Should I use SBA or bridge to buy an RV park?

Use SBA when the park is stabilized with strong T-12 NOI and you can wait 60–120 days to close. Use bridge when occupancy is below stabilization, you need a fast close, or CapEx requires holdback draws.

Can you refinance a bridge loan into SBA on an RV park?

Yes — bridge-to-SBA is a common playbook once occupancy, ADR, and DSCR meet SBA lender requirements, typically 12–24 months after acquisition.

What DSCR do SBA lenders require on RV parks?

Stabilized outdoor hospitality files typically need 1.25x DSCR on trailing NOI — stress-tested through seasonal trough months on many lender credit policies.

How much faster is bridge than SBA on campground acquisitions?

Bridge often closes in 14–30 business days vs 60–120 days for SBA 7(a) and longer for SBA 504 — the speed premium drives IO pricing at 8.99%–13.5%.

Blog

SBA vs Bridge for Campground Acquisitions — Which Fits Your Deal?

Published July 16, 2026

By Jason Taken · Principal, Jaken Finance Group

SBA vs bridge for campground and RV park acquisitions — speed, down payment, DSCR, and when value-add sponsors should bridge first then refi.

Campground acquisitions sit at the intersection of small business and commercial real estate — which is why sponsors argue SBA 7(a) vs bridge / hard money on every LOI.

Program comparison: SBA.gov loans · Hub: RV park and campground financing

Side-by-side (2026)

Factor	SBA 7(a)	Bridge / hard money
Rate band	~10%–11.5%	8.99%–13.5% IO
Down payment	10%–20%	20%–35%
Close timeline	60–120 days	14–30 days
Occupancy tolerance	Stabilized preferred	55%–70% OK
CapEx / holdback	Limited at initial close	Construction draws
Working capital	7(a) can bundle	Separate reserve
Personal guarantee	Yes	Yes (typical)
Best exit from bridge	SBA refi	Bank or SBA

When SBA wins on day one

T-12 NOI supports 1.25x+ DSCR today — see cap rate guide
Seller accepts 90-day+ close
Operator has SBA-eligible experience and credit
You need working capital + real estate in one 7(a) facility
Park is full hookup, municipal utilities, 75%+ occupancy

When bridge wins on day one

Competing LOI requires 14-day proof of funds
Occupancy below 75% with credible lift plan
Pad expansion, bathhouse rebuild, or glamping add in scope
Bank or SBA rejected as-is NOI
Auction or distressed acquisition

Acquisition workflow: how to buy an RV park

Bridge-to-SBA playbook

Month	Action
0	Bridge close at 65%–75% LTV
1–12	CapEx draws — bathhouse, pads, marketing
12–18	Occupancy and ADR lift → clean T-12
18–24	SBA 7(a) refi pays off bridge

Carry example: $1.5M bridge at 11% IO ≈ $13,750/mo — budget 18 months = ~$247K interest line item.

SBA 504 vs 7(a) on outdoor hospitality

Program	RV park fit
7(a)	Acquisition + working capital + equipment — most common
504	Real estate + bathhouse/building improvements — longer timeline

Owner-operator with on-site manager residence may add complexity — disclose in SBA pre-screen.

Hybrid and glamping assets

Non-standard units (yurts, cabins) often start on bridge regardless of headline occupancy — glamping financing guide

Risks

SBA denial after bridge — extend IO or sell
Seasonality — refi DSCR tested on trough month
CapEx overrun — holdback insufficient
Personal guarantee on both programs
Rate environment — permanent debt higher than modeled

When to start SBA vs bridge conversation

Your LOI deadline	Start with
Under 21 days	Bridge — submit scenario
60–90 days	SBA 7(a) PLP pre-qual
Turnaround park	Bridge with written refi path to SBA at month 18

SBA cannot accelerate for auction — bridge is the acquisition tool, SBA is the permanent tool.

RV park hub · submit scenario · nationwide outdoor hospitality.

RV park hub
Commercial real estate financing
Owner-occupied commercial — if operator occupies on-site building 51%+

Submit scenario · (833) 264-7776

Bridge wins competitive campground LOIs; SBA wins stabilized T-12 files with time to close — match product to seller timeline.