Buy a TS or simply rent one each year? Need advice.

[lreinstein]

I like the look of the Marriott properties, and I am trying to decide whether to buy a TS or simply rent each year from owners at different Marriott resorts. Looking at the sale/rent by owner websites, it seems that if I shop early enough, I could rent a week at almost any Marriott property in almost any season! Also, looking at the rental prices being asked, it is difficult to see a great financial advantage of buying over renting. And renting seems to have more flexibility, less risk, and less TS gamesmanship to learn.

So, am I missing something? Is there something I would lose by just renting?

Thanks in advance for the help. I have been reading a lot and have been sitting on the fence for quite a while. My desire is to take a vacation to get out of the cold upstate NY winter every year with my wife for a week....ideally late February to early/mid March. Exact weeks are flexible as are the # of rooms as we do not usually travel with others. In addition I am looking to find a place for a week or two in late April/early May somewhere.

Larry

 

[Robert D]

The timeframe you've described is usually a slow time as long as you don't go during spring break. If you're able to travel during the offseason, there's no reason to buy - you can usually rent a week for less than the maintenance fee, especially in a place like Orlando. I think the reason to buy is if you want to travel to a particular destination each year during a peak season. Those weeks can be rented but will almost always go for a lot more than the maintenence fees at high end resorts like Marriott.

 

[lreinstein]

Is late February / early march really a slow season?

Why is the MF used for comparison ... what about the initial cost outlay?

 

[amygdala]

Is late February / early march really a slow season?

Why is the MF used for comparison ... what about the initial cost outlay?

Hi Larry,

I'm in the same boat as you--been watching/reading/learning for a while, but haven't bought.

The MF are used for comparison frequently because for many of these units the initial cost outlay is quite low (a few hundred bucks or less) and the lion's share of the cost is the annual MF and special assessments. If you can rent the unit for less than the cost to own it (i.e. primarily the cost of the maintenance fees), why would you ever buy it?

Think about it.

People will sometimes buy a house for more than what it would cost (on a monthly basis) to rent, but in that case it would only make sense if you were going to make it up on the appreciation longterm (or if you foresaw some dramatic shift in the rental market--like for some reason you anticipated rentals would become hard to find at either the location or time you wanted to go).

Timeshares as a general rule don't appreciate (don't go up in value; some people made money on DVC I'm told but that would be a rare exception).

Sooo... For now, we're just renting other people's units.

 

[Robert D]

I agree. If you can rent for less than maintenace fee, why would you ever buy?? No reason to pay upfront money or take the risk on the value of the TS or the fact you have to continue paying maintenance fees ongoing if you can rent for less than the cost of owning.

 

[Dave M]

Is late February / early march really a slow season?

Depends on the resort. In Florida or the Caribbean, no it's not slow season. At most ski resorts, it's not slow season. But in Hilton Head, near where I live, it is slow season, even though the typical late February and early March daytime temperatures in the 60s are far above your typical New York temperatures at those times.

 

[Garnet]

Rental prices right now are pretty depressed-particularly for off-season. Probably will be for at least a year. That said, you may get a unit for MF, less than MF is someone is desperate, or more likely, more than MF (up to 2 to 3 times mf). Still way less than renting directly from the resort. I'd still continue to rent for the next year while you decide. I have kids and am tied to the school calendar-buying makes much more sense for me personally. If it is just the 2 of you-renting is that much easier.

Dave is right-depends on the resort. In CA, ski weeks and Palm Springs area would be "platinum time". Chilly in Newport Beach-so gold.

As for the initial cost outlay...in this economy..very low in comparison to a year ago. Still, you wont get a quality week at a quality resort for only a "few hundred bucks or less". Maybe a few thousand.

 

[Latravel]

We bought to get into the Marriott vacation network, meaning, if we don't want to use our unit, we can lock off our 2 bd unit and get 2, usually 3 weeks just for our one unit. We can then trade to different places and get 3 weeks vacation out of it.

