Do you own any other timeshare

[3DisneyKids]

We own a number of timeshares but less than previously. I've likely owned 40 or so different weeks/contracts over the years. While I've always owned more to use, I've moved further to that direction with less trading. Since that means I mostly own high demand resorts/weeks, I then rent them out on off years. There are a number of points systems. A partial list would be RCI, Starwood, DVC, Worldmark, Bluegreen, Wyndham, VRI, Shell, Club Intrawest, Hampimag. A number of others allow full week internal exchanges at sister resorts. Anyone interested in other timeshares should investigate for at least a few months to figure out what's best for THEM. At the present time I think some of the best values are for points systems like Bluegreen and Wyndham where you can get relatively low cost buy ins resale and if you plan correctly, get priority above many other members. With Marriott, for example, most really need to buy at least two weeks that can be reserved concurrently or consecutively.

Thanks, as always, Dean. I was just getting ready to ask what you would recommend when you went ahead and stated just that!

We only own DVC right now, but definitely plan to purchase a resale contract that has direct access to II. I am just not sure which one. I have been on the TUG boards doing research (definitely the best place for learning all about the various timeshares out there), but I am quickly getting overwhelmed. Fortunately, we are not in a rush...I would like to buy about a year from now...end of 2008. That gives me plenty of time to research.

 

[larrytau]

We also own at Bluegreen. They have some excellent facilities in Myrtle Beach, Tennessee, Michigan, Charleston, Orlando (The Fountains), Branson, and other locations. You can certainly find cheap resales on ebay and through the yahoo group devoted to Bluegreen.

While it is not DVC quality of service, most facilities are quite reasonable. And the price of acquisition is quite reasonable compared to DVC also. They do NOT hold resale very well, however.

 

[Beth]

We bought an EOY week at a resort on Cocoa Beach. It has worked very well for us.

As owners, we can book cash nights for a significantly reduced rate ($49 for a 2BR - weeknight) - at 3 weeks out. Since we live so close - we can stand to book that late. We've spent many long weekends over there... it's a lot more affordable than DVC points!

I doubt we'll ever, ever use this to trade. We really like Cocoa Beach - DH likes to surf. ...We live on the west coast of Florida, where surfing opportunities don't present themselves very often...

I view the cost we paid to purchase our week more as the cost to become owners and get the cash rates... the week we get every other year is "just gravy."

 

[tomandrobin]

Thanks, as always, Dean. I was just getting ready to ask what you would recommend when you went ahead and stated just that!

We only own DVC right now, but definitely plan to purchase a resale contract that has direct access to II. I am just not sure which one. I have been on the TUG boards doing research (definitely the best place for learning all about the various timeshares out there), but I am quickly getting overwhelmed. Fortunately, we are not in a rush...I would like to buy about a year from now...end of 2008. That gives me plenty of time to research.

Tug is definately the place to learn about all the different timeshare systems. I would suggest to focus on the places you would want to visit, then check out the timeshare companies that serve that area you want to travel. That is how we ended up buying Starwood, the right resorts in the places we want to travel.

 

[Dean]

I am quickly getting overwhelmed. Fortunately, we are not in a rush...I would like to buy about a year from now...end of 2008. That gives me plenty of time to research.

That's why I normally recommend at least 6 months of active research as there are so many variables that are different for each and every perspective buyer. For those more set on DVC type quality, Starwood, Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott can be better choices.

 

[jimmytammy]

Are there OTHERS??

 

[littlestar]

Thanks, as always, Dean. I was just getting ready to ask what you would recommend when you went ahead and stated just that!

We only own DVC right now, but definitely plan to purchase a resale contract that has direct access to II. I am just not sure which one. I have been on the TUG boards doing research (definitely the best place for learning all about the various timeshares out there), but I am quickly getting overwhelmed. Fortunately, we are not in a rush...I would like to buy about a year from now...end of 2008. That gives me plenty of time to research.

