Harborside purchase?

[rsonc]

I have been reading about SVC and I have been to the Atlantis a few times and we are thinking of purchasing a week there.

I had missed out on that 1br silver for $250 and I am hoping more come available at a good price down the road.

I do have a few questions and I dont remember seeing the answers anywhere.

If I purchase a gold week in a one or two bedroom can I reserve in the 8-12 months window smaller units during the silver season or do I have to wait until after my season to book?

I also read that they might allow you (for now) to combine StartPoints, does that mean if I have 2 accounts at 44k points each and combine them then I could use 88k points to book a reservation in the 8-12 month window?

what if one resort was the Atlantis and the other was the Westin in Palm Springs would I be able to use the points from these 2 accounts in the 8-12 month window or would I have to use the 8 month -less since they are different resorts?

Is it better to own with Atlantis if I will be going in the gold/silver season or should I look at another SVC resort with lower fees and try to trade in.

Do you know if they have any special assessments and if they raise their m/f dues a lot each year?

What is a good price for a harborside unit? There are only 3-4 that may go each year unless we take friends with us.

Also if I dont use it how hard is it to rent the units in gold or silver season?
Thanks
Susan

 

[jarta]

So many questions. I can only provide a few answers. And, they will only be my opinion from my experience.

I have heard that you should buy where you want to vacation. I think it is good advice.

Harborside has hidden costs which are separate and apart from the purchase priceof an eBay bid. The MF (annual carrying cost) for a 2br lockoff are way higher than other popular SVO vacation resorts. But, less for 2009 than 2008! Generally, unless you live on the East coast, you will have to change planes to get there. Once on the island, most people smilingly expect to perform menial services and receive a handsome tip for performing them. At times the people who voluteer to "help you" are God-sends in getting you through red tape in an unfamiliar country; at times they are merely moochers.

The prices of food at the resorts and even the "in Nassau" restaurants is much more than anyone is used to. The food plans available at the Harborside resort are breakfast and dinner only at selected Atlantis places for $59 or $94 per person per day. The $59 gets you the buffets and places like the Deli or Johhnie Rockets but includes an OK casino buffet at Atlantis and some OK upscale restaurants. The "gourmet" plan inlcudes almost every place to eat. However, the best buffet, Mosaic at the Cove, is not available in either plan - nor is Carmine's where the food portions are huge and leftovers for the next day are included. Nassau really grows no food. Everything is imported and is heavily taxed by the government. Plus the ever-present Kerzner (Atlantis) tax is added.

Another hidden cost is the cost of closing and recording a deed. It seems you must use a Bahamian attorney to prepare and record the deed. Usual charge is over $2,000.

Another hidden cost could be the cost of being right next to a casino for a week. I would not recommend buying at Harborside if you think you might have (or could develop) a gambling problem. To get comp points at the Atlantis casino, your room key must be in the slots for at least 4 hours a day with an average bet of $3 per pull. At that rate, the losses can pile up quickly and in large amounts.

But, there are tons of other things for all ages to do at Atlantis and in the Bahamas. I love Harborside.

I own at Harborside. I was there earlier this month. I am going back next March. It is a great place to stay - if you can stomach the hidden costs. If you can't, buy elsewhere and take your risks on trading into the resort. Best advice: call at 9am exactly 8 months out.

The unit that sold on eBay recently for $250 could have been the "steal" of a lifetime. However, the unit was listed as a 2br lockoff in Phase I - but only 1 unit of the lockoff was listed by unit number in the ad. The full MF was correct but it also listed the fees for a 1br. The wording of the ad was, IMO, slippery as to what was being sold. The ebay seller/agent didn't even know about the use of a Bahamian and the cost of the attorney. The 2008 MF were unpaid. The estoppel letter I was sent (I asked for it) gave the name of the Harborside management person who executes them. But there was no signature on the letter. And the date on the letter was the date I asked.

When I got my owner's update at Harborside after the bidding closed, I was warned to be careful because a single unit recently was sold to 3 separate new owners. I don't know if that was Starwood trying to sell me one of the few remaining unsold units, but I'd only buy from a reliable seller/agent in the resale market. I took a pass on that unit. Maybe I missed something; maybe not.

