[2022] Marriott Grand Residence Club Lake Tahoe Resale Questions

[fishwithwater]

I have to been looking at Grand Residence Club Tahoe for some time. I have been reading the many posts on GRC in this forum and found a wealth of information. As I live a couple of hours away, it’s a perfect place to pop over from time to time. Since I plan to use it for myself and economic reason, I have been looking at mostly the studio size and maybe a 1BR, and would consider different sizes of contracts, quarter shares, 5-week, and 3-week. I am still doing some research and hope to get a better understanding.

• I noticed the fall and spring weeks in Tahoe have very low TDI in II. I might want to trade a week or two for occasional travels with friends and families. But if I were to trade a fall/spring studio week with such low TDI, would I be able to find availabilities in Marriott resorts in Florida/Hawaii/Asia (Phuket/Bali) during non-peak season? And would size upgrade be available?
• How does the space available program work? Is it limited to owners with developer purchase? If not, is it offered to quarter share owners only or can one with 3-week and 5-week contracts use it as well? I really have no idea how this works, any information is appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[tomvc]

I don't own, but have done a little research. Don't buy mud season (3-week contract). Getaways are below maintenance fees.

 

[tahoe]

I'm not a GRC expert, but my understanding is the GRC is sold per actual unit, and the units can be highly variable (unlike Timber Lodge.) You might want to make sure you are ok with the location and the layout. For example, the 1 bedroom might not have in-unit laundry.

 

[fishwithwater]

I'm not a GRC expert, but my understanding is the GRC is sold per actual unit, and the units can be highly variable (unlike Timber Lodge.) You might want to make sure you are ok with the location and the layout. For example, the 1 bedroom might not have in-unit laundry.

I understand the layout of every unit is different, and some location of the building that I am not ok with if I plan to work from there. I thought none has in-unit laundry, but I could be wrong. I can do it in the laundry room or take it home, it's no big deal

 

[igopogo]

Few have in unit laundry, I think none of the studio or 1br. I have a qtr share (13 weeks) and I deposited a “mud week” (May) just to see what it would pull. I know I could do request first, but I kind of have to have skin in the game to really be committed. It’s not nothing, there are some nice Cabo weeks and yes, Phuket. I think pretty much anything can be traded for Orlando. Probably we will end up exchanging for December in Cabo.

For space available you have to give Marriott at least one of your weeks to rent, and they have to be your exclusive agent for the year, so no Airbnb. I’m my experience the place is almost always sold out, so I don’t think there would be much value in space available. Plus you have to pay valet when using space available.

If you don’t use them as your agent (I would never) them you can rent through Tim at Heavenly Village Condos, or with Airbnb if you get a permit from the city. Tim has been great.

We love Grand Residence and we are using it for personal use much more than we expected. I was thinking about picking up the ADA summer unit but it looks like I was thinking for a little bit too long

Happy to answer any other questions.

 

[vikingsholm]

As an owner of a 1bdr quarter share, we have found the flexibility to be really useful. We often use the prime summer and winter weeks, but occasionally rent them, which brings good payback, or elect them for higher value in destination club points (we were able to grandfather in a resale purchase before 2010 into the DC program). The DC program has added really useful flexibility for ensuring being able to get what we want at most all Marriott resorts with a 13 month window, and often for less than 7 nights and at discounts in non-prime season stays.

We'll most usually use the offseason weeks for II deposits, as they don't bring as much in DC points - but sometimes use them to supplement that. I have found that even the offseason week deposits can draw a lot of good trades, especially to other offseason but still good weather weeks at desirable locations and properties. Maybe not the most premier locations, but those are often hard to find for high demand weeks in II anyway.

My recommendation would be to shop around, take your time to find the right fit, and definitely go to the unit for sale to check it out and see if you like the location and view. It's nice to have free parking and use of the owner's lounge with ownership, as well as lockers in the basement for skis and other items. We don't really miss the in-unit laundry because we usually only stay for a week at a time, but have used the laundry down the hall on occasion. It can really be quiet at the GRC during midweek and offseason, so would be a good remote working location I suspect.

The Grand Residence Club has been the cornerstone of our timeshare usage and exchanging, plus using MVC points, though we own other properties too. But it has really worked well for us living in the nearby Bay Area.