We also bought because we wanted the points, but that's another subject. We didn't want to only go to the same place, otherwise, yes, I would have rented instead.

 

[lovearuba]

Rent

Having owned for 6 years and paying outrageous maintenance and special assessment fees that far exceed what it would now cost me to rent, I would never recommend that anyone buy another timeshare. I have an Aruba Ocean club one, read the string and you need not ask more. Run fast!!!

 

[jimf41]

I own 7 weeks all at Marriott, all bought from the developer. That said some friends that were staying with us this time took the "tour" and when they came back they told us they were seriously considering a Gold week here at FC. They were buying the "dream" as told by the sales rep. A short perusal at resale prices on the internet brought them back to reality real quick. They are still interested but will now take the time to investigate more thoroughly.

Rentals are a better deal right now IMO if you are not fussy about which week you get but beware there are a lot of pitfalls to renting. I'm on the top floor right now with a commanding view of Charlotte Amalie harbor. Renters won't get that view. At least not every time. Also you have to have a little bit of faith that the person you are giving your money to is legitimate. I'd trust another TUG member but I don't know about blindly picking one up from an ad.

Then there is the total package. The "dream" the sales rep sells really does exist. It's just not as easy as they make it sound. I bought my first TS in 2002. Since then I've traveled to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Africa and a lot of destinations in the continental US. Mostly on points or trades about 1/3 of the airfare was BC on points. I've never taken so many vacations in my life and I don't even retire for another week or so.

The system has worked for me. But I'm not a skier so I don't have to buy a ski resort where about half of the weeks are useless. I don't look at resorts where the high season is in the summer because on Long Island where I live summer is the high season. I don't look at Golf resorts to buy but I would rent or trade into one. So it all depends on you. What do you like to do? From your OP it looks like you want a week in warm weather in the winter. At Ocean Pointe you could probably get a winter week for about $1500. You'll be on a low floor with a side unit. If you want a high floor facing the ocean you'll pretty much have to buy one. At FC you'll spend about $2-4000 per week for a rental unit currently. All the units face the water but on a lower floor in some of the bldg's your view will be obstructed on non-existent.

Hope this helps. Good luck deciding.

 

[lprstn]

Keep renting, also, you don't have to worry about unloading it to someone else. However some people purchase so that they don't have to worry about saving or fronting money for the trip in one lump sum.

 

[tombo]

I
Rentals are a better deal right now IMO if you are not fussy about which week you get but beware there are a lot of pitfalls to renting. I'm on the top floor right now with a commanding view of Charlotte Amalie harbor. Renters won't get that view. At least not every time. Also you have to have a little bit of faith that the person you are giving your money to is legitimate. I'd trust another TUG member but I don't know about blindly picking one up from an ad.

From the best of my undersanding you get to rent the same room that the owner reserved for themselves. If that is indeed the case simply rent only rooms you like. If the rooms are assigned upon check-in so what, you are at the same resort with $5,000 or more money in the bank from not purchasing enjoying the same amenities the owners do for less than they pay in MF's if you shop around and negotiate a little.


I agree that rentals are better deals than buying if you have a little flexibilty in your travel times. Other than New Years or Christmas week at a ski resort, 4th of July at the beach, or Easter week or Spring break weeks at many resorts, you can rent for close to what the MF's are. If the MF's are $1000 and you can rent a week for $1500 a year, you can stay there for 10 years before you break even on a $5000 purchase. That is if the resort doesn't have assessments, or if the MF's remain the same for 10 years (which they won't. You can rent anywhere you want each year for any week you would like to travel.change resorts or resort chains, and not be obligated to the ever increasing MF's and assessments that come with ownership. There are several Marriott's that have MF's over $2000 a year which were less than $1500 a few years ago. If you own you are obligated to pay no matter how high the mfs go or how large the assessment they assess is.

On Redweek there is currently an Oceanside studio at Aruba Surf Club for rent March 13-20th for $400, Ocean View at Aruba Surf Club 2 bed 2 bath 3-28 to 4-4 for $1500, in fact there are currently 339 weeks for rent on Redweek at the Aruba surf club for varying weeks and varying prices.

