3 Timeshares for Free! I Need Help! Where do I start?

[Stefa]

Even holiday weeks aren't going to rent for that much more than the MFs. Renting out the week will take time and effort.

I would pass on all three weeks. At most you are going to net a few hundred dollars/year for renting the Special season week. You are not sitting on a goldmine here.

The annual dues will only increase.

 

[jimf41]

Jim, they told me that the points were 110,000 for the special and 90,000 for the sports season. Isn't that the points we are talking about or are their different kinds of points?

No, those are Marriott Reward points. They are totally different from DC points you would get by enrolling in the DC point System and using those to book vacations. If you kept the weeks and enrolled them you would get 2650 DC points for the Special week and 1950 points each for the Sport weeks. With DC points Thanksgiving week is available and would cost 2250 DC points. I don't know if Thanksgiving week is available as a weeks reservation as I'd have to own a week in that season there to find out.

The thought that my mother would not be able to get out of this even while incapacitated kind of scares me. If that is the case than maybe it should tell me something.

Yes it is scary, but nobody knows how Marriott is going to handle this. I'd like to think that they will show some compassion and just take the weeks back and you and your family would be relieved of the burden of the ongoing MFs. I give that about a 10% chance of happening.

Did these things used to have a lot more value before the market crash?

A lot more value, no. Better value, yes but timeshares rarely if ever appreciate in value. In the next five years I doubt that these units would be worth more than $5000. Their worth is in the use. If you have any idea of eventually making money on these then back away now. It's possible but not probable.

Also, I called up for some information and I thought they said that Thanksgiving was already booked up. Did you check that online? I don't have the account information to access that at this point, and I am still waiting on a email from a family member to get those details.

Yes I checked it online. You can't do that if you are not enrolled. It sounds like you're trying to make a $2 decision on a nickles worth of information. Originally I was leaning on telling you to try to keep them. Now I'm not so sure. I've been doing this for 10 years and I don't claim to be an expert on it although I have enjoyed the use of my TS's.

You seem a bit rushed to make this decision. If that's the case then walk away. It takes time to figure out if this will work for you. If your Mom pays the 2012 MFs out of her assets then you've got some time to work this out and come to a decision. You've done one really smart thing so far. You came to TUG to look for information and advice before you decide. Keep asking questions. Folks up here will give a wide variety of opinions but we all like helping the new guys out when we can.

Welcome to TUG.

 

[Ron98GT]

Novice, the topic of DC points keeps coming up. Don't let that confuse you. If you decide to keep one of these TS's, you do NOT have to convert from weeks to points. You can keep it under weeks and then use a week at Cypress Harbour, ot trade it for another Marriott in the USA (including Hawaii), Aruba, St Thomas or Spain. Since it's a lock-off, you can even get two weeks from the TS. I don't think that you mentioned where you live, but take a look at the following list and see if any of the following Marriott TS's (traders) are within driving distance:

https://www.marriottvacationclub.com/vacation-resorts/marriott-vacation-club-collection.shtml

Check out the "Travel Demand Index" on the following link for Cypress Harbour:

http://www.intervalworld.com/web/cs?a=1503&resortCode=MCP&parentResortCode=MCP



This will give you and your family a nice 2 bedroom, 2 Bath, TS/condo with washer/dryer to stay in on your vacations. You'll save money by eating your meals in the TS, instead of restaurants (huge savings). You just have to pay for the transportation to your favorite destination. You can stay at a nice resort (instead of a hotel/motel) that might other-wise cost you $300, $400, or $500 per night PLUS 10/11% tax (IF you would even stay there), instead of your yearly MF fee.

Tell your siblings that you'll take the "Special" TS only and NOT the other two. That would allow you to book any of the 52 weeks (adds Christmas & New Years). This adds value, which is subjective.

 

[bogey21]

You don't have the knowledge (re timeshare weeks) or the resources to take them. Don't let anyone talk you into taking them!

