Free - Westgate Lakes Resorts & Spa

[family4]

Westgate Lakes Resorts & Spa

3 bedroom lock-off unit

Week 2 Odd year

Maintenance fee 2025: $1543 + tax $138 = total $1681 – paid.

Mortgage: paid in full

Current reservations: 2025 week is deposited with II as one 2-bedroom unit and a studio

Buyer pays the transfer and related fees

 

[family4]

Still available.

 

[amycurl]

Hi--
Westgate is a notoriously bad deal for resale owners. I believe they only get a 60 day window in which they can book only into their home resort--please correct me if I am wrong. You most likely won't find anyone to take this for absolutely free, let alone asking them to pay the transfer fees and closing costs. You may have to sweeten the deal or be prepared to just walk away.

 

[family4]

Thanks for the note. I'm not aware of the 60-day window and I deposit my weeks into II.
We want to spend more time in Hawaii, and Westgate and II are not convenient for us.
This could be good for someone who wants to get more weeks with II.
I'm also open to trading for a HGCV contract

 

[amycurl]

I still don't believe you understand how little value a Westgate resale contract has--certainly not even on the same playing field of a very resale-friently HGVC contract. Do resale Westgate contracts even get access to II? They would not be able to deposit a high-demand week within only 60 days, even if they do allow them access to II, so what they could get would be pretty poor, I would think.

My recommendation is to seriously consider either figuring out how *you* can use it in II to get some value--even if it's not convenient-- or be prepared to just walk away and take the possible credit ding. You've been around TUG long enough to figure that out.

 

[dioxide45]

Westgate Lakes Resorts & Spa

3 bedroom lock-off unit

Week 2 Odd year

Maintenance fee 2025: $1543 + tax $138 = total $1681 – paid.

Mortgage: paid in full

Current reservations: 2025 week is deposited with II as one 2-bedroom unit and a studio

Buyer pays the transfer and related fees

When did you originally acquired your Westgate Lakes deed? I understand that Westgate instituted the changes related to new deeds sold after a certain date in 2009. So if you bought from Westgate prior to that, then it shouldn't have the restriction when resold. That said, Westgate makes it very difficult for the resale buyer to use it outside 60 days. First they have to fight Westgate to get them to recognize that the restriction doesn't apply. Then when Westgate does recognize it, the new owner can only reserve by calling in to make a reservation. Just due to these issues, there is little to zero resale market for a Westgate timeshare. Have you tried calling Westgate to ask about a deed back. Yes there will be a big fee. Perhaps $3000 or so, but that would be cheaper than a couple of years worth of maintenance fees.

 

[RX8]

I found an old TUG thread that had a few costs for 2018/2019. To lock off, like the OP did for the II exchange, the cost at that time was $80. However, for a resale owner it was $600 to lock off!

Below is a link for Westgate. They mention their exit options. In fact, it almost seems as if they are pushing the exit options over trying to “sell” it. Definitely contact Westgate to see about those options. Giving away a Westgate for free isn’t so easy as it will likely cost an owner up to $4000 to do so (paying MF, closing costs and maybe a Visa gift card at closing too).

From the Westgate website:
“The best way to sell your timeshare property is by going directly with a trusted real-estate agent. However, we have exit options available and we highly recommend calling us first in order to assess eligibility through the Westgate timeshare legacy program before using any third-party services.”

How to Sell a Westgate Timeshare Legally | Resale Programs | Westgate Timeshare

Wondering how to sell a Westgate timeshare? If you're researching how to sell a timeshare legally or have questions about whether Westgate timeshare has a resale program, learn the best way to sell your Westgate timeshare here!

www.westgateresorts.com

 

[Ken555]

FWIW, I just bought a getaway week at this resort for a friend, and a studio cost just ~$221 with my II platinum discount…and this is for next week! I look ahead and saw weeks available practically every single week I checked. Why would anyone want to own here? Sorry to the OP…

 

[family4]

FWIW, I just bought a getaway week at this resort for a friend, and a studio cost just ~$221 with my II platinum discount…and this is for next week! I look ahead and saw weeks available practically every single week I checked. Why would anyone want to own here? Sorry to the OP…

I believe the majority of timeshare owners don't just visit their home resorts. It's more for trading/exchanging.

 

[family4]

When did you originally acquired your Westgate Lakes deed? I understand that Westgate instituted the changes related to new deeds sold after a certain date in 2009. So if you bought from Westgate prior to that, then it shouldn't have the restriction when resold. That said, Westgate makes it very difficult for the resale buyer to use it outside 60 days. First they have to fight Westgate to get them to recognize that the restriction doesn't apply. Then when Westgate does recognize it, the new owner can only reserve by calling in to make a reservation. Just due to these issues, there is little to zero resale market for a Westgate timeshare. Have you tried calling Westgate to ask about a deed back. Yes there will be a big fee. Perhaps $3000 or so, but that would be cheaper than a couple of years worth of maintenance fees.

