A Resort Buyer’s Checklist

We’ve made this information available to help potential resort buyers make better educated decisions when purchasing a resort.  We believe better, well informed buyers are better operators, contributing to a stronger industry.  All of us at Orion Resort Sales are here to help wherever we can.  If you would like to know more or have specific questions, please give us a call today at 218-256-6565 or fill out our Contact Form.

Environment

Lake Size

Does it connect with other waterways or lakes? Type: Sport or recreational? Fishing? What kind? How well known?

Area

Hunting, skiing, snowmobiling?

Are there Fall & Winter Activities available or is it Spring & Summer only?

Topography of the Resort

Elevation above the water line is very important for septic systems. What kind of tree cover is there? General appearance and landscaping? What direction is the resort facing? Wind is a factor in dock maintenance, boat mooring, and ventilation. Sunrises, sunsets and south views are enjoyable for guests.

Neighborhood

How well are the neighboring resorts doing? How strong is the resort association? What is the rate structure in the area? Is the area promoted? What other amenities and activities are available? Proximity to large metropolitan centers is not a major concern because people are willing to travel to the correct environment. Note the success of some of the most remote resorts in Canada and Alaska, some of them accessible only by plane. Look for signs of success with other area resorts.

Income & Expense

Ask for a breakdown of income

This is per cabin, per boat and motor, per department as described in the opening few paragraphs. Your final decision on income and expenses should be based on 3 years of federal income tax forms and 12 months of bank statements of the last full year of business. Compare the bank statement deposits to the gross revenue on the tax statements.

Analyze all revenue departments.

What additional revenue departments could be added? How could existing revenues be enhanced or expanded? A major question is: Does the resort generate enough income to pay all the expenses (that’s including the owner’s personal expenses), make the payments, and have a little money left over?

Does It Sound Realistic?

Look at the rate schedule. Look at the reservation book. Take an average cabin per week, then multiply it by about sixteen weeks ( or whatever the area’s reasonable season might be.) for full season. Compare that to what the owner is claiming to have received from cabin rentals or from lodging only. Do the same thing for boat and motor rentals. If the resort has all new equipment, it is likely to have a respectable amount of revenue from motor rentals. (Incidentally, new motors impress the guests.) We can offer comments on rates, how vacations are packaged, where and how to market for greater occupancy.

Physical

What is the first impression from the road entrance and from the lake. What could you do to improve it?

Buildings

Inspect each building; look at the condition and general appearance of the foundations, roofs, windows, and stoops. Inside, look at the flooring, walls, windows, ceilings, bathrooms, kitchens (especially the fixtures), sinks, countertops, cabinet space, and storage space. What’s the general feeling? Identify all physical needs for improvements. We can help prioritize a budget for making improvements.

Equipment and Furnishings

Check the appliances, furniture, and particularly the bedding (how many changes of linens), which is most important in the lodging industry. (If you don’t provide your guests with a restful stay, they’re going to complain about more things!)

Are the cabins adequately furnished with pots and pans, cooking utensils, silverware, toaster, coffee pot, etc.?

Check the furnishing of the lodge and other buildings. What kind of tools for ground maintenance are there?

Check the boats and motors carefully. Look at the hulls. Are the rivets tight? Are the transoms in good condition? (Don’t worry about the paint job – that’s only cosmetic.) Is there a set of oars and cushions for each? Are they in good condition? Check the motors: age, size, type, condition. Do the motors match the boat transoms? (A full-transom boat requires a long-shaft motor.)

Other Equipment

Minnow storage tanks, extra refrigeration and freezer space, an ice-maker? Is there recreational equipment? Lawn furniture? Sufficient maintenance tools?

Gas pumps and tanks (do they comply with codes)? Can boats be launched on the property or nearby? How much dock space and in what condition is it? (Note: Dock systems can be expensive and a lot of work to install.)

Utilities

Ask questions about the sewer system and water supply system. Water is either going to be a well or a lake system where the water is drawn from the lake, purified, chlorinated, and pumped to the buildings. Lake systems are, typically, dependable. Be sure it’s adequate for winter use. In today’s world, sales require a sewer certification, which the seller is required to provide. A sewer certification involves pumping all of the tanks and having a camera lowered into the tank to inspect it. That is done by a professional to make a certified inspection. Each county has a list of certified inspectors. Make sure that is done!

Remember that expansion of units or higher-than-usual occupancy will create a greater usage which, in turn, can cause stress or even failure of the sewer and water systems.

In regard to electrical wiring, one must take a common sense approach. If you can see the condition of any exterior wiring, make a note of it. If the wiring is underground, chances are it is very new. It would be unfair to compare the size of the electrical systems on any given cabin with that of your home, but it must be adequate for its expected usage.

Request a final inspection of the resort before the sale from the area Health Department, State Fire Marshall, and any other regulatory agency or a private contractor for any areas of concern.

The Sale

After resort buyers have done their homework, the final step is structuring the terms of the sale with the needs of the resort, the buyer and the sellers in mind. We strive to ensure conditions that fit as many needs as possible and win/win deals that work for both sides.

For example: If a resort has certain physical deficiencies that impair its performance, We will attempt to structure terms with conditions that the buyer makes the needed improvements. Those improvements enhance the seller’s collateral by improving the resort and helping start the buyer on the right foot to run a successful resort.

Our assistance with buyers continues when they become owners. We are available for consulting with helpful information regarding rate structure, marketing and advertising or other problems that may occur. We look forward to establishing a long term relationship with you.

Buyer Assistance

When purchasing a resort listed through Orion Resort & Campground Sales we maintain our fiduciary responsibility to the seller but at the same time educate and assist the buyer for a strong beginning into the resort industry. Resorts are sometimes sold on contracts with the seller and we feel a successful buyer insures the seller receiving their payments on a timely basis.

If you are not purchasing a resort listed by Orion we can help you as your agent, (referred to as buyer brokerage). Our many years of experience of dealing with hundreds of buyers, physically inspecting over 400 resorts, combined with our operating experience as previous owners of resorts, is a very valuable resource. We know what questions to ask, how to listen, know resort values, know how to promote and operate, and most importantly how to recognize potential, budget, and capitalize on it. It is important for buyers to be correctly matched to the right resort, campground or whatever business they invest in.

As you can see from the amount of information provided here, Orion Resort & Campground Sales believes Buyers entering the hospitality business should be well informed. Better, well informed buyers are better operators, contributing to a stronger industry. We practice hospitality at Orion Resort & Campground Sales and if we can help in any way please call. We’ve experienced many times, “What goes around, comes around!”