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In a blog post I wrote several years ago about the world of winter living at a price you can afford, I gave you all the lists for things to do so that you could leave your home unattended during the winter. Then I gave you choices for how you might actually leave for several months without breaking the bank. That blog post was called How to be a Snow Bird...answers and lists. Much of the information there is still relevant. BUT there has been a shift in our RV Resort life financially.
Remember back when I touted the RV lifestyle and RV Resort living as the end all be all? I think the rules might have changed when the boomers came into retirement.
See, during the recession housing prices fell dramatically and our life here in our park model remained much the same. So it was a convenient wash for us in that it was just easier and a little less expensive to live in the park model. Now it is 2017.
Our owner has raised our lot rent to over $5145 dollars a year. That works out to $428.75 a month. AND the value of the park models has gone through the roof. Just a couple of years ago models sold for less that $20,000. Those same park models have sold for up to $40,000 this past winter.
What has happened is that we are at that intersection where lot rent and park model values are rising faster than housing prices. It is a good time to make a change I think. We may be able to stop the rent bleeding that seems to be the new norm for RV resorts.
Boomers have more money and they are wanting to be mobile. The RV lifestyle is perfect for them. During this period of time life in the RV resort will continue to become more expense because there is such a huge demand.
So, wouldn't you be asking yourself why you don't buy a townhouse using the park model selling price for a down payment and actually own something. I know we are. The payment might not be more than our monthly payment here in the park...maybe. I have looked at the appreciation that will be coming during the next year and it is very good. In fact flippers are all over it and buying things that need to be cleaned and repaired so they can cash in on the possible profit.
People our age will be making changes that suit our retirement lifestyle. It is all working out wonderfully for us.
So wait for the next episode. Anyone want to buy a park model? Let me know. :)
b+
We are exactly the baby boomer you are talking about except no RV and no major remodeling for us as we have done enough of that. We just bought a home in a retirement community that is near family and the sellers were 80ish. Even though they only lived there a few years they made a profit. The community we are moving to is starting to turn over to our generation and lots of remodeling is happening. Good luck on the next phase of your retirement and I look forward to hearing about it.
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what is happening. We are approaching 80 but still healthy and very active. I really want to find a way that we can do this.
DeleteI really like this version of your newish blog scheme. It's clean and attractive. Of course there's one issue for me and likely many others. That issue is the use of a faint gray font for the body of your blog. I read on a decent sized iPad yet the gray font is pretty tough on those with impaired vision. I'm still able to see yet find the gray font difficult. Maybe it's me but I wonder if there are still tools websites can use that will grade on accessibility? Honestly I would miss your blog so wonder if that faint font could be beefed up a bit? I'm a loyal reader. Thx, Sonja
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Sonya. I will change that immediately. I did not notice the issue on my big screen. Thank you for the input!
DeleteThanks for the update Barb. Since my recent brain trauma event I have been looking into "other " possibilities for when the time comes. I am doing well now and will even attempt to mow my 2+ acres of grass this coming week. But life can change on a time for us seniors so we have to know the possibilities.
ReplyDeleteYou are very wise. We don't want to get into a place where we are trapped. Take such good care of yourself.
DeleteI have had out of town company, so just now catching up on blogs. I am passing this one along to a friend who might thrive in a snowbird lifestyle. But maybe not the RV version!
ReplyDeleteThere really is a lot of information here on this blog...some old and some new. By searching for "snowbird", "snowbird lifestyle" of even "retirement" you will find several and many have backlinks to related posts. Thanks for stopping by Galen.
DeleteWow! Thanks so much for making the font more easily read. Sonja
ReplyDeleteWell, you are welcome. I didn't see that it was hard to read. That is not a good thing when you want people to come and participate in the conversation.:)
DeleteUh oh, when the flippers are all over something and getting ready to cash in ... that's the time to start worrying. Anyway ... I too like your new typeface.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tom. Beware of the flippers!
DeleteWe are considering a change as well, Barbara. A local company ihas gotten a 300+ sq ft home (on foundation) code approval by state of FL. They are working with cities/counties to get them accepted.
ReplyDeleteWe have lived in around 380 square feet all winter for many years. We added an Arizona (Florida) room and enclosed it. We love it. Tiny house living is becoming a trend now and cities are looking changing their codes to include that type of home. It is good. Good luck Marcia.
DeleteIncidentally, we are still living the same park model you and Leon visited all those years ago. :)
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