Help Marriott BeachPlace

[trina]

I was offered an eoy at Marriott Beach place for $7800. Do you think thats a decent price? I've 2 days to decide. Please help
Thanks

 

[KenK]

No not for gold espically, and not for plat.

Others may have different views. I place value of a Plat week at approx $13000 , and a gold week at just below $9500....more toward $8000.

Thats every year....do you know what the color of the week is....gold or plat?

 

[trina]

It is a Platinum eoy

 

[CMF]

Ditto to what KenK wrote.

KenK's numbers is what I recollect for Beach Place Towers when I was doing the research for my Marriott. Besides, I would "drop the Chalupa and back away slowy" from a seller that is giving me a deadline.

Charles

 

[KenK]

Trina & Charles,

I hate to post prices when so many of my friends 'sell' T/Ss and need to make a $$$. I found Trinas seller....I thi nk if you REALLY want it, they might take a bid of $6500 or so.

But remember, taxes here are almost $200 a week....total maint & taxes together, without and assessments will be $1000 a week per year, but an EOY would probablty be near $500.

Look at the real pix of the place with the new construction....(see pix below...and thats a year ago. (I still haven't gotten there to update...now views are blocked both N & S.) Don't forget the $12.00 parking fee.....they say owners get a free week to park...but only one, so if you L/O, the next week is a charge..

The water taxi is in a big dispute with the county (over contracts). There is still a Beach Place stop, but who knows for how long??? If the county can't help run the thing, its gone. Hardly anyone used it when it was $23.00 a day when it started, but at $5.00 a day, it was WELL USED. They raised it last week to $7.00 a day, and this week, I think to $10.00 a day.

Positives, however, still exist.....a L/O gets two weeks for the one. You can USUALLY get a bigger room than you traded in (Note USUALLY), and although II has cut back on many ACs......if you can pick a strong week in your float time (IT AIN"T ALWAYS EASY....See the Mar BBS), you might gat a AC from II.....that could give you 3 weeks every 2 years...

I think this is still an excellent place, and location....the current staff is fantastic, and the units are super. There are tons of good to very good walk to restaurants....the beach is fully guarded, and the water quality tested daily (I see the life guards). Flag system for beach safety, and even though the water is ery clear, the waves usually small, the water temp in the 70s during winter (thanks to the gulfstream current), the air might be a bit cool to leave the water once your in.

I don't know if Charles would agree.....but if you plan to use MBP and really want to go there, I might push a bit higher.

I think I saw that seller list a gold week for just over $8000.

Until this year, I have never seen a Marriott unit last on that site longer than a day

 

[trina]

Ken,
Do you really think they might let it go for $6500? They told me that they have back up offers. It might not be the same seller that you are thinking.

 

[gmarine]

I was offered an eoy at Marriott Beach place for $7800. Do you think thats a decent price? I've 2 days to decide. Please help
Thanks

I agree with what Ken said. Another way to determine if you should buy, even if they go down under $7000 is what you are going to use the unit for.

If you want the unit for your own use then it is a better buy than if you are going to trade it. It has very high m-fees for a unit that you would use to trade so I personally wouldnt buy a unit like that unless using it mostly for myself.

 

[KenK]

OK....now I found 2 plat eoy for the mid to high $7000. ($7800) But I'm not sure if they are the same sales people. (I would still offer less. I'm IMing you so you can find the sales sites.)

I see Seth with a buy it now for less than that (for an EO) on E Bay. (If I read it right)

The mid $7000s isn't a killer....how would you feel if someone posted they did get one for mid $6000??? (Remember, Manor Club Plat EY has been selling for $7500). But it's only (????---geesh Brian, & Dave will faint) about $1000 more, for something I think you can taste it you want it.....like that Cheesecake Factory desert, or the giant sundae.......and I remember one poster finding a Cypress HArbour EO for $1000, and a few MAR Seaview CC Fairways for $3000........

(And you aren't paying retail. Could you wait & still find it around that price? $7500 to $7800. I think so. I wouldn't kill myself to get it....but you have probably been in the freezing cold.....and boy, even 55 F looks good (It was in the low 80s today (in the sun) in Hollywood, Fl.

Wait for others to help..... They will

 

[trina]

Thank you

I've decided not to buy, the mantainance fee is too high.
Thanks again.

 

[jme]

Beachplace Towers

Not to change the subject, but we're looking to trade into BP....is it a nice place, relative to other Marriotts? We've been to Ocean Pointe.....Does Beachplace Towers have an enjoyable beach & good pools? Good for 2 upper teens? Thanks. jme

 

[pwrshift]

I have seen BP sell platinum for $12k on Ebay but recently they want $14k it seems...a slight improvement. The BP annual Maint. is a killer and the HOA has done nothing to justify that fee...it's almost criminal. Next year it will be over $1000 - the first Marriott in domestic USA to do that I think ... then watch the HOA really raise rates when the 'grand' barrier is broken! They put in parking fees to lower the MF ... and then increased them even higher! Nice.

