#vanlife plus MVC - opinions?

[Hogheaven]

Looking for your thoughts:
Just retired. Never owned a TS. currently enjoying up to 6mos/yr on the road in a Class B campervan. Love it!!, but get road weary after 2mos or so and head home to crash "on solid ground" for awhile. This works, but also means that when on the road, our expensive CA house sits idle.
New concept: why not sell the CA home, buy enough MVC points / weeks for 4/6mos per yr stays, and live half time on road, and half time at MVC destinations of our choosing? Can divvy up the weeks/months in any combination, depending on our whims for the year.
Anyone doing this?
Are we crazy?
Pros or cons?
Thanks!

 

[AnnieBets]

I’d say same advice as found in this thread

Live 12 months in TS? Help! How do we best do this?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts, brainstorming, and help. My wife and I are thinking about selling our home of 22 years, and relocating in Arizona in 2022 or 2023. But before we purchase in AZ and settle in, we would like to travel. And we are strongly considering living in a...

tugbbs.com

 

[jont]

I would look at the locations and time of year you would likely go to and determine if they fit into your travel plans. Keep in mind that many Marriott locations are centered in a few key locations such as Florida, South Carolina, and Hawaii. Also, there are many locations overseas and in the Caribbean Islands. There may not be as many choices as you think. Plus the number of points required could be substantial and expensive for 4-6 months. Good luck and enjoy your retirement.

 

[travelhacker]

Looking for your thoughts:
Just retired. Never owned a TS. currently enjoying up to 6mos/yr on the road in a Class B campervan. Love it!!, but get road weary after 2mos or so and head home to crash "on solid ground" for awhile. This works, but also means that when on the road, our expensive CA house sits idle.
New concept: why not sell the CA home, buy enough MVC points / weeks for 4/6mos per yr stays, and live half time on road, and half time at MVC destinations of our choosing? Can divvy up the weeks/months in any combination, depending on our whims for the year.
Anyone doing this?
Are we crazy?
Pros or cons?
Thanks!

I think this is doable with enough advanced planning. I wouldn't limit yourself to just Marriott's though.

For example, in Hyatt I can get super off season weeks in very nice places in Colorado for as little as $200 in maintenance fees in 2 bedrooms. If you did studios with small kitchenettes it could be as low as about $90 for a week.

 

[rthib]

I would get a resale week somewhere that is hard to get, then since you are flexible use II getaways and explore other places.

 

[tschwa2]

I think Wyndham and RCI would probably give you more flexibility and lower fees for a 4-6 month of timeshares stays.

 

[Dean]

Looking for your thoughts:
Just retired. Never owned a TS. currently enjoying up to 6mos/yr on the road in a Class B campervan. Love it!!, but get road weary after 2mos or so and head home to crash "on solid ground" for awhile. This works, but also means that when on the road, our expensive CA house sits idle.
New concept: why not sell the CA home, buy enough MVC points / weeks for 4/6mos per yr stays, and live half time on road, and half time at MVC destinations of our choosing? Can divvy up the weeks/months in any combination, depending on our whims for the year.
Anyone doing this?
Are we crazy?
Pros or cons?
Thanks!

We've considered something similar upon retirement. We've discussed along the lines of selling our home at retirement, traveling full time for a couple of years then moving into a retirement home (apartment style). A variation would be to buy a relatively inexpensive condo/townhome to have when in town. We likely won't do either as it stands right now largely because the economics don't support the decision. But having a more expensive home could easily push us to go that direction. There is a DVC member who was at around 2 years living in timeshare last I saw but I haven't followed DIS for a while. Frank808 on this board lives in timeshares over half the year I believe.

The advantage you have is that you can plan it from the ground up making the best decisions currently possible for your situation. I'd look at your planning timeframe, flexibility, budget and where you'd like to stay then start to look at which timeshare system will get you what you want, if any. Timeshares sometimes limit how long you can stay in the same unit so that may be a consideration, often you'll be limited to 30 days or less at hotels and at timeshares. With Covid I could see them just having you check out then back in again if needed.

Thinking through how best to do this, there are lots of options that come to mind.

1. Bluegreen is going to be one of the cheaper ones to get into and if done well, one of the cheaper for dues as well.
2. MVC using a few trading lock off units and II could work very well and for a somewhat reasonable amount as well.
3. There are fractional out there that could be helpful, you'd have to dig around to find them. I'm sure this group could help you get a list together.
4. For MVC points buying a Marriott Tahoe Fractional and enrolling it would likely be the best and cheapest way to get MVC points. But could also be a good option to use directly as well and for II trading.

For this situation I could see 2 or even 3 systems working together depending on your specifics. Variables like unit size needed and general location(s) would effect my thoughts as the answer for Orlando, Branson, LV would be one thing compared to say the beach like HHI or Newport Coast. Also the season, off season would be much easier and cheaper than peak time. Read the other thread and spend some time contemplating the options. You likely should rent initially then start smaller if you decide to proceed so you can check it out before jumping with both feet.

I think Wyndham and RCI would probably give you more flexibility and lower fees for a 4-6 month of timeshares stays.

Possibly but it would depend on where they want to do, how flexible they are, planning options and the like. Exchanging could work very well in this situation with planning and flexibility but be horrible for others.

 

[dansimms]

Extended stay hotels (rentals) could also fill some voids without having to buy it.