 

[rickandcindy23]

I would sure be torn on this decision. I love Cypress Harbour. Between CH and Vistana Villages, I can never choose without a lot of thought.

But owning in Orlando is rather silly for us, because we can get exchanges cheaper than the MF's on those CH weeks.

The market was better a few years ago, but you may never get more than a few hundred $ for these weeks, but who can tell.

 

[ScubaKat]

Since it's a lock-off, you can even get two weeks from the TS. I don't think that you mentioned where you live, but take a look at the following list and see if any of the following Marriott TS's (traders) are within driving distance:

https://www.marriottvacationclub.com/vacation-resorts/marriott-vacation-club-collection.shtml

Check out the "Travel Demand Index" on the following link for Cypress Harbour:

http://www.intervalworld.com/web/cs?a=1503&resortCode=MCP&parentResortCode=MCP

I wouldn't be tempted to take one... Cypress Harbour does not have lock-off units.. We love timeshare vacations for all the reasons mentioned.. But it is easy to trade into Orlando for less than the MFs and not being a lock-off makes it an expensive trader for other resorts.

 

[presley]

You can't plan on every making money with your timeshares.

However, if you can afford to keep one, it can give you a lifetime of special family time. You can vacation there every year, or trade into another Marriott, or even deposit into a small exchange company and get a week or more to use somewhere different.

Bottom line, it will cost you money. It will only help you if you plan to vacation regularly anyway. If I were you, I'd keep one week, the highest rating one, and I'd plan to use it for my own family and not try to rent it out. If you think that you won't get any personal use out of it, it will likely always be a pain for you.

 

[Novice]

What is a lock off?

 

[Ann in CA]

A lock off is a unit that can be separated into a 1 bedroom and a studio and used as two separate weeks.

 

[Novice]

Novice, the topic of DC points keeps coming up. Don't let that confuse you. If you decide to keep one of these TS's, you do NOT have to convert from weeks to points. You can keep it under weeks and then use a week at Cypress Harbour, ot trade it for another Marriott in the USA (including Hawaii), Aruba, St Thomas or Spain. Since it's a lock-off, you can even get two weeks from the TS. I don't think that you mentioned where you live, but take a look at the following list and see if any of the following Marriott TS's (traders) are within driving distance:

https://www.marriottvacationclub.com/vacation-resorts/marriott-vacation-club-collection.shtml

Check out the "Travel Demand Index" on the following link for Cypress Harbour:

http://www.intervalworld.com/web/cs?a=1503&resortCode=MCP&parentResortCode=MCP



This will give you and your family a nice 2 bedroom, 2 Bath, TS/condo with washer/dryer to stay in on your vacations. You'll save money by eating your meals in the TS, instead of restaurants (huge savings). You just have to pay for the transportation to your favorite destination. You can stay at a nice resort (instead of a hotel/motel) that might other-wise cost you $300, $400, or $500 per night PLUS 10/11% tax (IF you would even stay there), instead of your yearly MF fee.

Tell your siblings that you'll take the "Special" TS only and NOT the other two. That would allow you to book any of the 52 weeks (adds Christmas & New Years). This adds value, which is subjective.

Is it really that easy to trade a "Special" timeshare?

I like the thought of having a kitchen. Taking a family of four out for every meal is expensive and eating meals at home would save hundreds. I like the thought of being able to exchange it to go to different places as well.

I liked the link you sent of Marriott. I could see going to Boston and Williamsburg. I could drive to Branson as well, never been there. And I would also use it in Orlando. Could I go to all of those destinations by trading in my "Special Season" timeshare? Would I be forced into going in a non-peak time?

I am telling you when you look at all that stuff it just wants to pull you right in. Who doesn't want to do all of that. Talk about allure. Like the ancient Sirens in Greek mythology that would lure sea travelers to their deaths. I just can't stop thinking about it...

 

[yumdrey]

What is a lock off?

