Fiona,
You've gotten great advice here -- one of things you need to consider is how important it is to you that it be rentable for much more than the MFs. Once you start to think about its rental potential, the acquisition price will go up accordingly, because it has value as more than just a trading property.
So...from a trading perspective, in my opinion there are only three Platinum properties that have "special qualities", and I rank them as follows.
1. Grande Vista 3BR (Special because it is a 3BR and can lock-off -- I rank it #1 because it has low MFs (~$1250))
2. Grande Chateau 3BR (Special because it locks off into a 2BR and a 1BR, but has much higher MFs (~$1750)-- but having a 1BR a is much better deposit than a Studio, so may be worth the money to you)
3. Shadow Ridge Enclaves 2BR Deluxe (Special because it locks off into two 1BR units and still has good MFs at ~1,100)
Honorable Mention: Imperial Palms 3BR -- the power of a 3BR at a reasonable MF of $1,250 -- but doesn't lock-off, which hurts it as a dedicated trader because you only get one deposit
The next tier are all excellent trading properties that would do well for your trading needs. I think any of these would allow you to get most of the trades that you've considered and would be a great starting point.
In no particular order, most with MFs between $1,000 - $1,200, and all lock-off into a 1BR and a Studio:
- 2BR Grande Vista
- 2BR Grand Chateau
- 2BR Willow Ridge (note that it has the lowest MFs -- but Branson location may impact trading power vs the others)
- 2BR Shadow Ridge
- 2BR Desert Springs Villas I/II
I'm sure there are others, but this second tier is "widely available" on eBay and would likely cost $2,000 - $3,000 to purchase. The first tier trading units seem to be quite scarce and there is competition for those few when they appear on eBay.
Please note that I've not included a number of excellent Marriott properties because of what I consider a "flaw" for a dedicated trading property -- either its MFs are too high to be an effective trader (Hawaii properties, MFC) or it doesn't lock-off into two deposits (Newport Coast, Cypress Harbour). Those are still excellent weeks to own, but I'm focused specifically on the best trading properties
So.....these are my opinion, and I welcome comments on others and any clarifications from what I have missed.
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I feel that it is important to put in a balancing comment on buying a Marriott trader. The Marriott landscape continues to evolve -- with the introduction of DClub, while we have continued to see excellent trades come through, we have also noticed a difference in the trading experience. Trades seem to come in more slowly, and bulk deposits from Marriott (of unused weeks) seem to come much closer to check-in date. It's not as reliable to get a trade 8-12 months from check-in as it used to be.
This uncertainty about the trading experience is the major reason I went to competitors (HGVC and Starwood) -- because I value the predictability that those point-based systems provide to me. It drives me nuts waiting for an exchange to match if it is a "core vacation" to me, so I bought the competitors where I will know exactly 8/9 months out if I got the reservation I wanted. As an example, I'm currently waiting for a MOC Studio to match (with another MOC Studio) for my Dad's unit for our 2013 family vacation. I'm six months into the request and frustrated by the lack of a match. I have a backup plan so I know my Dad will have a place to sleep (booked with DC points) but I'm simply highlighting the risk of exchanging. I think shoulder season trades will be much more predictable.
So.....I hope this information is helpful, and I welcome the contributions of others.
Best,
Greg