Another Newbie Asks: What Should I Buy?

[klipywitz]

Hello TUGers!

Rescinding a developer purchased package with the developer (Welk) as we speak, but still excited about the possibility of buying it resale. The more I read, the more I can see there's a lot I can learn from you smart people. Would you mind taking a peek below and offering your suggestions?

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1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?

We've visited the Escondido Welk near us (we are in San Diego) because it is convenient and the kids like the pools (we don't have one). I can see us going back as it is a quick getaway for us (40 minutes). At the same time, having the flexibility to go somewhere would be nice. Definitely want the option.

My sister lives in Nassau and I'd love to not pack my family of 4 at her house if we go. At least have the option.

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?

Home resort close to half the time for the reasons above. (One attractive thing would be the ability to use the pools at Welk without having to book a night -- don't know if that's available to me if I buy resale, though.) Would like to trade too. A 50-50 or 60-40 could work.

Does it matter which one is my home resort within a system like Welk, for instance? Can I just trade the points via RCI?

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?

Other than maybe finding a location close to home in San Diego to go back, somewhat open.
If I had to pick 5 anyway: Bahamas, NM, Palm Springs, Disney, HI would be nice... I know Europe is not easy

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?

Family of 4: two grown-ups and a 7 and a 2yr old.
Thinking mostly of a 2 bedroom -- but could use 1 bedroom if I'm traveling solo.

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?

We have flexibility now. We may less of it because of kids' schools later, but I am ok taking them off school to travel.

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?

We can, but I don't know how often we would that. We've done Alaska cruises that were close to 12 months, but other than that, rare.

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?

Yes, or more if we want.

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?

3-5

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?

Willing to do close to 15k, but I don't know if I have to.

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?

Depends on the options, but 2k sounds right.

11) Are you a detail-oriented planner?

Yes, I can get accustomed to a program. I have flown over 1MM miles and got used to knowing mileage programs. I think I can do with timeshares too.

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?

Yes, that's why I am not tempted by a high downpayment situation. Appreciate the rhetoric question here to remind me of the consequences!

Thanks again, TUGers!

 

[rhonda]

Howdy and welcome!

I am also in San Diego. I’d suggest you at least look at Worldmark the Club (WM) and Grand Pacific Resorts (GPR) in addition to Welk resales.

My reasons for suggesting WM:

• So many locations! While these may be, overall, 3-star ... there are some premium, upgraded units at various properties that will refresh your spirit. (The presidential units at Indio are truly lovely.)
• No “home resort” (all owners have a mostly-equal chance of booking anything if they know and work the game)
• Effective “waitlist” system; website works well; reasonable dues
• Effective trader in RCI, II
• Super flexible/generous cancellation policies.
• (And so much more)

My reasons for suggesting GPR:

• Several properties in SoCal (either owned by or managed by GPR)
• Of these, some (?) offer day-use of the resort amenities (pools, fitness center, sauna, etc) of your home resort.
• Pick your week carefully ... but a strong summer week is generally a good trader in RCI
• Inbound trade restrictions. If you plan to trade into SoCal locations via RCI, owning a GPR property will help you waive the inbound trade block hedging the family of SoCal GPR locations. (Backstory: once you trade into any one of the SoCal GPR locations you are blocked from doing so again, through any given RCI account, for ~4 years.)
• On-site RCI offices. This may be helpful to you as you get started. (That said, I’ve only visited one once and wasn’t particularly impressed. It was better than using RCI’s phone lines ... but I can do better on my own through their website.)

Of these, either are easy to find on resale; neither have “first right of refusal” (to my knowledge). So far, WM continues to be easy to resell if it isn’t a good fit ... but GPR may be more difficult. (It is my impression, although I don’t track the market, that many GPR weeks are somewhere near “free” in private transactions.)

Have fun with your research!

 

[SHG]

I recommend one of the name brand timeshares: Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Wyndham even Worldmark. (Please note that Marriott is generally the most expensive of the group). These timeshares tend to have internal trading programs that offer good opportunity and flexibility. Also think the GPR recommendation that Rhonda made is good. When we started out in timesharing we bought a inexpensive week at the Riviera Beach and Spa in Dana Point. Took the family there every year for ~10yrs. Even traded it to Orlando once for a family trip to Disney World. Since we live in Ca, this made for a inexpensive vacation every year (no airfare). It is very important to consider 2 important questions:
1. What kind of vacations do I want to take every year? (beach, mountains, ski resorts, etc.)
2. How much am I willing to commit to vacationing? (annual fee + travel expenses)
These questions can help with the selection of what to purchase. Based on your input above, you seem to be interested in a Ca resort as a home resort and trade to other locations as interested.......

