Am I missing something on my new HRA purchase?

[janapur]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270267796265&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017

I know the hurricane threat at this time of year, but it really is the best time for us to travel. Shouldn't 81K staroptions go for more? We likely will only use Harborside so the MF is ok.

Even if the seller is mistaken on the exact fixed week, I'm flexible in that time frame.

HRA experts, whom I've been admiring for oh so long, can you please tell me if I did well? Your candor is appreciated.

Thanks, Jana

 

[tomandrobin]

Looks like a terrific deal to me. But on a side note, in the past, September is a fairly easy Staroption trade.

 

[janapur]

Looks like a terrific deal to me. But on a side note, in the past, September is a fairly easy Staroption trade.

Phew, I was hoping one of the distinguished owners would chime in. Thank you. I'm sure it is an easier trade, but we really need the size and the few II affiliated resorts at which we own, we use or rent. (Maui and WI Dells 4th of July) I just joined II based on the TUG encouragement of our chances for a DVC exchange . . . someday hopefully!

Jana

 

[DavidnRobin]

Was it you who bought this (since the winning bidder had 'jana' in the name)?

I know very little about HRA, but that is a good price for 81K SOs - of course the closing costs and MFs play a roll - along with it's overall value (exchange vs. owning, resale value, rentability, etc...).

If you of mind to buy where you want to go - and if this time works best for you...
It becomes a personal vacation choice.

 

[lark]

I saw that and thought it was a real good deal.

 

[mariawolf]

Looks like a great price to me--didn't look up star options but assume it is a lockoff and not just a two bedroom?? I only ask to make sure in case you had planned to split the unit for two different visits.
Just know there is a small risk of bad weather--but it will also be less crowded at that time.

 

[janapur]

Looks like a great price to me--didn't look up star options but assume it is a lockoff and not just a two bedroom?? I only ask to make sure in case you had planned to split the unit for two different visits.
Just know there is a small risk of bad weather--but it will also be less crowded at that time.

Yes a lockoff according to the seller. Never thought of splitting it, as we have one adult son who enjoys privacy from the toddlers. Great idea for an extended stay if possible. Guess I'll be researching staroption usage this weekend. I have already started reading your generous contributions on tripadvisor. Thanks!!

Jana

 

[Ken555]

GREAT deal!

 

[titlerw]

I have been doing research on the Starwood system and have looked at renting the Harborside a few times over the years and the thing I do not see in this deal is any value in the maintenance fee. It seems out of line compared to the statement that this should be an easy internal trade to get. Why pay 2200+ when it seems you could get it for much less most of the time and when you do want to go elsewhere you are still paying 2200 to get there. I am not looking to be negative but more putting this out there for the real experts to see what they think.

 

[tomandrobin]

September is an easy trade/exchange. But look what is going on right now. Hanna has been hanging in the Bahamas for a week. Ike is will be pulling in by the weekend, and then a week later is Joesaphine (sp). The rest of the year its either hard or impossible.

 

[janapur]

I have been doing research on the Starwood system and have looked at renting the Harborside a few times over the years and the thing I do not see in this deal is any value in the maintenance fee. It seems out of line compared to the statement that this should be an easy internal trade to get. Why pay 2200+ when it seems you could get it for much less most of the time and when you do want to go elsewhere you are still paying 2200 to get there. I am not looking to be negative but more putting this out there for the real experts to see what they think.

I agree, except that this is the time I would prefer to go. I can't imagine why anyone would purchase at HRA and exchange it to go elsewhere. I always assumed that the exchanges available were developer deposited weeks. However, I do see a surplus of rentals available. So I guess we'll just have to go every year!

 

[jerseygirl]

I was there last September (don't remember the exact dates, but in the middle of the month) and had a wonderful time! It rained for an hour or two 3 or 4 of the days, but we didn't mind as there's always the casino :ignore: . Yes, there's always the risk of a hurricane, but I think you can buy insurance that would cover your maintenance fees if you're unable to go -- it might be worth it.

