New Owner - access to owner dashboard

[kobidobi]

After years of attending presentations and and pretty much staying anywhere we thought we might consider buying, we finally bit the bullet and recently closed on a WKORV OFC unit.

The question I have is whether Vistana will send some sort of communication once they have transferred ownership from the previous owners, or whether I will should just continue to try to connect my account on the Vistana dashboard everyday? It's been just under two weeks, so I realize it could still take a few more weeks for them to take care of this.

Thanks in advance!

 

[sjsharkie]

Yes, they will send out communication, but it usually comes in the form of snail mail -- unless they have changed their practices since I last purchased a unit.

For fastest results, I'd continue to ping the dashboard. Painful, but I don't know how long it takes them to print the form letter and mail out -- could be a week if you factor in 3-4 mailing days from Orlando to SF Bay Area.

 

[kobidobi]

Great, thank you!

 

[dioxide45]

Did you provide your SSN to the closing agent. If so, try connecting your ownership using your SSN. You should be able to get online a few days or more before you get the snail mail letter.

 

[kobidobi]

Yeah, I had been using my husband's SSN. I wasn't sure where to find the contract number, but I went back through the paperwork and found it. We put the timeshare into our trust, so I don't know whether it's just not there yet (it's been two weeks) or whether I'm entering the name information incorrectly. I'll keep trying using both the contract number and the SSN and eventually I'm sure it'll be there! I am kicking myself for dragging my feet on the paperwork. We would like to book an August week and would prefer not to have to ask the original owners to do it for us.

 

[tomvc]

I was never able to link using my SSN. Select the option you are not individuals (corporations, I believe) and enter your contract #. It takes about 3 weeks for Vistana to set you up.

 

[kobidobi]

Just closing the loop on this. I decided to call owner services today (3 weeks and 1 day after the sale was recorded). Since we put the unit into a trust, I wasn't sure how to enter our names. It's a good thing I called because all our documentation includes first name and full middle name, but in their system, it's first name, middle initial. I've been entering the wrong names all along.

Now I will go cancel the reservation the previous owners made for next spring (anything I should be aware of?) and wait to book an August week!

Also, since the previous owners had already booked a week for next year, does that mean the maintenance fees have already been paid for next year?

 

[EnglishmanAbroad]

Just closing the loop on this. I decided to call owner services today (3 weeks and 1 day after the sale was recorded). Since we put the unit into a trust, I wasn't sure how to enter our names. It's a good thing I called because all our documentation includes first name and full middle name, but in their system, it's first name, middle initial. I've been entering the wrong names all along.

Now I will go cancel the reservation the previous owners made for next spring (anything I should be aware of?) and wait to book an August week!

Also, since the previous owners had already booked a week for next year, does that mean the maintenance fees have already been paid for next year?

No, it's unlikely they have already paid as the notices go out in December. You can make the reservation whenever you like up to 12 months in advance but can't take occupancy unless the MFs are paid. As for the cancellation, shouldn't be any issue whatsoever as long as it's more than 60 days ahead of time. You might want to check that their reservation actually got transferred into your name on the sale as I'm not sure how automatic that is.

 

[kobidobi]

It was worth a shot! I had thought you couldn't book before paying dues, but it makes sense that it needs to be done before you stay.

And thanks for the tip about the reservation. I contacted owner services and they changed it to my name.

 

[dioxide45]

Since Vistana still controls the home resort reservation, and StarOption reservations, you can make the reservation without prepaying the MFs. Vistana will cancel the reservation if you become delinquent. You do have to prepay to deposit your future year in to II or to borrower StarOptions. It would be nice if Vistana was like Marriott, and didn't require prepay on II deposits, perhaps with them being under the same ILG umbrella, that may change?