I came across an article on the RV Daily Report that Yuma is charging $3,100 to hook up electricity to RV lots. Whoa! That's incredible. The purchaser bought four lots in January 2008. She was not aware of any extra fees to hookup to electricity. She was then charged $3,101 per lot when it came time to do so. She appealed, asking for a refund for two lots and a waiver for the other two.
The council, fearing that more lot owners would seek refunds, denied her appeal.
This goes to show you two things: Jurisdictions are desperate for money. And, thoroughly research before you buy. In this case, the purchaser says that the fees were added after she purchased the lots. However, you may be able to find out about things like this in many cases prior to buying. Take time to investigate.
A number of RVers in one of the groups we belong to have purchased property or lots in the Yuma area. It is relatively inexpensive and makes a nice winter home. It has some amenities without the traffic and crowds of Phoenix or Tucson. However, fees of this magnitude could drive potential purchasers away. It will definitely make land prices go up. In this economy, it could make it more difficult to sell (or afford to buy) property. Buyer beware in Yuma. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
We have run into a couple of other high priced items: dump station at a Love's Truck stop: $9 fee; ATM at a casino: $13.99 to withdraw money.
Posted by: Randy Warner | January 30, 2010 at 05:51 AM
Wow! $13.99 ATM fee? That is gouging.
Jaimie
Posted by: Jaimie Hall Bruzenak | January 30, 2010 at 06:44 AM