No wonder BP sells resale so cheap as owners want out from the overhead. I'll bet Marriott wonders why so few owners turn in their weeks for 110k points (they can do it every year) but the MF cost makes the price-per-point too high. So that eliminates the advantage of buying direct and feeds the resale market.

This is a prime location resort with a sandbox sand beach with warm water. It's next to a new swish St. Regis but BP is on a Motel 6 budget for furnishings. It's prime value is the location and the HOA milks every owner for that alone. Too bad - such great potential. In a few years, within a 5 min walk you'll find the St. Regis, The Hilton, The W, Trump, and The Atlantic Starwood...so owners of Beachplace can go and dream. Starwood is developing Ocean Drive big time - Marriott is abandoning it.

Even so, I love the location, and Ft. Lauderdale, and go there every year for a month. But every time I see it slowly falling apart. Even the maintenance man told me that the HOA won't spend a dime on anything and prefers to repair than replace. DVD players had to fall to $25 before they got them.

When the HOA finally decides to give Beachplace a 'proper' facelift I'll bet the annual MF will jump another $300 a year and you'll pick them up on Ebay real cheap.

A clear example of how BeachPlace has fallen as an 'investment' is that its offspring (Ocean Pointe) was offered to me as an original BP owner at $13500 for platinum weeks with a 'World Trip for 2' incentive - and they're now selling for $20,000 on Ebay without points. I prefer the 'action' of Ft. Lauderdale to the remoteness of Singer Island however, but everyone is different. Still, I kick myself for not buying OP when I had that chance and to get 200,000 bonus points. Not sure what OP's MF is, but probably much lower than BP.

JME - if you want an adult location with great beach across the road (there's a tunnel) with parking an elevator ride below, you'll probably enjoy BP. But it is very different - in an urban big city prime beach location area. The walk to the beach is probably shorter than at OP, but there's only one small pool and a couple of hot tubs, in the shade by 3 pm. Construction on both sides. The view is obstructed on the north side by the St. Regis (opening Aug) and will be affected by the building to the south. Ocean view has sun till 11 am and Intracoastal side after 4 pm. There are restaurants up and down the street only an elevator ride and short walk away. So many you really don't need to stock the fridge. Great shopping nearby (Galleria, Los Olas Blvd., etc.) Sawgrass outlets are a 20 min drive...and it's huge.

 

[davemy]

i have two girls, 11 and 15 they love beachplace!!! love the excitement of the mall and the beach close buy.

 

[rang1]

BeachPlace

I just wanted to say that Beachplace Towers is great. Sure the fees are high due to the location. Just like Hawaii, the Doral in Maimi, and the the new ones in Vegas and St. Thomas. I feel lucky to own next to high end condos like the St.
Regis. As far as I'm concerned, the best view is of the intercostal. You see the million dollar homes with their million dollar yachts. And at night the lights from the city and waterway look great. As far as the ocean view, the buildings on either side do not obstruct you view of the ocean. You can still sit on your patio and see the wide open ocean.
I had to say something because I think the high maintenance fee complaint and the building complaint are insignificant and should not stop someone from going there or buying there.

 

[KenK]

Of course its a great place. But the question asked was for all the possibilities that ought to be considered if someone were to make a purchase....not It's where I own, so its great, no matter what.

When a tugger is asked a question about a place, in order to keep the site as designed, as for informational posts, I feel everything ought to be brought out, whether I own there, have friends trying to sell there, or want to make a picture of a true what to expect....why does TUG exist if not for that? The info needs not to be picured as all 100% rosey....everyplace has some grey.

Of course, some tuggers may be promped by other sites NOT TO say what is happening at there resorts (geesh...might make trading fall off....might make price go down....might make the developer or maintance company mad at them. So, what are we here for....??????

Trina....I would buy MBP even if it were selling an EOY for $25,000,,gold that is. Does this make sense??? Only if I were a T/S salesperson

What we need to do here is read a lot more between the lines than was necessary in the past. Many here seem to post positives...and don't list negatives, or maybe can not even see them.

Marty:
An honest view....MPB is excellent, however, I know you usually like quiet, easy going places, (maybe to recover from the drill?). It might not be that easy going as you found at OP

You will be in the midts of downtown Ft Laud. You will be using a very easily accessable public beach....but its pretty dead (on weekdays), and although I have not had an elevator problem at MBP for almost 5 years, other here have reported same.

It is nearly always full. It is busy. Parking is on the top floors of the parking areas......from the top, about one mile down to the exit of the building. Traffic like in HHI. (During season). ie- usually heavy at dinner time, and lunch time. And always on weekends.