Note: I am now giving away the Riviera Beach and Spa for free....

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Welcome to TUG and congrats on rescinding in time. Please let us know how much money you are saving by not buying Welk developer.

Suggest that you look at Hilton (they partner with GPR) so if you buy resale Marbrisa at LegoLand in Carlsbad you may also get HGV points to use elsewhere in the Hilton system. Also Worldmark.

BTW...rather than a pure points system, I recommend a resale deeded resort that has access to points such as Hilton Grand Vacations. California has consumer friendly timeshare laws and if you experienced a job loss or other financial catastrophe, you can walk away from a deed without the developer coming after your other assets. Law is not settled on points programs with a portfolio of properties, hence that's why the developers like to push their points programs. It is also a way to bundle their low season dud weeks and hide them in the portfolio. Exit strategies matter.

Good luck!

 

[klipywitz]

@rhonda @SHG @CalGalTraveler -- Thank you!

It feels like drinking from the firehose around here. Lots of great knowledge and insights!

Is there a good primer for all the different "systems" or is the best way to do research to look each one individually, really?

 

[Sandy VDH]

Timeshare System Points Comparison Chart

side by side comparison chart of all the major Timeshare Point systems

tug2.net

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Follow the 4 Rs of Timesharing:

1) Rescind. Do not talk to the developer because they will say almost anything to get the commission. Follow the rescission instructions exactly on the contract and get a tracking number and postage date when you mail as proof that it was in the legal rescission period.
2) Research Resale Hang around TUG and take your time. Some smart Tuggers took as much as a year or two on such an important decision. Those deals are not going anywhere so you have time. Consider joining TUG for $15 because it will be the best payback for saving what you rescinded and saving thousands on resale. (FYI...I don't make any referral money off of this statement.)
3) Rent timeshares to try out the resorts before you buy.
4) Buy Resale (or continue to Rent.)

Good luck and congrats on rescinding in time. Some of us were not so lucky on our first purchases but bought resale after finding TUG.

 

[TUGBrian]

could you let us know how much you saved on the welk rescission for tracking purposes? you might just put us over the top of $16 million dollars!

 

[klipywitz]

could you let us know how much you saved on the welk rescission for tracking purposes? you might just put us over the top of $16 million dollars!

Sure can. 18k.

 

[SteelerGal]

We are local and decided HGVC. If you purchase HGVC, you purchase the cheaper Vegas contracts instead of at MarBrisa. Once you Hiltonize your resale, you can use your week or use the associated points. We use points and go on mini vacations to Carlsbad at least once a qtr. We stay also love MarBrisa for the Legoland entrance. HGVC when we purchase did not have options at Palm Desert but now w/ the pending purchase of Diamond, there will be options.(We own Marriott for Desert properties).

Wyndham/Worldmark is also an viable option because there are many options on the WestCoast. We have stayed at 2 of the San Diego options by trading w/ another owner. We love the locations but HGVC is large enough for our family of 7.

Regardless if you purchase HGVC or Wyndham/Worldmark, you can trade via RCI into other TS. Disney is traded via RCI. I have no desire so I haven’t learned how to.

Hope this helps.

 

[CPNY]

Hello TUGers!

Rescinding a developer purchased package with the developer (Welk) as we speak, but still excited about the possibility of buying it resale. The more I read, the more I can see there's a lot I can learn from you smart people. Would you mind taking a peek below and offering your suggestions?

-------
1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?

We've visited the Escondido Welk near us (we are in San Diego) because it is convenient and the kids like the pools (we don't have one). I can see us going back as it is a quick getaway for us (40 minutes). At the same time, having the flexibility to go somewhere would be nice. Definitely want the option.

My sister lives in Nassau and I'd love to not pack my family of 4 at her house if we go. At least have the option.

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?

Home resort close to half the time for the reasons above. (One attractive thing would be the ability to use the pools at Welk without having to book a night -- don't know if that's available to me if I buy resale, though.) Would like to trade too. A 50-50 or 60-40 could work.