And, yes, Starwood usually does deposit some off-season weeks ... we traded in for several years before finally purchasing a May week, and truly prefer the security of knowing we have a reservation every year ... not waiting and hoping for a trade, etc.

 

[tomandrobin]

And, yes, Starwood usually does deposit some off-season weeks ... we traded in for several years before finally purchasing a May week, and truly prefer the security of knowing we have a reservation every year ... not waiting and hoping for a trade, etc.

We were able to exchange internally the past two years, but we bought (resale) after this years trip. We prefer larger units and the uncertainity of whether we would get our exchange or not.

 

[jerseygirl]

We were able to exchange internally the past two years, but we bought (resale) after this years trip. We prefer larger units and the uncertainity of whether we would get our exchange or not.

Our experience exactly. Have never regretted the purchase for a moment.

 

[tomandrobin]

Our experience exactly. Have never regretted the purchase for a moment.

The first year, we got everything we wanted on the first call. Last year, the firrst two times we called nothing was available....we panicked a bit. On our third call, we got the rooms we wanted. I tried calling the every weekend for the next month after, but got nothing more. Between absolutely loving Atlantis, wanting a three bedroom unit, and having control of our vacation was worth pursuing ownership.

 

[LisaRex]

I hate uncertainty, too, and don't regret the extra MFs at WKORV.

Just curious, how much are the MFs on the three bedrooms?

(I will not buy another timeshare, I will not buy another timeshare)

 

[tomandrobin]

Its about $2250 - give or take a few.

 

[jerseygirl]

Its about $2250 - give or take a few.

Isn't that the 2-BR maintenance fee? I was thinking the 3-BR was probably close to $3000 .... but, that's wonderful if it's not!

 

[DeniseM]

Isn't that the 2-BR maintenance fee? I was thinking the 3-BR was probably close to $3000 .... but, that's wonderful if it's not!

It's $2,301 (plus taxes and SVN fee?) according to these figures from January.

 

[jerseygirl]

Wow -- that's a deal -- only slightly more than the 2-BR! I have to go check out the floor plan -- if it's a lockoff, it's a great deal ... it would be like getting the lockoff for free!

 

[jerseygirl]

Wow -- just checked it out. The lockoff is a one-BR with a balcony! The square footage is less than a Phase One 2-BR lockoff, but I think I could live with that if I was able to use the 2-BR portion, rent the lockoff and apply the proceeds to my maintenance fees. Hmmmm .... need to watch for a good upgrade opportunity!!

PS Sorry LisaRex -- don't mean to be tempting you!!

 

[tomandrobin]

We were surprised too with the maintenance fees. Another reason we bought. The square footage is only slightly larger then a two bedroom L/O, but the three bedrroom have two balconys, three full bathrooms and the higher floors of the three bedrooms are suppose to be water views (phase 2).

We also love the option to lock-off and rent one side or the other.

 

[clsmit]

We noticed that a 3br is basically the same floorplan as a 2br with very similar MFs. Must be that they price MFs on square footage, not how the feet are used. That's one thing that makes the 3BR a really good deal. The DH has a broker trying to sell us a 3BR Platinum -- I think I need to turn off the DH's access to the internet and his cell so he doesn't keep shopping! :ignore:

 

[tomandrobin]

The one bedroom side of the lock-off is very nice. much better then the normal one bedroom deluxe, which feels very cramped. The MF's are based on square footage, which is terrific.

You can visit the models at Harborside. The rooms are available to look at anytime during the day. The last two years we were there, they were left open and we just popped in on our own. Of course, once we were in the three bedroom....we had to have one.

 

[clsmit]

The one bedroom side of the lock-off is very nice. much better then the normal one bedroom deluxe, which feels very cramped. The MF's are based on square footage, which is terrific.

You can visit the models at Harborside. The rooms are available to look at anytime during the day. The last two years we were there, they were left open and we just popped in on our own. Of course, once we were in the three bedroom....we had to have one.

We saw it when we were there a couple weeks ago. Really nice. No 3BR left in inventory from the developer, so resale is the only way to go. Unless they put 3BR into the eventual phase 3!