FAQs and Tips On Vacation Home Buying

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) 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 must be under 400 square feet, with exceptions of up to 500 square feet in Florida and under 540 square feet in Canada.

Park models are classified as recreational vehicles, or RVs for short, because they have a wheeled base and can be moved.

(1) Affordable: Park models are affordable, low maintenance vacation homes. They allow for seasonal vacation living at a fraction of the cost of a traditional vacation home or cottage. (2) The Resort Lifestyle: You're on vacation! Enjoy all the resort amenities (swimming pools, fitness centers, putting greens, pickleball courts, restaurants, etc.) with all the comforts of home. (3) Designs & Features: Today's park models have modern designs and include features like wood flooring, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, recessed lighting, skylights and more.

Before purchasing a park model, consider how you plan to use it. Will it be your family's summer home or a snowbird getaway? Make sure the model and floor plan work for you. You should also consider the RV resort you want to live in. What are their amenities, lot fees, utility fees, and policies regarding park models?

The affordability of park models makes buying a great choice. Once you're a park model owner, you have the freedom to come and go as you please -- use your vacation home as often as you like!

Depending on upkeep and location, park model homes can last as long as any other manufactured home. Modern manufactured homes have a life expectancy of 30-55 years.

A park model is similar to a mobile home. Both are manufactured homes, built indoors and protected from the elements during the entire building process. The main difference is that park models are limited to 400 - 540 square feet.

Park models vary from 400 - 540 square feet. 400 square-foot park models are called Ansi units and are required to be built by an accredited standards developer (ASD) by the American National Standards Institute. Certain states (FL) and countries (Canada) allow for bigger park model homes.

Park models are built for the environment they will be living in. If you are in a cold climate, your home will be built to sustain freezing temperatures. Of course, there may be additional winterizing needs for your comfort, as with any home.

Pre-owned park models can be extremely affordable -- in the $10,000 - $60,000 range. New park model homes start around $70,000 and can go up depending on upgrades.

Yes. There are times when park models do appreciate in value. The location of a home has tremendous impact on its value. The better the location, the more likely the home will appreciate. The condition of the park model can determine its appreciation as well. If the home has been well-maintained with additions and renovations, the value could increase above the initial buying price.

Park models are an affordable way to own a vacation home or retirement home in a location that traditionally has more expensive home options.

Park model warranties can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Typically, new park models come with a 5-year warranty. Cosmetic defects may have a 1-year warranty and appliances are covered by a one year manufactures warranty.

Just like any other previously owned recreational vehicle, park model homes older than five years are typically bought "as is" with no warranty. You are free to purchase an extended warranty from a warranty company.

Sun Outdoors can connect you with a third-party financing company who can discuss all financing options, including down payments.

Resort managers and Sun Outdoors sales representatives can connect you with a third-party financing company that will discuss all financing options and terms.

Since your home sits on land that you lease, there are no property taxes.

Yes. It's like trading in any other recreational vehicle. You save the sales tax on the value of your trade-in.

No. Sun Outdoors are land-leased properties. Lot rent or site rent is not included in the cost of your home. Rent varies from resort to resort.

Consult the home sales specialists at Sun Outdoors or your personal accountant or tax expert for home sales tax rules. Our sales team can help you understand your tax requirements and the benefits of vacation home buying.

The timeline to build a new park model depends on the manufacturer (we work with multiple park model home builders). However, in most cases, you can expect your new home to be ready in 8 - 12 weeks.

Sun Outdoors can connect you with a third-party financing company.

Yes. You can custom order a park model home from a variety of home builders throughout the U.S. and Canada. A Sun Outdoors sales team member can assist with that process, which can include factory/plant tours.

The average cost of a new park model home is between $70,000 - $100,000.

We offer furnished and unfurnished park model homes depending on the home buyer's needs.

We partner with a variety of park model builders including Athens by Champion Homes, Jacobsen Homes, Skyline Homes, General Coach Canada, and Cavco.

Vacation homes are a great way to enjoy getaways and annual holidays whenever you want. If you travel often and like taking regular vacations, this can be a good investment. Some reasons to buy a vacation home include:

• Save money in the long term. You won't have to spend money on booking vacation rentals every time you travel to the same destination.
• Use your vacation home to generate rental income when you are not there.
• Customize the home as per your interests and needs if you own it
• Make the home a full-time residence for when you retire

Owning a vacation home gives you the luxury of spending well-deserved time away whenever you need it. Spend vacations, holidays, and different seasons in your favorite destination without having to spend time looking for rentals. When buying a vacation home, you should consider the following:

• How often you will use the vacation home
• Affordability based on your income and budget
• Your lifestyle and how you want to spend your days
• The city and state to spend your vacations
• Understand the taxes and insurance involved
• Consider the time and money needed for maintaining the home
• Rent a home for some time before purchasing one
• Work with a good real estate agent to guide you through the process

Buying a vacation home is an important decision and should be based on how often you are going to use the home. If you travel often and are likely to use the home for extended vacations and annual holidays, the investment could be worth it. Sun Outdoors has many vacation homes for sale across our different RV resorts. Contact us to find out more about our vacation home sales.