Too bad DVC couldn't set something up with Interval International where DVC members could have access to some of Interval's cash Getaway weeks - Maybe a (generic) log-in or link to the II site for buying a cash Getaway. It would make a nice perk for a lot of members. Yesterday my cousin and I logged into my II account and there were some off season Getaway weeks in Arizona at the Westin Kierland in 1 bedrooms and they were less than $400 with tax! Divide $400 by seven nights and that's $57.14 a night.

 

[Dean]

Too bad DVC couldn't set something up with Interval International where DVC members could have access to some of Interval's cash Getaway weeks - Maybe a (generic) log-in or link to the II site for buying a cash Getaway. It would make a nice perk for a lot of members. Yesterday my cousin and I logged into my II account and there were some off season Getaway weeks in Arizona at the Westin Kierland in 1 bedrooms and they were less than $400 with tax! Divide $400 by seven nights and that's $57.14 a night.

They can, all they have to do is become a regular member rather than a corporate member. Westin Kierland is very interesting as it represents an issue in trading DVC. They have two sections but only the old section is on the DVC exchange list and DVC can't trade to the resort unless there are deposits for the old section. And guess what, the resort can put you in either section if you do get a trade.

 

[jamstew]

Although I'm not a DVC owner yet (waiting on Disney approval and keeping fingers crossed), I own a conventional timeshare on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which we bought pre-construction in about 1983 when the kids were small. It was an easy drive for us and we loved the lake & mountains, so we knew we'd use it, which we did for 7 years before we started exchanging. I think the kids would have been happy to go there forever...until our first exchange in 1990 when we went to Disney Even though it's not a high demand area, it is a summer week so it's their highest demand time and we were pretty much able to go where we wanted. The maintenance fee is still low, and we've come full circle to where the kids now want to take their kids there

 

[disneydenisel]

We own Starwood, DVC, and Hyatt. We are currently in Maui at the Westin Ka'anapali, and I am getting ready to start planning BCV for November 2008 . I have missed my Disney fix this year! We bought Hyatt primarily to use in CA resorts like Lake Tahoe and Carmel, plus there are rumors about a Southern California resort, which would be a perfect match for us if we buy CA DVC points when they are available.

Timeshares are great ! I have so much fun planning!

 

[wendyinoc]

Which is the best one of the known companies like hyatt and marriott?? Best place to buy resale?

 

[littlestar]

They can, all they have to do is become a regular member rather than a corporate member. Westin Kierland is very interesting as it represents an issue in trading DVC. They have two sections but only the old section is on the DVC exchange list and DVC can't trade to the resort unless there are deposits for the old section. And guess what, the resort can put you in either section if you do get a trade.

Dean, what are your thoughts on IAC spinning off II? I hope that whatever happens (whether it gets bought or stays independent) that it doesn't change the company drastically (I'm a very happy II member).

I didn't know there were two sections at Westin Kierland. Interesting. When my sister stayed there last month she said they had access to the Westin hotel with its amenities (lazy river pool).

 

[tomandrobin]

Dean, what are your thoughts on IAC spinning off II? I hope that whatever happens (whether it gets bought or stays independent) that it doesn't change the company drastically (I'm a very happy II member).

I didn't know there were two sections at Westin Kierland. Interesting. When my sister stayed there last month she said they had access to the Westin hotel with its amenities (lazy river pool).

I am a Kierland owner and yes there are two phases. We have a unit in each phase. $400 for a week there is a fantastic!

All of the amenities at the adjoining hotel are availble to the timeshare owners. The hotel has a really nice lazy river and adjoing pool. Or if you want some adult time, there is a real nice adult only pool.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Too bad DVC couldn't set something up with Interval International where DVC members could have access to some of Interval's cash Getaway weeks - Maybe a (generic) log-in or link to the II site for buying a cash Getaway. It would make a nice perk for a lot of members. Yesterday my cousin and I logged into my II account and there were some off season Getaway weeks in Arizona at the Westin Kierland in 1 bedrooms and they were less than $400 with tax! Divide $400 by seven nights and that's $57.14 a night.

