[ 2007 ] SVO Rental Thread

[DavidnRobin]

Rental update: We are in the process of renting our WKORV OF Dlx studio (we will be using the 1 Bd side) - this will be the 3rd year in a row we have rented the studio-side. Used RedWeek, PayPal, and the rental agreement/contract discussed here. Posted just 2-3 weeks ago (TUG Marketplace and RW). I had a few people contact me (some for exchanges - nope), but no follow-up. Smooth so far - renter is TSr (non-Starwood) - told them about TUG.

 

[clsmit]

Rental update -- I've rented the large 1 BR side of my SBR 2BR LO for 4th of July week 2009. This was my first ever rental! It was posted here (got a scammer email from that posting), on Redweek, and Craigslist Atlanta. The renter got it from Redweek.

I reserved the unit 12 mos out at 8:59 am. Because I reserved the whole thing at once but only rented half, when I called to change the name on the half they had to get that person (an SVV owner who I don't think is on TUG -- but I told him about it!) his own reservation number. Not a big deal but it took another day to complete because the inventory people have to do it and they don't work the same hours as the phone people.

Thanks to all of the advice here I was able to use Paypal and write a good contract!

If the DH keeps buying weeks I'll need to do a lot more renting! But I think I'm getting the hang of this...

 

[tomandrobin]

We had three rentals this year, two at HRA, one at SBP. The first HRA and the SBP both were rented from Redweek. The second HRA was rented from TUG. I had listed the units on CL, Redweek and TUG. I received alot of interest from CL, but the offers were ridiculously low.

Overall, the past three years, we have had great success renting on redweek. CL gets alot of interest, but never a real offer. Tug gets so/so interest and only one sucessful renter. We have contracts for the units, but only once has someone wanted the contract.

 

[DavidnRobin]

rental update for WKORVN
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?p=672728&posted=1#post672728

 

[LisaRex]

Overall, the past three years, we have had great success renting on redweek. CL gets alot of interest, but never a real offer. Tug gets so/so interest and only one sucessful renter. We have contracts for the units, but only once has someone wanted the contract.

I don't rent out my unit, but wouldn't you want a contract to protect you should the renter damage the villa?

 

[DeniseM]

I don't rent out my unit, but wouldn't you want a contract to protect you should the renter damage the villa?

Starwood requires a renter to provide a credit card at check-in, and any damages or charges to the room would be applied to the credit card.

In what way would a contract protect you? Lawsuit? It would have to be a heck of a lot of damage to justify a lawsuit.

Also - rental damages are VERY rare - if they were common, you know we'd hear about them on TUG.

Just as an added protection, I don't rent to anyone under 25.

 

[pointsjunkie]

with the recession i have found rentals are very slow this year. only rented out 1 unit so far for a really cheap price. i have till 3/23 for all my harborside rentals to be put back into the system. we'll see.

rained in cancun today

 

[clsmit]

I was able to rent 1 1/2 of my units this year. The other 1/2 is now in II for my sister to use whenever she figures out where and when she wants to go someplace. Since she'll be paying me roughly was I was going to rent that unit for it comes out pretty much a wash. But both of my rentals had deposits put down last year, so that might have had something to do with it.

 

[Robert D]

I rented my Vistana Resort Cascades large 1BR and Desert Oasis large 1BR, both for the week of March 14-21. Got them rented about a week ago, Vistana for $795 and SDO for $825 which was less than I got last year but still acceptable. Was getting close to 30 days from check in so I was very motivated to get them rented.

 

[cvelasco]

We own Kierland, Princeville, and Vistana villages. I am thinking of renting in 2010. Which one of these should I try to reserve 12 months out for spring break? I have never rented our TS before. I was thining Orlando but woudl not get much rent for it. I think Kierland is pretty popular in the Spring and I am sure Princeville would be too. Just don't know the best way to go. Thanks!

 

[DeniseM]

We own Kierland, Princeville, and Vistana villages. I am thinking of renting in 2010. Which one of these should I try to reserve 12 months out for spring break? I have never rented our TS before. I was thining Orlando but woudl not get much rent for it. I think Kierland is pretty popular in the Spring and I am sure Princeville would be too. Just don't know the best way to go. Thanks!

Hawaii gets higher rent in general, but travel to Hawaii is being affected by the economy. I don't think you would have any problem renting Vistana Villages for spring break either - WDW is very popular for string break.

What ever you decide, be sure you have a back up plan in case it doesn't rent.

 

[DavidnRobin]

hmmm... it seems as if we have missed post#1

 

[malyons]

agreed, back on point, i'm not sure if this is covered yet (don't recall seeing any real discussion of it), what is the best time to begin posting your week for rent? Redweek for sure and maybe other sites go in 6 mo increments for rentals, so what is the so-called "sweet spot"? I have a unit reserved for next March that I'm considering renting, when should I start posting ads? It seems like now would be a bit early, especially in this economy. My thought was post at about 9 mos out so I'd be covered from 9-3 months out, and if at that point it hadn't rented I'd consider using it or depositing w/ II before it's too late

 

[DavidnRobin]

w/o making it seem like an ad... I posted on RW just today for a float in 2010 (planning ahead) since I have that flexibility w/o reserving a week in advance. Also consider reserving a popular week early - so you can move it back if needed (or forward). I did this last year and it worked out.

 

[DeniseM]

hmmm... it seems as if we have missed post#1

Hi David - You are right and I helped with the hijacking!

I am going to start a new thread with our OT posts!

 

[DeniseM]

what is the best time to begin posting your week for rent?

I have rented at more than 6 mos. out several times, so especially on the cheap and free sites, I start my Ads at 12 mos. out.

In addition to the free TUG Marketplace (linked in the red bar at the top of the page) I personally use these cheap or free websites to post my Ads:

www.craigslist.org (free)

www.redweek.com
* Membership $14.99 for 12 Months
* Timeshare Rental Postings - $19.99/ea for 6 Months - $49.99/ea for 12 Months

www.myresortnetwork.com
$19.95 posting fee ($24.95 for a float week ad)

 

[DavidnRobin]

Rental Update

I just rented a March 2010 week at WKV (1Bd Premium) via the TUG Marketplace. This unit was rented almost 12 months in advance and within a couple weeks of listing. Used the rental agreement that I drafted and posted on this thread. The renters were very good (no hassles), responsive and everything went smoothly. Used PayPal

I had one other inquiry from someone through RedWeek - never responded back (had the tone of a scam anyway - and may have not heard back because they realized I had the anti-scam bases covered).

Nice to get it rented in advance since I don't have to deal with it anymore - and advantage of having a 'fair' rental price.

 

[LisaRex]

Great news, David, both that you rented your unit and that someone used Tug's ads!!

 

[DavidnRobin]

I just rented our other WKV week for 2010 - via TUG Marketplace.
No hassles - used PayPal - got paid in full upfront.
hmmm.... I may to buy another one of these so we can actually go to this great resort. lol
Now I just need to deal with the WKORV OFD studio for 2010.

 

[Henry M.]

So what is a "fair" price for WKV these days?

I got a good price for WKORV-N this year but the agreement preceded the financial market meltdown. Fortunately my renters just completed their stay this past week and were very happy. I don't know what would be good for next year, though. Do you feel like the rates have come down significantly from what you've gotten before?

 

[DavidnRobin]

What I listed for in the TUG Marketplace ($1650) - about the same as previous years, but I believe this is on the low side from the other comparables (TUG, RW). I also rented my 2009 WKORV OFD studio before the market collapse to someone is planning on going in May, and also rented WKV ( last month). No takers on my 2010 OFD week, but still a ways to go -besides I may use this week, or exchange - but will not convert to SPs (I requaled WKORV)

So what is a "fair" price for WKV these days?

I got a good price for WKORV-N this year but the agreement preceded the financial market meltdown. Fortunately my renters just completed their stay this past week and were very happy. I don't know what would be good for next year, though. Do you feel like the rates have come down significantly from what you've gotten before?

 

[Henry M.]

Is that for the whole 2BR lock-off? It does sound like a good deal for the renter. My WKORV-N IV 2BR brought in $4,200.

 

[DavidnRobin]

No - the WKV 1Bd Premium (large)

 

[DavidnRobin]

Update: Just rented the studio-side of our OF Dlx at WKORV for 2010 w/o hassle (via Redweek). I got less than last year's rental, but taken care of this w/o hassle made it worth it (and considering the tougher economic times).

Used PayPal and rental agreement. I took a 50% non-refundable deposit now and will take the other 50% 4 months prior to the rental (due late October).

For WKORV owners - be aware that WKORV/SVO has messed up the naming conventions for the Deluxe and Premium Layouts - see website.
http://www.starwoodvacationownership.com/westin_kaanapali_ocean_resort_villas/villas.jsp

Both 1Bd and studios (Deluxe and Premium) when split from the 2Bd LO are now referred to just as 'Premium' - I have tried bringing this to SVO/WKORV attention with little luck (big surprise), but will keep on trying. I guess I will have to update my WKORV studio rental agreement to attempt to capture villa type accurately.

 

[ALapter]

SVO Rental Network?

This is my first time posting on this site, so I do apologize in advance if this issue has already been discussed.

I am trying to locate a rental/exchange forum for SVN owners. Specifically, I own one week in Hawaii but live on the East Coast, so for some years I would rather vacation closer to home. Rather than going through Interval or Starwood directly, I would love to find other SVN owners who may own properties on the East Coast or in the mountains and swap with them.

[Specifics deleted to comply with the TUG no-advertising rule - DeniseM Moderator]

Does anyone know whether this type of forum exists? And if not, would others be interested?

Thank you.