can actually cover your monthly costs as an owner. So, you get the best of both worlds – your own personal motorcoach paradise and a sound investment.
Considerations When Purchasing A Luxury Motorcoach Site
Motorcoach resorts, even those catering exclusively to the luxury coach market, vary greatly. So how do you find the perfect one for your lifestyle? Here are seven important things to consider.
- Location
Do you prefer to summer in the Colorado mountains or winter near the Southwest Florida beaches and golf courses? Can you live with a few months of freezing winter temperatures, or would you prefer a location that’s warm year-round? If you’ve been traveling enough, you probably already know the answers to these questions. Don’t compromise. Rule one is to buy where you know you are going to love living.
- Amenities
This is a huge consideration! In case you haven’t noticed, a lot of RV resorts across America have not done the best job at keeping up with the times. Remember, this is going to be your home away from home, so make sure it has all the luxuries you want. Considerations might include a nice Clubhouse, pickleball, fitness center, dog parks, resort pool, adults-only amenities, whatever you prefer. Equally important is how well the resort’s amenities have been maintained. Are they new and inviting or do they feel a bit weathered and rundown? If the amenities aren’t in great shape now, they probably won’t be getting upgrades anytime soon.
- Age of Motorcoach Resort
It’s not to say that older resorts can’t be nice. There are plenty of beautiful ones out there. Still, many people prefer investing in newer luxury motorcoach resorts because they tend to have the latest and greatest amenities, plumbing and facilities, technologies, and power stations already in place. Buying new comes with the peace-of-mind of knowing that the latest codes have been met and there is very little chance of any major issues happening for a long, long time.
- Customization/Development
Are you purchasing a site and nothing more, or can you add personal touches to make the site your very own oasis, such as optional mini-homes, tiki huts, outdoor living and dining areas, and other additions. There’s a good chance, whether right away or down the road, you are going to want to add some personal touches to your motorcoach site. Is this permitted where you buy? Do they offer options you can choose from? It’s important to make sure the luxury coach lifestyle you envision is possible at the resort where you buy.
- POA Fees
Almost every luxury coach resort has a Property Owners Association and requires dues from all owners. Here’s the catch – you don’t necessarily want the lowest possible dues. If your resort has incredible amenities and beautiful landscaping, you want to know that they are being properly maintained, which costs money. Also, find out exactly what those dues cover. Is your Wi-Fi included? Are water and sewer? Are utilities? Does it cover all grounds maintenance? Every resort is different, but one thing is certain – you do not want to find yourself at a resort that is unable to maintain itself due to a lack of funds. When this happens, there go your property values.
- Rental Opportunities
Most luxury motorcoach resorts allow owners to rent out their sites when they’re not on property. This can lead to substantial added revenue. Some resorts will even handle managing the rental process for a nominal fee, something that almost always works out to the owner’s advantage as they don’t have to lift a finger to rent their site. If a resort does not permit owners to rent out their sites, then you have some serious thinking to do as you will likely be losing out on substantial added income.
- Which Site?
You’ve narrowed down the perfect resort, now you have to select the right motorcoach lot. As a general rule, waterfront sites tend to be the most desirable from a rental perspective and usually see the greatest value increases over time. However, more affordable sites can also do very well in both cases. There really is no hard-and-fast rule to purchasing a motorcoach site. If it feels like home, then it’s probably a good choice.
Give It A Test Drive
Try it before you buy it. Nothing gives you a better idea of how much you’re going to love a motorcoach resort (or not) than spending a few weeks on the property. You’ll get a taste of the amenities, a feel for the community, and a sense of the resort and its location. If you love it, chances are you’ve found the right place to park your rig on a more permanent basis. Good luck!
Got any thoughts or experiences on owning at a luxury motorcoach resort? Share them with our community below. Look for more posts on Class A and Super C living coming soon.
Olde Florida opens in October 2024 with a host of five-star amenities, state-of-the-art technology, and an ideal location in Southwest Florida just 22 miles from Fort Myers and 58.7 miles from Naples. Learn about vacation and ownership opportunities at OFMCR.com.