Posted by Karl (Oh) on April 17, 2008 at 05:35:38:
Rolf,
Vanderbilt has a 2000 vinyl/shingle 40 footer on their Ohio repo list right now.
Karl
How do I attract snowbirds? - Posted by Rolf
Posted by Rolf on April 16, 2008 at 16:29:24:
I have 2 very nice spots in my community but they are small. Think 50’ max
length homes. One older gentleman suggested I rent it out to snowbirds for the
season as it could easily accommodate a large 5th wheel trailer or coach type
RV. Great idea but how do I reach this market? Now is the time that they start
to move north and the small town I’m in appeals to older people.
Has anyone rented lots to snowbirds and how did you find them in the first
place?
Thanks.
Rolf
My method - Posted by Ed in Idaho
Posted by Ed in Idaho on April 21, 2008 at 12:53:09:
Since it is so slow here lately, I’ll give you my secret method for catching snowbirds. Now as you know, snowbirds love the ice, love to eat and need about 15’ to take off, so this does work with them.
You will need an ice pick and a can of peas. Take the ice pick and make a hole in the ice about 4’ around and about 4’ deep. Next open the can of peas and place the peas around the top of the hole about every 4". It won’t be long before a snowbird sees this. Now when the snowbird comes down to take a pea, run up behind him and kick him in the icehole. Works every time.
This method works for polar bears too, but of course you need to make a bigger hole. Hope this helps!
Re: How do I attract snowbirds? - Posted by Brenda (OH)
Posted by Brenda (OH) on April 17, 2008 at 07:32:40:
Rolf,
I grew up in that part of Ohio. If you are far enough North, the attractions for Ashtabula County and Lake County are boating, fishing, camping, wineries,covered bridges, and visiting families. Trout fishing, lake fishing, and Pymatuning Lake are in the area.
the temps go down into the 70s most summer nights, due to a breeze coming off of Lake Erie
The wine making industry has grown every year, with 10 to 20 wineries in the area.
perhaps AARP ad, ads in Northern Ohio winery magazine, ads at marinas, ads at state parks, might catch some business. local chamber of commerces or tourism bureaus might be willing to keep you on a list of businesses. Can you advertise in some sort of southern RV magazine that reaches Texas and Florida? Rumor has it a lot of the Northern Ohio snowbirds landed in those states.
I miss the summers by Lake Erie, but definitely not the snowfalls, which are measured by 1/2, 1, 2, or 3 foot increments!
Cleveland has a lot of wonderful attractions also.
Brenda (OH)
Re: How do I attract snowbirds? - Posted by Tony Colella
Posted by Tony Colella on April 16, 2008 at 17:00:56:
Not knowing where you live and what might attract a “snowbird” tenant makes it difficult to offer suggestions but let me ask about that 50’ spot.
How wide is it?
Can you put in a small doublewide? I have done this on several of my smaller lots to great success. Where once I could only get a small, older, high turnover home with low rent I now get a high demand, low turnover, high rent doublewide.
I prefer the 24’ x 40’ if possible. Larger homes seem to rent the same as these but these are a lot less expensive (think floor covering costs alone).
Tony
Re: My method - Posted by Rolf
Posted by Rolf on April 21, 2008 at 20:34:22:
Ed,
Thank you for your well thought out and timely response. I am glad
you have so much time on your hands that you can give so much
thought to my problem. I am sure I will find the information useful in
my quest to fill my empty lots.
There is just one thing I need to know in order to implement your
suggestion: Do you think I would get even better results if I used fresh
peas instead of canned?
Rolf
Re: How do I attract snowbirds? - Posted by Rolf
Posted by Rolf on April 17, 2008 at 18:09:37:
Brenda:
I’m about 25 miles south of Youngstown in Columbiana County. Lots
of outdoorsy stuff to do here in the summer and only 1 hour from
Pittsburgh.
The RV magazine sounds interesting. I vaguely remember seeing
something like that at the Pilot station next to the turnpike. I’ll check
it out in the morning.
I have to tell you that as a native Californian, I was pleasantly
surprised by the winter. It just wasn’t as bad as I had envisioned.
Didn’t like it but the reality was not as bad as the fear. Got through
the winter on less than $600 in heating oil!!! Froze to death but that’s
what heavy clothes are for:-)
Rolf
Re: How do I attract snowbirds? - Posted by Rolf
Posted by Rolf on April 16, 2008 at 20:08:47:
Duh! I should take a nap after work and before I post something.
I’m in northeast Ohio near the PA border. Horrible winters but I hear
the summers are nice. Lots of people have summer “homes” in
camping parks near lakes. I’m out in the sticks with lots of lakes near
me but Pittsburgh is only an hour away. I have no idea what would
attract people here as I’m not a snowbird but I figured I would give it a
shot if only I knew where to post a listing.
Can only take SWs. The 2 pads in question are full concrete and 15’
wide with parking spaces for a couple of cars. Just a bit too short for
most homes. Have seen short homes for sale but they seem to get
snapped up faster and for more money than bigger SWs. I’d rather
have 6 months of lot rent than none at all and I do not believe I have
to go through the permitting process for RVs that I must endure for
mobile homes.
Rolf
snow,… - Posted by Brenda (OH)
Posted by Brenda (OH) on April 18, 2008 at 07:00:48:
Rolf, just don’t move up within 15 miles of Lake Erie, or you will find out all those tales about lake effect snow are true… when the snow flies in that part of Ohio, often Buffalo NY is the only area that has larger snowfall!
it did not count as a snowfall when I lived in NE Ohio unless you had to sweep the snow off the car with a broom! lol
Brenda