How an RV Resort Operator Acquired a Gulf Coast Property With a $2.7M Bridge in 50 Days
Sources: Small-Balance Commercial Refinance — PeerSense, Asset-Based Lending Hub
How did PeerSense solve this scenario?
67% LTV acquisition, 50-day close, exit to SBA permanent. An RV resort operator with two existing properties — one in the Carolinas, one in Florida — both stabilized and cash-flowing. PeerSense placed the deal into hospitality bridge with conservative leverage, asset-based underwriting, and fast execution. Composite case study based on the deals we close every month.
— PeerSense Composite Case Study · 2026-05-01
At a glance
| Loan size | $2.7M acquisition bridge |
| Property type | Expanded RV resort with cabins and amenities |
| LTV | 67% |
| Term | 24-month interest-only |
| Time to close | 50 days |
| Market | Gulf Coast secondary/tertiary |
| Exit | SBA 7(a) or conventional permanent |
The borrower
An RV resort operator with two existing properties — one in the Carolinas, one in Florida — both stabilized and cash-flowing. He'd been searching for an acquisition opportunity for 18 months and finally found a Gulf Coast property that fit his criteria: well-maintained sites, an active membership base, year-round occupancy potential, and a motivated seller.
The property combined RV pads (180 sites), a small inventory of rental cabins (12 units), and amenities (pool, clubhouse, laundry, store). It was profitable but had been operated by a retiring family that hadn't reinvested in marketing or capital improvements in 5+ years. The borrower's plan: modernize the marketing, refresh the amenities, and position the property for the growing RV travel market.
Why traditional financing said no
Conventional bank financing for RV parks is uneven. Some banks have explicit policy exclusions; others accept the asset class but with very long underwriting timelines and conservative LTV. SBA 7(a) and 504 will fund RV parks but typically take 90-120 days from application to close — not workable against the seller's 60-day target.
The borrower had: - Strong operating experience (two existing stabilized properties) - Enough equity to put down 33% - A clear value-add plan - A real seller deadline
What he didn't have was 90+ days for SBA underwriting.
How PeerSense solved it
We placed the deal into a specialty acquisition bridge program in our network that accepts RV resorts, glamping properties, and similar recreational/hospitality assets.
The structure:
- $2.7M acquisition bridge at 67% LTV of the appraised value
- 24-month interest-only term with 6-month extension at borrower's election
- Closed in 50 days — comfortably under the seller's deadline
- Borrower contributed 33% equity at closing
- Pricing in the low-double-digit range
What made the deal work:
- Borrower's two-property operating track record — demonstrated ability to manage the asset class
- Submarket demand data — Gulf Coast RV travel market growing 8-12% annually post-2020
- Clear value-add plan — marketing modernization + amenity refresh, with budget and timeline
- 33% equity contribution — substantial skin in the game
- Asset-based underwriting — the lender focused on the property's stabilized value, not the borrower's tax returns
The outcome
- Acquisition closed in 50 days — beat the seller's deadline
- Marketing modernization completed by month 4 — bookings increased ~28% YoY
- Cabin refresh and amenity improvements completed by month 11
- Stabilized NOI improvement of ~22% by month 18
- Exit plan: SBA 7(a) refinance package submitted in month 20 — pending close
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a loan to buy an RV park or resort?+
Yes. Specialty bridge lenders in our network actively fund RV park and RV resort acquisitions, particularly for experienced operators. Loan sizes typically run $750K-$10M.
What LTV can I expect on an RV park acquisition?+
Typically 60-70% LTV. The borrower equity contribution (typically 30-40%) is a key part of the underwriting story.
Why won't all banks lend on RV parks?+
RV parks are a specialty asset class with seasonal performance, narrow buyer pool in resale, and limited underwriting precedent at most regional banks. Some banks have explicit policy exclusions; others accept the class but at conservative parameters.
Can SBA finance an RV park?+
Yes — both SBA 7(a) and 504 can be used for RV park acquisition, expansion, or refinance. The challenge is timing: SBA underwriting takes 60-120 days, which often doesn't fit a seller's acquisition timeline.
What's the typical bridge-to-permanent exit on an RV park acquisition?+
SBA 7(a) or 504 refinance is the most common exit. The bridge gives you the time to (a) close on the seller's timeline and (b) complete value-add improvements that strengthen the SBA application.
What about glamping properties or eco-resorts?+
Same product family. Glamping, eco-resorts, hunting clubs, and similar recreational hospitality properties are accepted by the same specialty bridge lenders in our network, typically at slightly more conservative LTVs (55-65%).
Can a first-time RV park operator qualify?+
It's harder. Most specialty bridge programs prefer 1-2 prior stabilized properties under management. First-time operators can sometimes qualify with stronger sponsorship (experienced GP partner) and additional equity.
What about RV park refinance instead of acquisition?+
Same product family. RV park cash-out refinances are common — used for capital improvements, debt consolidation, or working capital. ---
Have a similar scenario?
Composite case studies based on the deals we close every month. PeerSense routes to the right program + lender.
Composite case study. Names, locations, identifying details, and dollar amounts modified to protect borrower privacy. Actual rates and terms vary by borrower, property, and market conditions. PeerSense is a capital advisory firm and does not directly originate loans.