However, except for food, I don't think you might need to use the car. If the water taxi is running, the beach place stop on the intracoastal is very close.

You need to enter the parking gargage for any access the the lobby area. If you arrive by taxi, they are allowed entrance free. Go to P1 or P4 (P 1 is better, and press intercom so Johnathan or Jim can bring down carts & help with luggage....

I think the better prepared you are in knowing what to expect, the better experience you will have.

I think you need to follow Brians advice on food over mine (I tend to like cheaper places....and I've seen your HHI ratings on restaurants.)

But your kids will like Sloppy Joes, and Cheeburger Cheeburger (I like Joes-cheeburger seemed a bit messy...but very good pricing.....I have not met anyone who didn't (yet) dislike Cafe Casablanca (across the street).

I think three places in Beach Place are on the old www.idine.com site. (Its rewards network now...can't remembet the website.)

We had great dining at Marriott Harbor Beach.. it's a mile walk S .

If you are OK with what I've said, I think you will really like the place and area....its different....don't forget to use the water taxi to the theaters, movies, and King Tut at the Art Museum. (Also, to Charlies Crab....and I know you will like the Riverhouse (was the Chart House) near the preforming arts center

 

[pwrshift]

Here's the iDine site for UA. AA has one as well as other majors...same restaurants. They give FF miles but you have to register your credit cards with Idine via your airline of choice. It's a slow and steady way to add miles, but perhaps even more important it keeps relatively inactive accounts active so you don't lose your miles.

Brian

http://mpdining.rewardsnetwork.com/diningsearchresults.jsp?_requestid=6681

 

[chkvtzn]

Price on a 2BR EOY Platinum @ Beach Place

I place value of a Plat week at approx $13000

Two brokers have told me that Marriott is exercising ROFR just below 14K. What does any one think?

I think if you REALLY want it, they might take a bid of $6500 or so.

I have also been told that EOYs go for around 60% of the equivalent full year. Why do you think that $6500 is a good price? $7800 would be 60% of 13K. I would definately be interested in a EOY 2BR MBP platinum for $6500. Any ideas where I find one?

 

[KenK]

I didn't get to the MBP meeting in Nov. The last reported ROFR on a Plat week by the HOA through Marriott was $12,500, as reported in the HOA meeting.....but that was maybe 1.5 to 2 years ago. I don't think they will institute a ROFR on a plat week for that price now....I will attend meeting and report what I hear. (If they remember to send me the dates)

Two consecutive Plat weeks were sold on Redweek for $25000. Myrna (I think her name) also sold one on Redweek an/or TUG for $13,000. I don't know if they were two separate weeks or the same week. She likes to sell and move on....haven't seen any of her units in some time...maybe she really moved on, or quit?

 

[chkvtzn]

Thanks KenK

I look forward to the info you will get from that meeting.

What do you think about EOY 2BR Platinum prices?

Thanks

Chuck

 

[Eli Mairs]

Not to change the subject, but we're looking to trade into BP....is it a nice place, relative to other Marriotts? We've been to Ocean Pointe.....Does Beachplace Towers have an enjoyable beach & good pools? Good for 2 upper teens? Thanks. jme

We stayed at Beach Place a few years ago - before all the construction around it. The units were beautiful. We had a unit facing the intercoastal waterway, with a lovely view and afternoon sun.

The beach was nice, but the pool was probably the worst ever, with no ambience around it, and as someone mentioned, it was in the shade by early afternoon. We spent little time there.

All in all, we loved the resort, and plan to return. Not too happy about the new parking charge, however.

 

[dlpearson]

MBP Platinum is a great trader......

MBP maintenance is outrageously high (mostly due to taxes though). But, for 3 years in a row our MBP Presiden'ts Week reservation has scored prime February 2-bedroom units in Hawaii (2 at Maui Ocean Club--one of them ocean front!), and just yesterday got II confirmation for President's Week 2007 at Waiohai--after waiting only 2 days from starting my search!). Since I more or less broke even on my initial developer week ($16k back in '97), then turned around and bought a resale MBP Platinum for only $10k 2 years ago ago, I figure it's a heck of a lot cheaper than owning in Hawaii.

I know the normal mantra is don't buy/use a high-maintenance week for exchange purposes, but for me it's still worthwhile.

-David

 

[pwrshift]

Hey David...great trade. I didn't know you were an orig MBP owner too! don't forget your buy price back then was much lower as it came with a 'world trip for two' incentive!

I just got a 1bdrm 2007 Pres. week at BP with a 1bdrm Manor Club Sequel, so I'm happy with that trade too. Took 1 day. Anytime you get a $1000 week for a $600 week it's a good day!

I sometimes think the best exchanges come when you have the most time to let them work, more so than any supposed trading 'power'.

Brian