We love HH for summer but partly because this is a good time to get family together since so many of them are tied to school schedules. Since you're looking at shoulder season and below, trading in should be fairly easy with planning. For Marriott there's good resorts to use and good resorts to trade with not much crossover IMO. For those just getting into it or doing limited trips this way, I'd rather see them buy something they'll use and then trade part of the time than just looking for a trade bait option even if it's more expensive. For trading I prefer the cheaper resorts for the higher seasons that are lockoff's. One also needs to consider the resort quality as this is a separate qualifying factor within II from trade power (which they keep somewhat secret). It can keep you out of top resorts or lower resorts depending on where you sit.
What's the best balance (and is there one for a given person) is very variable. Don't forget to look at fees including trade fees and exchange membership fees. Grande Vista has lockoff 2 & 3 BR units, platinum there is the way to go for trading. Ocean Pointe is another option that might fit your needs, Gold or even silver might fit your needs. I still like HH to buy for Gold but mostly at Grande Ocean because it has 2 weeks later in the summer than the other top Marriott's there and thus will give you better trade power, but no lockoff's though you should get a bonus week when traded with II. Ocean Watch in MB is great to use but it's likely less from a trading standpoint.
One should be able to pick up a Legends Edge Platinum (no lockoff) in PC for a song , same for Willow Ridge Platinum which has lockoff's and lower fees though they are climbing somewhat since Marriott converted it to a regular MVCI property rather than Horizon's.
I can't say much about The NE though BG and Wyndham have options up that way. The Big Kahuna in BG for Orlando is The Fountains (and Oasis Lakes). IMO it's one of the very top options. If you rank the top 11 or so resorts I listed this week on another thread plus the 7 DCV options and ignore location and theming, I'd put it maybe 3 behind the top Hilton and top Marriott and maybe 2 if you put major emphasis on the pool with kids. If you throw location into the mix it'll drop somewhat because it's on I drive but it moves ahead of Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve which is a few miles further.
Marriott will give you the best quality and high end options but Wyndham and BG should be cheaper in the short and long run and move you away from the exchanging to direct use within their system though it depends. IMO, Marriott (really all of these) only makes sense if you'll use all the time (directly or exchange) and will plan ahead including planning to uptrade at basically every opportunity. I think BG only makes sense if you're looking at 18-20K points or above. For Wyndham it's more variable but there is still an economy of scale. One thing about OP and GV for Marriott is that you can reserve other FL club properties directly (OP, GV, LE in PC, Beachplace Towers and Doral). This can be a major advantage for trading and usage, esp for trading if you own one that doesn't have lockoff's like LE or Doral.
Just spend the time so you know what's best for you because it might be different than for me. It's also possible that
DVC/RCI will change to a more favorable position. If they allow reduced cost exchanges on short notice and for DVC members to chose a week to deposit (they used to years ago) and to allow them to take advantage of the TPU's accordingly then DVC could become a great option to trade as well.