All Cypress Harbour weeks are dedicated 2 bedrooms, which is NOT lock-off capable.
If you are not ready to use for yourself, just let them go.
If you decide to start timesharing and like Marriott system, you can buy platinum Cypress Harbour weeks for very cheap on ebay later. Or buy Grande Vista & Harbour Lake which are also in Orlando and lock-off capable.
Cypress Harbour is not a good resort if you consider renting, even for prime spring break week.

 

[yumdrey]

Is it really that easy to trade a "Special" timeshare?

I like the thought of having a kitchen. Taking a family of four out for every meal is expensive and eating meals at home would save hundreds. I like the thought of being able to exchange it to go to different places as well.

I liked the link you sent of Marriott. I could see going to Boston and Williamsburg. I could drive to Branson as well, never been there. And I would also use it in Orlando. Could I go to all of those destinations by trading in my "Special Season" timeshare? Would I be forced into going in a non-peak time?

Trading is a game, and getting prime season or holiday weeks are very hard.
Williamsburg would be easy trade but not Boston. Only handful of Boston weeks (not prime weeks) are deposited to Interval International.
Beach resort during summer season and Hawaii resorts are extremely hard to get, so don't expect you can exchange into them. It can be possible at very last minute, but not well in advance.

 

[Ron98GT]

All Cypress Harbour weeks are dedicated 2 bedrooms, which is NOT lock-off capable.
If you are not ready to use for yourself, just let them go.
If you decide to start timesharing and like Marriott system, you can buy platinum Cypress Harbour weeks for very cheap on ebay later. Or buy Grande Vista & Harbour Lake which are also in Orlando and lock-off capable.
Cypress Harbour is not a good resort if you consider renting, even for prime spring break week.

Yeah, I got Grand Vista (L/O's) mixed-up with CH (no L/O's), sorry.

 

[Novice]

If you can affor more like 1,200 a year in dues, then by all means keep one of those weeks. Just, as a person who has only been timesharing for less than 2 years, I have found Cypress Harbor to be about the most sure trade there is in the Marriott family for Orlando.

I need to find out more about what a "sure trade" is.

If everything is up to date and you can afford it, taking what appears to be a Platinum week could be a nice way for you and your family to get into timesharing, IF you can afford the $1000 a year annual fee and enjoy going to Orlando at least some years.

Some things to consider- can you drive to Orlando? You mention you enjoyed going there; do you want to return frequently? Do you want to/ can you afford to go to other places at this point in your life and, if so, would you enjoy learning about timesharing and the ins and outs of trading? I sense money is tight, but not sure how tight it is. Especially if you could drive there, it could be a wonderful way for you to have a low cost family vacation. The benefit to Marriott timeshares is that you get resort amenities with apartment space, and can save a lot on a vacation with the kitchen facilities. So, there are a lot of pluses to ownership and use.

However, there is an annual obligation to MF's whether or not you use it. IF you reserve a prime week you may be able to rent it, but Orlando has tons of competitive rentals so the rental prices are not great, and I wouldn't take it planning to rent it. I'd only take it if I was planning to use it.

There are other options, like enrolling the weeks in the new DC, etc.. Again, we'd best be able to advise you if we had more specifics as to what the weeks are, were they developer purchases, etc.? For example, they could all be high demand weeks, or two may be "mud" weeks and have little value. If all high demand weeks that can be enrolled in the DC, that may present some interesting options for you, but at the end of the day you have to be able to swing the 3K in annual MF's. If you can't afford that then it doesn't matter that the units are free, even if they are all Platinum (although prime units may have some resale value and be worth selling).

I can drive there. My wife may fly down a day late and leave a day early. She hates long car rides but my kids would be up for it. And renting a car can cost you $100 a day down there. We used to drive down there and even take some coolers with food. That is a little extreme, but you can save a lot by not eating every meal out.

I think that on balance it can be a high value vacation at an affordable price. I love the units, and I love the lifeguard at the pool. At a hotel often you have to watch your children every second. At Marriott I wouldn't mind if the kids just left and went to the pool or to play putt putt. I feel a lot safer. It is a higher class of people in my opinion, and I value that at a premium when I am traveling with my kids.

