Recreational vehicles (RVs) are popular for those wanting to go on long-distance adventures and outdoor camping. They ensure all creature comforts and facilities on the go, so you don’t have to worry about accommodation. However, top-of-the-line RVs even sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Alternatively, you can buy basic campervans for a tenth of the price by trading in a foreclosed RV. Below, you can find some useful tips to secure the best deals:

Check with banks and lending institutions
Banks, credit unions, and any banking facility that lends automotive loans will carry an inventory of vehicles that have been repossessed. These are foreclosed RVs for sale nearby that have been seized from previous owners who failed to meet their dues and had to surrender their RV in exchange for closing the loan. One of the main advantages of buying directly from the lender is the possibility of applying for a financing position. Some institutions even provide 0% loans, where you only need to pay off the principal amount in equal installments. You’ll also have to research the different types of bank-owned RVs for sale.

Check with dealers
Even authorized-brand dealerships will sell repossessed vehicles. Occasionally, a dealership will put multiple bids on foreclosed RVs being sold at auction houses and build their inventory. Buying in bulk makes the dealership profit when these vehicles are sold individually. Not all dealerships do this, but several authorized brands carry foreclosed or repossessed vehicles. Dealerships also ensure the vehicles are restored to a sellable condition at a competitive price. So, you’ll get a good deal with a repossessed RV that has been thoroughly inspected and certified roadworthy by a known brand dealership. Often, the original brand that manufactures RVs will franchise out dealerships to move similar used vehicles and generate quick revenue. You only need to be prepared to negotiate a price since most dealerships don’t provide financing options for refurbished automobiles. Only some certified preowned franchises offer this benefit.

Learn to identify the best deals
With dozens of vehicles and hundreds of offers on foreclosed RVs for sale nearby, it can be quite a daunting task to find a good deal. After all, you don’t want to buy a vehicle from unverified sellers. Just because the RV looks good from the outside doesn’t mean it’s good to go. The present condition and necessary documentation are also essential factors to consider while buying an automobile. Do a little market research to pick the top sellers in your business. This will be a time-consuming process if you are not directly buying from a vendor. Once you’ve narrowed down the auction houses that carry these vehicles, find out the current fair market value of the vehicle. This information will vary depending on the make and model of the motorhome.

Check all the details online
There is a website operated by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) that you must check out before even narrowing down the make and model of the RV. NADA provides resources on all types of consumer vehicles available for sale. You can find out the book value of a vehicle, compare trade-in rates, check vehicle ratings provided by customers, and even compare pictures of different makes and models of the RV. NADA currently represents over 16,000 vehicle dealers spread across the country. So, there is a good chance one or two of these dealerships deal in foreclosed RVs for sale nearby.

Verify the vehicle documentation
You must have all the previous owner’s details handy to check if the title deed is legit. Only buy a refurbished vehicle from any dealership, lender, or reseller if you can verify the ownership title. This title should match the vehicle identification number (VIN) to confirm its legitimacy. You must also ask for the vehicle warranty and maintenance reports to check if there have been any major repairs. This will change the market value of the repossessed vehicle, so you can bargain for a better price if any red flags pop up during the first inspection. Also, not all parts of a foreclosed RV will be covered under warranty, even if you renew the contract and insurance. These are factors that influence the cost of the vehicle. Verify all these details before placing a bid.

Find out the average cost of ownership
Ultimately, it all comes down to how much you can realistically spend. You can buy used RVs for under $9999 or pay upwards of $100,000 depending on the brand, make, model, and type of RV. The most basic campervans are the cheapest for a bargain price. But the more features and premium comforts you want, the higher the vehicle price will be.