Buying and renting a vacation home both have their advantages. You should decide based on your needs and lifestyle. If you travel often and need a second home for vacations throughout the year, then buying a vacation home at an RV resort is a great idea. If you buy a vacation home, you can also rent it out and earn additional income when you are not there.

If you don't travel often or want to explore new places, then renting a home may be the way to go. You can also start by renting a vacation home and then decide if you want to buy one. Sun Outdoors offers both vacation home rentals and sales at our many resorts and campgrounds in the US and Canada.

If our resort has a vacation rental program, we suggest that you stay as a guest before you buy. The cost of your stay can be subtracted from your home purchase price upon close of sale. Also ask about our Fly, Drive, and Buy program which offers up to $1,000 back when you travel out of state to make your purchase.

Yes. The majority of Sun Outdoors resorts offer pre-owned park models for sale.

As with any home purchase, we always recommend having a professional inspect your home before purchasing. They know what to look for and can help you determine if your new home is ready to be purchased.

Before buying a pre-owned park model, make sure all lights and appliances work, check the water pressure, and test the heat and A/C units. It's also a great idea to have a professional inspect the home for you.

Before buying a pre-owned park model, consider things like the resort policies, regulations, upkeep and amenities, other park models for sale in the park, purchasing terms, and lot rent.

The average cost of a pre-owned park model is between $10,000 - 60,000.

Sun Outdoors resorts are land-leased communities. Our monthly lot rents vary by city, state, and location within the resort. Monthly lot fees sometimes include select utilities and always include access to amenities (swimming pools, fitness rooms, clubhouses, and playgrounds). Ask your resort manager for a list of what is included in your lot fees.

There are no hidden fees. Your sales representative and resort manager will make sure that you are aware of all costs associated with purchasing your park model and living in a Sun Outdoors resort.

Subleasing is an option at many of our RV resorts. Ask your resort manager about the subleasing policy at your location.

There are no HOA fees at Sun Outdoors. Your site or lot rent fee covers common space maintenance and amenities. Certain activities and events may require a small payment for participation.

Utilities vary by state and service provider. You can expect to spend far less on utilities in a park model vs a traditional home, based on size alone.

Many Sun Outdoors resorts allow annual living. However, some of our resorts are only open seasonally and do not allow for year-round living. Be sure to check with your resort manager on the policy and seasonality of the resort.

Some of our Sun Outdoors locations offer on-site RV storage. Check with the resort manager at your location.

Contact an RV resort manager, or call (888) 552-2205 for more information.

Most RV resorts allow for storage sheds on your site (depending on space). Check with your resort manager for more information.

Year-round Sun Outdoors locations offer year-round on-site management. Seasonal resorts have on-site seasonal management.

You can expect to pay a Sun Homes service fee, resort site/lot fees, utilities, insurance, decal fee, and sales tax when purchasing your park model in a Sun Outdoors resort.

Park model homes can fit most standard furniture. Keep in mind that you will want to find items that are small enough to fit in your home comfortably. A good practice is to measure before you buy.

An Arizona room, Florida room, lanai, or sunroom, as they are commonly referred to, can be added at select RV resorts. These policies vary by individual county code, so be sure to check with your resort manager.

ANSI park model homes can be built or purchased with a loft.

Park model homes can be ordered with a front or rear porch already included. The porch is not factored into the total square footage of the home. Patios, decks and additional rooms can be added to your home with a permit and permission from your RV resort.

Sun Outdoors offers varied and unique amenities. You can expect amenities to include anything from swimming pools, spas, fitness centers, and tennis courts to dog parks, water parks, mini bowling alleys, arcades, and on-site bistros. Be sure to get a full list of resort amenities from your resort manager.

Yes. Your site/lot rent will typically increase 3-5 percent annually at Sun Outdoors.

Site/lot rents and what's covered in them differ between resorts. Make sure you get a complete list of what is included in your rent from the resort manager.

Yes. You'll find landscaping guidelines in the resort's Information Policies & Regulations Manual. You can pick one up at the front office.

Although there are exceptions, electricity is typically not included in your monthly lot rent at Sun Outdoors resorts. Your park model is individually metered and you only pay for the electricity you use.

We love pets! Dogs and cats are welcome at all of our Sun Outdoors resorts. There are no additional pet fees. Be sure to check with your resort manager as restrictions may apply.

We love the Sun lifestyle and we want you to share it with your friends and family. Guests are welcome at all of our Sun Outdoors locations, but many request you check in your guests and some may require a small day use fee for special amenities.

We love grandchildren too! You'll often find that when yours come to visit, your neighbors will spoil them just like their own. We ask that when you have visitors under the age of 55, you limit their visit to two weeks.