Remember, most of the Phase I units are fixed weeks. Most of the Phase II units are floating weeks. In general, the Phase I units have better views, but are less well-equipped, smaller and older (thus more tired) than the Phase II units. Phase II units have the Starwood look and appointments. But, Phase I unit owners seem to be very happy. The units rarely come into the resale market.

Sorry that I can't be more specific. Weigh the hidden costs, the numerous advantages, the effect of the current economy on unit pricing (Atlantis was relatively empty and the shop people were all complaining that nobody was buying; Harborside, in contrast, was full) and decide whether to pull the trigger.

Finally, good luck to you. Buying in a foreign country can be a hairy experience. But, Harborside can be worth the experience. ... eom

 

[capjak]

If I purchase a gold week in a one or two bedroom can I reserve in the 8-12 months window smaller units during the silver season or do I have to wait until after my season to book?


No, you reserve your home season (gold in your example) during the 8-12 month window and use staroptions at 8 months to reserve in a different season or different resort or different villa type


I also read that they might allow you (for now) to combine StartPoints, does that mean if I have 2 accounts at 44k points each and combine them then I could use 88k points to book a reservation in the 8-12 month window?

Remember starpoints are for hotel stays (which you do not get when buying resale), staroptions are used at the 8 month mark not before and would be easy to use if allowed to combine based on availability

what if one resort was the Atlantis and the other was the Westin in Palm Springs would I be able to use the points from these 2 accounts in the 8-12 month window or would I have to use the 8 month -less since they are different resorts?
First if you buy the Westin Mission Hills on resale you will not get any staroptions to use as it is a "voluntary resort" please read FAQ at top of starwood section to answere your questions. Secondly again you use staroptions for non home priority i.e. 8 monts or less

Is it better to own with Atlantis if I will be going in the gold/silver season or should I look at another SVC resort with lower fees and try to trade in.

IMO I would not own Atlantis due to the maintenace fees, I own Maui and think those are too high, but, I do not plan on going to Atlantis every year. Someone else would have to give you information on availability at 8 months.

Do you know if they have any special assessments and if they raise their m/f dues a lot each year? Current dues are alread 2000+, don't know if going up or any SAs

What is a good price for a harborside unit? There are only 3-4 that may go each year unless we take friends with us.

Sorry I do not follow this market.
Also if I dont use it how hard is it to rent the units in gold or silver season?

Don't know, but most areas have been harder lately to rent out...I think you know why

 

[tomandrobin]

If I purchase a gold week in a one or two bedroom can I reserve in the 8-12 months window smaller units during the silver season or do I have to wait until after my season to book?

If you can only make reservations in the 12-8 month window for the season you own. No trading up or down in seasons until the 8 month window opens.

I also read that they might allow you (for now) to combine StartPoints, does that mean if I have 2 accounts at 44k points each and combine them then I could use 88k points to book a reservation in the 8-12 month window?

You can only combine staroptions at the 8 month window.

what if one resort was the Atlantis and the other was the Westin in Palm Springs would I be able to use the points from these 2 accounts in the 8-12 month window or would I have to use the 8 month -less since they are different resorts?

Again, only at the 8 month window can you combine staroptions.

Is it better to own with Atlantis if I will be going in the gold/silver season or should I look at another SVC resort with lower fees and try to trade in.

If you want to go to Atlantis in Gold season, IE the summer, then I would buy that season. Trading into Harborside from mid June thru August is very difficult, especially for larger units. Shoulder weeks are still easy trade at the 8 month mark - Sept, Oct and May. However, every year there is less and less available inventory as more and more of the resort is sold.

Do you know if they have any special assessments and if they raise their m/f dues a lot each year?

There has been no special assessments yet. MF's have risen most years, as do most resorts.

What is a good price for a harborside unit? There are only 3-4 that may go each year unless we take friends with us.

There is a sticky at the top of the forum that tracks ebay sales prices.