Does it matter which one is my home resort within a system like Welk, for instance? Can I just trade the points via RCI?

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?

Other than maybe finding a location close to home in San Diego to go back, somewhat open.
If I had to pick 5 anyway: Bahamas, NM, Palm Springs, Disney, HI would be nice... I know Europe is not easy

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?

Family of 4: two grown-ups and a 7 and a 2yr old.
Thinking mostly of a 2 bedroom -- but could use 1 bedroom if I'm traveling solo.

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?

We have flexibility now. We may less of it because of kids' schools later, but I am ok taking them off school to travel.

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?

We can, but I don't know how often we would that. We've done Alaska cruises that were close to 12 months, but other than that, rare.

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?

Yes, or more if we want.

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?

3-5

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?

Willing to do close to 15k, but I don't know if I have to.

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?

Depends on the options, but 2k sounds right.

11) Are you a detail-oriented planner?

Yes, I can get accustomed to a program. I have flown over 1MM miles and got used to knowing mileage programs. I think I can do with timeshares too.

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?

Yes, that's why I am not tempted by a high downpayment situation. Appreciate the rhetoric question here to remind me of the consequences!

Thanks again, TUGers!

Vistana star options ownership will get you to harborside resort at Atlantis in the Bahamas. You can also use the star options to go to Palm Springs. You can use interval to exchange into resorts in the other locations you mentioned.

I own star options in orlando and usually go to harborside 2-3 times per year.

Since you’re willing to spend 15K I’d look into Westin kierland villa 2 bedroom platinum. You’ll get 148K star options which will go really far. The maint fee will be under 2K for that unit. It’s a lockout so you can always deposit one side into interval and still book a 2 bedroom at harborside.

 

[theo]

Is there a good primer for all the different "systems" or is the best way to do research to look each one individually, really?

No such "primer" exists. There are many different "systems", each with its' own unique rules, practices and point "currency" (any of which can change). Examination of the different systems individually is not only the best way to do research, it's really the only way.

There are also lots of timeshare resorts which are completely independent and not associated in any way with any "chain", but my sense from your input is that a big, multi-location "chain" would likely meet your particular goals and objectives better. Good luck.

 

[klipywitz]

Thank you @CPNY and @theo -- I appreciate the feedback.

I think I definitely want flexibility (location-wise), so I appreciate the insights.

 

[CPNY]

Thank you @CPNY and @theo -- I appreciate the feedback.

I think I definitely want flexibility (location-wise), so I appreciate the insights.

Don’t be afraid to buy into two systems. Welk for the hometown resorts and another system for those other locations you mentioned

 

[Wearytravel]

I found TUG after committing and it saved us from a 30k+ mistake. Thanks

 

[Wearytravel]

No such "primer" exists. There are many different "systems", each with its' own unique rules, practices and point "currency" (any of which can change). Examination of the different systems individually is not only the best way to do research, it's really the only way.

There are also lots of timeshare resorts which are completely independent and not associated in any way with any "chain", but my sense from your input is that a big, multi-location "chain" would likely meet your particular goals and objectives better. Good luck.

What is best way to research? Here? We are new to this, my lovely bride want to travel globally and North America. We would like a warm weather home resort that doesn’t have killer maintenance fees. We try to travel low season fringes to get more value.

 

[theo]

What is best way to research? Here? We are new to this, my lovely bride want to travel globally and North America. We would like a warm weather home resort that doesn’t have killer maintenance fees. We try to travel low season fringes to get more value.

If you look directly above this "New to Timesharing" forum, you will find a (pink background) "What to Buy" sticky, with a host of specific questions. In order to most effectively elicit informed assistance and input from others, it would be helpful to complete all of those questions as clearly and as specifically as possible, after which your completed "survey" will become a new post in this forum, whereupon people may offer you their own personal and relevant input, experience, suggestions and insights.

Planet Timeshare can be a somewhat complicated place, with many different products which are quite different from one another.
You will need to develop and express with more clarity and detail your geographic priorities, available travel time periods, planning and schedule flexibility, budget for purchase (and for mandatory annual fees), etc. Completing the "survey" would be a good start.

Don't buy anything until you closely examine, fully understand and intelligently assess your many available timeshare options.
It might even turn out that renting is actually a better option for you than purchasing, when all is said and done. Dig in, good luck.