Financing is one of the biggest hurdles campground buyers face — and one of the biggest reasons deals never make it to closing.
Many buyers enter the process with questions like:
“Can I buy with only 10% down?”
“Will the seller carry most of it?”
“Can I buy a campground without experience?”
“Can I assume the current loan?”
“What can I realistically afford?”
These are important questions because financing impacts far more than simply getting approved.
Financing influences:
- ✔ what opportunities fit your budget
- ✔ your monthly obligations
- ✔ reserve requirements
- ✔ seller confidence
- ✔ lender decisions
- ✔ long-term sustainability after closing
There is also a growing amount of information online promoting highly creative financing structures and aggressive low-cash strategies.
Some strategies may work in certain situations.
However, buyers need to understand that every campground, seller, lender, and deal structure is different.
The goal of this module is not to tell you one approach is right or wrong.
The goal is to understand realistic expectations and how financing commonly works in the campground industry.
Important things buyers should understand:
- ✔ Many lenders want buyers to have liquidity available beyond the down payment
- ✔ Buyers should ideally have approximately 30% available and accessible when opportunities arise
- ✔ Some buyers may structure deals with less cash down through SBA programs or seller participation
- ✔ Sellers may sometimes carry a portion of the purchase price or assist with financing structure
- ✔ Existing loans generally cannot simply be assumed unless specifically permitted by the lender or through specialized transaction structures
- ✔ Do not over-finance simply because financing is available
- ✔ Owning a campground requires business decisions, operational planning, and common sense
- ✔ First-time owners should build reserves for unexpected expenses and working capital
This module breaks down the realities of campground financing and helps you understand how financing structures actually work.
By the end of this module, you should better understand:
- ✔ DSCR financing
- ✔ SBA financing
- ✔ seller financing
- ✔ down payment expectations
- ✔ affordability and cash requirements
- ✔ lender expectations
- ✔ reserves and working capital
- ✔ how stronger offers are structured
- ✔ how financing impacts long-term ownership success
The goal of this module is not simply learning how to get financing.
The goal is understanding how financing decisions affect the business you will own after closing.
By understanding how lenders, sellers, and buyers evaluate campground opportunities, you’ll be better prepared to pursue opportunities that are realistic, sustainable, and structured for long-term success.
“The goal is not simply getting approved. The goal is getting approved for a deal you can successfully operate.”
