Florida...west or east the best?

[mikekuda]

I'm looking to buy a timeshare in Florida. I've never been to Florida, but am planning a trip with my wife in mid January 2008. I've heard that the Gulf (west) is the preferable place, but want other opinions. Both my wife and I are 63 years old and retired. I've been looking on Ebay and have noticed that there are very few Gulf properties listed. Thanks for any advice you may have.

 

[janapur]

Well, here's my opinion for what it's worth. We own on both coasts (St. Pete Beach and Hollywood Beach both bought on ebay). We wanted a place near Tampa to visit family. This location feels much more retired so to speak. We are typically in the company of other midwesterners and drive to many day trip destinations, eateries, etc.

On the East coast, we are surrounded by northeasterners. In fact, it is even harder for us to find non-stop flights. A lot of old money and generations of families returning year after year. For us, there is a faster heartbeat. More pedestrians, as we never rent a car.

Both locations are directly on the beach, an absolute must. Neither resort is a gold crown, since we bought for location and not fluff. Both locations trade remarkably well, proof that crown status does not affect trade power. It is more about demand.

How fortunate that ebay affords us all the oportunity to try on a resort without spending much.

Jana

 

[london]

East and West Coasts of Florida

We enjoy both coasts....Spending 2 weeks in Cocoa Beach, then 3 weeks in Treasure Island (St Pete Area). We leave Jan 11th, and check in on Jan 12th.

The gulf side nice for sunsets and white sugar sand beaches. More laid back.

We find the east coast to be a little "busier", but still relaxing. In Cocoa Beach you see the cruise ships come in and out each week. If you are real lucky, you may see a shuttle or rocket launch.

Timeshares on the gulf side seem to hold their value more than those on the east coast.

Trading for the west coast is not easy. That' why we just purchased weeks, as not to have to trade.

I would suggest visiting both coasts via renting, then decide.

 

[JLB]

I have been going to Florida for more than 30 years, timesharing for 16 or 17. In the beginning we went all over. Now we go just to SW FL, preferrably from Ft. Myers on down, but that has been growing northward, as far as Sarasota, because SW FL is so popular in snowbird season, Jan-April, that availability has gotten tough.

The least popular Winter-Spring coastal areas are NE down to about Melbourne and the Panhandle.

The hardest areas to exchange into Jan-Apr, are The Keys and SW.

Many of the SW FL resorts are older. They are quite comfortable and many of the same older, owners come back year after year. They are sold out and many have their own resale programs. Prices and annual fees are realistic.

There are also much nicer, much more expensive SW FL resorts.

I have been studying them and searching almost every day for more than 10 years. We don't own at any of them, so I am very objective.
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All that said, some folks prefer SE FL.

If you are considering a place for Winter-Spring, you would be wise not to let anyone talk you into anything north of Melbourne or in the Panhandle.

23 days and we'll be there, not that I am keeping track.

 

[TUGBrian]

best at what....whats your idea of the perfect vacation spot =)

everyone answers this differently.

 

[brucecz]

What timeframes are you looking for? That can be a very important for several reasons.

Bruce

I'm looking to buy a timeshare in Florida. I've never been to Florida, but am planning a trip with my wife in mid January 2008. I've heard that the Gulf (west) is the preferable place, but want other opinions. Both my wife and I are 63 years old and retired. I've been looking on Ebay and have noticed that there are very few Gulf properties listed. Thanks for any advice you may have.

 

[mikekuda]

Thanks for your responses

I would prefer January or February...probably right along with everyone else. Others have told us that we would be more comfortable on the west side, since we're both from the Midwest. I'm interested in fishing and have heard that the gulf side is better fishing. We're pretty laid back people and not interested in the "night life" .... we do like to sight see.

Currently, I'm finding only two west side properties on Ebay....one is Shawnee's Island Gulf Resort at Madeira Beach and the other is Treasure Island Beach Club at Treasure Island, just south of the first one mentioned. Both are 1br and appear older....the first is $503 annual fees and the second is $483.... the first is week 50 and the second is week 49.

Thanks for your help.

Mike

 

[brucecz]

I would prefer January or February...probably right along with everyone else. Others have told us that we would be more comfortable on the west side, since we're both from the Midwest. I'm interested in fishing and have heard that the gulf side is better fishing. We're pretty laid back people and not interested in the "night life" .... we do like to sight see.

Currently, I'm finding only two west side properties on Ebay....one is Shawnee's Island Gulf Resort at Madeira Beach and the other is Treasure Island Beach Club at Treasure Island, just south of the first one mentioned. Both are 1br and appear older....the first is $503 annual fees and the second is $483.... the first is week 50 and the second is week 49.