This is my point exactly. My best firend has II access and has given me her account info and password so I can check out all of the offerings, etc. and this is what has convinced me to buy a timeshare with direct II access. Those cash get-aways are amazing deals! There are several here in New England which would be wonderful for quick family get-aways without having to fly...the cost of many of these seems to be in the $300 - $400 range for a 1 BR for a whole week. Talk about a cheap family vacation! And of course the New England resorts all have great indoor pools and facilities. There is one that has a whole water park indoors--we have been and it is a blast.

 

[JimC]

We own at Marriott (Shadow Ridge and Canyon Villas) as opposing EOY contracts. Allows us to alternate our annual SW holiday without trading fees.

We sold our Aruba Ocean Club MVCI week this year. It is one of the casualties of our relocation to Orlando. We will sell another property probably next year as the realignment continues.

 

[littlestar]

We own at Marriott (Shadow Ridge and Canyon Villas) as opposing EOY contracts. Allows us to alternate our annual SW holiday without trading fees.

We sold our Aruba Ocean Club MVCI week this year. It is one of the casualties of our relocation to Orlando. We will sell another property probably next year as the realignment continues.

Hi Jim,

Did you keep Marriott Cypress Harbour when you moved to Orlando? I know it would make a big difference for us on what we owned if we lived in Orlando. I'd still keep some DVC points, though!

We own two EOY lock off 2 bedrooms at resorts that are within driving distance of our home. Like you, one of these is even and the other odd. We may eventually just end up with one other timeshare besides our DVC points to keep our II account.

3Disneykids - some of those Getaway prices make it worth a weekend getaway (and just not use the other days).

 

[Dean]

Dean, what are your thoughts on IAC spinning off II? I hope that whatever happens (whether it gets bought or stays independent) that it doesn't change the company drastically (I'm a very happy II member).

I didn't know there were two sections at Westin Kierland. Interesting. When my sister stayed there last month she said they had access to the Westin hotel with its amenities (lazy river pool).

The nature of timeshares is that things change. That's one of the reasons I've cautioned against making too many assumptions into the future when evaluating DVC and the decision to buy in or keep a contract though DVC is one of the more stable ones. It's also the reason I've generally suggested newbies buy something they'll use a fair portion of the time or else go cheap so that if all falls apart it's not the end of the world.

Many times the division between phases with different II or RCI codes is seamless and other times it may be very obvious like at Lawaii Beach Club on Kauai, many have 3-5 codes with II. One thing to know is that trading for the code of a portion that is better does not protect you from getting assigned a unit in the other sections.

Which is the best one of the known companies like hyatt and marriott?? Best place to buy resale?

Of those Marriott is by far the largest and certainly has a great reputation. But it depends on who you ask. Certainly in other countries or even in some areas of the US, you would get different answers. There are a number of resale agencies and they are not that hard to find with a google or similar search. Don't get too wrapped up in which company, all they really do is bring a buyer and seller together and take a commission. The closing company is more the issue when it comes to where things can go wrong. Ebay, redweeks, bidshares, TUG classifieds and myresortnetworks are just a few of the non broker places to look. Remember that many that are not good to sell through are still good to buy through, stroman for example.

 

[Dean]

We own at Marriott (Shadow Ridge and Canyon Villas) as opposing EOY contracts. Allows us to alternate our annual SW holiday without trading fees.

Jim, what seasons and any problem reserving the weeks you want since you can't take advantage of the 13 month reservation option.

 

[byoung]

We own at Outdoor World Camping.

 

[littlestar]

I am a Kierland owner and yes there are two phases. We have a unit in each phase. $400 for a week there is a fantastic!

That $400 price with tax was for off season. I'm sure we'd probably never see platinum time for that kind of price. If a person can travel off season, those Getaways are a great deal/perk. When I occasionally see a cash Getaway during a prime time period, it's always priced a lot higher. I saw a Hyatt Bonita Springs 2 bedroom cash Getaway not too long ago and it was priced at about $1,500.

One of the reasons my parents bought their II timeshare was to have access to the cash Getaways. That was even part of the sales pitch.