How to pick a good trader

[tinkerbell2]

We are thinking of purchasing another timeshare, this time in Arizona or California. Possibly a non mandatory resort with the option of requalifying in the future. However I understand that many of the new resorts are also non mandatory... so will buying from the developper in those resorts give us SO ?

Second scenario, buy in the above location mainly to trade in II or RCI. We like upscale resorts ( ie Westin Kierland like ! ) What would we good options for traders : SDO, Marriott, Mission Hills

Thanks for the advice !

Rina

 

[DeniseM]

If you are doing Starwood exchanges - all Staroptions have the exact same value, no matter what resort they are from. So you want the best price you can get in relation to the number of Staroptions and Maintenance Fee.

Here is the breakdown on the Mandatory Resorts (this info. is in owner resources for further review.):

Maintenance fees for standard 2 bdm. M resorts from the Developer Prices in Owner Resources (2009):

Harborside Atlantis $2,433 - Staroptions - 148,100

WKORV-N $1,768 - Staroptions - 148,100

WSJ $1,631 - Staroptions - 148,100

SVV: Bella $1,232 Key West $1,321 - Staroptions - 95,700

Not in current sales so amount from 2008 MF thread in Owner Resources:

WKORV: $1,599 - Staroptions - 148,100

WKV: $1,207 - Staroptions - 148,100

We don't know what next year's maintenance fees are yet, but based on current info., WKV appears to be the best value.

If you are doing II exchanges, you need at least a 1 bdm. and you need to reserve a high season week.

SDO & SBP weeks can be picked up for next to nothing on ebay, as can some of the other voluntary resorts. Make sure you compare maintenance fees.

 

[LisaRex]

However I understand that many of the new resorts are also non mandatory... so will buying from the developer in those resorts give us SO ?

Buying from the developer will give you SOs. And if you never sell, you'll never realize a downside (as voluntary resorts sell for less on the resale market because new owners aren't admitted into SVN). However, WKV can be bought on the resale market for much less than you'll pay from the developer for SDO, and you'll end up with the same SOs (e.g. a 2 bdrm in platinum season fetches 148,100 SOs at both properties). And I daresay that WKV is a better II trader as well.

The only real reasons I can think of to buy SDO is: a) because you love the resort and want to stay there; and b) you want to buy a good trader in II for less out of pocket than WKV. But, of course, if you can do without SVN, buying on the resale market will save you tons of $$.

Second scenario, buy in the above location mainly to trade in II or RCI. We like upscale resorts ( ie Westin Kierland like ! ) What would we good options for traders : SDO, Marriott, Mission Hills.

If you want to go to Phoenix, you have to be careful what you buy because II sometimes has regional blocks so that you can't trade into the same location you are trading out of. So that might mean that WMH and SDO wouldn't work to get into WKV.

Your best bet for getting into the nicer Starwood resorts (e.g. WKV, WKORV) is to own a Starwood property because there is a short priority window (~3 days) in II for Starwood owners. If I wanted the best trader for the least amount of money, I'd probably go with WMH. However, as I said earlier, that might block out your ability to trade into WKV.

You might research a platinum unit at one of the ski locations. I'm reluctant to recommend Orlando properties because I'm not sure how good of a trader they are. A mandatory Orlando property would get you in to WKV, but you'd have to buy during platinum season and make sure that it is assigned sufficient SOs to get you into the season/unit you want at WKV.

My overall recommendation still is to buy WKV resale because you'll get the best of both worlds: membership in SVN so you can do internal trades with the least amount of effort AND a strong trader in II. But it comes at a price.

 

[Politico]

I wouldnt spend the increased up-front cost at a mandatory resort if the goal is to get a good trader. I also would avoid Orlando. I just bought at SDO for the exact same purpose, although I heard good arguments from SBP and WMH.

 

[tinkerbell2]

I appreciate all the info, and I will certainly look up the regional blocks II may have.

 

[capjak]

Since you already have SVV (mandatory I assume) and DVC you certainly do not need another Orlando.

I would consider Marriott since that has more locations and gives you II priority for Marriott's.

 

[thinze3]

Something else to consider.

Platinum weeks at the Marriotts in Palm Desert have consistently garnered Accommodation Certificates for their deposits with II. I am not 100% sure, but I do NOT believe Marriott's Canyon Villas in AZ was offered AC's this year.

AC's can be valuable if used properly. I used my '08 CL AC for a 2BR at Marriott's Grand Chateau and just booked Marriott's BeachPlace towers with my '09 AC.


Terry

 

[grgs]

If you want to go to Phoenix, you have to be careful what you buy because II sometimes has regional blocks so that you can't trade into the same location you are trading out of. So that might mean that WMH and SDO wouldn't work to get into WKV.

Your best bet for getting into the nicer Starwood resorts (e.g. WKV, WKORV) is to own a Starwood property because there is a short priority window (~3 days) in II for Starwood owners. If I wanted the best trader for the least amount of money, I'd probably go with WMH. However, as I said earlier, that might block out your ability to trade into WKV.

I don't believe a regional block will be a factor for WKV or SDO. I own both, and I can see other all three resorts (WKV, SDO, & WMH) with either.

It's my understanding that Interval doesn't impose regional blocks, but that individual resorts/companies do. There is a regional block for non-DVC units trying to trade into Orlando, but that's imposed by DVC, not Interval. Hopefully, someone else can confirm or deny this.

If I was looking for a mandatory resort, I'd go with WKV; for a non-mandatory, I'd go with SDO. Note that property taxes are significantly lower for Arizona resorts than California.

Glorian

 

[Fredm]

I don't believe a regional block will be a factor for WKV or SDO. I own both, and I can see other all three resorts (WKV, SDO, & WMH) with either.

It's my understanding that Interval doesn't impose regional blocks, but that individual resorts/companies do. There is a regional block for non-DVC units trying to trade into Orlando, but that's imposed by DVC, not Interval. Hopefully, someone else can confirm or deny this.

If I was looking for a mandatory resort, I'd go with WKV; for a non-mandatory, I'd go with SDO. Note that property taxes are significantly lower for Arizona resorts than California.

Glorian

I.I. does not impose 'regional" blocks, to the best of my knowledge.
They did restrict trades among resorts within 50 miles of each other.
That is the only block I am aware of.

 

[Fredm]

If I were buying a trader, I would buy a Marriott.
Simply too many great resorts to ignore. The I.I. 23 day priority works very well.

Arizona or California? Well, that's a personal preference. But, Palm Desert has what Phoenix does not; L.A., Orange County, and San Diego. 25 million people. All within a 2 hour car drive. THAT creates demand that translates to trading clout with I.I.

Desert Springs is a personal favorite. Marriott will never build a resort like that again.