I got it before 2009. Thanks

 

[Ken555]

I believe the majority of timeshare owners don't just visit their home resorts. It's more for trading/exchanging.

I understand how challenging it can be to find a new buyer, and it’s a situation that many people face. When it comes to trading, there are more affordable options available than this unit. I encourage you to explore all avenues to sell it. Your frustration is completely understandable, and I hope you find a resolution soon.

 

[dioxide45]

I believe the majority of timeshare owners don't just visit their home resorts. It's more for trading/exchanging.

They do, but the punitive ($600) fee that Westgate charges resale owners to exchange scares away many potential resale buyers.

 

[rabdou]

I found an old TUG thread that had a few costs for 2018/2019. To lock off, like the OP did for the II exchange, the cost at that time was $80. However, for a resale owner it was $600 to lock off!

Below is a link for Westgate. They mention their exit options. In fact, it almost seems as if they are pushing the exit options over trying to “sell” it. Definitely contact Westgate to see about those options. Giving away a Westgate for free isn’t so easy as it will likely cost an owner up to $4000 to do so (paying MF, closing costs and maybe a Visa gift card at closing too).

From the Westgate website:
“The best way to sell your timeshare property is by going directly with a trusted real-estate agent. However, we have exit options available and we highly recommend calling us first in order to assess eligibility through the Westgate timeshare legacy program before using any third-party services.”

How to Sell a Westgate Timeshare Legally | Resale Programs | Westgate Timeshare

Wondering how to sell a Westgate timeshare? If you're researching how to sell a timeshare legally or have questions about whether Westgate timeshare has a resale program, learn the best way to sell your Westgate timeshare here!

www.westgateresorts.com

Just FYI this exit option is only for those who have no balance due on your account (i.e.: mortgage paid off and no outstanding taxes/fees dues.). I'm still looking to get out of mine. I think at this point I will just stop paying and take a credit hit.

 

[family4]

I called Westgate and got a message. I plan to call back next week to find out more details on how to give it back

 

[greatestNothing]

Hi--
Westgate is a notoriously bad deal for resale owners. I believe they only get a 60 day window in which they can book only into their home resort--please correct me if I am wrong. You most likely won't find anyone to take this for absolutely free, let alone asking them to pay the transfer fees and closing costs. You may have to sweeten the deal or be prepared to just walk away.

That's a real shame to hear. I'd pick up a Spring week there if they didn't make it so bad for resale. What other companies with TS in Kissimmee would you recommend? We've bought getaways to WG Lakes a few years now and it's been fine to great most years.

 

[family4]

I'd honestly just rent unless you can see usage beyond the particular location.

 

[dioxide45]

That's a real shame to hear. I'd pick up a Spring week there if they didn't make it so bad for resale. What other companies with TS in Kissimmee would you recommend? We've bought getaways to WG Lakes a few years now and it's been fine to great most years.

We have stayed at Westgate Town Center, Westgate Towers and Westgate Vacation Villas. The only one I would avoid in the future is Westgate Towers. Though if you are staying at any of the properties, you can use the facilities at any of the others. We haven't stayed at any other timeshare properties in the Kissimmee are yet.

 

[family4]

Westgate Lakes is a wonderful facility

 

[amycurl]

Staying there is great--one of our first timeshare Getaways was to Westgate Vacation Villas (we've also stayed at Westgate Lakes, and liked both.) But owning--no way. We've enjoyed Orlando-area stays at the Marriott Palm resorts, Sheraton Vistana Resort, HGVC's Las Palmeras, and Star Island. But, as much as we enjoy Orlando and Disney, I would personally never own anything in FL.

 

[Pennytx]

We are currently at Westgate Branson woods
It’s a very nice property
You just have to try to stay in a more updated unit
We’ve stayed multiple times at Westgate properties in Orlando and truly they were all “fine”, nothing bad, but nothing memorable

 

[TUGBrian]

agreed, the getaways for westgate lakes are an oustanding value!

id have no problems at all staying there again!

 

[swditz]

Westgate Lakes Resorts & Spa

3 bedroom lock-off unit

Week 2 Odd year

Maintenance fee 2025: $1543 + tax $138 = total $1681 – paid.

Mortgage: paid in full

Current reservations: 2025 week is deposited with II as one 2-bedroom unit and a studio

Buyer pays the transfer and related fees

On the plus side, this appears to be a fixed week 2. This gives the owner a guaranteed week at no additional cost regardless of how purchased. If someone is happy going that week every other year its a good size in a nice resort. I would however suggest the seller pay ALL associated costs.

 

[family4]

Thanks for the suggestions and I'd consider it.