Ronparise...
Good summary and contribution, IMO
The 7k is interesting, obviously just an estimate. Most of the time, there are common amenities that push it up, but also construction of a ts isn't equivalent to condos, so there are also cost savings.
What I find interesting is that many resale timeshares sell well below the replacement cost. This suggests the 'value add' of the timeshare program is highly adverse. Maintenance fees and the impression of timeshares among much of the population are likely factors.
On another note, the ts I own rent for more than MF, most around 3x the maintenance fees. This is real numbers, as I've both rented out and in to each location. They also seem to re sell above the guesstimate replacement costs, but not by huge amounts.
A core issue factor, to me, is that clientele for new timeshare sales, in most locales, is not limited by demand factors for annual usage levels. So overbuilding continues. The best candidate for new sales may be the occasional vacationer who find the discount for a presentation, first discovers options other than hotels, and the hypnosis continues. People buy with plans of becoming a regular traveller, in a style that is a step up. Most quickly figure out they don't travel so much after all.
If, like we and many here did, you buy and shift ownership to fit real plans and situations, TS add nicely to vacation experience and your life.
My unsolicited buying advice
- resale, where you can easily go most years, plan to use more than 50%, top views, units, seasons - unless you are certain you would mostly use. Always read tug reviews, always check private rental asking prices (TUG, redweek, myresortnetwork, etc). Be wary, if MF are near rental rates Also, I recommend popular resorts with lots of reviews, listings on sites, etc. I'm sure that misses some gems, but it would be harder to sell an unknown resort.
