Our Live Segment on ABC Detroit WXYZ
Hey, friends! Did you catch all our excitement this morning? We were honored to be invited by WXYZ ABC Detroit to do a live segment from inside our RV! If you missed it, no fear. I have the link for you to watch it!
The kids did such a great job and were so excited to be included. They have helped so much over the years with our different renovation projects, I just had to have them there!
We discussed camper renovating, budgeting tips and design inspiration.
Read: How to find and transform used furniture on Facebook Marketplace
You can watch our interview through the YouTube link below!
Q&A’s
Because I had prepared some answers to common questions before the interview, I thought I’d share them all here in their entirety. With the live interview only lasting a few minutes, we didn’t have time to get all these in.
- How did you get interested in renovating RVs?
It all started with a dream of mine to own a vintage trailer. We found a little 16’ camper for sale that was in terrible shape but super cheap. We were able to purchase it with cash and started googling everything we could about fixing up vintage trailers. It was a great learning experience!
- How do you find the RVs? And how much do they typically cost?
We have had great success finding RV’s on Facebook Marketplace. If they’re priced right, they typically go super fast, so you have to check every day for new listings and be ready with your finances in order to secure a purchase. We usually look for trailers under $2000 that need a reasonable amount of work done, however RV’s usually run a little more than that.
Read: Our 90’s RV renovation
- What is Facebook Marketplace? How do you use the platform?
Facebook Marketplace is a buying and selling platform where you can create listings for items and communicate using Facebook Messenger. I love it because of the personal connection. You’re able to see a real person on the other end and rate your experience with them. That line of communication remains open through messenger, so for example, we’ve been able to send updated pictures of this RV with the person we bought it from — which makes them happy to see it’s continued use and new life!
- How do you ensure that the RVs are suitable to sell and working properly? Are there any red flags to lookout for before purchasing an RV to flip and sell?
Yes, and you can find a complete list of things we look for on my blog. But we generally asses the damages and determine how much time and money it will take to fix. The red flags are definitely water damage, rusty frame and obvious neglect. We always fix up a trailer with the intent to use it as a family first, so our goal is to make it safe, enjoyable and cute!
- What are the biggest challenges you have run into renovating RVs? How have you overcome those challenges
The biggest challenge is staying creatively under budget. For example, when updating a vintage trailer, there may be parts broken that aren’t being made anymore, so you have to replace them creatively. I do a lot of improvising!
- Where do you get your RV décor inspiration from – do you approach it different than home décor projects?
I approach it very similarly to the way I decorate my home! I want it to feel cozy and inviting, but also clean and modern. I’m always very budget conscious. Most of my inspiration has been found on Pinterest and Instagram from other RV bloggers.
- What are your secrets to renovating RVs on a budget? And where do you purchase the furniture/décor?
Being creative and working with what you’ve got! I use a combination of thrifted items, things I already have on hand and things I find on Facebook Marketplace. For example, the fold out sofa in our RV was found using Facebook Marketplace. It was a brand new item listed by an RV dealer that was cleaning out their warehouse!
- How much money have you made flipping and redecorating RVs? And how much do you typically make per RV?
Every situation is unique, and many of our campers have been fixed up with the intent to use them as a family, not sell them. But, an example from last Summer – we found a great deal on a 1980’s trailer. We purchased it for $1000 through the Marketplace, put $1000 into and sold it for $8000.
- Do your children help you work on your RV renovations?
Yes definitely! Our goal as a family is to work along side our kids whenever possible. They have helped with the demo, the painting, removing cabinet doors, you name it. It’s a great way to teach your kids the value of hard work, electrical and carpentry skills—and plus they appreciate it a lot more when we get to use the finished project!
Read: Upcycled vintage radio to bar cart
- I heard you name your RVs. Do you have a shortlist for your latest one?