Thanks for your help.

Mike

Those are older so so resorts but weeks 49 and 50 at those resorts IMHO would not have much exchange power. We used to own near that area at the Islander a fixed wek 12 but sold to buy in the Keys.

The Islander we ownerd was not the RCI Islander on the Atlandtic and was not with II either. It was a older converted well maintained converted motel that seemingly had a lot of long time happy owners.

Be carefull not to be pennywise and dollar foolish in buying a older resort that seemingly has low maintenance fees with out doing your due dilagence.

Buy the week that you want at a resort that you want to stay at so you do not have to depend on exchange companies and pay for those always rising exspenses of seemingly smaller choices in the exchange pools.

Good luck to you.

Bruce

 

[talkamotta]

Congratulations on finding TUG...

Is this your first timeshare purchase? Have you stayed in timeshares before?

Ive bought all but one of my timeshares sight unseen on Ebay. A couple before TUG. I was a little on the impulsive side and they may not have been my best purchases but they trade well. The timeshares I bought after TUG have been very good purchases.

So my advice is to first join TUG. The review section alone is worth alot. Not only for the reviews/ratings but why people liked/disliked that particular area and resort. Not all gold crowns are gold and some resorts that arent gold will be exactly what you want. Spend some time just reading.

I own on both coasts, love Cocoa Beach, my native Floridian (Tampa) dil, loves St. Augustine Beach. I am partial to SW Florida. As previously mentioned its the sunsets and the relaxation. I own at the Longboat Bay Club and Fishermans Village in Punta Gorda. LBC is the favorite or all my timeshares, even Hawaii.

I think ? there is more marine life in the Gulf than anywhere else. Fishing is great. We fish alot in Utah but nothing like catching a 120 lb shark, baracuda, king mackerel, etc. Lots of places to fish from the shore or pier.
There is a little restaurant (Rod and Reel) at Anna Marie Island. They have the best fish and chips, everything. You can fish off the pier, have a beer or lemonade, or just watch others while you eat. Your view is the Anna Maria Lighthouse, dolphins, and good conversation with friendly people from all over the world.

Punta Gorda is another backward fishing town. Fisherman's Village is on the second story over a mall right on the pier. After Charlie hit, it has been restored. Still has the charm but the units have been updated.

Do you already have your accomodations confirmed when you visit Florida next year or are you in the planning stages? I agree with the previous poster advice about renting at different resorts or areas. A scouting mission.

Good luck and keep asking questions.

 

[Bwolf]

If you check the TUG classifieds you will find some nice SW resorts for sale. The prices may or may not be realistic, but you should be able to negotiate.

That said, my wife and I bought on Sanibel Island after visiting and deciding we liked it. We looked at resale, we were in negotiations with TKenoyer Realty when an Ebay listing caught our eye and that is what we bought.

If you want more specific information, send me a PM and I'll answer.

HTH.

 

[theo]

Personal preferences....

I'm looking to buy a timeshare in Florida. I've never been to Florida, but am planning a trip with my wife in mid January 2008. I've heard that the Gulf (west) is the preferable place, but want other opinions. Both my wife and I are 63 years old and retired. I've been looking on Ebay and have noticed that there are very few Gulf properties listed. Thanks for any advice you may have.

What is "preferable" is a decidedly individual matter. If you have never even been to Florida, my own recommendation would be to rent a week in a few different areas before purchasing sight unseen based upon the opinions, views (and the inevitable biases) of others. The time of year of your intended ownership should (must, really) also have a lot of bearing upon the geographic area you choose. It can be plenty cold in northerm Florida in the winter months, for example.

I'd also take broad demographic statements or conclusions with a grain of salt (or sand, if you prefer). I'm a New Englander, for example, but I actually have very little use for (or interest in) the East Coast of FL , which is the supposed "favorite" area of northeasterners like me. I own, use and visit ONLY SW FL, and ONLY during the winter months. That said, as you've already discovered, this is also a difficult (but certainly not impossible) area to find a decent winter ownership -- at a reasonable price, that is.

One observation / suggestion I'd offer specific to SW FL. While there are a few noteworthy exceptions (Brucecz may weigh in with one example of an exception), in general a "floating" week ownership usually will not be able get you into your Gulf / SW FL resort during weeks 5-15, inclusive.

In short, I suggest that you first visit a few different areas and get a "feel" for what works / doesn't work for you --- and then draw YOUR OWN conclusions before actually buying ANYWHERE.

