What Should You Do When You’re Done RVing and Settle Down?
RV travel is exhilarating, but every journey has its end. When it’s time to transition from the mobile to the immobile and settle down, it can bring up a mix of emotions. Making the change from RV to sticks and bricks again usually involves selling your RV, assuming you aren’t donating it to a charity or giving it to a friend or relative.
Sell Your RV in the Spring
The best time to sell your RV is in the spring. We often hear of athletes retiring in the spring, when they are reminded of the rigors and grind of training camp, and decide they just don’t have another season in them. RVers needing to de-winterize and ready their RV for the season are also reminded of the work involved in operating and maintaining an RV, and sometimes choose this period to hang up their keys and settle down.
More importantly however, spring is when people are shopping for motorhomes, 5th wheels, and travel trailers in anticipation of an exciting summer of RVing. To maximize your sale potential, consider listing your RV during this season. This ensures a broader audience and a quicker sale.
“Sell in the spring and buy in the winter.”
– via John H…
Senior Member on iRV2
Clean, Clean, and Clean Again Before You Settle Down
Prior to listing your RV for sale, give your RV a deep clean. This is the last time before you settle down, so take all the time you need to do the best cleaning job you have ever done. It can mean thousands more dollars in the bank just by paying attention to detail. Remove all personal items, ensure floors, cabinets, and other surfaces sparkle, and make it look as new as possible. A pristine RV can command a higher price and attract serious buyers.
Stage the RV Before Selling
Unlike the personal items you remove when you settle down, staging items can create an inviting space. Things like throw pillows, a vase of flowers, perhaps a bottle of wine and wine glasses…anything to help depict the dream experience buyers are going for. Don’t forget to set an appropriate temperature for the season for potential prospects to view the RV. The right ambiance can help prospective buyers envision themselves in the space.
Take Quality Photos of Your RV
Good quality images can make a huge difference. Take well-lit photos during the day, capturing every angle and notable feature of your RV. First impressions matter, especially in the digital age. Think about what you would want to see, or expect to see, if viewing an RV online that you could not see in person right away. You don’t have to share or post every picture, but it’s better to have them taken and saved while the RV is cleaned, prepped, and staged. If someone wants a photo of the toilet or the engine bay….you have them!
Write an In-depth Description
Detail is key. Include the RV’s year, make, model, upgrades, unique features, and any quirks it might have. Transparency can help build trust with potential buyers. Look at other RV listings to get an idea of what kind of information to provide. The more information you provide, the more you will cut down on unnecessary emails, phone calls, and texts.
Have Maintenance Records Available
Be ready to provide any and all maintenance records you might have when for your RV once you settle down. Take the time to scan them into PDF or some other digital format so you can share or provide them on demand. Maintenance records go a long way to adding increased value and assurance when you sell your RV.
Price it Right
Use resources like National Vehicle’s valuation to set a competitive price. Be prepared for negotiations. Remember, a fair price can expedite the selling process. Determine how much time you have to sell your RV, and how much contact and negotiation you are willing to endure. Pricing it correctly when you settle down and come off the road can save a ton of hassle.
Offer RV Delivery
Some buyers may lack the means or experience to transport the RV. Offering delivery can be a game-changer. It’s all about providing convenience and building trust with potential buyers. You already know how to drive or tow your RV. Before you settle down and sell that truck, perhaps you can add some additional value, or even charge a healthy fee to deliver the RV.
Have it Stocked and Ready With RVing Essentials
Consider including the RV essentials you have like a sewer hose or leveling blocks. These extras might just be the tipping point for an undecided buyer. As an RVer, you should already have most of these already and will not need them when you settle down. Why not add some value and let them go with the RV? Expensive items like portable generators might have some use at home, or you can negotiate those in as well.
Seek Out Professionals for Help
Selling can be daunting and time consuming, especially if you will be working when you settle down and come off the road. Companies like National Vehicle can assist in the peer-to-peer sales process. Their expertise can simplify the process and ensure a smoother sale. For over 20 years National Vehicle has helped tens of thousands safely purchase and sell privately owned RVs online.
National Vehicle markets sellers’ RVs on all major RV websites, takes the calls and sends the offers to the sellers, keeping them informed throughout the process. These keeps you out of the day-to-day headache of trying to sell your RV. National Vehicle can also assist buyers with financing, inspections and transportation services. They help those new RVers that are just starting their journey find your RV. This ensures there is no risk to you, the seller!
Tips for Settling Down
Know That Settling Down Doesn’t Have to be Forever!
This transition might be temporary. If circumstances change, the open road can welcome you back. Life is unpredictable, and it’s okay to change course as needed.
Find the Perfect Spot to Settle Down
Reflect on your travels and consider places you’ve loved. Account for factors like cost of living, job prospects, and local amenities. Finding a place that resonates with your heart is essential for settling down.
Go Small at First and Keep it Minimal
Transitioning from an RV, even a small house can feel massive. Consider starting modestly. It’s easier to scale up than scale down. Having lived with limited possessions, resist the urge to clutter your new space with unnecessary items. Embrace the simplicity that RV life taught you.
When furnishing your new place, platforms like Facebook Marketplace and thrift shops in your area offer cost-effective solutions. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also find unique pieces that add character to your home.
Handle your Administrative Tasks & Restructure Your Budget
It’s important to update your mailing address, insurance policies, and other essentials when you come off the road and settle down. Staying organized can ensure a smooth transition and prevent problems with insurance and banking that may have clauses based on you not having a permanent residence. Fixed living has different financial demands than RV life. Adjust your budget accordingly. Being proactive about your finances can prevent unnecessary stress later.
Think About Your Work Life
Your work setup might change. Consider your needs now that you’re not on the move. It’s a new chapter, and your work-life might need some readjusting.
Enjoy the Little Things When You Settle Down
Houses offer perks RVs don’t, like bathtubs or gardens. Relish them. These comforts can make stationary life feel all the more special. Discover new hobbies and activities to replace the thrill of the open road. Exploring new interests can bring unexpected joy and fulfillment.
Continue Adventuring!
Just because you’ve settled doesn’t mean your travels have to end. Keep exploring whenever possible. Adventure can be found in many forms, even outside of RV life.
Embracing a new chapter doesn’t mean forgetting the last. Cherish your RV memories as you settle down and make new ones in your stationary home.
Stay in touch with other RVers
One of the best parts about RVing is engaging with the community of traveling enthusiasts. iRV2 forums allow folks to chat with other RVers online, and get other perspectives on everything RVing, including products, destinations, RV mods, and more.
Eric Wuolle says
Another suggestion is to include as much of the ownership and maintenance history as possible. Even if you did not inherit a maintenance log or diary with your used unit, being able to present one, ideally with copies of invoices and inspection reports, will demonstrate your pride of ownership. For those units purchased new from a dealership, all of the PDI documents and RV factory-included manuals and appliance manuals should be available when showing the RV. Generally, the more insight you can provide for the prospective purchaser, the more likely you are to sell your RV, at or near the asking price.