I've only been on this list for a short while, and I've already learned a great deal more than I thought I knew. Since asking stupid questions is usually the best way to get intelligent answers, I have another one:
Thinking out loud about all of the possibilities, responsibilities, and liabilities involved in purchasing a large luxury fifth wheel, I was wondering if anyone out there has purchased a piece of land equipped with water, electrical, and sewage service; then just plopped their fiver down on a pad, and called it home?
Mark V said
05:36 PM Jan 6, 2014
The reason I ask is that I'm always considering what the "end game" might be. While I can see myself living happily as a semi-nomadic traveler for the next decade or so, when the time comes that I no longer wish to migrate, and don't want to be planted permanently in an RV park, I don't like the idea of having to sell my happy home as being the one and only option.
Lucky Mike said
05:36 PM Jan 6, 2014
It is done all the time , but it will depend on state & county laws if you are to call it a permanent residence.....each state is different so a little homework is needed........there are states that have luxury & high end parks that you buy the lot with all the amenities......and there are basic parks also
cherylbrv said
05:39 PM Jan 6, 2014
If they are still around when my time comes, I was thinking of http://www.escapeescare.org/. Does anyone have experience with this place?
SnowGypsy said
05:46 PM Jan 6, 2014
It is done but as Lucky Mike mentioned it isn't allowed everywhere. In some places in AZ it had been allowed and people had a rv pedestal installed basically the ones you have in a park. Some came and went. It is really difficult to find places that don't put a lot of restrictions on what can be placed on your own land anymore. We are thinking along the lines of purchased a small lot in a park and just having it there and available from the get-go.
Cheryl: We have no direct experience of the Care Program with Escapees but used to be members and it is very popular and supposed to be very good. It does sound like a great option and hope it catches on in more places.
Warning: Never, ever believe a realtor. Contact the city/county and talk with them about the codes and zoning.
Mark V said
06:43 PM Jan 6, 2014
Another reason that I asked this question is that our daughter recently purchased 7 acres with a house on a small lake in south western Michigan, and has suggested that her mother and I move there when I retire, building a small place on their property. I was thinking that if we just poured a pad with road access, installed our own septic system, and tapped into their well, we could stay there a few months a year without being tied down permanently. And when the time comes that we no longer wish to travel, we could just plant the fiver and leave it there as long as they still own the property. But as Mike noted, I'm sure we'd have to check out the local rules and regs, although from what I understand, it's a pretty loosie goosie rural area without a lot of restrictions.
kb0zke said
06:47 PM Jan 6, 2014
Mark, you are wise to consider the end-game now, but I wouldn't set much in stone just yet. For one thing, the coach you buy may or may not be the one you have when you decide to cut down on your traveling. For another, just because a particular place will permit you to turn your 5'er into a permanent fixture now doesn't mean that you will be permitted to do so later.
My suggestion would be for you to concentrate on your research on the right coach for you now. Once you have actually purchased the coach, done the repairs and upgrades, etc. you can start thinking about the end of your travels. You mention a 10-year period of full-timing. I'd suggest that you use that time to travel the country and try to figure out where you would like to end up. Then you can research specific areas that are of interest to you, and eventually find the right place.
If it was just up to me, I'd spend the next few years of full-timing finding a place where I'd like to settle eventually and buy 40-80 acres there and do as you suggest. That would be a home base for the last part of my travels. My wife, on the other hand, would sell the Foretravel and move to town just as soon as I couldn't object. No, we aren't having any marital difficulties, or even second thoughts on full-timing. We simply have different ideas about how close neighbors ought to be. That's something that you may or may not need to discuss.
BTW, I mentioned doing the repairs and upgrades that you want. Please don't buy a brand-new expensive coach as your first coach (unless you are in Bill Gates' financial class). The chances are great that you will not pick the right coach and you will trade it fairly soon for something that is a better fit. An RV doesn't hold value well, so you will take a big financial bath. We have friends who bought a new MH for full-time use and in less than a year they had traded it for a 10-year-old Foretravel because of quality issues. It was an even trade. You are much better off buying a used coach first, and then, if necessary, you can trade up and not lose too much money.
Another thing to consider is that the features that are needed for a coach that travels aren't necessarily the features that are needed for a coach that no longer travels, and features that aren't needed on a traveling coach are needed on a permanently parked one. You may actually be better off trading coaches a year or so before you plan to go off the road.