Marriott maui Ocean Club has 286 rentals listed on Redweek including an Ocean front 2 bed room 3 bath from March 8th to March 15th for $1000(make this owner almost any offer and pack for Maui). Many other owners will be very willing to accept less than their asking prices with so many rweeks for rent and few if any offers.

There are 167 for rent at Aruba Ocean Club, 47 weeks for rent at Marriott Kauai Beach Club including a 1 bed room 2 bath from 3-28 to 4-4 for $750, a week at Marriott Horizons in Orlando for $595 in a one bed one bath from 4-10 to 4-17, and a week in a 2 bed room 2 bath at the Marriott's Grand Vista in Orlando in a 2 bed 2 bath from 3-27 to 4-03 for $895.

If you peruse the rentals available at most Marriott's, you can get a March or April week in a warm location for less than MF's. Right now I would not buy unless I needed a specific week at a specific resort each and every year. look for yourself and see the rental bargains available from many desperate owners at the majority of Marriott resorts for most any travel time this year.
Renting now would be much more feasible than buying in this economy.

 

[lreinstein]

We bought to get into the Marriott vacation network, meaning, if we don't want to use our unit, we can lock off our 2 bd unit and get 2, usually 3 weeks just for our one unit. We can then trade to different places and get 3 weeks vacation out of it.

We also bought because we wanted the points, but that's another subject. We didn't want to only go to the same place, otherwise, yes, I would have rented instead.

Can you tell me about a "lockoff"? Are these special design units? Any disadvantages? How do you get 3 weeks from one for example? I am new at this.

 

[lreinstein]

I own 7 weeks all at Marriott, all bought from the developer. That said some friends that were staying with us this time took the "tour" and when they came back they told us they were seriously considering a Gold week here at FC. They were buying the "dream" as told by the sales rep. A short perusal at resale prices on the internet brought them back to reality real quick. They are still interested but will now take the time to investigate more thoroughly.

Rentals are a better deal right now IMO if you are not fussy about which week you get but beware there are a lot of pitfalls to renting. I'm on the top floor right now with a commanding view of Charlotte Amalie harbor. Renters won't get that view. At least not every time. Also you have to have a little bit of faith that the person you are giving your money to is legitimate. I'd trust another TUG member but I don't know about blindly picking one up from an ad.

Then there is the total package. The "dream" the sales rep sells really does exist. It's just not as easy as they make it sound. I bought my first TS in 2002. Since then I've traveled to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Africa and a lot of destinations in the continental US. Mostly on points or trades about 1/3 of the airfare was BC on points. I've never taken so many vacations in my life and I don't even retire for another week or so.

The system has worked for me. But I'm not a skier so I don't have to buy a ski resort where about half of the weeks are useless. I don't look at resorts where the high season is in the summer because on Long Island where I live summer is the high season. I don't look at Golf resorts to buy but I would rent or trade into one. So it all depends on you. What do you like to do? From your OP it looks like you want a week in warm weather in the winter. At Ocean Pointe you could probably get a winter week for about $1500. You'll be on a low floor with a side unit. If you want a high floor facing the ocean you'll pretty much have to buy one. At FC you'll spend about $2-4000 per week for a rental unit currently. All the units face the water but on a lower floor in some of the bldg's your view will be obstructed on non-existent.

Hope this helps. Good luck deciding.

Jim, Thanks, this was very helpful and brought up additional questions (naturally... and please..anyone feel free to reply). By the way, my wife and I moved up to Lake George 3 years ago from Port Jefferson LI.

The point I need elaboration on is the one about selection of the particular unit. I must say that I am mildly "fussy" so a ground floor on the side would not make me a happy camper. Of course I am sure this depends a bit on the property.

I did not know that owners could choose a particular location within the property. How does that work?

And, if I rent from an owner, should I ask him the specific location of the unit?

