MOC purchase advice

[pacman]

Currenty a Starwood & Hilton owner, vacationing in Hawaii twice every year. Been trading into Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas in Hawaii through II (with good results so far). Just got back from Maui, staying one week at WKORV, and one week at the Marriott (Lahaina tower). Really liked the Marriott and now considering a purchase there. We really would like to be able to book there every year with no hassles (trading through II).
Seriously considering the original towers vs Lahaina/Napili because of the big price difference. We would purchase a 2 bdrm l/o.
From my research so far, my understanding of the differences are:
1. Original towers have small fridge and only partial kitchen
2. Original tower obviously older, but currently going through refurbishment
3. Larger lanais in older towers
What are the other differences?
Current pricing for 2 bdrm l/o at original tower seems to as follows:
Garden view - about $10k
Ocean view - about $15k
Ocean front - about $20k

Leaning towards Ocean view, but open to all 3.
I really am looking towards best value, least depreciation. (tough to evaluate, I know).

I realize I would not qualify for DC, which I am fine with, as we would always stay at the resort.

I would appreciate any advice and comments.

Thanks

pacman

 

[MOXJO7282]

Currenty a Starwood & Hilton owner, vacationing in Hawaii twice every year. Been trading into Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas in Hawaii through II (with good results so far). Just got back from Maui, staying one week at WKORV, and one week at the Marriott (Lahaina tower). Really liked the Marriott and now considering a purchase there. We really would like to be able to book there every year with no hassles (trading through II).
Seriously considering the original towers vs Lahaina/Napili because of the big price difference. We would purchase a 2 bdrm l/o.
From my research so far, my understanding of the differences are:
1. Original towers have small fridge and only partial kitchen
2. Original tower obviously older, but currently going through refurbishment
3. Larger lanais in older towers
What are the other differences?
Current pricing for 2 bdrm l/o at original tower seems to as follows:
Garden view - about $10k
Ocean view - about $15k
Ocean front - about $20k

Leaning towards Ocean view, but open to all 3.
I really am looking towards best value, least depreciation. (tough to evaluate, I know).

I realize I would not qualify for DC, which I am fine with, as we would always stay at the resort.

I would appreciate any advice and comments.

Thanks

pacman

If possible I'd hold out for a well-priced OF, but wouldn't pass up a well-priced OV either. The price gap may be around $5k -7k but in my mind would be worth it in the long run if you can get if for less.


We own 2 OV and 1 OF and they are both very nice but with the OFs are just very special. We'll be in ours in Feb 2012.

I think your figures are accurate however a few 2BDRM OVs sold on ebay for $11,300, and $12,200, but not many 2s OV come through ebay.

The shortcomings in the older units to us are minor. Certainly it be nice to have the full kitchen but you really pay a premium for that in price and MFs so not worth it in our book considering how much we love the overall experience at MOC. We make use of the BBQs and eat strategically to make it easy and inexpensive.

 

[MOXJO7282]

You didn't mention the 3rd bathroom as a big plus in the older units. At least for us it is.

 

[GregT]

Currenty a Starwood & Hilton owner, vacationing in Hawaii twice every year. Been trading into Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas in Hawaii through II (with good results so far). Just got back from Maui, staying one week at WKORV, and one week at the Marriott (Lahaina tower). Really liked the Marriott and now considering a purchase there. We really would like to be able to book there every year with no hassles (trading through II).
Seriously considering the original towers vs Lahaina/Napili because of the big price difference. We would purchase a 2 bdrm l/o.
From my research so far, my understanding of the differences are:
1. Original towers have small fridge and only partial kitchen
2. Original tower obviously older, but currently going through refurbishment
3. Larger lanais in older towers
What are the other differences?
Current pricing for 2 bdrm l/o at original tower seems to as follows:
Garden view - about $10k
Ocean view - about $15k
Ocean front - about $20k

Leaning towards Ocean view, but open to all 3.
I really am looking towards best value, least depreciation. (tough to evaluate, I know).

I realize I would not qualify for DC, which I am fine with, as we would always stay at the resort.

