Seller guide
RV Park Seller Due Diligence Checklist
This is what buyers investigate, organized the way they organize it. You do not need every item to start a conversation — but the more of it that exists, the smoother and faster a transaction goes.
Property
Establishes exactly what is being conveyed and what can legally be done with it.
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Site plan | Shows site count, layout, and usable versus unusable area. |
| Acreage | Total versus usable acreage drives expansion analysis. |
| Parcel information | Confirms boundaries and whether multiple parcels are involved. |
| Property tax information | Current amounts, classification, and reassessment exposure after a sale. |
| Survey | Identifies encroachments, easements, and boundary questions. |
| Zoning | Confirms whether the park is conforming, nonconforming, or conditional. |
| Land use | Local rules on length of stay, density, and permitted uses. |
| Easements | Utility, access, and drainage rights that run with the land. |
| Access | Public road frontage, shared drives, and maintenance responsibility. |
| Floodplain | Which sites sit in a flood zone, and any elevation certificates. |
| Environmental concerns | Fuel tanks, dumping, or prior industrial or agricultural use. |
Operations
Shows how the income is actually produced and how repeatable it is.
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Occupancy | Monthly detail reveals seasonality that annual figures hide. |
| Site count | Total sites versus sites that can be rented today. |
| Tenant roster | Names, sites, rates, terms, deposits, and delinquency. |
| Monthly revenue | The stable base a buyer underwrites most confidently. |
| Transient revenue | Higher rate, higher volatility, higher cost to produce. |
| Other income | Storage, laundry, store, propane, activities, and fees. |
| Expenses | Line-item detail, ideally matching bank activity. |
| Payroll | Who works there, roles, pay, and classification. |
| Management | Owner-operated, on-site manager, or third-party company. |
| Marketing | Channels, spend, and where bookings originate. |
| Booking systems | Software in use, reports available, and fee structure. |
Utilities
Sets the physical ceiling on the park and represents the largest capital risk.
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Water | Municipal service, meters, and line condition. |
| Sewer | Connection point, capacity, and any municipal agreements. |
| Septic | Permits, tank and field condition, capacity, and pumping history. |
| Electrical | Amp service by site, pedestal condition, transformer capacity, submetering. |
| Propane | Ownership of tanks, supplier agreements, and resale margins. |
| Trash | Service contract, dumpster placement, and cost. |
| Internet | Coverage, backhaul capacity, and guest expectations. |
| Well systems | Permits, flow rate, water testing, and regulatory classification. |
Financial
Converts the operating story into a number a buyer can defend to a lender or partner.
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Profit and loss statements | Monthly if possible, for two to three years. |
| Tax returns | The most credible independent confirmation of income. |
| Bank statements | Used to tie reported revenue to actual deposits. |
| Utility bills | Verifies expense assumptions and reveals usage patterns. |
| Property taxes | Current bills plus any appeals or exemptions. |
| Insurance | Declarations, coverage limits, and claim history. |
| Debt | Balances, rates, maturities, prepayment terms, and assumability. |
| Vendor obligations | Contracts that survive closing, including terms and notice periods. |
Due Diligence FAQ
What happens during due diligence?
The buyer verifies what was represented: financial records, rent roll, utility systems, permits and zoning, title and survey, environmental condition, and physical condition. Expect document requests and site access. Clean records shorten this phase considerably.
What happens at closing, and who pays closing costs?
Closing is handled through a title company or closing attorney, where funds and deed are exchanged, prorations are settled, and any existing loans are paid off. Cost allocation is negotiated in the purchase agreement and varies by transaction and local custom; it is not fixed.
What information does a buyer need?
At minimum: address, acreage, site count and hookup types, occupancy, revenue history, expense history, utility systems, and any existing debt. Helpful extras include a site plan, survey, tax bills, insurance declarations, and a rent roll. Start with what you have.
Missing most of this? That's normal.
Very few owners have a complete file ready. Send what exists and we'll tell you what would actually help.
No obligation. No pressure. Just an honest conversation about your property and your options.