LibertyLinda said
06:57 PM Jan 6, 2014
Cheryl,
Thanks for the link to Escapees Care Center - $1273 per month for a couple? - holy I can not imagine paying for that! The end game is too overwhelming to think about for me - the world will be such a different place by the time we get too old to travel, who knows how to plan. I like the plan to plunk down in the country side - with full hookups ofcourse, LOL.
SnowGypsy said
07:23 PM Jan 6, 2014
My brother lives in our family home in SW MI and says they have really become strict with codes there these days. He lives out in the county, Cass County to be exact. And, on the end game, you really don't know when that day will come and often, it has nothing to do with age. See a lot of older, retired people who have very little and have to struggle to get by. For us, planning has always been a part of our lives and will continue in any lifestyle.
If one prices some of the retirement living centers with the amenities of the Care Program, if I remember right, the Escapee plan is a bargain.
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
09:24 PM Jan 6, 2014
That's cheap at $1273. Price any assisted living with step down (up) programs to provide help as needed.
Steve and Kate said
10:28 PM Jan 6, 2014
We did it! We purchased land in Utah and put in a drive, parking area and septic system. At our particular location there is no electricity available so we rely on battery power and back up generator and solar. Our area has no water rights so we couldn't put in a well and have to haul our water in. I wouldn't call our Fiver a luxury home, (2013 Keystone Cougar 38') but it certainly met all of our needs. We stayed for 6 months and will return as soon as possible. Many areas will not allow it so you have to check into that before taking on the expense. We know that we can always build on our lot if we tire of the RV lifestyle, rent the space out if we choose to or sell it off. For us it was the perfect choice and the investment was minimal compared to other choices. Steve and Kate
TheNewhalls said
07:53 AM Jan 7, 2014
SnowGypsy wrote:
Warning: Never, ever believe a realtor.
All Realtors? You don't even know me.
Gino
SnowGypsy said
08:47 AM Jan 7, 2014
TheNewhalls wrote:
SnowGypsy wrote:
Warning: Never, ever believe a realtor.
All Realtors? You don't even know me.
Gino
And, I don't blindly trust someone that I don't know since to me, that would be an unwise choice. We have been told by more than one realtor to just go ahead and buy the land, do what we want and "beg" for forgiveness. There was a couple in town that bought a farm with about 4 acres on the edge of town. The realtor told them that they would be able to do what they intended without any problem. So, they paid quite a bite for the property and were going to set up a large greenhouse to produce bedding plants, they got the entire framework up which was not cheap and the neighbors called the codes department. What they were doing was against the codes and even though the realtor went to support them since it was her mistake or whatever for telling them this and theirs for believing her, they lost and had to disassemble the frame. With the lose of income business venture opportunity, they struggled financially having to make the payments without the anticipated income. We've had realtors tell us what someone has offered for a property that had a contract on it and said if we would offer a certain amount, they would go ahead and take the offer. It is better to always do your own research and many cities/counties have their codes online. Always be aware that sometimes a property situation is "grandfathered" which means just because Mr. Smith has that situation, it doesn't mean that you can.
PIEERE said
12:36 PM Jan 7, 2014
Happened to a brother and his wife in a little rural town in Florida. Bought a small old farm house and garage on fove acres. Realtor told my brother is was zoned agricultural; Hhe had the elecric compant hook up and approved the electrical service. It was a fixer-up; he spent thousands and I helped with many many hours; remodeled the kitchen and bathroom. Cleaned up all the trash and junk on the property and in the house. This was to be their retirement home. Zoning stepped in about two years later cause a woman and her husband were relatives and this property use to belong to their grnad parents; she started complaints because we had two RV's on the property. Zoning came in and stated many repairs that this 120+ yr. old house didn't pass present day codes. My brother kept trying to comply. After he sunk more thousands in the repairs they told him the supports were beyong repair and the electric service neede to be upgraded which they knew he could not afford.
Yes; beware of what any sale people will say to make a sale!!!!! Personally i have been taken for a ride by a landlord of an apartment complx; vehicle sales person and appliance people! Only happened one time with each one. And snow Gypsy is correct about the word grandfathered which apllies until grandfather has died! PIEERE
I guess we gain the Wisdom we have when we get older! LOL!
TheNewhalls said
01:31 PM Jan 7, 2014
SnowGypsy:
I'm sorry your experience with real estate agents has been so negative. I can see where you wouldn't want to trust anyone. How unfortunate that you lived in a town where all the agents were less than honorable. I hope you and anyone else that had a problem reported those agents to their broker and or real estate board, so they wouldn't continue to misuse their clients trust.
Pieere:
Was the agent wrong about the zoning? Before you did any renovations, especially the electric did you get the required permits?
Lucky Mike said
01:48 PM Jan 7, 2014
All tho we are getting off track on the thread.......its not the real estates fault.....its the buyers.....one side of the agents is selling the property for the seller and is not obligated to do anything but represent the properties as shown.......the other agent is representing the buyer with the info the buyer requests.......all inspections and land use is up to the purchaser to do there own research.....
I am not a lover of Salesmen no matter what field they are in But when you put your trust into any type of middleman or broker.......you only get what you paid them for, not the product your paying for.........payday is friday!!
wipe the lipstick off a pig....its still a pig no matter how you dress it
SnowGypsy said
03:04 PM Jan 7, 2014
The bottom line is that you need to check with either your city/county codes office about the zoning for the area and understand that I have seen that change over time especially in an area where the population is growing. Actually, I'd ask for a copy of the zoning law since it is very easy to get someone that misinforms you because they "thought" which doesn't do you very much good if they "thought" wrong. Ah, the incompetence I have seen over the years!
PIEERE said
08:24 PM Jan 7, 2014
TheNewhalls wrote:
SnowGypsy:
I'm sorry your experience with real estate agents has been so negative. I can see where you wouldn't want to trust anyone. How unfortunate that you lived in a town where all the agents were less than honorable. I hope you and anyone else that had a problem reported those agents to their broker and or real estate board, so they wouldn't continue to misuse their clients trust.
Pieere:
Was the agent wrong about the zoning? Before you did any renovations, especially the electric did you get the required permits?
Nothing against you at all! All i am saying is Caveat Emptor!!! I have sold items before! Always told the buyer of any problems or not with the items sold! He had the permits and the electric company inspector approved it. My brother should have been warned about the problems with the relative neighbors before hand. My brother also told this realtor that that he was looking for an area to retire. It was zoned agricutural.
TheNewhalls said
10:32 PM Jan 7, 2014
Pieere,
I took no offense and didn't think you were talking about me. Caveat Emptor I agree.
Sorry if this post got hijacked it wasn't my intention. Let's get back to the original topic.
I've only been on this list for a short while, and I've already learned a great deal more than I thought I knew. Since asking stupid questions is usually the best way to get intelligent answers, I have another one:
Thinking out loud about all of the possibilities, responsibilities, and liabilities involved in purchasing a large luxury fifth wheel, I was wondering if anyone out there has purchased a piece of land equipped with water, electrical, and sewage service; then just plopped their fiver down on a pad, and called it home?
The reason I ask is that I'm always considering what the "end game" might be. While I can see myself living happily as a semi-nomadic traveler for the next decade or so, when the time comes that I no longer wish to migrate, and don't want to be planted permanently in an RV park, I don't like the idea of having to sell my happy home as being the one and only option.
If they are still around when my time comes, I was thinking of http://www.escapeescare.org/. Does anyone have experience with this place?
Cheryl: We have no direct experience of the Care Program with Escapees but used to be members and it is very popular and supposed to be very good. It does sound like a great option and hope it catches on in more places.
Warning: Never, ever believe a realtor. Contact the city/county and talk with them about the codes and zoning.
Another reason that I asked this question is that our daughter recently purchased 7 acres with a house on a small lake in south western Michigan, and has suggested that her mother and I move there when I retire, building a small place on their property. I was thinking that if we just poured a pad with road access, installed our own septic system, and tapped into their well, we could stay there a few months a year without being tied down permanently. And when the time comes that we no longer wish to travel, we could just plant the fiver and leave it there as long as they still own the property. But as Mike noted, I'm sure we'd have to check out the local rules and regs, although from what I understand, it's a pretty loosie goosie rural area without a lot of restrictions.
My suggestion would be for you to concentrate on your research on the right coach for you now. Once you have actually purchased the coach, done the repairs and upgrades, etc. you can start thinking about the end of your travels. You mention a 10-year period of full-timing. I'd suggest that you use that time to travel the country and try to figure out where you would like to end up. Then you can research specific areas that are of interest to you, and eventually find the right place.
