Renting vs Buying

There are a lot of discussions among newer park residents about what makes the most sense when it comes to renting or buying. Everyone seems to have a different point of view and it really comes down to personal circumstances.

Some will suggest that if you can buy a reasonable park model on a rented lot for around $15,000 then why rent. How much do you stand to lose? Others suggest that renting gives you that opportunity to see if you like it before you invest anything more long term.

From those long time residents we have spoken to it seems most started off either renting a park model or coming in an RV or similar. The one common theme is that they all ended up buying sooner or later. It is rare to find long time visitors who still rent.

Renting

Renting a park model can certainly provide you with a good opportunity to 'try it out' to see whether you like the lifestyle and the park. It also allows you an affordable way to spend as little as one month in the park in the sunny south if you are not yet able to commit for the whole winter season.

Even though you are only renting you should give some consideration to whether the park is one you may later consider as a more permanent location. It is easy to become part of that park community and not want to change park locations should you later decide to buy your own trailer.

The park model itself is actually less important than the park where it is located. Of course you want a clean and comfortable unit but you are experiencing a lifestyle not just renting a place to sleep. Look at the park website and make sure it has the facilities, amenities, and activities that suit your interests and lifestyle.

This is also a good time to compare the differences between privately-owned parks and resident-owned parks (see: private vs. resident-owned parks section). If you feel you would prefer a resident-owned park (should you later decide to buy) then you should focus your rental search to those parks.

The wide range of rental prices of course generally reflects the quality of both the park and the unit. They are also affected by location in the park.

The average cost of a rental in a quality park is probably in the area of $2-3000 per month dugin peak season Jan-Mar.  (Although there are more affordable examples in some much smaller parks with less facilities for as little as $1200 to $1800 a month). In addition to your rent you may have some utility costs including whatever telephone, television, and internet services you add.

The term of the rental will probably impact the monthly cost. A shorter term can cost you more (per month) than taking the place for the whole season. Which month(s) being rented can also affect the cost. Jan-Mar is of course the most popular months and will be the most costly. (Many units only get those 3 months rented for the whole year)

An 'affordable' way to 'try it out'

Because renting for the most popular months will often cost more ... some good deals can be found if you are willing to rent in the months of April, November, or December. Some rentals will be as much as 30 to 50 percent lower in those months.

If you only have limited time (not quite retired yet) you may want to give the off-season a try. Some parks even offer rentals in the off-season for as little as two weeks. They realize you will get sold on the lifestyle and their parks.

 Buying and Renting the lot in a Privately Owned Park 

That wide range of prices for buying a park model in a park is all for good reason.

The lowest price of (say) $15,000-35,000 probably puts you into an older unit with less features. But it can still be quite a comfortable unit and serve as an alternative to renting.

The high end units are quite luxurious, will have more space and a lot of amenities. Can range in price from $40,000-170,000 and up.  (see: private vs. resident-owned parks).

The following is a general guide only intended to give you some idea of annualized costs.

Owned unit on a Rented Lot

Lot Rental (including misc. park fees) Insurance Basic Utilities

$7,000 500 800 $8,300

*In addition to the above costs you will need to add whatever upkeep and financing costs apply to your situation and park model condition. Also, any telephone, internet, and cable TV services you decide to purchase.

In past years park models tended to depreciate. But lately they have gone up in value as new model unit prices have aoared. 

But those Rents Often do go Up

It seems the market has been strong enough to warrent rent increases most every year that we have been reporting on the parks. A 5% annual hike in rents is quite common. So when budgeting your park model in a private park, renting the lot, you may want to account for these annual rent hikes.     

Buying in a Resident-Owned Park

The alternative of buying into a resident-owned park will make the original investment considerably more but will also provide more opportunity for hedging against inflation and somewhat reduce annualized costs. (see: Private vs. Resident-Owned Parks).

If you browse the resident-owned park websites you can get an idea of the prices for park models and lots. Prices range quite widely but an average investment can range from maybe $80,000 to $150,000 and some actually over $200,000. Annual HOA fees tend to be around $2600 or so. 

It is important to remember that you are buying into the whole park, not just the park model and the lot. (In some parks the lots are actually titled. Others you do not actually own the lot ... it is assigned to you ... but rather a percentage of the whole park). The price variance in the resident-owned parks is impacted by your share in the asset value and financial strength of the whole park. As a result there can be quite a difference in the prices from park to park. Very much like buying into a condo apartment.

 

(Also see the discussion on the current market in the How Much Will it Cost Me section)