Yes! Our first vintage camper that was near and dear to our hearts was named Gidget #gidgetgoescamping and this particular RV has been named Toolie because we’re the #travelingtoolies in honor of my grandfather who always called the kids his “Sweets-a-pops-a-toolies”
- Tips people can take away when renovating something – what is the best bang for your buck?
Don’t go into debt. Set your budget where you can buy with cash and search Facebook Marketplace for listings within that price range. Anytime you need supplies or specific items, do a quick check to see if someone has listed it—you will definitely cut your costs considerably.
- How did you get interested in renovating RVs?
It all started with a dream of mine to own a vintage trailer. We found a little 16’ camper for sale that was in terrible shape but super cheap. We were able to purchase it with cash and started googling everything we could about fixing up vintage trailers. It was a great learning experience!
- How do you find the RVs? And how much do they typically cost?
We have had great success finding RV’s on Facebook Marketplace. If they’re priced right, they typically go super fast, so you have to check every day for new listings and be ready with your finances in order to secure a purchase. We usually look for trailers under $2000 that need a reasonable amount of work done, however RV’s usually run a little more than that.
- What is Facebook Marketplace? How do you use the platform?
Facebook Marketplace is a buying and selling platform where you can create listings for items and communicate using Facebook Messenger. I love it because of the personal connection. You’re able to see a real person on the other end and rate your experience with them. That line of communication remains open through messenger, so for example, we’ve been able to send updated pictures of this RV with the person we bought it from — which makes them happy to see it’s continued use and new life!
- How do you ensure that the RVs are suitable to sell and working properly? Are there any red flags to lookout for before purchasing an RV to flip and sell?
Yes, and you can find a complete list of things we look for on my blog. But we generally asses the damages and determine how much time and money it will take to fix. The red flags are definitely water damage, rusty frame and obvious neglect. We always fix up a trailer with the intent to use it as a family first, so our goal is to make it safe, enjoyable and cute!
- What are the biggest challenges you have run into renovating RVs? How have you overcome those challenges
The biggest challenge is staying creatively under budget. For example, when updating a vintage trailer, there may be parts broken that aren’t being made anymore, so you have to replace them creatively. I do a lot of improvising!
- Where do you get your RV décor inspiration from – do you approach it different than home décor projects?
I approach it very similarly to the way I decorate my home! I want it to feel cozy and inviting, but also clean and modern. I’m always very budget conscious. Most of my inspiration has been found on Pinterest and Instagram from other RV bloggers.
- What are your secrets to renovating RVs on a budget? And where do you purchase the furniture/décor?
Being creative and working with what you’ve got! I use a combination of thrifted items, things I already have on hand and things I find on Facebook Marketplace. For example, the fold out sofa in our RV was found using Facebook Marketplace. It was a brand new item listed by an RV dealer that was cleaning out their warehouse!
- How much money have you made flipping and redecorating RVs? And how much do you typically make per RV?
Every situation is unique, and many of our campers have been fixed up with the intent to use them as a family, not sell them. But, an example from last Summer – we found a great deal on a 1980’s trailer. We purchased it for $1000 through the Marketplace, put $1000 into and sold it for $8000.
- Do your children help you work on your RV renovations?
Yes definitely! Our goal as a family is to work along side our kids whenever possible. They have helped with the demo, the painting, removing cabinet doors, you name it. It’s a great way to teach your kids the value of hard work, electrical and carpentry skills—and plus they appreciate it a lot more when we get to use the finished project!
- I heard you name your RVs. Do you have a shortlist for your latest one?
Yes! Our first vintage camper that was near and dear to our hearts was named Gidget #gidgetgoescamping and this particular RV has been named Toolie because we’re the #travelingtoolies in honor of my grandfather who always called the kids his “Sweets-a-pops-a-toolies”
- Tips people can take away when renovating something – what is the best bang for your buck?
Don’t go into debt. Set your budget where you can buy with cash and search Facebook Marketplace for listings within that price range. Anytime you need supplies or specific items, do a quick check to see if someone has listed it—you will definitely cut your costs considerably.
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