Tag: selling

  • 6 Signs It’s Time to Sell Your RV

    6 Signs It’s Time to Sell Your RV

    On the fence about selling your used RV? You’ve come to the right place! Before you put up a listing on RV Trader, where it’ll be available to millions of shoppers, you’ll want to feel confident knowing that the time is right to sell. Read through our top tips to sell your used RV, and check out the signs below that indicate it’s time to list your RV on the market. 

    Here are a few signs that it might be time to sell your RV.

    You’re Ready for an Upgrade

    Do you love your RV, but notice it’s getting a little rough around the edges? It might be time to upgrade the unit you currently own. New and improved models are coming out yearly, so you can still have the same type of RV you know and love but with modern upgrades and advanced features. 

    It’s Time to Change RV Type

    Changing RV type is more common than you might think. For example, you might start off your RV journey with a pop-up camper and want to upgrade to a full travel trailer in the future. There are a variety of reasons to change RV types: your family grows, you need more or less space, you want more amenities, etc. Take a good look at the RV you currently have to see if it’s meeting all of your needs or if it’s time to make a switch.

    Old Age & Costly Repairs

    We become emotionally attached to our RVs. It makes sense – we create lasting memories in them, and it’s difficult to let our trusty unit go. But the reality is, if your RV has many broken components and outdated features, or if it’s costing significant money to repair pretty frequently, selling could be a good option. 

    High Mileage 

    Have you put serious miles on your RV thanks to many adventures? Great! That’s the whole point of owning an RV. But, if you’re looking to use your current unit to help pay for an upgrade, you’ll need to consider mileage. RVs that have a higher mileage are worth less than units with comparable features. If your RV has a lot of miles, you may want to sell it before repairs are required or the value depreciates.

    Not Using Your RV

    If your RV is collecting dust and you haven’t made plans to travel with it in a while, it might be a good idea to consider selling your unit. You could be sitting on a pretty penny and another family could get great use out of your RV if it’s in good condition. In addition to what you’ll earn in the sale, you’ll also save money with the end of insurance, storage fees, and maintenance costs.  

    High Market Demand

    RVing has never been more popular, and some dealerships are struggling with low inventory. When your used RV is in high demand, you can sell it at a premium price. Keep an eye on consumer trends and sell when the market is hot (hint: it’s HOT right now!). It’s also a great idea to consider the seasonality of RVing. Many RVers travel in the spring and summer months, so it’s a good plan to put up your listing before these peak times. Selling on a nationwide marketplace like RV Trader makes it easy to reach these eager RV shoppers thanks to millions of monthly site visitors.

    Pro Tip: If you do list your RV on RVTrader.com, consider getting a pre-purchase inspection with RV Trader Assurance powered by Lemon Squad. This service allows private sellers to order quick and convenient inspections on their for-sale RVs, which include a comprehensive internal and external examination, complete mechanical and appliance inspection, road test, and more than 40 high-quality photos. A pre-purchase inspection can validate your RV’s listing price, build buyer confidence, and save time in the selling process.

    If it’s the right time for you to sell your used RV, we hope you list your unit for sale on RV Trader’s nationwide online marketplace. Browse our RV Seller’s Guide for additional resources!

  • Top Tips For Selling Your RV

    Top Tips For Selling Your RV

    Online research is crucial to many buyers today, and if selling your RV is a top priority for you, posting it on RV Trader is a great place to start to reach those buyers. We have millions of visitors actively looking for their next RV on our site each month – so you’re sure to get plenty of eager eyes on your unit. Check out our top tips for making sure your RV Trader listing stands out from the rest.

    1. Take High-Quality Photos

    Photos have the power to draw buyers in – so make sure yours are the best they can be. Buyers want to see authentic photos when they are searching for listings, so do your best to avoid stock photography. We suggest including a wide variety of photos on your listing of both the inside and outside of the RV. Take your listing photos in natural daylight so they are not washed out and make sure to use a camera that takes top-notch photos buyers want to click on.

    2. Clean Your Unit Thoroughly

    Make sure the RV you’re selling is spotless, both inside and out. Buyers want to see their potential RV in tip-top condition, so you should give the unit a detailed wash and declutter the interior before you take photos or invite potential buyers over to tour/test drive the unit.

    3. Be Honest About Your Unit

    You’ll want to photograph and describe any and all damage your toy hauler or other RV has right off the bat. It’s important to be open and honest with buyers so you don’t lose credibility and, potentially, the sale. Buyers appreciate honesty – so keep that in mind when creating your listing.

    4. Include a Price

    Including a price in your listing is crucial. Buyers want to know this information upfront to determine if your unit fits into their budget – and we can all relate to that! It’s been proven that units listed with a price get 8X more clicks and 3X more connections on RV Trader than listings that don’t. This simple addition can make a big difference.

    5. Put Yourself in the Buyer’s Shoes

    When crafting a listing, or even giving a tour of your Class A RV or other RV, it’s important to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes – which should be easy since you were once a buyer. Ask yourself, “What did I want to know before purchasing my RV?” or “What advice/knowledge can I share since I’ve been through the process before?” Providing this type of information is extremely helpful for potential buyers – especially if they are new or just getting into the RV lifestyle.