We used the space available feature once, and it could come in handy if you have time flexibility. I'm not sure about the limitations for non quarter share owners, but a third party resale representative who specializes in GRC could likely get you that info. We have so many total weeks with all our properties though that we've found we don't really need it, even having the time available since we're retired.

 

[vikingsholm]

As an owner of a 1bdr quarter share, we have found the flexibility to be really useful. We often use the prime summer and winter weeks, but occasionally rent them, which brings good payback, or elect them for higher value in destination club points (we were able to grandfather in a resale purchase before 2010 into the DC program). The DC program has added really useful flexibility for ensuring being able to get what we want at most all Marriott resorts with a 13 month window, and often for less than 7 nights and at discounts in non-prime season stays.

We'll most usually use the offseason weeks for II deposits, as they don't bring as much in DC points - but sometimes use them to supplement that. I have found that even the offseason week deposits can draw a lot of good trades, especially to other offseason but still good weather weeks at desirable locations and properties. Maybe not the most premier locations, but those are often hard to find for high demand weeks in II anyway.

My recommendation would be to shop around, take your time to find the right fit, and definitely go to the unit for sale to check it out and see if you like the location and view. It's nice to have free parking and use of the owner's lounge with ownership, as well as lockers in the basement for skis and other items. We don't really miss the in-unit laundry because we usually only stay for a week at a time, but have used the laundry down the hall on occasion. It can really be quiet at the GRC during midweek and offseason, so would be a good remote working location I suspect.

The Grand Residence Club has been the cornerstone of our timeshare usage and exchanging, plus using MVC points, though we own other properties too. But it has really worked well for us living in the nearby Bay Area.

We used the space available feature once, and it could come in handy if you have time flexibility. I'm not sure about the limitations for non quarter share owners, but a third party resale representative who specializes in GRC could likely get you that info. We have so many total weeks with all our properties though that we've found we don't really need it, even having the time available since we're retired.

One other note - I definitely recommend not getting a studio, but at least a 1 bdr. unit. Better space, privacy, rental, and trading ability.

 

[BigDawgTUG]

I would not write off the Studios so quickly if your primary use will be points conversion or rentals. The annual cost per point of maintenance fees and real property taxes is about $0.25 as compared to about $0.30 for a 1BR. These are approximate amounts as the point conversion per unit of fractional shares varies from year to year based on a four-year rotation.

 

[igopogo]

Going back to views, the "Sunset View" is the street, which is very noisy. It's the only one I personally would not consider unless I was planning to elect every week away. We have a view of the parking loop / valet. I think it might be called courtyard, but I am not 100% sure. It's pretty quiet. I think Mountain and Gondola view can be noisy with music, not something I mind, and pool view of course with the laughter of the littles, which is also fine with me.

 

[fishwithwater]

Wow, everyone gave me so many great advices. Thank you thank you thank you! Now I have to sleep on it and think hard...

Don't buy mud season (3-week contract). Getaways are below maintenance fees.

I would preferring not getting the 3-week "Tahoe" season either as I am a skier, but just playing with the idea. I looked at the asking price for those, and they are quite expensive for mud weeks, maybe one just wants to get in for the relatively cheap MF for leisure stays and trades. Also, if I buy a getaway week, would I have to pay for parking?

I deposited a “mud week” (May) just to see what it would pull. I know I could do request first, but I kind of have to have skin in the game to really be committed. It’s not nothing, there are some nice Cabo weeks and yes, Phuket.

Thank you for checking this. I am very new to timesharing and just have WM and would love to have something with Marriott preference. If you don't mind my asking, was it a studio or 1Br you used?

I have been stalking Heavenly Village Condos for pictures to get an idea of the floor plans of the different rooms and locations. The 1BRs do look a lot more spacious than the studios and more importantly they have a fireplace or two and a balcony too Enrolling the weeks would be something I would consider later down the road when I am closer to retirement and become less tied to the area in about 10 years or so if that's something MVC still offers. I would definitely keep the MF/point ratio in consideration.

 

[igopogo]

. If you don't mind my asking, was it a studio or 1Br you used?

It was a 1Br

 

[vikingsholm]

I would not write off the Studios so quickly if your primary use will be points conversion or rentals. The annual cost per point of maintenance fees and real property taxes is about $0.25 as compared to about $0.30 for a 1BR. These are approximate amounts as the point conversion per unit of fractional shares varies from year to year based on a four-year rotation.

