Selling Doesn’t Have to be Painful

The value of an RV can vary widely based on its age, condition, make, model, upgrades, and other factors. Start with a pricing site like NADA and then find more current information from exact match and similar RVs currently listed for sale or recently sold. If you are interested in learning more about the value of your RV, let us know. We have access to RV blue book values, sold history data and comparable units that will help you determine exactly what your RV is worth

Selling an RV can be a significant transaction, so it’s important to take steps to protect yourself as a seller. Here are some tips to protect yourself when selling your RV:

• Be honest/clear about the condition of the RV
• Use a secure payment method – like a wire transfer or escrow company. 
• Get a signed agreement, i.e. Bill of Sale
• Complete the necessary paperwork – bill of sale, title transfer, etc.…
• Take off the license plate before you give possession of the vehicle.
• Never talk to anyone who wants to pay you more than the RV is worth and have you give them money back.
• Be cautious of scams

Lastly, if you ever feel the need to talk to experts regarding the sales process, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

If you want/need to sell your RV fast, there are several things you can do to increase your chances of a fast sale.

• Price your RV competitively (not too low, not too high – we have a free RV Valuation service to help you.)
• Clean/detail/declutter your RV.
• Take a lot of good quality photos.
• Advertise your vehicle on reputable RV sites with lots of traffic.
• Respond to every inquiry or question quickly.
• Respond to every offer no matter how low.

These  steps will increase the likelihood of selling your RV  quickly.

The best time to sell an RV can vary depending on a few different factors. Here are some things to consider when deciding when to sell your RV:

• Season – demand can vary depending on time of year – similar to home sales, late December is probably the slowest time, but by February/March things heat up again. 
• Market demand – supply and demand can dictate a successful selling experience – in the middle of COVID quarantines there was a dramatic increase in RV demand because people wanted to be free to travel.
• Age and condition – plays a role in determining the best time to sell your RV – people may look at an 8 year old RV in a better light than a 10 yr old RV. 
• Personal circumstances – financial or other personal circumstances, can influence the best time to sell your RV. Every RV will sell, but the time it takes and the price the market will offer, will vary. If you need to sell, then sell. Keep in mind that RVs generally depreciate, and there is a cost to keeping an RV to wait for the “right” time.

Selling an RV can be challenging, and finding the best way to sell your RV is important.  You have three options that consist of trading it in, consigning through a broker, or selling your RV privately. Here are the pros and cons of each:

• Trading in is an easy way to complete the transaction quickly. All the paperwork is done at the dealership and you won’t have to talk to prospective buyers. The biggest con of trading in is how little you receive for your RV. A dealership will typically offer you 20-25% below retail, which may cost you thousands of dollars.
• Consigning your RV is a hassle-free way of selling your RV. You give the broker complete control of the sale and will only be involved in the transaction once the sale has been completed. The downsides are: loss of control of sales process, contractual obligations mean you can’t use your RV while it is on the consignment lot, and about 10% commission once it sold. 
• Selling your RV privately is the best way to maximize the amount you receive during the sale. You don’t lose money trading it in, there are no commissions to pay a broker, and you control the sales process. The only downside is you are doing the work. 

For more information about the pros and cons of selling your RV, you can look at our blog on this topic, “Selling an RV: 3 Ways to Sell & Which is Your Best Option”.

Preparing your RV for sale is an important step to make sure it looks its best and is in the best condition for potential buyers. Here are some steps to take to prep your RV before it hits the market:

• Clean the interior/exterior
• Check the mechanical systems
• Check the electrical systems
• Check seals, gaskets, roof, windows and plumbing for leaks
• Make any necessary repairs
• Take good photos

A little preparation goes a long way when selling an RV.  Showing a clean RV with all repairs made shows buyers that the RV has been well cared for, and they can trust you in the buying process.

When selling an RV, you will need to prepare some paperwork to ensure a smooth and legal sale. In all cases, we advise verifying with your state DMV that you have your bases covered. Here are some important documents you should have ready when selling:

• RV title: if paid in full and no lien
• Bill of sale: state specific generated from the state the RV is licensed in.
• Warranty documents
• Maintenance records
• Any other required documents: depending on your state and the type of RV, there could be other required documentation. Always check with your DMV. (Here is a list of state DMV websites).