    6. Write a Detailed Listing Description

    While descriptions can be tedious to write – they are so important, particularly for the first-time buyer. Buyers need your help deciphering how this particular RV is going to fit into their lifestyle, and you have the opportunity to be the expert. We recommend highlighting all the key features of your unit, how many it sleeps, its length, and how you’ve used the unit previously. The more details, the better!

    7. Consider Getting an Inspection

    Another way to get your listing to stand out in a competitive marketplace is to get a pre-purchase inspection on your RV before listing it. When selling on RVTrader.com, you can choose to have a certified inspector do an on-site inspection of your RV with RV Trader Assurance powered by Lemon Squad. This quick and easy inspection delivers a report typically the following business day. An RV Trader Inspection Badge will be displayed on your listing, catching a prospective buyer’s attention and letting them know that you can provide a detailed inspection report of your for-sale RV.

    8. Respond to Potential Buyers in a Timely Fashion

    We live in a world where instant gratification is the norm, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when RV inquiries come rolling in. We encourage you to check your messages regularly so you can respond to an interested buyer quickly after being contacted. Buyers can move fast so they will likely move along to another listing if you don’t respond in a timely fashion.

    9. Include Relevant Keywords

    Make sure to include keywords that are relevant to your specific unit – that way as people are searching online, your unit pops up easily. For example, the word “towable” is a top search word.

    We hope that these nine tips have helped you realize that selling your RV doesn’t have to be difficult. If you follow these tips, you’ll have an even higher chance of getting more eyes on your listing! Check out our RV Seller’s Guide for additional resources to help you through the selling process. And if you’re still undecided about listing your RV on the market or not, read through these benefits of selling your used RV

  • A Guide for Great Listing Photos

    A Guide for Great Listing Photos

    It’s no secret that the buying process is changing, and with technology on the rise, online research is becoming increasingly important to buyers before they make a purchase – large or small. That’s why taking high-quality photos is crucial to get more eyes on your listing when selling your RV. Interested in upping your photo game? We’ve got 8 easy tips to make sure your listing photos are painting a clear picture to potential buyers.

    Make it Shine

    We know cleaning an RV can take time depending on the size, but a deep cleaning can have the potential to make or break a sale. It’s important to know that buyers want to see their potential unit in tip-top shape not just before making a purchase, but before even coming to see it in person. New or used, you’ll want to make sure the outside of the unit is washed, and that the inside of the unit has had a full detailing.

    Use the Right Camera

    Consumers are likely to move along to the next listing if your photos are grainy or blurry. So our question to you is, are you using a high-quality camera to take your listing photos? You’ll want to make sure that you have a fairly newer camera to ensure that your photos are crystal clear. Keep in mind, most smartphones have incredible cameras and can be great options for taking photos. If you want to take your photos to the next level, consider buying an updated point and shoot camera. They are very simple to use and take extremely clear photos.

    Shoot at the Right Time of Day

    Ask any photographer and they’ll tell you, lighting is everything when it comes to taking photos. That’s why it’s so important to keep in mind the time of day you’re taking your listing photos. We recommend avoiding taking photos midday when the sun is at its brightest and lighting can come across as harsh. Shooting during the morning or late afternoon is ideal for capturing “warmer”, less washed out photos. As long as it’s not raining, cloudy days can also be great photoshoot days – just make sure it’s not too dark outside! While taking photos inside of the unit, highlight the natural light that the unit provides by opening up all of the windows while shooting. If there are darker areas inside, we suggest turning on the cabin lights as needed – avoid flash if at all possible.

    Keep in Mind Positioning and Location

    When taking listing photos, you’ll want to keep in mind where you’ve positioned and parked the RV. Make sure that the unit you are trying to sell is the focal point of your photo. While inside the unit, stand in corners and point the camera outward while taking photos to make the unit feel larger and longer.

    Take a Few Test Photos

    It’s important to take your time while shooting your listing photos, as they are a crucial part of your listing. Take a few test photos of your unit to make sure the lighting is right, the images are clear, and that you are satisfied with the outcome. If you aren’t pleased with the photos you can take a step back and see what might need to change to enhance your photo (positioning, lighting, etc.).

    Have a Variety of Photos

    Consumers want to see photos and LOTS of them. Potential buyers want to see the entirety of the unit even before coming to see the unit – they want to picture themselves in their new RV on the road to their next destination. To paint your buyer a clear picture, we suggest taking a few full shots of the outside of the unit (showing the whole RV) as well as detailed, close-up shots. When taking indoor shots, we suggest showing all aspects of the unit. We recommend having a full outdoor RV shot as your main listing photo to grab the customer’s attention right off the bat, then they can explore more photo options as desired.

    Be Honest and Authentic

    It’s extremely important to be honest and authentic with your customers. Don’t hide the imperfections of the unit you are trying to sell. If the unit has a few dings or scratches, or if there’s a tear in upholstery, consumers deserve to know. It’s also a good idea to stay away from using stock photos of your unit – consumers appreciate original photos and want to see exactly what their potential unit looks like.

    Highlight Special Features

    Does the unit you’re selling have any special features like extra storage, great natural lighting, or new technology? Make sure you are highlighting them in both your listing photos AND descriptions. As we mentioned earlier, consumers want to picture themselves in their new RV, and showing them unique features will having a higher chance of piquing their interest.

    We hope that these 8 tips have helped you realize taking listing photos doesn’t have to be difficult. Taking the right photo can take some practice, but your buyer will thank you in the end when selling your RV.