Also if I dont use it how hard is it to rent the units in gold or silver season?

The more popular the week, the easier it is to rent, and for more money. Silver weeks are the least desirable and do no rent as well as summer weeks. It all depends on where you set your price and how much or little you will accept for the unit.

If you only go to Harborside in Sept and Oct, there really is not a need to buy that season. If you want to go in the summer, then you really should own gold season. Closing costs will run $1500-$2000 dollars and has to be done by a Bahama Law firm. I have used a firm that is very reasonable, and very fast - took 4 weeks to close our last purchase.

 

[jarta]

Atlantis News. Shark jumps from pool onto water slide - and dies.

http://www.tmz.com/2008/12/18/shark-commits-suicide-on-waterslide/

... eom

 

[pointsjunkie]

I have been reading about SVC and I have been to the Atlantis a few times and we are thinking of purchasing a week there.

I had missed out on that 1br silver for $250 and I am hoping more come available at a good price down the road.

I do have a few questions and I dont remember seeing the answers anywhere.

If I purchase a gold week in a one or two bedroom can I reserve in the 8-12 months window smaller units during the silver season or do I have to wait until after my season to book?
you can only book in your season 8-12 months out.
I also read that they might allow you (for now) to combine StartPoints, does that mean if I have 2 accounts at 44k points each and combine them then I could use 88k points to book a reservation in the 8-12 month window?
you can combine staroptions but both have to be mandatory resorts to get stroptions.
what if one resort was the Atlantis and the other was the Westin in Palm Springs would I be able to use the points from these 2 accounts in the 8-12 month window or would I have to use the 8 month -less since they are different resorts?

Is it better to own with Atlantis if I will be going in the gold/silver season or should I look at another SVC resort with lower fees and try to trade in.

Do you know if they have any special assessments and if they raise their m/f dues a lot each year?

What is a good price for a harborside unit? There are only 3-4 that may go each year unless we take friends with us.

Also if I dont use it how hard is it to rent the units in gold or silver season?
Thanks
Susan

i have rented many units at the harborside in gold and silver season but that was before the economy hit the crapper so for 2009 i don't knoe how thay are going yo rent.

 

[DeniseM]

A agree with Pointsjunkie - In this economy many people are trying to rent their timeshares, especially in expensive locations that you have to fly to. If you don't want to use it every year, you would save a lot of money and a lot of hassle by buying an EOY TS. Definitely buy during the season you want to go - exchanging to another season is not easy.

 

[jerseygirl]

Atlantis News. Shark jumps from pool onto water slide - and dies.

http://www.tmz.com/2008/12/18/shark-commits-suicide-on-waterslide/

... eom

Hmmmmmmmmm .... not going on this slide ever again (steven spielberg's fault)!

 

[mariawolf]

Just a correction to the poster above--units in Phase 1 are actually larger--the two bedroom L/O is just a few feet smaller than the 3 bedroom in phase 2.
Phase 1 is going to be renovated in the fall so the conditions should be the same--the only thing they have done thus far is put dvd players in the Living rooms and there is now wired internet but if you plan to use this you might want to bring a longer cord.

 

[jarta]

maria, ... "Just a correction to the poster above ..."

You are correct. I was mistaken. The Phase I units are larger than the Phase II units. Thank you. ... eom

 

[tmkor]

Deleted

[Please review the posting rules at the top of the board. Advertising is only allowed in the free TUG Timeshare Marketplace.-DeniseM Moderator]

 

[tomandrobin]

You are not allowed to advertise your unit for sale. :ignore:



[Thanks Tom - you can instantly report Advertising and Spam by clicking on the red triangle at the bottom of the poster's info.-DeniseM Moderator]

 

[rsnash]

Did anyone see the latest Harborside unit available on eBay? A 3BR platinum plus unit, sounds like the best available. But I think, and Perry might agree with me on this, that $55K is a bit much to spend on a TS just now!

 

[clsmit]

We bought ours from a broker a couple months ago for MUCH less. I'm not sure where this seller is looking for his/her comps...I hope someone buys it for the owner's sake, but not anyone reading here!