Owners of RV Parks report to us that they are over-run with phone call solicitations from people purporting themselves to be RV Park buyers.

The owners who have no interest can quickly get off the call by stating they won’t sell. However, if they hesitate, they become a real target for the telemarketer. Some telemarketers start out by implying (or outright lying) about their status. They may say they are looking for their first park…OR…that they are part of a large investment group with $30 MILLION dollars and want to buy parks all over the country! If the telemarketer is smooth enough, the seller may continue the conversation.

If the back and forth continues and it ends up with a signed contract, and Due Diligence begins, the unscrupulous buyer (courtesy of the telemarketer) now wants to reduce the price that was originally agreed upon (stating some deficiencies with the park that have been discovered)… most of which are drummed up in order to renegotiate the price downward!

Once the “re-negotiation” begins, the buyer (who stated they would pay ALL CASH and close quickly, for example) NOW wants to lower the price again due to siting some deficiencies with the park, and extend the closing date because they are now going for bank financing…an option that was never presented to the seller. This leaves the seller waiting to close, and hoping there are not bank related issues that kill the deal! And very likely, the seller accepted a lower price in order to get the ALL CASH – CLOSE QUICKLY DEAL.

This is definitely a “Seller Beware” situation.

Seek out advice before offering your RV Park or Campground for sale, or signing any contract that is drawn by other than Brokers or Attorneys, especially if the buyer ‘cold called’ you to sell your park!

If you contract with a buyer who comes to you in this manner, you may want to consult an attorney for contract review. And if your “spidey sense” tells you something may not be right about this deal, listen to it!