THanks.

 

[lreinstein]

From the best of my undersanding you get to rent the same room that the owner reserved for themselves. If that is indeed the case simply rent only rooms you like. If the rooms are assigned upon check-in so what, you are at the same resort with $5,000 or more money in the bank from not purchasing enjoying the same amenities the owners do for less than they pay in MF's if you shop around and negotiate a little.


I agree that rentals are better deals than buying if you have a little flexibilty in your travel times. Other than New Years or Christmas week at a ski resort, 4th of July at the beach, or Easter week or Spring break weeks at many resorts, you can rent for close to what the MF's are. If the MF's are $1000 and you can rent a week for $1500 a year, you can stay there for 10 years before you break even on a $5000 purchase. That is if the resort doesn't have assessments, or if the MF's remain the same for 10 years (which they won't. You can rent anywhere you want each year for any week you would like to travel.change resorts or resort chains, and not be obligated to the ever increasing MF's and assessments that come with ownership. There are several Marriott's that have MF's over $2000 a year which were less than $1500 a few years ago. If you own you are obligated to pay no matter how high the mfs go or how large the assessment they assess is.

On Redweek there is currently an Oceanside studio at Aruba Surf Club for rent March 13-20th for $400, Ocean View at Aruba Surf Club 2 bed 2 bath 3-28 to 4-4 for $1500, in fact there are currently 339 weeks for rent on Redweek at the Aruba surf club for varying weeks and varying prices.

Marriott maui Ocean Club has 286 rentals listed on Redweek including an Ocean front 2 bed room 3 bath from March 8th to March 15th for $1000(make this owner almost any offer and pack for Maui). Many other owners will be very willing to accept less than their asking prices with so many rweeks for rent and few if any offers.

There are 167 for rent at Aruba Ocean Club, 47 weeks for rent at Marriott Kauai Beach Club including a 1 bed room 2 bath from 3-28 to 4-4 for $750, a week at Marriott Horizons in Orlando for $595 in a one bed one bath from 4-10 to 4-17, and a week in a 2 bed room 2 bath at the Marriott's Grand Vista in Orlando in a 2 bed 2 bath from 3-27 to 4-03 for $895.

If you peruse the rentals available at most Marriott's, you can get a March or April week in a warm location for less than MF's. Right now I would not buy unless I needed a specific week at a specific resort each and every year. look for yourself and see the rental bargains available from many desperate owners at the majority of Marriott resorts for most any travel time this year.
Renting now would be much more feasible than buying in this economy.

Are owners treated differently at the resort during the week stay? Are there special owners facilities? owners events? etc.

 

[thinze3]

It appears that the OP wants to escape the cold each year. That said, he would pretty much have to travel to a warmer destination. To me that indicates south Florida, Palm Desert, Hawaii, or the Carribean. Each of these locations would cost you a minimum of $2500 dollars to rent a 2BR during that time of year. During better economic times it can cost even more.

Also, it has been my experience that owning sort of forces you to take that vacation you so deserve each year, while renting leads to "cutting back" a bit. When you cut back you tend to stay in less nice condos or hotel rooms. Your reasoning is, "I can save $1000 if I stay here."

I say, "Jump in!" Resale prices are good, and you'll have lots of fun experiencing Marriott. Owning will probably open up your travels to new heights.


I'll give you an example:
I traded a "cheap" 2BR Legends Edge for a 2BR at Ko Olina this July through II. I have heard so much about Ko Olina, that I just had to try it out.

I then traded my 2BR Waiohai for a 2BR Westin (with another Tugger) because I wanted to go back to Maui. I hadn't been there in about 7 years and wanted to go back. Marriott and Westin were my options.

Yes, this trip did cost me $2600 in MF's and exchange fees, but there is NO WAY I would ever have paid cash for this vacation. In other words if it weren't for owning I would not be making this high quality trip. I suspect that many others here would say the same.

