Harborside Silver or Gold?

[scooter22]

I have the opportunity to purchase a biennial, 2-bedroom lockoff in Phase 1 at Harborside Atlantis, silver season, fixed week 35 for $5k.

I also have the opportunity to purchase an annual, 2-bedroom (straight unit / not a lockoff), gold season, floating unit for $8k.

I really wanted a gold week, biennial unit in order to avoid high annual maintenance fees, however, I cannot locate any at a decent price.

The 2 bedroom straight gold season unit has decent maintenance fees compared to the lockoff units, so if I bought an annual I would not be paying the extra high annual fees of other annual lockoff owners.

I am trying to stay away from extra high annual maintenance fees.

Both seasons work for me, however, the gold season works better as far as my children's schedules / school is concerned.

Please advise.

Thanks!

 

[DeniseM]

Hi and welcome to the Starwood board!

At this resort it is very difficult to reserve a week, besides the fixed week you own, so be sure you buy the week you want to go.

Have you visited Harborside before? It is extremely expensive - dining and groceries can easily be 100% higher than on the mainland - something to consider.

I'd also suggest that you read the Starwood FAQ at the top of the page, and then come back and let us know what your questions are.

For lots of info. about this resort use the "search this forum" button and search for "Harborside."

 

[scooter22]

Hello - I am aware I will probably not be able to obtain another week in the Silver season. I intended on purchasing the silver season unit after being told it was in Phase II as a floating unit, but, later found that the unit was actually in Phase I as a fixed unit.

I understand food expenses are high, however, I will offset those expenses by brining dry & other goods with me (as others do).

Now, I should really ask, Silver or Gold? Annual or Biennial? I woner if, with all the rentals out there, whether I will be able to rent the other year?

Any other advice?

Note: I would by elsewhere and trade to Harborside if that were possible, but, it appears to be almost impossible.

Thanks!

 

[DeniseM]

This is one of the most expensive resorts in the Starwood system, so you aren't going to find any $1 bargains for prime seasons. But the market is still going down, so if you are patient, you may find a lower price. Places to look for resales.

Since you have children, I'd buy during the season when you want to go - as they get older, it gets more difficult to take them out of school for vacations.

If you don't want to use it every year, definitely buy an EOY deed. The rental market is very weak because of the economy. It makes more sense to only buy what you can use.

 

[yumdrey]

I would wait until find every other year 2BR gold season if it's the one you need. If you are patient, you will get what you need. In this market, there's no reason you should hurry to buy something.
For a year or two, you can find rental easily, for almost the same price as maintenace fee. Look redweek.com or myresortnetwork.com, there are plenty listing for rentals and prices are competitive.
To be honest, I didn't feel that "everything is very expensive here". I am at Harborside right now, and we are going out for lunch or dinner each day and it's just a little more expensive (about 20%?) than Baltimore/Washington D.C area's prices. Even if the lunch for one person is $30-$40, the dish is "huge" and we cannot finish them, so bring them in the box and eat left-overs for next meal. Considering service, quality and quantity, the food price isn't bad at all.

 

[James1975NY]

I have the opportunity to purchase a biennial, 2-bedroom lockoff in Phase 1 at Harborside Atlantis, silver season, fixed week 35 for $5k.

I also have the opportunity to purchase an annual, 2-bedroom (straight unit / not a lockoff), gold season, floating unit for $8k.

I really wanted a gold week, biennial unit in order to avoid high annual maintenance fees, however, I cannot locate any at a decent price.

The 2 bedroom straight gold season unit has decent maintenance fees compared to the lockoff units, so if I bought an annual I would not be paying the extra high annual fees of other annual lockoff owners.

I am trying to stay away from extra high annual maintenance fees.

Both seasons work for me, however, the gold season works better as far as my children's schedules / school is concerned.

Please advise.

Thanks!

The prices are good but at the end of the day, you are responsible for the maintenance fees and taxes EVERY year even if you do not want to travel. I agree in that patience can work out for you. If you are looking for EOY (odd), keep in mind that it will take a long time to close an HRA deal and get it in your name so for summer inventory in 2011, you may want to be mroe aggressive or (dare I say it here ), consider paying a little more because the right opportunity presents itself now.

Otherwise, if you are not in any hurry and the EVEN or ODD plan works for you, your patience will reward you....still, stay tuned to what is available in the market for what fits your family's needs best.

 

[scooter22]

Thanks!

Wow - What a wealth of knowledge you have all offered. In fact, I have been waiting patiently and just found my ideal unit, a two bedroom, non-lockoff, floating Gold season, biennial odd unit with decent annual maintenance fees and a decent asking price; hopefully the deal will go through. Thanks for all your ideas and support!:whoopie: