[2008] Your Opinions - WKORV vs WKORV-N

[taffy19]

I agree with you and to see the whales, is a very big plus for us. You hardly need any A/C either but the ocean is cooler than in late summer. That is one drawback early in the season, at least for me.

 

[jasonb]

Current thinking...

So, based on all the advice so far - here is what I am thinking. Let me know if you think this is realistic.

I know we want 2BR/LO Annual Usage - that is a given.

Based on the postings above and my research, my first preference would be WKORV (but I am not discounting WKORV-N if the price is right - as 2nd preference).

I will go with OV - because anything better is out of the budget that I have set and anything less may hurt when it comes time to rent (or sit on the lanai... )

I guess the main question for me now is whether or not to go ahead with the purchase now or wait until the fall...

Our plan was to travel in Jan-Mar 2009 time period all along, and use either the studio or 1br side and rent the other out. (If we buy now'ish the 2008 usage would be rented as we have other travel planned in '08).

I would expect that if we closed now'ish - that Jan-Mar 2009 travel would not be a problem as everything should be in order by then?

Say we decide to wait and play the market a bit in hopes of a price decline in the Nov/Dec timeframe: Given a Nov/Dec '08 purchase date + Closing/Escrow/Etc/Etc is it realistic to expect to use the timeshare in Jan-Mar 2009? (I am thinking no...)

Is it theoretically possible that an arrangement could be made with the seller to secure usage in this period? Is that too short of notice for this season?

Thoughts?

 

[Troopers]

I was in same exact position last year. We’re a young couple with a two year old and wanted a 2 bdrm lockout (for future kids, extended family and friends). I purchased an annual 2bdrm lockout OV at WKORV for < $30k last fall with the first year use in 2008. During escrow, I had the seller make reservations for me for March 2008. Since the reservation was made only 6+/- months out, I did not expect a great unit but it ended up to be a fabulous unit. I couldn’t have been more pleased.

Be sure to account for the first year use in the purchase price.

 

[vacationtime1]

I would either rent or do a preview package in early 2009. If Starwood is still offering the preview package, you would get something like 5 nights + car + about $100 of food credits for about $799; you would have to sit through a very high pressure sales pitch, so be prepared. Make sure you get put up at WKORV or WKORV-N rather than at a nearby hotel. Either way, you would be able to check out both properties and see if either is the right choice for you.

The comments in the previous posts are probably the best collective wisdom you will get anywhere, but that doesn't substitute for your own two feet on the ground.

My own vote (based on your criteria) would be WKORV OV for about $27,500, but not until you look it over yourself. No one here is suggesting that prices will be higher a year from now; many believe they will be lower. So time is on your side; use it to make the best decision for you and your family.

 

[DeniseM]

I believe the dues/MF are actually less at the North property.

Actually, they are a bit more:

MF for WKORV 2BR LO Premium:
2006 $ 1,315.84
2007 $ 1,418.27 (7.8% increase)
2008 $ 1,599.29 (12.7% increase)

WKORVN:
2008 $1,653.05

 

[LisaRex]

I would wait until late summer/early fall to buy. People will be more apt to negotiate when they are anticipating a $1700 MF bill. And if gas prices continue to stay high, more people will dump their Hawaii timeshares because they can't afford to fly their family out there. No sense paying $1700 in MFs if you can't use it.

And note that you'll soon be out of the home resort priority window in order to lock in your view for January/February '09 anyway.

 

[gomike]

Do guests have access to each others pools at both resorts?

 

[LisaRex]

Do guests have access to each others pools at both resorts?

Yes. Guests have reciprocity arrangements between the two timeshare locations, but not at the Starwood hotels nearby.

 

[guse1234]

WKORV-N has King beds on the Studio side now

WKORV-N
There's a king in the 1 bdrm side and a queen in the studio side.

Apparently, this is no longer true. Both the Studio and 1BR sides of at WKORV-N have King beds. This was a deal-breaker for me at the North side, until the resort confirmed that all the beds (except the sofa bed) are King now.