 

[lreinstein]

clarification:

Thanks to all of you for these well thought out replies. They are very helpful, and when I am fully awake today (after 2nd cup of coffee) I intend to join TUG. Let me clarify my needs a bit further so to make the best decision.

- Our main travel goal is to be able to assure a week where it really is warm (Aruba, St. Thomas, ...) sometime between early February and early March. The specific week is not crucial but that period is, since it is that period of time that we need to get the heck out of the cold and snowy Northeast Winter.

- It is a secondary goal to have additional vacation time in the early spring in places like Hilton Head, or California Coast or perhaps Europe.

Thus the rental vs ownership question. Can the above be achieved through rental.... and with units that are good units?

And, IF ownership, then what property/season to make the above goals happen.

 

[thinze3]

....
On Redweek there is currently an Oceanside studio at Aruba Surf Club for rent March 13-20th for $400, Ocean View at Aruba Surf Club 2 bed 2 bath 3-28 to 4-4 for $1500, in fact there are currently 339 weeks for rent on Redweek at the Aruba surf club for varying weeks and varying prices.

Marriott maui Ocean Club has 286 rentals listed on Redweek including an Ocean front 2 bed room 3 bath from March 8th to March 15th for $1000. ...
There are 167 for rent at Aruba Ocean Club, 47 weeks for rent at Marriott Kauai Beach Club including a 1 bed room 2 bath from 3-28 to 4-4 for $750 .....

2009 LAST MINUTE FIRE SALE PRICES!!
I never wait this late to make vacation plans. What are 2010's rental rates.

 

[tombo]

2009 LAST MINUTE FIRE SALE PRICES!!
I never wait this late to make vacation plans. What are 2010's rental rates.

Owner's with Marriott can't even reserve until 12 to 13 months in advance, so there are no 2010 rates yet from owners. The prices I listed are real prices currently available for March which is what the OP requested.

Who has to book a year in advance other than owners? No one. My family and friends who don't own timeshares are amazed that I know whwere I am going a year in advance. For non timeshare owners 3 or 4 months prior to their vacation is plenty of time to plan and get air fares. Many of the best air fares are last minute sales. Wait until the air sales hit, then look for a bargain rental week for a wonderful inexpensive vacation.

If you are a renter why would you not wait until 4 to 6 months out before you decide where and when you want to go. If you book a year in advance you could have family problems, health problems, and by next year you might have changed jobs and have no vacation time available, or even worse you might no longer have a job. That is a risk owners have to take when they book a year in advance to get the week they want. Renters don't have to take that risk.

 

[thinze3]

Sorry. I disagree with waiting until 7-30 days out before making my plans as your examples indicated.

Redweek Examples: (none skipped over)

Ocean Pointe
02/14/10 - 12/31/10 $4,200 ($600/nt) Oceanfront 3/ 3 10
02/19/10 - 02/26/10 $2,800 ($400/nt) Ocean view 2/ 2 8
02/28/10 - 03/07/10 $2,000 ($286/nt) Ocean view 2/ 2 8
03/07/10 - 03/4/10 $2,000 ($286/nt) Ocean view 2/ 2 8


BeachPlace Towers
01/01-12/31/10 7 $2,500 ($357/nt) Oceanfront 2/ 2 8
02/05-12/10 7 $2,800 ($400/nt) Oceanfront 2/ 2 6


Frenchman's Cove
01/02/10 - 01/09/10 7 $3,000 ($429/nt) Oceanfront 2/ 2 8
02/13/10 - 02/20/10 7 $4,500 ($643/nt) Ocean view 2/ 2 8
02/13/10 - 02/20/10 7 $3,500 ($500/nt) Oceanfront 2/ 2 8
03/27/10 - 04/03/10 7 $2,499 ($357/nt) Ocean view 2/ 2 8

 

[tombo]

Also, it has been my experience that owning sort of forces you to take that vacation you so deserve each year, while renting leads to "cutting back" a bit. When you cut back you tend to stay in less nice condos or hotel rooms. Your reasoning is, "I can save $1000 if I stay here."


