Available units from developers?

[lars158]

Is there a reference where I can find which resorts have units available for sale from the developers? I am interested in the Harborside Resort at Atlantis, but not sure if there are any available units or if they are all sold out...

The reason I am looking for available units from developers is so that I can buy a resale and then upgrade.

Regards, /Lars

 

[DeniseM]

Yes - in the Owner Resources sticky at the top of the page.

Under Buying and Selling: Current Developer Pricing

What are your goals in upgrading? (and I suspect you mean requalifying or Retro-ing?)

And WELCOME to TUG!

 

[SDKath]

Only Starwood has the current inventory. There is availability at HRA depending on the week, size, season you want. Good plan to upgrade a resale HRA unit at the same time. I would suggest you try to retro a resale unit at the same time as upgrading one to get max bang for your bucks.

You can see Starwood prices (which are non-negotable) by looking at the Current Developer Pricing sticky at the top of this board. That helps a lot.

Also, you should find a good, no pressure sales rep who is familiar with the retro/requal process so that you can navigate the process and all of the quirks of what is allowed and what is not. There have to be significant price differences between the upgraded unit and the new purchase ($10,000 last time I checked) and some places don't even allow it. I am not sure if HRA does since it's not a US resort.

Get all the details before you commit to buying anything either resale or from Starwood! The rules change very frequently and it can be frustrating.

Katherine

 

[lars158]

Yes - in the Owner Resources sticky at the top of the page.

Under Buying and Selling: Current Developer Pricing

Ok, thanks, so that indicates that indeed Atlantis still have units for sale directy from the developer... Good deal! I am looking to buy a resale unit and then do an upgrade.

Thanks /Lars

 

[DeniseM]

Do you mean requalify/Retro and what are your goals in doing so?

 

[lars158]

Thanks Denise and Katherine!

I am looking at options to buy a few units that we would enjoy visit that are also in strong demand (Harborside, Ka'anapali, Lagunamar and a good skiresort in Colorado such as Steamboat or Montain Vista). We also like the flexibility of Starpoints and the tradingsystem with Staroptions in SVN, so we defenitely want all units to be qualified in SVN. As we are planning to buy a few units we would also like to reach the Elite 5* status so that we can use benefits from Platinum Starwood (nice to have when staying in Hotels). We travel quite often to Europe where Starpoints and Platinum is great benefits to have.

If it is not possible to buy Harborside resale and upgrade and requalify say Ka'anapali or Montain Vista, we will look at other options.

Do you think the following would work as an alternative (even though more expensive)?
* Buy resale "Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas, Hawaii" ~ $25K
* Buy resale "Harborside Resort, Atlantis" ~ $25K
* Buy from developer "Sheraton Steamboat Resort, Colorado" ~ $50K (and qualify Ka'anapal)
* Buy from developer "Westin Lagunamar Resort, Cancon" ~ 40K (and qualify Harborside)
=> ~ $140K + 6K MF with 592,400 SO (all units being Platinum/148,100 SO).

You said I should consult with a Starwood sales rep to confirm the different options to go about this... Any reference would be appreciated or other way to find a friendly sales rep that know this system well

Thanks again, /Lars

 

[DeniseM]

Where to start - first of all, some owners have been disappointed with 5 Star/Plat Status - please read this thread from a Starwood owner who has only received Plat upgrades about 30% of the time - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60432.

Secondly, they way you propose to go about reaching 5 Star is about the most expensive way to do it. Please see the threads in the Owner Resources Sticky about reaching 5 Star Elite.

Thirdly - if you buy at all the top dogs on your list, what are you going to exchange for? If you want to buy to exchange it makes far more sense to buy at a cheaper resort with lower maintenance fees and exchange up, not down. (The Staroptions from an expensive/high demand location have no more value than the Staroptions from the cheapest Starwood resort.)

When you get a chance read the Starwood FAQ posted at the top of the board and then let us know what your questions are. Note that "Mandatory" resorts have Staroptions even on a resale (without requalifying.)

I wish you well my friend!

 

[tomandrobin]

Harborside still has inventory in every season and unit, except 3 bedroom units in platinum season. The 3 bedroom units in gold season will probably be sold-out in about a year.