January 15, 2026
If you’ve ever mentioned buying an RV park and immediately heard, “Just get an SBA loan,” congratulations — you’ve received the most common (and laziest) advice in campground investing.
SBA loans can work.
They can also be slow, rigid, paperwork-heavy, and deal-killers if the timing or structure isn’t perfect.
Here’s the good news: SBA loans are not your only option.
And for many RV park investors, they’re not even the best one.
Most investors assume RV park financing is a one-lane road. If SBA doesn’t work, the deal must be dead.
That’s not true.
RV parks are unique assets — part real estate, part operating business, part lifestyle investment. Treating them like a residential rental is how good opportunities fall apart before they even get serious consideration.
At Campground Accounting, we help investors zoom out and explore options — because the best deals usually come from flexibility, not force.
Commercial lenders, sellers, and private investors all look at RV parks through a different lens than single-family or even standard commercial properties.
They care about:
Which means the right financing strategy can open doors — and the wrong assumption can quietly close them.
Seller financing is often the quickest and most flexible way to acquire an RV park.
Instead of going through a bank, you negotiate directly with the current owner to create a custom payment structure that works for both sides.
Typical seller financing terms might include:
Pro tip: Sellers want predictable income. Structure your offer to show you’ll maintain the park’s value and cash flow, not just “make the payment.”
When done right, seller financing keeps deals moving instead of stuck in underwriting purgatory.
Commercial lenders evaluate RV parks very differently than residential properties.
They’re looking at this as both:
Key factors they typically require:
When you come prepared, commercial lenders can be a powerful tool — especially for stabilized parks with strong numbers.
Private money can offer the most flexibility, but only if it’s handled professionally.
This isn’t the place for handshake deals and vague promises.
Smart private financing includes:
The goal is simple: protect the relationship and the deal. No one wants Thanksgiving ruined over a poorly documented investment.
Here’s the mistake that kills more deals than bad numbers:
Relying on a single financing option.
The most successful RV park investors stack strategies. They walk into negotiations with multiple paths forward — so if one option slows down, another keeps momentum alive.
Always map out backup financing before making offers.
Financing isn’t just about getting a deal done — it’s about structuring ownership in a way that supports your cash flow, your risk tolerance, and your life outside the business.
At Campground Accounting, we bring a progressive, proactive perspective to campground ownership because:
👉 Keep exploring your options.
👉 Press play on bigger ideas.
👉 Breathe life into campground ownership.
The right financing strategy doesn’t just help you buy an RV park — it helps you enjoy owning it.
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Donna Bordeaux, CPA with Campground Accounting
Creativity and CPAs don’t generally go together. Most people think of CPAs as nerdy accountants who can’t talk with people. Well, it’s time to break that stereotype. Lively, friendly, and knowledgeable can be a part of your relationship with your CPA, as demonstrated by Donna and Chad Bordeaux. They have over 50 years of combined experience as entrepreneurial CPAs. They’ve owned businesses and helped business owners exceed their wildest dreams. They have been able to help businesses earn many times more profit than the average business in the same industry and are passionate about helping industries that help families build great memories.