I traded a "cheap" 2BR Legends Edge for a 2BR at Ko Olina this July through II. I have heard so much about Ko Olina, that I just had to try it out.

I then traded my 2BR Waiohai for a 2BR Westin (with another Tugger) because I wanted to go back to Maui. I hadn't been there in about 7 years and wanted to go back. Marriott and Westin were my options.

Yes, this trip did cost me $2600 in MF's and exchange fees, but there is NO WAY I would ever have paid cash for this vacation. In other words if it weren't for owning I would not be making this high quality trip. I suspect that many others here would say the same.

Who wants to be forced to take a vacation whether you are able to take off from work or if doing so might jeopardize your career, or whether you can afford it financially or not? I might be cheap or less well to do than many here, but saving $1000 a week to vacation at the same destination is something I would never scoff at personally.

My friend who owns Platinum at Legends Edge has traded his 2 bed room for Maui, and Aruba. He said that both places they told him that the best they could get him was a studio at both places even though he traded in a 2 bed room. The trades were 3 or 4 years ago when those locations were harder to get, so maybe it is easier now.If you have a secret to getting a 2 bed room at those locations using a Legends Edge I will be glad to pass it on to him since he was very mad that he was trading 2 bed rooms and only getting studios in return.

There are currently many Marriott Ko'olina's for rent all year long. There is a 2 bed room 2 bath ocean view for rent for $1800 from July 4th until July 11th. That is not last minute and it is one of the best weeks of the year. There is a one bed room one bath for rent for $875 from 9-18 to 9-25 (surely 6 months in advance isn't last minute), and there is a studio available for $850 from 07-26 to 08-02. Very few of the current 129 rental weeks at the Ko"olina are last minute, and most of the asking prices are negotiable.

You can rent a Redweek posting at the Westin Kaanapali from 6-27 to 7-04 in a studio for $1300.

Combine the 6-27 to 7-04 at the Westin with the 2 bed room 2 bath from 7-04 to 7-11 at the Ko'Olina for $1800 and you have 2 weeks for $3100 as a renter including 2 July 4th weeks. No outlay to buy, no obligation for MF's or assessments. The MF's at the Ko'Olina are about $1600 a year with taxes and I don't know what the Westin is per year.

Saving $500 total for 2 weeks by being an owner when you have to pay $10,000 to $20,000 to own the 2 weeks that you trade for the vacation is not worth it IMO.

 

[MOXJO7282]

If the OP had said they could travel offseason and short notice, then it would be definitely a renting recommendation because off-season rentals in a good market were plentiful, now even much more so, so weeks can probably be had for less than $800. However, if their desire is to go every year in "prime time", which is what early Feb -early Mar is, then owning may in fact be better. Especially now that resale prices are depressed.

I would look at an Aruba Surf Club 2BDRM resale, probably in the $18k to $20k range. The value that can be derived from that can be excellent, and owning does make it alot easier and safer to schedule vacations because its all in your hands and you don't have to find a renter every year.

And advanced scheduling can allow you save on airfare and MF are paid in advanced, spreading costs over time. I've flown my family 1st class on FF miles to Maui 3 times, and just recently Aruba. It would have been very difficult to make this happen if I didn't own at these resorts, and had the reservations locked down.

Yes you can probably still find a Surf Club OV studio in prime time for less than the $1243 MF, but if you also use the 2nd week in the 1BDRM wisely, then you can really lower your TCO per night.

You'd be lucky to consistently rent 2 prime weeks for less than $2500, so owning in that usage model has a positive ROI. And as someone mentioned, if you regularly trade the 1BDRM, you will most likely get an accomodation certificate from II that you can use for a 3rd vacation week.

 

[tombo]

Sorry. I disagree with waiting until 7-30 days out before making my plans as your examples indicated.