 

[janapur]

You say you like to fish? Then SW FL wins hands down!

Our 2BR Coral Reef Beach Resort is a floater which we reserve for Jan or Feb. We've had no problem for 2008 or 2009 reservations . . . yet. Of course, as mentioned, it is not a posh resort, but the location is hard to beat.

 

[JLB]

That is certainly something I/we have noticed in our 30 years of Florida-ing. Perhaps it is a natural occurence, because highways from the Midwest wind up at the left coast and highways (and trains) from the east wind up on the right coast.

But, yes, we find left-coaster predominently from places like MN, WI, MI, OH, IN, IL, IA and Canada above that, and folks on the right coast are from Maine, VT, MA, NY, NJ, VA, etc.

I have found staff comes from similar location on each side, the east-coasters staff the right-hand resorts, and versa vice.

Perhaps it is the Seinfeld Syndrome, with the East coaster going to Boca Whatever Grande.

If I were doing this search, for a Gulf side resort, I would google it, say something like Southwest Florida Timeshares for sale. Or, Call one of those modest,comfortable resorts that have their own resale program and ask them what's available. Actually, I find it more effective to search for a specific resort, by name, because you you find a site that has one it will likely have others.

We should be talking privately, so I could give you some specific info. Sometimes when you mention specific resorts on the Internet, it creates a demand that was not there and it becomes tougher, or more expensive, to get what you want.

So, feel free to email me for some resorts to be looking at.

Another idea would be to go stay in a resort that you might be interested in. Most have rentals. So, you could try before you buy. If you like where you stay, you will be there and can conduct your business in person
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I just did some googling, and you are right, the owners of Weeks 1-16 on the Gulf obviously are aware of what they have. However, I believe you could make a couple of calls to check some prices.

Others have told us that we would be more comfortable on the west side, since we're both from the Midwest.

 

[brucecz]

Theo, we of course own flex weeks , fixed weeks in both RCI ans II and also own RCI Points. But we also own fixed weeks.

At the same Keys resort where you own your fixed week 8 two bedrooms and were we own two 2 bedroom and two 3 bedroom units floating week we have been able to get the holiday weeks that we want by calling asap to book.

We already have reserved in 2008 Presidents week, a 3 bedroom Easter and a two bedroom and a 3 Bedroom New Years week.

In 2009 we have Presidents week in a 2 bedroom and a 3 bedroom and for (your) week 8 we a 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom reserved.

So I like the Flexabilty of a floating week. But as we agreed on the phone if you are buying a floating week then make sure if you want to book prime weeks that your deed does not restrict you to off season weeks.

But we also own fixed weeks 4 and 7 at a differant Keys resort that we rented out months ago. We also have other fixed weeks in Door County and Las Vegas(RCI Points if we request 18 months out) so for us it depends on how we want to use our weeks.

We also have fixed weeks at our Carribean resort. But those weeks 4 and 5 or considered prime weeks so we can exspect for week 7 book any week 1to 10 at no charge. I like that flexibilty.

IMO the Carribean is harder to book in prime winter time than in South Florida and the Keys.

We used 4white weeks (not red weeks) to book two weeks at the Driftwood Inn resortin Vero Beach were we used to own. We booked 2 ocean front units (that we used to own) for the check check in dates of Dec 21 and 21, 2007 Though RCI. We also reservered in the Keys at the Reef in Marathon Florida for the check in dates of Dec 15 and Dec 29, 2007.

Yes we are booked into two differant resorts for almost the same week in case the weather is better at one resort compared to the otther resort.

I find south Florida fairly easy to trade into if we look far ahead.

That being said I agree we most here that the OP shold test out timeshare vacations by renting instead of buying for their first time and visit as many resorts in the area.

I would also suggest that they join Tug and get access to the resort reveiws to aid in the rental and/or buying porocess.

I see that the OP is a year younger than I and I hope they enjoy similar rewarding timesharing experiances as we have over the past 8 years.

Remember the same timeshares that can be so easy to buy cab bebome hard to sell.

We wish the OP good luck.

Bruce

 

[JLB]

I just called one of them with their own sales office on site. It is a modest resort on the beach. You actually park your car on sand and never leave sand while you are there.

They have a free-standing, 3-bedroom unit for weeks 1 and 2 for $10K and $10.5K. That is high, but it is because it is what it is, your own furnished house on the beach.

They didn't have a week 3 or 4, then they had several Week 5s, the lowest $5K.

