Tried and Tested Tips for Selling Your RV
Perhaps the toughest part of selling your RV is the feeling of parting with the “home” in which you’ve made so many memories on the road. But for many, the process of getting it ready, pricing the RV, listing it, showing it, and selling to the right buyer can seem overwhelming. But it certainly doesn’t have to be!
There are plenty of things you can do to streamline and smooth the process, leading to a much less stressful endeavor. Here are the do’s and don’ts from other RV owners who were successful in selling their RV.
Begin Well Ahead of Camping Season
Ask most RV dealerships when is their busiest season and all will say springtime. The same is true for private RV sellers. It may come as no surprise that people start to plan their summer vacations around the beginning of Spring, so that is when the RV industry sees a massive lift in both interest and sales. You will want to have your RV listed and ready to sell around this time, by April. This is when RV demand is at its highest and you will likely get your asking price due to demand.
Deep Clean and Depersonalize Your RV
To get ready to show your RV, you’ll want to depersonalize it. Remove all personal photos, trinkets, and valuable items – anything that indicates this RV is your own. This is the best way to make it marketable to buyers. Then give the entire RV a thorough and deep clean. Top to bottom, inside and out. Repair small things, even if it seems inconsequential, like trim. Repair anything that is broken. Something as small as a broken cabinet handle can be a deal-breaker for a potential buyer.
Service the RV
Even if your last annual service was only a few months ago, have it checked over again right before you list it for sale. Have them check everything top to bottom, including the state of the engine. Let buyers know it has been recently serviced, and have the paperwork ready to show. This is a huge selling point for potential buyers.
Stage Your RV as You Would Your Home
Add thoughtful decorative touches, such as pillows on the sofa and new curtains on the windows. Add a sleek new rug, shower curtain, and decorative throws on the bed. Then when a potential buyer compliments the décor, let them know that it comes with the RV! This can be another big selling point. Have your RV ready for a buyer to immediately use it as soon as they take delivery.
Make the RV Seem Larger Than It Is
Because RVs typically have tight spaces, avoid using dark colors to decorate the inside. Light decorative touches will give the illusion that the camper is spacious. On the flip side, avoid using an all-white color scheme. If a family with kids may be potential buyers, this may be a turn-off because as we all know, white things get dirty in a hurry with little ones around!
Take High-Quality Photos
If you can, hire a professional photographer to take photos of your RV for listing, on the inside and in a natural environment (like a campground!). But if you’re doing it yourself, you’ll do well to learn Photoshop to erase yourself out of the bathroom mirror photo! Take wide-angle shots of the inside of the RV, and set your camper up in a nice campground for those outside shots on a clear day.
Price the RV Subjectively
You may think you know what your RV is worth, but a good rule of thumb when it comes to pricing is to use a website such as NADAguides. Kelley Blue Book also has a section for RVs, including one for towables and motorhomes. Lastly, have a look at the current marketplace and what others are listing similar RVs for. This will give you a good indication of the asking price for your RV.
Describe Flaws and Unique Selling Points
To make your RV listing stand out, make it engaging and describe anything that makes your RV unique and desirable to buyers. Include any additions or improvements you’ve made, and be sure to mention flaws, as well. Buyers will appreciate the honesty and effort from a detailed listing.
Include the Original Paperwork
Hopefully, you’ve kept all the original paperwork you had when you first purchased the RV. This is a great way to let potential buyers know how you came to acquire the RV, what the ownership history is, and what you paid for it.
Bring Your RV to Potential Buyers
If an interested party is not too far away and they hesitate to come look at it, offer to drive it to them for a look-see. This in itself can be a huge selling point. Many buyers do not have experience driving an RV or have the appropriate vehicle for a towable one and this may help to seal the deal for them.