Redweek Examples: (none skipped over)

Ocean Pointe
02/14/10 - 12/31/10 $4,200 ($600/nt) Oceanfront 3/ 3 10
02/19/10 - 02/26/10 $2,800 ($400/nt) Ocean view 2/ 2 8
02/28/10 - 03/07/10 $2,000 ($286/nt) Ocean view 2/ 2 8
03/07/10 - 03/4/10 $2,000 ($286/nt) Ocean view 2/ 2 8


BeachPlace Towers
01/01-12/31/10 7 $2,500 ($357/nt) Oceanfront 2/ 2 8
02/05-12/10 7 $2,800 ($400/nt) Oceanfront 2/ 2 6


Frenchman's Cove
01/02/10 - 01/09/10 7 $3,000 ($429/nt) Oceanfront 2/ 2 8
02/13/10 - 02/20/10 7 $4,500 ($643/nt) Ocean view 2/ 2 8
02/13/10 - 02/20/10 7 $3,500 ($500/nt) Oceanfront 2/ 2 8
03/27/10 - 04/03/10 7 $2,499 ($357/nt) Ocean view 2/ 2 8

People like to list the highest prices they can find to show what weeks are renting for and selling for. The majority of those weeks will never rent or sell. On redweek look at the prices on the weeks that have rented, some are high dollar, but most are good deals. Many of the high dollar weeks showing as rented might have actually rented for less than the price you see since as the ad comes close to ending people will negotiate. Some weeks that show rented never even rented, the ad just expired.

I look for the biggest bang for my buck, so I skip over many weeks and some resorts when looking for a vacation. If I can rent a Marriott Ocean View at the Aruba Surf Club in a 2 bed 2 bath for $1500 and someone has one listed for $1600 I am not interested. I sure don't care that there are some people who are listing the same thing for $6500. I am not tied to a particular week, and I am not obligated to to Marriott either if I am renting rather than owning. If I want Mauai I can bargain hunt between many resorts and find the best location and dates for the money. If I want to see whales I can search Marriott Hawaii resorts between December and March, rent a good deal, then plan my flights and time of work around my rental dates. Owners do the same thing, they reserve a week they want, and then plan their vacation around the week they chose (or the fixed week they own).

 

[Aviator621]

Can you tell me about a "lockoff"? Are these special design units? Any disadvantages? How do you get 3 weeks from one for example? I am new at this.

Some resorts have a two bedroom unit that is designed to be split (or "lock-off"ed) into a one bedroom unit and a studio unit. Each can be reserved or deposited independently. (There is an additional fee to do this.) In addition, if it is a high demand week, Interval International will give you what is called an "Accommodation Certificate" or "AC" that can then be traded for another low demand week for a fee. As an example, we recently used our single Timber Lodge week to exchange for a week at Disney Saratoga Springs, a week at Custom House, and used the AC for Manor Club.

 

[tombo]

If the OP had said they could travel offseason and short notice, then it would be definitely a renting recommendation because off-season rentals in a good market were plentiful, now even much more so, so weeks can probably be had for less than $800. However, if their desire is to go every year in "prime time", which is what early Feb -early Mar is, then owning may in fact be better. Especially now that resale prices are depressed.


You'd be lucky to consistently rent 2 prime weeks for less than $2500, so owning in that usage model has a positive ROI. And as someone mentioned, if you regularly trade the 1BDRM, you will most likely get an accomodation certificate from II that you can use for a 3rd vacation week.

If they want to go every year prime time I would agree that buying would be a good option to consider. However it is hard to recover a $20,000 expenditure in 20 years unless you are saving over $1000 a year owning over renting.

The problem with saving money by splitting weeks at fly to destinations is that you either have to have the ability to be gone from work for 2 consecutive weeks( which i can't do), or you have to pay airfare twice to make two trips to your home resort by splitting your lock-off into 2 weeks. The airfare nowadays often costs more than the room, so flying there 2 times can be cost prohibitive.

If you trade one side of the lockoff for another location, or rent out one side, it would considerably reduce your per night cost and possibly make owning a better deal than renting. Of course that only works if you don't need two bed rooms for yourself and your family to use personally.