If it was just up to me, I'd spend the next few years of full-timing finding a place where I'd like to settle eventually and buy 40-80 acres there and do as you suggest. That would be a home base for the last part of my travels. My wife, on the other hand, would sell the Foretravel and move to town just as soon as I couldn't object. No, we aren't having any marital difficulties, or even second thoughts on full-timing. We simply have different ideas about how close neighbors ought to be. That's something that you may or may not need to discuss.
BTW, I mentioned doing the repairs and upgrades that you want. Please don't buy a brand-new expensive coach as your first coach (unless you are in Bill Gates' financial class). The chances are great that you will not pick the right coach and you will trade it fairly soon for something that is a better fit. An RV doesn't hold value well, so you will take a big financial bath. We have friends who bought a new MH for full-time use and in less than a year they had traded it for a 10-year-old Foretravel because of quality issues. It was an even trade. You are much better off buying a used coach first, and then, if necessary, you can trade up and not lose too much money.
Another thing to consider is that the features that are needed for a coach that travels aren't necessarily the features that are needed for a coach that no longer travels, and features that aren't needed on a traveling coach are needed on a permanently parked one. You may actually be better off trading coaches a year or so before you plan to go off the road.
Cheryl,
Thanks for the link to Escapees Care Center - $1273 per month for a couple? - holy I can not imagine paying for that!
The end game is too overwhelming to think about for me - the world will be such a different place by the time we get too old to travel, who knows how to plan. I like the plan to plunk down in the country side - with full hookups ofcourse, LOL.
If one prices some of the retirement living centers with the amenities of the Care Program, if I remember right, the Escapee plan is a bargain.
We did it! We purchased land in Utah and put in a drive, parking area and septic system. At our particular location there is no electricity available so we rely on battery power and back up generator and solar. Our area has no water rights so we couldn't put in a well and have to haul our water in. I wouldn't call our Fiver a luxury home, (2013 Keystone Cougar 38') but it certainly met all of our needs. We stayed for 6 months and will return as soon as possible. Many areas will not allow it so you have to check into that before taking on the expense. We know that we can always build on our lot if we tire of the RV lifestyle, rent the space out if we choose to or sell it off. For us it was the perfect choice and the investment was minimal compared to other choices. Steve and Kate
All Realtors? You don't even know me.
Gino
And, I don't blindly trust someone that I don't know since to me, that would be an unwise choice. We have been told by more than one realtor to just go ahead and buy the land, do what we want and "beg" for forgiveness. There was a couple in town that bought a farm with about 4 acres on the edge of town. The realtor told them that they would be able to do what they intended without any problem. So, they paid quite a bite for the property and were going to set up a large greenhouse to produce bedding plants, they got the entire framework up which was not cheap and the neighbors called the codes department. What they were doing was against the codes and even though the realtor went to support them since it was her mistake or whatever for telling them this and theirs for believing her, they lost and had to disassemble the frame. With the lose of income business venture opportunity, they struggled financially having to make the payments without the anticipated income. We've had realtors tell us what someone has offered for a property that had a contract on it and said if we would offer a certain amount, they would go ahead and take the offer. It is better to always do your own research and many cities/counties have their codes online. Always be aware that sometimes a property situation is "grandfathered" which means just because Mr. Smith has that situation, it doesn't mean that you can.
Yes; beware of what any sale people will say to make a sale!!!!! Personally i have been taken for a ride by a landlord of an apartment complx; vehicle sales person and appliance people! Only happened one time with each one. And snow Gypsy is correct about the word grandfathered which apllies until grandfather has died! PIEERE
I guess we gain the Wisdom we have when we get older! LOL!
SnowGypsy:
I'm sorry your experience with real estate agents has been so negative. I can see where you wouldn't want to trust anyone. How unfortunate that you lived in a town where all the agents were less than honorable. I hope you and anyone else that had a problem reported those agents to their broker and or real estate board, so they wouldn't continue to misuse their clients trust.
Pieere:
Was the agent wrong about the zoning? Before you did any renovations, especially the electric did you get the required permits?
I am not a lover of Salesmen no matter what field they are in But when you put your trust into any type of middleman or broker.......you only get what you paid them for, not the product your paying for.........payday is friday!!
wipe the lipstick off a pig....its still a pig no matter how you dress it
Nothing against you at all! All i am saying is Caveat Emptor!!! I have sold items before! Always told the buyer of any problems or not with the items sold! He had the permits and the electric company inspector approved it. My brother should have been warned about the problems with the relative neighbors before hand. My brother also told this realtor that that he was looking for an area to retire. It was zoned agricutural.