7 Tips for Buying Bank Repo RVs
It is a good time to find great deals on bank repo RVs. Follow these tips to
pay much less for an RV you’ll love.
1. Contact sub-prime lenders. Lenders who made a lot of sub-prime loans in
the past few years will have more bank repo RVs. Ask them about their
auctions and whether they are open to the public.
2. Ask questions. When you first find out about an auction, be sure to ask
if it will be silent or live, if there is a preview period to inspect the
RVs and when it will be, what payment types are accepted, and other policies
and procedures.
3. Inspect before you bid. Fortunately, most repossessed RVs are in good
condition, but since bank auctions are usually “as-is,” you want to make
sure that there is nothing really wrong with it.
4. Look into a “lemon law.” Some states have a lemon law that will give you
1-3 days to return the motorhome if you find major problems. Research it
before the auction so you know what it entails before you make a purchase.
5. Know the trade-in value. You want to have an idea of the trade-in value
of the RVs you are interested in. Use a guide book or call a dealer to get a
starting point.
6. Set a maximum bid. To help you avoid overbidding, always set a maximum
bid for each recreational vehicle you are interested in. Start with the
trade-in value and subtract the cost of any needed repairs. If you can’t
inspect it or you want to have a little room for more repairs, a good rule
of thumb is to subtract from 5%-15% of the price to cover repairs.
7. Look for upgrades. Extra features do not typically greatly change the
value of an RV at auction. You can get a motorhome with internet access,
satellites, slide-outs, etc. for the same price as one without. Try to bid
on the bank repo RV with more amenities so you get an even better deal.
Edited: June 30th, 2010