I think you need to do a bit more homework before you decide. First you need to get access to your fathers MVCI account to see exactly what you are being offered. Second you need to know what season the weeks are in. It looks like they are Special season and that's good as they are the most valuable followed by Summer and Sport season. Third you need to confirm with MVCI that these weeks will transfer with all benefits. That means you can swap them for MRP's and enroll them in the DC exchange system if he hasn't done that already.

Assuming that they will transfer without a hitch and you can enroll them in the DC exchange you will have some financial decisions to make. A quick look at the rental prices on Redweek indicates that they really don't rent for much more than the MF's but it looks like they rent easily for about $300 less than the MF which would mean a $900 loss annually. If you can enroll in the DC and rent the points for $.45 you'd make an annual profit of about $500.

Right now you don't know anything about the options I've described. You'll have to immerse yourself in a crash course in Timesharing and that might be too much to take on right now.

One thing to consider. If those weeks are Special season and they are eligible for enrollment they would give you 7950 DC points. That amount of points will get you into a 2bdrm at Lahaina and Napili villas in Maui. A person desiring to buy that amount of points would pay almost $80,000 and have a $3054 annual MF.

Do your homework before you make a decision.

You post intrigues me. I really have a lot to learn. I do have my fathers account number and can now log on online. What do I have to do to find out if "these weeks will transfer with all the benefits"? What do I do now?

We've found our timeshare is most beneficial with children. The extra space... the laundry facilities... the ability to eat in the unit rather than a restaurant for every meal (kids get tired on vacation and you hate to waste money on food at a restaurant and sit through a meal when everyone is tired).

Other benefits:
1. pack less-- roll on/carry on the plane and save baggage fees. You can wash clothes in the unit.
2. Sleep -- kids can go to bed early while parents stay up in another room.
3. Usually nicer pools than a Fairfield or Courtyard or a Days Inn!

It's kinda funny that when you need a timeshare the most is when you can least afford it. When you can "afford" it, your kids are grown.

Orlando has proven to be a much better trader than we expected (you just have to reserve a strong week for trading purposes).

Actually, we have found ourselves going to Orlando because it's CHEAP! Many times we've gone to Orlando because we've stumbled upon a $29 (each way) airfare. We've used Interval getaways ($399 for a week!). We bought ten day Disney tickets years ago that don't expire and locked in our prices. We only go to a theme park a couple of days and spend the rest of the time at the pools, going to the Orlando Science Museum (free if you are a member of another science museum), walking around Downtown Disney (free), visiting some public parks and we eat many meals in the unit. We also take along DVD's and microwave popcorn and have family movie nights (because we don't have the distractions we have when we're at home).

I would want to do this because of the kids. The last place we stayed on vacation we got a great deal, but when the rent is low expect to congregate with some low rent people. I got friends in low places and all, but that is not how I want a family vacation. If it was my wife and I on a weekend getaway that would be one thing, but I want my kids in a family atmosphere. I took my kids to Cypress Harbour once. We went fishing, on the boat, went to the pool and played putt putt. They are now at an age where I could let them go to the pool on their own. I couldn't do that at my last hotel.

And having your own bedroom with that kicking bathtub. I don't have anything like that in my house. Closing and locking the door with my wife beats the heck out of sharing a hotel room, and if we have to get two hotel rooms I might as well just pay the money to get this timeshare.

 

[dmharris]

May be it's the pack-rat/hoarder in me but I hate to see these given away after your father invested in these knowing they could be handed down to his children. I've started talking to my 20-something children about what will happen to our timeshare once my husband and I do all our vacationing in Heaven.

'Swice' makes very good points about the benefits of timeshare vacations with families. We wish we'd bought one earlier in our marriage.

If you can swing it, I'd keep the best of the of bunch and use it to trade. I'm impressed with how well Marriott's trade through the trading company, Interval International. You and your family can take vacations to driving places once a year, cook most of your meals and have a grand time. I lived in Cincinnati for 20 years and know you can get to many destinations within a day's drive. You can get to Florida with an overnight along the way somewhere.

