Are you looking to go mobile this summer and explore our country living in an RV? If so, there are lots of factors to consider for your new home away from home.

Type of Adventure

Will you be taking the RV out just for weekend trips or do you plans to spend a few weeks at a time on the road? Or could it even be a trip lasting several months? Be sure you think about the type and length of your adventure before considering the type of RV to buy.

Types of RVs

After planning your course, then it is time to determine which type of RV will best fit your needs. Here are the different types:

• Class A Motorhomes – ideal for long distance, bigger families, living in style. Typically include living rooms, sofas, dining tables, TVs, complete kitchens, full bathroom(s), bedroom(s) and closet space. This is the most expensive option with price ranges from $60,000 to more than $1 million.
• Class B Motorhomes – similar in features to the Class A, but in a smaller size. It is ideal for 2-3 travelers and more like driving a large sized SUV.
• Class C Motorhomes – a mix between Class A and B, this type is a popular rental RV. Range from 20-40 feet so the size can be close to the Class A but the amenities are not as plenty. This is a good choice for a long weekend or possibly a week away.
• Travel Trailers – a lightweight, towable option that can sleep up to six people. Sizes range from 12-33 feet and some offer designer-grade interiors. This option is a hit for those who want to leave their trailer on a campsite while exploring surrounding areas with the tow vehicle.
• Fifth-Wheel Trailer – Easier and more stable to pull than a travel trailer. Excellent for long distance travel or a quick trip to the mountains. Range in size from 18-40 feet long.
• Pop-Up Trailer – Smallest and lightest of the trailer options. Most economical too with prices starting at $4000. These can normally be towed safely by a minivan and are easy to park. Considered the “starter” RV because many people purchase these affordably to test the waters with camping and road travel before investing in a full-sized motorhome.
• Sport Utility RV Trailer – This is the newest option of trailer which has a garage area built into the rear to haul motorcycles, quad runners, watercraft, etc. The garage is separated by a solid wall from the rest of the trailer.
• Truck Camper – This option slide into the bed of a pickup truck, can be offloaded and then set up at a camping site. Typically include a bedroom, small kitchen, toilet and shower.

Rent or Buy?

If you’re a newbie to the RV world, most experts suggest that you rent the rig you’re interested in a few times before you buy. Time to get planning a test weekend adventure or two!

Purchasing Tips

If you’re like most RVers, you’ll probably be financing at least part of your purchase. Check to see what type of loan you can obtain before you go shopping.

TAX TIP: Because virtually every motorhome and many trailers feature beds, kitchens, sinks, and bathrooms, the IRS considers them to be homes. And that means that the interest on your loan may be tax deductible as a home mortgage.

As with any type of home, everyone’s tastes and needs are different. Be sure to do your homework before investing in an RV.

Happy trails to you!

Source: Reserve America

Skyline Financial Corp. and its loan officers are not tax advisors. Always consult a tax professional for details. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced that it has chosen Torrent Technologies as a direct service provider for the National Flood Insurance Program.

As a direct service provider for the program, Torrent will help in the response to flood events and in improving the customer experience for the program’s policyholders. The company will also handle data security.

Torrent is a subsidiary of Marsh LLC, a global insurance broking and risk management company.

FEMA is looking to Torrent and its advanced technology to help pay households and businesses more quickly and accurately after a flood.

Source: National Mortgage News

When an emergency strikes, you usually don’t have the time to go around the house and find what you need. Having your most important documents in one easy to grab binder and save you time in an emergency and hassle later on.

What you should include:

• Birth certificates
• Social Security cards
• Immigration and naturalization paperwork
• The deed to your house
• Pink slips and car registration information
• Phone numbers and addresses for your children’s schools and daycares
• Copies of your insurance policies
• Passports
• Cash
• Copies of prescriptions
• Will, power of attorney, advance directive
• A written plan of where to meet your family members in case of an emergency
• Anything else that might be hard to replace

Where you should store your emergency binder:

Keep your binder in a fireproof safe or a lockbox. Make sure your binder is hidden but is still easily accessible and close to an exit. Your emergency binder can even have a misleading title so that it’s not a target for theft.

Yes, it can be risky to keep all this sensitive information together, but the costs of not having some of these documents and essentials in an emergency can be even greater. You never know when an emergency will strike and how much time you’ll have to gather necessities. Having an emergency binder will help you feel more secure and organized, no matter what happens.

Source: Ventura County Star, Jan 14, 2017