Yes, you can sell your RV with an outstanding loan or lien. This is a very common practice. Your first step is to determine the outstanding balance or payoff amount. In some cases, your RV may be worth less than you owe on it. This means that you will need to make up the difference when you sell the RV. So at closing you will need to send money to the bank equal to the difference between what you owe the bank and what the RV sells for. (For example, if you sell your RV for $31,000 but you owe $34,000 on it still, you will need to send the bank $3,000 at closing – they will often refinance the difference, so check with your bank early in the process).

The length of time it takes to sell an RV can vary depending on a number of things, including the condition of the RV, the asking price, location of vehicle, and the season. Some RVs sell quickly, while others may take longer. The most important determining factor for how long it will take is the price . We have a free RV Valuation Service to help you set the correct price for your RV from the beginning. 

There are a few common mistakes that sellers can make that may impact their ability to sell their RV. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when selling an RV:

• Cleanliness: Clean and declutter to be sure people don’t get distracted by little things that are easy to correct.
• Overpricing: set the price in connection with the market. 
• Neglecting maintenance: a lot of little things wrong can cause people to wonder about the soundness of the RV.
• Inadequate marketing: selling your RV requires advertising in the correct places. In our experience this includes sites like eBay, RVTrader, RVUSA, & RVT. 
• Not responding to inquiries.
• Not being honest about condition

If your RV is not selling, there are a few things you can do to increase your chance of finding a buyer:

• Re-evaluate the price
• Improve the listing description
• Add pictures & replace poor quality pictures.
• Make repairs, even little ones.

Selling an RV can be a process, but with persistence, patience, and effort, you will eventually find the right buyer for your RV. 

The amount that you can negotiate on the price of your RV will depend on a number of factors, including the make, model, age, condition, and overall demand of your RV.

It is important to be prepared for negotiations by knowing the fair market value of your RV, and being willing to compromise on price and other factors, such as delivery, financing, or other terms of sale. It is not unusual to negotiate 5% for an RV above $50,000 and 10% for RVs below $50,000. Ultimately, you the seller gets to dictate the amount you sell your RV for. 

A pre-sale inspection can give potential buyers confidence in their purchasing decision and make your RV more attractive.  However, inspections cost money ($300-800), are not expected by most buyers, and are generally not necessary provided your RV was cared for properly. An exception may be for a custom RV. A schoolie or homemade RV may sell better/faster if it has been inspected by a professional.

If you are selling your RV on the private market (not through a dealer or via consignment), yes, you can still use it while in the process of finding the right buyer. Be sure to update the mileage on your listing and keep your RV in good shape for showings. 

Including accessories and extras with your RV can make it more attractive to potential buyers. When deciding whether to include extras with your RV, make sure to factor in the cost of the items and the potential increase in the selling price. Ultimately, you, the seller, get to decide what extras, if any, to include. 

Yes, you can sell your RV to someone in a different state. The bill of sale should originate from the state in which the RV is licensed. Additionally, any expenses because of an intrastate sale (i.e., transportation, state title inspection) are typically covered by the buyer, unless otherwise negotiated during the sale.

Making your RV stand out from other listings can help attract potential buyers and may help sell your RV quickly. Here are some tips to make your RV listing more attractive:

• Highlight all features and amenities
• Use high-resolution photos
• Price it correctly (too high and buyers will skip past it, but too low is a red flag to many buyers also)
• Make sure it’s clean and well maintained.
• Be available and responsive.
• Consider offering accessories or extras.

Yes, it is important to disclose any known issues or needed repairs with your RV when selling it. When disclosing issues or needed repairs, be honest with potential buyers. It is also good to have maintenance records and documentation for repairs you have done. 

Consignment can be a good option for selling your RV if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of selling it yourself. However, one of the cons of selling your RV through consignment is the cost associated. Typical broker contracts charge a 10% commission on the sales price. If the idea of paying a broker 10% doesn’t concern you, then consignment could be a good option for you. In our opinion, it is quicker and easier to sell privately or trade in straight to a dealership, versus hanging on to a depreciating asset and handing control to a consignment lot.

Unfortunately, there are some scams to watch out for when selling your RV. Here are a few of the most common ones:

• Overpayment scam – never work with anyone who wants to send a check for more than the asking price and have you send them money back.
• Bad personal check or cashiers check – accepting payment by these methods without validating funds is risky. Talk to your bank if you will be accepting a check.
• Communication only via text – Someone really interested in your RV will be willing to talk on the phone or in person as the deal progresses.
• Identity theft – providing too much information to a prospective buyer can leave yourself vulnerable to identity theft. Never give your personal information (bank account, loan number, social security number, driver’s license number to a prospective buyer).