The points you're referencing are Marriott Reward points. If you don't use your timeshare, and if it works with inherited property, you can accumulate these points to exchange for hotel stays and other perks. E.g. 300,000 points will give you at least 120,000 airline miles (you pick the airline and they're deposited into your frequent flier account) and 7 days in a hotel depending on the level of the hotel (4 star, 5 star). So you could fly yourself and your wife to Europe and stay in a hotel in e.g. Rome for a week if you have enough points and miles. Smarter people here will tell you how much each mile or MR point would cost if you were to buy them.

Everyone has their own opinion, I have mine, but you should know that I am a risk taker. Others will be less so. What are you? Will you sleep at night with this decision? Whichever way you go? Go have a Graeter's and think it over.

 

[m61376]

Not to add to your indecision, but something to consider- while you can always buy a unit on the resale market later on, this is a unique opportunity- since it will be passed down it will retain the right to exchange for Marriott Reward points and to enroll in the DC. A resale week bought on the open market, even for a great price, in the future will not have those options.

Those 3 weeks could be converted to 6550 DC points. You could use the points from the special season week and one of the sport weeks to book a high demand week in Aruba, for example, which you could rent and cover most of the annual MF's for all 3 units. While Orlando weeks don't rent too well, enrollment in the DC will allow you to book elsewhere and rent that booking and, if chosen wisely, you could cover your costs. Even renting just the points would basically be a wash, and you'd have use/ownership of the weeks when you can afford to use them.

There are many people buying points and spending lots of money to do so; the purchase price for that number of DC points is in the area of $65,000 today.

I know this probably falls into the area of rationalizing a purchase, but since you mentioned the cost savings of having a kitchen I have to say that when we purchased a few years ago my husband and I added up some of those silent vacation costs, and we came to the conclusion that for 5 people traveling eating in for breakfast, taking lunch stuff to the beach (we're not big lunch eaters but love to nosh), beverages (and we're not drinkers, so we were just considering the cost of soft drinks; if you add in beer, wine and other beverages the cost savings increases), and grilling for 2 nights (which we like to do just not to eat out every night), and subtracted the grocery store bill, we saved a good $800 or so, maybe more. Moreover, we eliminated the daily aggravation of where to go for breakfast- enjoying a leisurely breakfast on the balcony is a great way to start the day for us, and adds to the vacation experience. So the food savings alone for a family could easily offset the MF's just by eating in a couple more dinners, without detracting from the vacation.

While I am not a big fan of the DC program in general, the point conversion option may make this a very practical take-over for you, and I wouldn't be so quick to reject any of it.

I am guessing that, with MF's due next week, your Mom will have to pay the 2012 fees anyway; if that's the case, it would certainly give you more time to digest all of this and get more of an education as to what would be best for you. If the MF's is something you absolutely cannot afford then you should pass, but if it is something that would be difficult but doable it might be worth strongly considering, because with the DC point and reservation options open at other locations which command higher rentals, and/or renting the points outright, you would likely recoup most if not all of your costs. There are still some weeks that, even in this economy, consistently rent at high prices, even though the prices may be less than a couple of years back. On GregT's rental website you can see that points have been renting well too, which would be another way for you to simply recoup your costs for what you couldn't afford to use, while still retaining the ability to use them when you want to/can afford to.

Although my opinion seems to differ from a lot of the other posts here, I have to say I wouldn't walk away so fast. And, as much as it shocks me to say it (because I have found a lot of fault with the DC program how it was rolled out and points allocated), it is because these weeks should be eligible to join the DC that I would lean strongly towards taking them.

 

[Novice]

My wife looked at people trying to get rid of timeshares for $1 on Ebay, and that scared her off the whole thing. Also when some of these are renting lower than the maintenance fees, why wouldn't I just rent at Cypress Harbor instead of locking myself into years of obligations?