And so on.
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Beside the point, but interesting in that it shows the stark contrast between sold-out resorts reselling in the real marketplace and resorts still under the control of the developer, with inflated retail prices, in my search I also saw a 2-bedroom Week 51 (the most popular week) in the East Village at OLCC for $3800, something that is presently being sold over $20K!
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I called another one, our favorite, and they have a Week 1 for $5K and a Week 3 for $4K, both very nicely located units where you can sit in your living room or screened lanai with a wonderful waterview.

The thing about these prices is that they are real market prices, established by the real market. These owners have likely bought them at those prices and are getting back what they paid, or more, same as you if you decided to sell.

Last year we could have bought Week 2, the exact unit we had been trading into Week 2, for $2500, but somehow it got sold on New Year's Day, because when we went to the sales office at 9 AM on Jan. 2, it had been sold.

They had two others for $4000, but we didn't go for them. The owners of the others had become friends of ours from our exchanges there, since he was my Florida golfing buddy every year for those two weeks. When I found out it was thier units, I called him. He wanted $4000 because that's what he paid the previous owner, whom I also knew and golfed with, and he already had other owners of concurrent weeks wanting them for that price.

That's the way many of these modest SW FL resorts are, very homey and friendly, with owners looking forward to getting together with the other owners every year. Very right-knit, in a friendly way. Very unpretentious.

Also, timesharing is the least expensive way to be in SW FL in Snowbird season.

 

[JLB]

So that I know whether I'm steering you right or wrong, is that the type of picture in your brain?

http://www.lahainaresort.com/

 

[brucecz]

Heck for $3,500 to $6000 or a bit less I know that you can pick up 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom ownership in the Florida Keys that will give you access to prime winter weeks including President's week.

Bruce

Only:whoopie: 3 days untill Vero Beach or Marathon Florida.

 

[JLB]

See, it is dangerous to speak in generalities.

Bruce is a Midwesterner who wound up over on the righthand side.

But, those who know know that Bruce took the wrong turn somewhere.

Somewhere around Wildwood.

 

[JLB]

For the total cost of an exchange for us, we can get many more years of January vacations to Florida for that kind of money. If we can get the exchanges, an if becoming and bigger if.

So far, so good, though, as we are booked as far out as we can be. In another month I can look another year, so I will know more then.

Heck for $3,500 to $6000

 

[brucecz]

See, it is dangerous to speak in generalities.

Bruce is a Midwesterner who wound up over on the righthand side.

But, those who know know that Bruce took the wrong turn somewhere.

Somewhere around Wildwood.

JLB, thank you.

We have owned timeshares on both sides as far north as the Daytona area and Redington Beach in the northren Clearwater area.

In the past 3 or so years we have at various times owned about 13 ownerships in Florida. I forgot about the week 7 studieo in the West Palm area we still own.

But the snowmobiling sucks in Florida.

Did anyone tell the OP not to buy in Orlando?

Bruce

 

[Nancy]

Similar Problem

We had a similar problem when we wanted to buy a condo in Florida. Which coast, East or West. We got back to back weeks in a timeshare on each coast and explored the area. I think the answer to this question varies to individual personalities. We are very happy where we bought, but there is a place on the other coast we found and like also.

Bottom-line, Check it out and see where YOU prefer.

Nancy

 

[JLB]

In Post #15, I mentioned that a week selling for $20K in person is $3800 on the Internet, resale. I figured that was enough of a hint.

Those who know Florida know that there is Mousetown and then there is all the rest of Florida, where Mousetown means very little.

Did anyone tell the OP not to buy in Orlando?

 

[JLB]

Yes, as in rent a week and see if you like there, wherever.

Check it out and see where YOU prefer.

Nancy

 

[mikekuda]

What about Daytona Beach area?

What are the opinions about the Daytona Beach or Ormond Beach areas? What is it about these areas that may make them too far north, preference wise? Thanks for your help. (I am the OP)

 

[silvib]

Do you have to be at the coast? I live in the center, we have lots of lake with good fishing and an abundance of golf courses if you're a golfer. I'm talking of the Sebring / Avon Park / Lake Placid area. There's a really nice little timeshare Harder Hall in Sebring, overlooking a lake from the patio and golf course at the other side. We stayed there during one of our first trips to the US, having previously stayed in SW, Bonita Springs, Lehigh, Engelwood, etc. Choice between coasts, personally, SW coast. We own at Palm Coast, north of Daytona, which isn't on the beach but it's a short drive away, and wish we'd stayed on the other coast.