There are plenty of ways to improve upon your motorhome before putting it up for sale. In addition, you can do dozens of things to ensure you maximize the amount of money you receive for your RV. However, some people aren’t aware of how much work goes into improving a vehicle like that. The good news is that minor or medium-range improvements can boost your RV’s resale value, sometimes dramatically.
When you consider increasing the resale value of your RV, consider the following factors:
- The RV brand you want to sell. Some luxury ones are significantly more expensive than others, more durable, and with lower depreciation rates.
- The make and model of your RV and, most importantly, its type.
- Its history: is it a salvage title RV or a clean title?
- The state of your RV: excellent maintenance (like new), used but functional, or at the end of its life? If you have a beaten-up RV that is not worth the effort, consider selling your junk RV for cash.
Now, for the sake of argument, suppose you have an old but fully functional and worthy motorhome to sell. Here are the ideas for making your RV more attractive to prospective buyers.
1. Make Sure It Looks Good
A clean, well-maintained RV looks like a home away from home. And people love homes. Before you list your RV, you should clean up the interior. But don’t just toss everything into the dumpster — you’ll lose out on some sales. Instead, consider little things such as candles and air fresheners to make the space more welcoming. You could add throw blankets and pillow covers to set the mood.
Once the inside is ready, turn your attention to the exterior. If you’re selling an older model, you might want to invest in a few upgrades. For example, you could cover the windows with blinds or curtains to help keep the sun off the furniture. An exterior power wash will take you very far in your attempt to sell your old RV for a good price. These small changes can help buyers see what they’d be getting into.
2. Get Professional Photos
If you’re selling a trailer or camper, professional photos are essential. So even if you use your smartphone, ensure you maximize its camera’s performance. We recommend a DSLR, which will give you better resolution and a wider range of options.
When people are looking to buy a recreational vehicle, they want to see what they’re getting themselves into. They don’t care about how much work goes into making it look nice – they want to know whether it’ll suit their needs.
If there are no interior photos, it might seem like the seller wants to hide something. This isn’t always the case, though. Instead, many sellers post images of the inside because they think it helps sell the product, and it does most of the time.
3. Remove Any Personal Traces
The most important part of selling a motorhome is getting rid of everything that makes it look like yours, like personal photos, clothes, and other clutter that might give off a bad first impression. You want to ensure the space feels comfortable and ready to receive new owners.
4. Upgrade with New Appliances
Don’t just focus on selling your RV fast if you want to attract potential buyers with a serious budget. Instead, consider upgrading your RV to make it stand out among other RVs. If you’re thinking about selling your used RV, there are certain things you’ll want to consider. For example, most people aren’t interested in purchasing a “fixer-upper.” However, you should invest a little extra money into useful and desired appliances. After all, appliances are one of the biggest expenses when someone considers buying a new or an old RV.
5. Upgrade Outdated Cabinetry
If you plan on selling your RV for good money, it might be worth considering replacing outdated cabinetry. You probably want to make sure that your cabinets are well-built and durable. Also, consider how much space you have inside your RV and how to optimize it to boost your sales pitch. A good way to figure out whether or not you need to replace your cabinets is to measure the width of each shelf and subtract that number from the total amount of wall space available.
6. Update to Modern Style Convenience
New buyers are looking for RVs fitted with modern conveniences such as LED lighting, Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, etc. They want to enjoy the comforts of living inside their RV without worrying about how to operate the appliances. And while many RVs come with basic conveniences like power outlets, most don’t include everything that today’s buyer wants.
7. Upgrade the Safety Features
No family should ever have to worry about when traveling whether or not they’re safe. But even though we live in a world where most people can travel safely, accidents still happen. If you plan to sell your RV, here are some things you might want to consider upgrading.
1. Smoke Detectors
They are important because they help prevent fires from spreading throughout your vehicle. They are easy to install and can be replaced if needed. However, many families don’t bother replacing their old detectors once they reach the end of their lifespan. Modern smoke detectors are far superior to those found in motorhomes built decades ago, so you might consider boosting your motorhome’s price with some new devices.
2. Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide is another common hazard that is often overlooked. CO detectors are relatively inexpensive and also very easy to install. Many manufacturers offer free installation kits that make it quick and easy to replace your current detector.
3. Water Detection Monitors
Water leaks are extremely dangerous because they can lead to serious problems. Because of this, it is essential to monitor your RV’s plumbing system regularly. A good way to do this is with water detection monitors. These devices can detect small amounts of moisture and send alerts directly to your phone. Most of them come with apps that allow you to view the data remotely.
8. Consider Laundry Features
Having on-site laundry for RVs is a huge perk. Some RVs come with built-in washing machines and dryers, while others come with a combination. If you’re planning to sell your old RV for good money, installing a laundry facility on board will make things more appealing for most buyers. Families with children often opt for an RV with a full kitchen and bathroom since they want to minimize the number of times they stop for restroom breaks.
9. Efficient Fuel Features
The last way you can upgrade the resale value of your RV is to make it more eco-friendly. There are many ways to reduce the fuel used while driving around in your RV. These include better tires, brakes, and even ensuring the air filter is clean. While the investment seems significant initially, you can get great value when selling your old motorhome to an enthusiast buyer.
What is the Best Price to Sell Your RV?
The final thing that matters most is the price tag. But another factor is often overlooked: how much did your new RV cost to buy in the first place? Unfortunately, while many think about the price of a new motorhome, they rarely consider whether they’re getting a good deal in the long run.
A recent study found that the average consumer spends massive amounts of time researching vehicles online. So why is it important to know the true cost of your RV? Because it could make all the difference in the world. When you establish your final sale price, you need to consider your initial investment, the RV’s depreciation, the new investments you made to increase its “curb appeal,” the current market trends, and more.
Bottom Line
Knowing when and how to put your RV on the market is essential to getting the best return for your investment. Most people prefer to take advantage of the warmer weather during spring and summer because it allows them to enjoy nature while spending quality time with family. However, listing your RV for sale before the peak of spring is one of the best times to resell your RV.
With the world around you thawed and the green grass starting to grow, people will take advantage of the warm weather and plan their next vacation. Some of the best months to sell your motorhome are January and February – or at least start preparing it for sale. If you want to attract buyers to your RV, it makes sense to list it for sale before spring break. People will look forward to enjoying the outdoors and spending quality time with friends and family while surrounded by nature.
So start prepping your motorhome and make the investments that make sense to you so you can increase the resale value of your RV and make a good profit.