The trade in value and the ability to go to other places would be a huge selling point. I don't need Hawaii. The Caribbean would be nice, though I am sure that is tricky.

It would be interesting to see what destinations would be available to me right now if I was to trade in a Special Season week. How do I find that out? I think my wife is going to nix this.

One option I have thought about it keeping it in my mom's name this year and paying the yearly fee myself for the Special Season. Then I could go and it would be like a trial run. If the wife and kids say this is the way to go, then I put it in my name for 2013. I am not sure if my sisters will be down with that, or if they will want me to try to take all three instead of the best one.

Luckly the fine people here have convinced me that taking all three is not a sound decision. I had delusions of grandeur. I am glad that I came here. I knew it was going to be informative right when I stumbled up it. I like you guys.

If we don't buy any of them perhaps I can rent from one of you some day! I really needs a two bedroom with a kitchen. It just makes the vacation that much better.

 

[dmharris]

You post intrigues me. I really have a lot to learn. I do have my fathers account number and can now log on online. What do I have to do to find out if "these weeks will transfer with all the benefits"? What do I do now?

I sent you a PM, I can walk you through this over the phone.

 

[m61376]

Just to clarify- there are two types of points. The week can be traded for Marriott Reward points, which can be used for vacation packages including airline miles.

The other types of points I am referring to are DC points. In June of 2010 Marriott rolled out a new vacation concept. They no longer sell weeks, but sell points. These destination club (DC) points can be used to reserve any of their properties, at different point costs. Legacy week owners who bought directly from Marriott or on the resale market before June, 2010 can choose to enroll those weeks in the DC program. You would then have the option of either using the week(s) as a week at Cypress Harbor, or converting it to points and choosing any of their locales (of course, different locations have different point costs, depending on location, time of year and size of unit). Reservations made with points can be used personally or rented to others. The points themselves can be rented to others as well.

 

[seatrout]

Those 3 weeks could be converted to 6550 DC points..

you should check with Marriot on the above quote. Not sure if those week can be converted to DC points as the deadline for conversion was long ago.

They can however be converted to Marriott reward points for hotel stay.

On the resale market however, new buyer would not be able to get any of those perks

 

[seatrout]

Reservations made with points can be used personally or rented to others. .

Are you sure of this facts?? Even reservation made with legacy points??

For example. Ritz Carlton Abaco rents for 1K/night or 7K/weeks in the summer. Points costs are minimal.

 

[NJMOM2]

I do have my fathers account number and can now log on online. What do I have to do to find out if "these weeks will transfer with all the benefits"? What do I do now?

Do you also have the Interval account login too? If you do you can play "What if?". Login the Interval account and select the Exchange tab, My Units, and then select Vacation Exchange next to one of the weeks in the account. When prompted for a reservation No. and check in date, make it up. The reservations number needs to be 8 digits and start with an 8 or a 9 to fake the system. Pick any check in date in your season to test. (From comments made here pick Easter week for best trading week.) Next step select "Search All Destinations" and enter some dates.

You will see a list of places you will be able to go. Click on one and you will see the resorts you can get an instant trade into. These are instant trades - left over weeks that did not match and pending requests. However it will give you an idea of the trading power of the weeks.

I would suggest you try to keep at least one. You will have full access to the Marriott program because it sounds like your parents bought the units directly from Marriott. At a later date you can decide if you want to buy into the Destination Club program if you decide to keep any of them. You will never have the opportunity again. If at a later time in your life you decide to buy in and buy resale (paying more than $0) you will loose the options of trading for Marriott Rewards points that can be used for Hotels stays and Vacations packages along with the option to buy into the Destination Club program.

 

[funtime]

Take the one unit!

Dear Novice:

You asked "what time it is" and got back many responses as to how complicated watch making really is.

In other words, you have a lot of options and people are trying to educate you all at once as to everything you can do with your Marriott timeshare. And for a further complication - you can have three, not one timeshare!!