In terms of using though, a 1bdr is nicer, more spacious and private when needed. Since it sounds like the OP wants to use it a lot, I'd avoid a studio for that.

 

[TXTortoise]

I’d not exclude enrollment in your analysis. There are some good threads on here about quarter share purchase with enrollment.

For those with the budget, it’s one of the more appealing ways to generate lots of points at a low MF. And those points can be rented out at a profit, giving you yet another usage option.

If I knew how much I was going to drop on Maui fixed weeks when all was done, I would have given this a strong look.

 

[iftravel]

I have to been looking at Grand Residence Club Tahoe for some time. I have been reading the many posts on GRC in this forum and found a wealth of information. As I live a couple of hours away, it’s a perfect place to pop over from time to time. Since I plan to use it for myself and economic reason, I have been looking at mostly the studio size and maybe a 1BR, and would consider different sizes of contracts, quarter shares, 5-week, and 3-week. I am still doing some research and hope to get a better understanding.

• I noticed the fall and spring weeks in Tahoe have very low TDI in II. I might want to trade a week or two for occasional travels with friends and families. But if I were to trade a fall/spring studio week with such low TDI, would I be able to find availabilities in Marriott resorts in Florida/Hawaii/Asia (Phuket/Bali) during non-peak season? And would size upgrade be available?
• How does the space available program work? Is it limited to owners with developer purchase? If not, is it offered to quarter share owners only or can one with 3-week and 5-week contracts use it as well? I really have no idea how this works, any information is appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Did you end up owning one?

 

[iftravel]

As an owner of a 1bdr quarter share, we have found the flexibility to be really useful. We often use the prime summer and winter weeks, but occasionally rent them, which brings good payback, or elect them for higher value in destination club points (we were able to grandfather in a resale purchase before 2010 into the DC program). The DC program has added really useful flexibility for ensuring being able to get what we want at most all Marriott resorts with a 13 month window, and often for less than 7 nights and at discounts in non-prime season stays.

We'll most usually use the offseason weeks for II deposits, as they don't bring as much in DC points - but sometimes use them to supplement that. I have found that even the offseason week deposits can draw a lot of good trades, especially to other offseason but still good weather weeks at desirable locations and properties. Maybe not the most premier locations, but those are often hard to find for high demand weeks in II anyway.

My recommendation would be to shop around, take your time to find the right fit, and definitely go to the unit for sale to check it out and see if you like the location and view. It's nice to have free parking and use of the owner's lounge with ownership, as well as lockers in the basement for skis and other items. We don't really miss the in-unit laundry because we usually only stay for a week at a time, but have used the laundry down the hall on occasion. It can really be quiet at the GRC during midweek and offseason, so would be a good remote working location I suspect.

The Grand Residence Club has been the cornerstone of our timeshare usage and exchanging, plus using MVC points, though we own other properties too. But it has really worked well for us living in the nearby Bay Area.

We used the space available feature once, and it could come in handy if you have time flexibility. I'm not sure about the limitations for non quarter share owners, but a third party resale representative who specializes in GRC could likely get you that info. We have so many total weeks with all our properties though that we've found we don't really need it, even having the time available since we're retired.

Hello I am curious if their official “hands off” rental program is good enough to more than recoup the MF each year. If I end up buying a quarter share, I am only able to use 3-4 weeks a year right now and will have to rent out most. Thanks if you can share some insight.

 

[iftravel]

I’d not exclude enrollment in your analysis. There are some good threads on here about quarter share purchase with enrollment.

For those with the budget, it’s one of the more appealing ways to generate lots of points at a low MF. And those points can be rented out at a profit, giving you yet another usage option.

If I knew how much I was going to drop on Maui fixed weeks when all was done, I would have given this a strong look.

Curious how much it costs to enroll. Any rough idea?

 

[iftravel]

I would not write off the Studios so quickly if your primary use will be points conversion or rentals. The annual cost per point of maintenance fees and real property taxes is about $0.25 as compared to about $0.30 for a 1BR. These are approximate amounts as the point conversion per unit of fractional shares varies from year to year based on a four-year rotation.

Good point and a quarter share studio provides 22k DC points?

 

[BigDawgTUG]

Good point and a quarter share studio provides 22k DC points?

For 2025 usage year, anywhere from 22,025 to 24,825. As noted before, the point conversion per unit of fractional shares varies from year to year based on a four-year rotation.

