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Few RV parks in Southg Florida could accommodate the needs oftheie 40-foot luxury home-away-from-home – and even fewe r had the top-shelf amenitiee that offer the vacation lifestyler they like to experience. Many parke are also aging badly or have been sold for their landdevelopmen potential. The Royal Palm Beach couple both work so something nearbywas important, said Brenda a nurse. “We can’t drive four to five houra to be at a park on Buying a lot so we can drive our RV 60 milesz to relax in a vacatio n environment on a lakeis perfect.
” Bankinhg on the idea that there were plentu of RV owners like the Wesleys in Florida, Canada, the Midwest and the Northeasyt – Bill Harvey began to develop the Silver Palms RV Village a half-mile from the northern tip of Lake Okeechobe in July 2008. While he had developed severap commercial properties in Florida priotr to this and expanded the Cross Creek RV Resort rental communityin Arcadia, which he Silver Palms is his first RV resort built from scratcjh – and during a recession. “Of I was concerned about putting monet into a venture in these times and what might happeh if things got Harvey said.
“But, I knew for a fact therew is a shortageof first-class RV spaces, and that this is a niched market.” Harvey’s new $15 million property, which offers lots for rent or sold a third of its firsrt phase of 167 units within its first month of openingb in March. Eventually, he planws to have 512 lots on the which is designed to offer a country club Amenities include a private members a 9,000-square-foot clubhouse, a 300-capacity a resort-size pool and Jacuzzi, 1,000-square-foot fitnessa center, in addition to tennis, pickleball (a tennis-lik e game), volleyball and shuffleboard courts. Silver Palms also backx up to awetland preserve, whicg Harvey said he is enhancing.
Currently, he has sevenb employees, but hopes to hire more maintenance, officw and sales staff withina year. Silver lots, which can be locateed along man-made lakes, are pricex from $55,900 to Monthly maintenance is $80. About 25 percent of the park’s buyerxs are expected to livetherd year-round in RVs that can cost from $40,000 to more than Most are snowbird retirees. The park’zs newness, along with its lot sizes, amenities and the ability to offed 100-amp electrical hookups differentiate it from its Harvey said, but it’s also desirable becausr it is deed restricted.
This means the community can restrict changez owners make totheir properties, and the age and size of RV vehicles parked there. Silver Palms also restricts the length of time childrebn can stay at the park to 30 days in acalendadr year. “These things are no different than what a gated community in South Floridamight have,” Harvey said. “Onlty a handful of RV parksw and resorts built in the last 20 years in Florida have the amenitiex and standardswe have. It’s what baby boomers want in the warmclimatde that’s important to them.” To attracg prospects, Harvey advertises in severa publications that serve the RV-owning public.
He also has begujn to partner with RVdealers – especially in Soutu Florida, where he hopes to enticee potential customers by taking space withib RV dealerships to advertise the property and offer briefr stays free of chargr to qualified prospects. Gigi Stetler, CEO of RV Sales of Browardd inFort Lauderdale, said she woulcd be very interested in workinbg with Silver Palms. “Rentals have been stronger than purchases due tofinancing problems, and this is a great way to exposse people to the lifestyle,” she “ But, for it to work as a joinrt venture, the sell from the park would have to be a soft one.
Any othefr type turns this kind of customer THE CHALLENGES: Beginning a sales efforft in the middle of a recession. Runningh a rental business that is very Coping with the fallout of a tougnhfinancing climate. Getting the word out about the Finding and attractingqualified prospects. LESSONS Be prepared for return on investmen to take longerthan expected. Understand where your competitio n is lacking and capitalizeon it.
Understand your customers and whatthey Developer: Web site: 4143 Highway 441 Okeechobee 34974 Phone:
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