You mentioned that you and your wife have kids and are on a budget. Champagne tastes with a beer budget - yes!!! However, I think that many of the posters went overboard to protect your wallet since that it is what you seemed to emphasize.

You did not indicate whether or not you have the time to work with potential trades of the unit or the time to work with placing an add on Redweek and myvacation resort.com to find a potential rental of the unit in years you did not want to deal with a vacation. Somehow I think you are high energy person and do have the time.

While you may get a better "deal" on an ebay auction perhaps you will not - most come with 500 to 600 in closing costs plus there is a Marriott Right of First Refusal. And let's face it - you are unlikely to turn these units down and go buy on ebay. So it really comes down to acceptance of one, two or three of these units.

I would take the one higher value unit. And if you spend $15 and join TUG you can get reviews of this resort which I believe ranks as a 9 or close to it on a scale of 1 through 10. If you are as energetic as your posts indicate, I see a lot of family benefits (as explained in prior posts and which include savings for meals, quiet time at meals with the family and a lot of good family time together) and very little downside. Marriott quality if very high and your children deserve the high rent Marriott two bedroom timeshare at a very reduced price (recurring maintenance fees.) You did not mention where you live but if it is on the East Coast there are a ton of other Marriotts you can exchange into and drive to.

Unfortunately, a lot of folks on these boards are negative for reasons that may take weeks of reading to discern. I believe that they are overly cautious in my view as well. You should do this because it will be a great family benefit to vacation in a two bedroom Marriott each year with Marriott quality amenities and co-vacationers. TUG has a lot of insights and pretty soon you will be wheeling and dealing this timeshare like a pro. And, I simply do not see the downside as those years when you chooose not to vacation, you can rent the unit. While it is not as easy to rent an Orlano unit as one in a different location, it is not impossible either and really you are not looking for a ton of "profit" just renting for a year when you do not want to use it.

So, in my humble view, take the unit and enjoy it. Funtime

 

[dioxide45]

I am not sure where or how your siblings tried to sell these three weeks. They either a) didn't try very hard, or b) priced them far to high. B is quite often what results in an unsold timeshare.

These are good Marriott timeshares and do have some if little value on the resale market. The Special week could probably get a minimum of $1000 on the resale market. The sport weeks probably could be given away on the TUG Bargain Board. As long as the 2012 MF are paid, then they should be able to sell these if priced right.

Of course paying $3000 in maintenance fees to sell the weeks for about $1500-2500 isn't a good investment, but if Marriott won't take the weeks back it is an option. Of course another option if Marriott won't take back the weeks is to just not pay 2012 MFs and have them foreclose. I don't know if there is an outstanding mortgage, but it doesn't really matter. Is saving your elderly mother's credit score really important at this point?

 

[m61376]

you should check with Marriot on the above quote. Not sure if those week can be converted to DC points as the deadline for conversion was long ago.

They can however be converted to Marriott reward points for hotel stay.

On the resale market however, new buyer would not be able to get any of those perks

I don't understand what you mean by "the deadline for conversion was long ago."

Legacy weeks can still enroll in the DC points program and still at the initial introductory rate. While these rights don't transfer to a resale buyer, Marriott does transfer rights to heirs.

I really think the OP should look into the DC part of the equation, because he has a rare opportunity to get a lot of points with no monetary outlay, and can easily make reservations at properties that will rent well and offset the annual MF, while preserving those points to use differently at a later date should his financial situation change (when perhaps kid related costs decrease) and/or for a special occasion type trip that he might otherwise never be able to afford.

I tend to be conservative; that said, I would have a hard time turning this down if I had the opportunity.

My only regret about timesharing is that I didn't explore it while my kids were still kids. I have to tell you that the first time we vacationed in one, within two days my husband looked at me and said: "why would you ever want to vacation any other way?" We've traveled a lot over the years with kids and parents in tow, and I can say that timeshares eliminate a lot of the small vacation hassles. It is conducive to spending relaxed time with family and friends; does it get any better than that?!