Selling an RV park or campground

The problem

Plenty of good businesses don’t sell for what they’re worth, or don’t sell at all. Buyers walk away when the books aren’t clean, the business depends too much on the owner, or one customer is too big a share of sales.

And the real estate can kill a deal late: a landlord who won’t consent to an assignment, a lease with too little term left, or a property question nobody looked at early. With parks, the land is usually the biggest part of the value, so zoning, servicing and permits need to be clear early.

What I do about it

I start with a confidential look at the business and the real estate together, so the things that make buyers nervous get fixed before they ever see them. I know what active buyers are looking for, I help you get the business ready, and I handle the lease or property side, which is where a lot of sales get stuck.

Everything goes through Coldwell Banker Prestige Realty and is agreed in writing first.

Ready now or planning ahead, the first step is the same. See succession planning for what happens on the first call, realistic timing and what to gather.

What buyers look for

• Steady occupancy and a good mix of nightly, seasonal and monthly sites.
• Permits and zoning that match how the park actually runs, including the number of sites.
• Water, septic and power in good shape, with records. Buyers and lenders look closely at these.
• Room to grow: more sites, cabins, or longer seasons.
• Booking records and reviews that show the demand is real.
• A manager or staff who can stay through a transition.

Why and when owners sell

Retirement, a family that has moved on, or a park that needs more investment than the owner wants to put in. Many owners start thinking about it after a busy season. That’s a good time to look at the numbers while they’re fresh.

How a confidential sale works

1. A first conversation. Just us. What you have, what you want and when.
2. A quiet look at the business and the real estate. I can tell you what buyers are likely to like and where they’ll push.
3. Getting ready. Statements, the lease or property, a list of what’s included. Your accountant and lawyer come in early.
4. Approaching buyers carefully. A short, anonymous summary first. Details only after a confidentiality agreement, and only to buyers you’re comfortable with.
5. Offers and due diligence. Usually a letter of intent, then a closer look at the books, contracts, staff, equipment and the lease.
6. The lease or property. Landlord consent and a release, or the property terms if you own the building. This is where deals often stall, so I start on it early.
7. Closing and handover. Many owners stay on for a set period to help with the transition, if they want to.

Learn more

There’s more for park owners, including what affects value, at my guide to selling an RV park or campground. Any work I do on a sale is through Coldwell Banker Prestige Realty and agreed in writing first. Where the sale is shares only, with no real estate, I’ll say so up front and work with your lawyer and accountant on those parts.

Where everybody wins

You want a fair price, care for your staff and customers, and a clean exit. A buyer wants a well-run business they can trust, with a lease or property that supports it. A landlord wants a strong new tenant.

When the business is ready and the real estate is sorted early, all three can say yes.

Questions people ask

How are RV parks and campgrounds valued in BC?

Buyers look at the income the park produces, the land and its zoning, the condition of water, septic and power, and the room to grow. Recent sales of similar parks also matter.

Can I sell my campground confidentially?

Yes. Early conversations can happen without naming the park, and details are shared only with buyers who sign a confidentiality agreement.