 

[iftravel]

For 2025 usage year, anywhere from 22,025 to 24,825. As noted before, the point conversion per unit of fractional shares varies from year to year based on a four-year rotation.

That is a lot of club points to spend! Anyone bought resale and enrolled recently? I am curious how much Marriott asks for these days.

 

[frank808]

Last i checked, it was purchase 5000 Abound points direct plus $5000 to enroll one quartershare.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[igopogo]

Hello I am curious if their official “hands off” rental program is good enough to more than recoup the MF each year. If I end up buying a quarter share, I am only able to use 3-4 weeks a year right now and will have to rent out most. Thanks if you can share some insight.

They keep about 50% or your income, so no. Renting through @TimGolobic can get you to a point that makes sense for casual use.

 

[vikingsholm]

Hello I am curious if their official “hands off” rental program is good enough to more than recoup the MF each year. If I end up buying a quarter share, I am only able to use 3-4 weeks a year right now and will have to rent out most. Thanks if you can share some insight.

We have never rented out 9-10 weeks a year or sold points for that many, as we like to use the points to stay at other Marriotts a lot. I'm just guessing that maybe you could recoup most or all of the annual cost if you did that though, providing there are a fair number of high season weeks in there. I'm not going to do the math though!

I agree with igopogo that Tim Golobic's Heavenly village condos service is the better way to go. He takes less cut out of the total than Marriott by a good margin, and is an excellent person to do business with - very responsive and thoughtful customer service. We use his services for a mix of renting out weeks and selling points. I'd say the most we did so far after several years working with him was the equivalent of about 5 of the weeks one year, but it's very flexible about how much you can choose to use the unit/rent it out/or sell points.

After 15 years of ownership there, and 12 years of retirement being able to fully use the units and points, and trade it, I'd say it's one of the best things we've ever done. Much prefer it to the option we considered but rejected of buying a 2nd home condo in one location and going there most of the time, before we took this route.

 

[iftravel]

We have never rented out 9-10 weeks a year or sold points for that many, as we like to use the points to stay at other Marriotts a lot. I'm just guessing that maybe you could recoup most or all of the annual cost if you did that though, providing there are a fair number of high season weeks in there. I'm not going to do the math though!

I agree with igopogo that Tim Golobic's Heavenly village condos service is the better way to go. He takes less cut out of the total than Marriott by a good margin, and is an excellent person to do business with - very responsive and thoughtful customer service. We use his services for a mix of renting out weeks and selling points. I'd say the most we did so far after several years working with him was the equivalent of about 5 of the weeks one year, but it's very flexible about how much you can choose to use the unit/rent it out/or sell points.

After 15 years of ownership there, and 12 years of retirement being able to fully use the units and points, and trade it, I'd say it's one of the best things we've ever done. Much prefer it to the option we considered but rejected of buying a 2nd home condo in one location and going there most of the time, before we took this route.

They keep about 50% or your income, so no. Renting through @TimGolobic can get you to a point that makes sense for casual use.

Thank you both for the input. I have a feeling if you rent out 5 out of 13, it should more or less covers the MF. Curious if you go with Tim Golobic, do they always rent? I've seen someone complained that Go-Koala don't rent at all. RW might work but I don't see much traffic there either. The enrollment can cost from 50k to 100k for 5000+ points purchase so guess I plan to do it opportunistically later and makes renting more important if go this route at all but I do like this idea for ultimate flexibility.

 

[vikingsholm]

Thank you both for the input. I have a feeling if you rent out 5 out of 13, it should more or less covers the MF. Curious if you go with Tim Golobic, do they always rent? I've seen someone complained that Go-Koala don't rent at all. RW might work but I don't see much traffic there either. The enrollment can cost from 50k to 100k for 5000+ points purchase so guess I plan to do it opportunistically later and makes renting more important if go this route at all but I do like this idea for ultimate flexibility.

Tim will rent your points to other points owners, as well as renting your week out as a week to the general public.

 

[Dean]

Last i checked, it was purchase 5000 Abound points direct plus $5000 to enroll one quartershare.

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Still the same. Has to be bought through an approved broker of which there are only a couple I believe. Or you can buy an Aruba/St. Kitts week(s) equivalent to $65,200 if my conversion is correct. Not sure about Spain though it'd be worth investigating. You and I know a good MVC salesperson if anyone needed the info they could reach out privately.