What type of buyer will buy your RV Park or Campground?
Knowing who the buyers actually are helps you position the park and speed things up. Here’s the breakdown of today’s main RV park buyer types in the Southeast:
1. Retirees & Lifestyle Buyers
Often from up north (Midwest, Northeast) looking to buy themselves a job + lifestyle.
Interested in parks that are manageable by a couple or small family.
Prefer smaller parks (30–100 sites) with clean financials and good weather appeal.
They love Florida and Tennessee the most (snowbird migration, Smoky Mountain tourism).
Best way to attract them:
Emphasize lifestyle appeal (mild winters, steady snowbird demand, nearby attractions). Show that the park can be run with minimal staff.
2. Family-Owned Operators (Mom & Pop 2.0)
Families wanting to relocate or run a cash-flowing business together.
Like mid-sized parks (50–200 sites) with room for growth (adding cabins, storage, events).
Strong interest in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, where land is more affordable.
Best way to attract them:
Highlight upside potential and community draw (near lakes, mountains, interstates). Show where they can expand or add amenities.
3. Private Equity & Investment Groups
Have raised funds specifically for outdoor hospitality (RV + glamping + cabins).
Looking for larger parks (100–300+ sites) or portfolios.
More common in Florida and growing interest in Tennessee and coastal SC.
They want turnkey operations with professional management in place.
Best way to attract them:
Emphasize financial performance, scalability, and market demand. Professional marketing materials + clean records are key.
4. Existing Park Owners Expanding
Operators already in the business looking to add another location.
Often move quickly because they know the industry and financing process.
They’ll buy in any of the Southeast states, but prefer locations within driving distance of their current parks.
Best way to attract them:
Market through RV park brokers, industry associations, and direct outreach.
5. Developers / Land Investors
Not buying for the existing business, but for location and future redevelopment (e.g., glamping resorts, mixed-use).
Mostly interested in Florida and Tennessee where tourism is booming.
Best way to attract them:
Stress the land’s value, zoning flexibility, and potential for expansion.
6. Investment Groups
This one is more difficult to define, yet it can be a Group worth considering. However, and this is a BIG consideration: Know exactly who is the investor and who is the “birddog” out there gathering your parks’ information for their purposes.
The former Investment Group, a legitimate, verifiable group with money available will not have any issues giving you a REAL “Proof of Funds” statement, showing money in the bank identified as belonging to this Investment Group.
BE ON ALERT! If you are approached by a ‘birddog’ wanting all your parks’ financial information, DEMAND a “Proof of Funds” from them, showing the name on the bank account matching the name of the Buyer. If all you get is a letter stating they have money from several associated accounts, don’t buy into it. That same letter is likely being used on every offer they make, and there’s no REAL Money to support your sale or all the many others who have received this letter. You’ve been forewarned on this type of approach.
Also, if you are just not sure who you are dealing with (and this part will sound really silly!!) look them up on websites designed to filter out people for dating apps. These apps will give you a view of the individual, including traffic violations, arrests, debts, unpaid liens, IRS liens. This is a legitimate way for you to investigate the buyer, and especially if they are asking you to remain involved in the sale, with owner financing or joint financing to sell your park. If you find a combined pattern of these liens or red flags, back away!