Park Models, leasing or buying a lot - anyone have any experience

[NEANGLER]

My wife and I stayed at a friends Park model in a campground resort and we now are thinking about buying one. Question is this, the one we stayed at you bought the land in the campground/resort but many of the ones I have seen are a leased lot option instead. Is there any plus' or minus' to this and does anyone have any reccomendations of any campgrounds with Park models? Any of your experiences good or bad? Thanks!!!!!

[LegattoAD]

Most resorts we have looked at will take park models on a seasonal basis. Some even encourage it as they look more "homey" that a fifth wheel. Another important thing to keep in mind when you're looking is to ask if there is an age requirement for your rig. Some places say nothing can come in that is ten years or older.

I can't really recommend a resort at the moment as we are looking for a new place to stay as well.

What area are you looking at?

[bturck]

before we bought our land anc cabin we also considered this option. I got turned off by it however when I was told I could be there May 15th to October 1st. Pretty much shot ice fishing in the butt. Decided to buy more expensive but real estate appreciation was much better and I controlled my occupancy....Just my thoughts.

[NEANGLER]

Looking in the Brainerd, Mille Lacs Area - I kind a like the deeded option better than leasing. Fees seem to be anywhere from $475 -899/yr when you own the property but leasing I have seen aynwehre from $1800 to over $3,000 yr. We stayed at Whitebirch at Breezy point and like it but we did see Sherwood Forest at Mille Lacs that looked interesting.

[lawman]

We own a park model and have it on at a lake resort near Aitkin. We lease the lot on a seasonal basis. We have flexibility in this situation. We recently decided to move to another lake. A move like this would be more difficult if you had to find a buyer for your land. We have made the arrangements and our house on wheels will be soon be sitting on a new spot. Many resorts like this have seasonal openings now. The beauty in this is if conditions at your lake or resort no longer suit you (and this happens) you can just leave.

[dfv87]

We own our lot (via association) at our resort.

I feel you on the May to Oct dates, but I ice fish in a wheelhouse so I deal with it.

I like knowing that I own something and my lot is appreciating or at least holding its value. (it actually is right now...)

I know if we choose to leave we would have to sell but if the resort gets busy again and they raise the rent on you you may have to leave when you don't want to. Right now the renting option is good but like 5 years ago (when I bought) friends were moving from good spots because of rent hikes... depends on your own situation and the economy.

[NEANGLER]

dfv87, where is your resort located, have had a harder time finding deed lot resorts and that seems to be what we like the best. For example this year we would have been able to come up quite a few times throughout that time frame for business and vaca. But last year with health issues with the family and other things we would not have been able to go up but maybe once. By paying a lease I would have been SOL but by owning at least I would have made some principal value on the property and the assoc dues are much less so in the long run would have been a better deal.

[ozzie]

We (my parents) use to have 3 lots in the Whitebirch campground at Breezy Point and I loved it......you had all the lakes within a 20 minute drive to either go fishing or pleasure boating and you weren't stuck to one lake.....the campground is nice and quiet and has a pool and if you purchase in todays market you should be getting a good deal.

[dfv87]

NEangler

Resort is in Annandale Mn (Timberwoods Resort) google it.

[Tom7227]

Consider a couple of things when making this decision -

If you are in an association what is the organization of it - who controls what happens and what gets or doesn't get done. I assume it could be like a condo association and there are all sorts of things that can go wrong with those. Failure to properly care for the place, do routine maintenance and such. For example what happens if the roads need expensive repairs, or some other major investment. Can they levy an assessment against the entire area? What if any are the real estate tax considerations? What limitations if any are there on sale? Type of devices that can be put on a lot? Storage of items outside such as cars, boats, etc. Can your neighbor put up a green and yellow polka dot storage shed, or leave 3 burned out cars in the driveway? Kids screaming, dogs barking, loud music........

I am not advocating either lease or own, but just pointing things out. The last thing you want to do is to get yourself stuck into an unacceptable arrangment that you can't easily exit.

[icefishin4fun]

neangler I am currently living in a assocation in the nisswa area. There are more option then you might be aware of ,if you would like to email for some ideas [email protected]