Buying a recreational vehicle (RV) is a big investment. There are several types of used RVs for sale available in the market such as motor homes, travel trailers and campers. If you are an RV owner, you can make the most of your investment by setting your RV up for sale when it’s due for disposal. With a bit of paint and repair, new buyers will queue up to acquire your trailer.
Prior to starting the selling process, however, you must do a homework on what RV buyers are looking for. You can also take into account your personal experience while preparing your RV for sale. Write down a list of features that you would have ideally looked for when buying a used rig, and ensure that your RV has it all. Inspect the vehicle for repairs or affordable overhauls. Here is a list of steps which every RV owner should follow to prior to a sale.
Determine a fair value for your RV
The value of recreational vehicles depreciate in the same way as cars, however, their prices are considerably higher than ordinary cars. The value of an RV depends on the following factors:
- Mileage
- Use of generator power per hour
- Physical condition
- Cleanliness
- Availability of maintenance papers and receipts
- Availability of purchase report
- The current market demand of that particular model
Price determination
You should always remember that your definition about the condition of your RV can be a bit different from that of the buyer. Since it is his decision that counts in the end, your RV is only worth what the buyer is willing to pay for it. Here’s how incorrect pricing may affect:
- If you set the price too high, the unit will decay and lose value, eventually
- If you set the price too low, you will sell your RV faster but will cheat yourself financially
Time is everything
Selling your vehicle at the right time will help you to fetch a good value for it. Remember some key timing. When gas prices are high, people are less interested to buy a gas vehicle. Similarly, when the economy is down, selling such a big unit could be a difficult task. Try to sell your vehicle before the holiday season and not during it because once the season kicks off, interested buyers would have already made a purchase and set off vacationing.
Presentation of the vehicle
The value of an RV increases when they are staged. Here is what you need to do to present your vehicle before advertising it.
- Prepare a detail description of both the interior and the exterior
- Wash out the storage and basement area
- Replace the items that are stained
- Empty the personal items from all units
- Make sure the lights, TV, sound systems and other mechanical devices are all work properly
- Do some minor repairs if need be
These things let buyers know that you have been taking good care of the rig and are not deliberately passing off some junk.
Display your vehicle in a good location
You cannot attract buyers if you place your RV for sale in a junk yard. The look-and-feel of your RV will increase by several notches when it is placed in front of a picturesque backdrop, say a pretty home with a well-maintained lawn or against any other nice locale.
Well, that’s how used RVs for sale by owner are prepared to face buyers before the deal is sealed. The process of RV selling may sound a bit complicated, but actually it is a simple process if you keep these little but critical things in mind in order to facilitate a hassle-free transaction.