I would appreciate any advice and comments.

Thanks

pacman

Pacman,

I agree with Joe's comments on the original building and new building -- they each have their advantages. I would also note that the new building has laundry in each unit, versus shared facilities in the original building

I do believe it will be difficult to routinely (and predictably) trade into MOC and therefore if its MOC you want, I think you have to buy there. I currently have a trade request on-going to trade my MOC Studio back into another MOC Studio, and it's not matched in six months now (and I have a home resort trade preference in addition to the normal Marriott preference).

If you do decide to buy MOC, I would buy the best view that you can stretch for -- the 1BR's and the Garden Views don't seem to be holding their value at all (not that anything really is holding its value) and those units can be rented for the same $$ as their MFs.

It's a wonderful property and worth owning for your personal use. And I believe DClub will one day open again to resale purchasers, so you may yet get to be a DClub participant (and therefore you want the most points possible for your property -- see my points spreadsheet link below). This is conjecture, at this point, and therefore shouldn't really impact your decision, just an idle consideration.

Best,

Greg

 

[BocaBoy]

We used to own ocean view in the original section and upgraded to Lahaina/Napili ocean front when they opened. Both are very nice but to us there is no comparison--the new towers are MUCH better. I would go for ocean front--we think it is worth the premium over ocean view. If you buy in the original section, the difference between the OV and OF units is large. The OF units are very close to the ocean while the ocean view are father away.

We believe the only important advantage to a 2BR in the original section is that if you plan to lock off and stay there two weeks, the studio is somewhat larger than the studio in Lahaina/Napili, and neither section has full kitchen or laundry in the studio.

It is all a matter of taste. Both are great.

 

[newportbeach]

Always easy to rent or use DC points

Here is advice that I believe but have not practice enough over the years. Timeshares are the easiest thing to buy on the secondary market, but with all the units on Tug, red week, and Craiglist to rent why spend $4-$10k to buy when all weeks are available all the time. Consider that units rent for about the cost of the maintenance fee +- $300. Big factor that no one wants to consider is your age. If you are 20-30 you will get more usage. If you are 50-60 you are in a little denial possibly(I certainly am). Big difference now is the DC club. If you are a member just go on line a purchase DC points for other Tug members and with DC points I have had no problem getting Christmas, New Years, Easter at Maui in the Ocean Club or Napilli(my favorite) and again the cost is no more than basic Marriott Maui MF. If you are not a current DC member, ask the DC member selling points to simply book a reservation in your name and most will. A real money saving is to use your own Hawaii week say at HGVC Waikoloa and then rent a rent before or afterward in Maui. That saves you two airfares.

With Marriott right now the future is up in the air. If you all ready own a unit, the trade it with a Marriott advantage on ii, and if you feel the urge to buy try another company and diversify and get the priority of trading in more the home group.

 

[pacman]

Here is advice that I believe but have not practice enough over the years. Timeshares are the easiest thing to buy on the secondary market, but with all the units on Tug, red week, and Craiglist to rent why spend $4-$10k to buy when all weeks are available all the time. Consider that units rent for about the cost of the maintenance fee +- $300.

With Marriott right now the future is up in the air. If you all ready own a unit, the trade it with a Marriott advantage on ii, and if you feel the urge to buy try another company and diversify and get the priority of trading in more the home group.

Richard
To your first point, I don't get your math. If I go on Redweek right now, a 2 bedroom rents for about $4000, or if I lock off the 2 br, which I would do, it is about the same for the 2 weeks (one in a 1 br, one in a studio). MF for a 2 bedroom at MOC is $1896. That is a $2100 difference, not +- $300. $2100 is a huge difference in owning vs. renting. I realize I am not taking into account the purchase price into the calculation, but if we are talking MF alone, I don't see how it is close.
On your second point, you say that Marriott future is up in the air. Not sure if Marriott is any more risky than any other ts family out there. I don't own a Marriott right now, and that is exactly why I am trying to diversify somewhat from the Hilton, Starwood, and Worldmark that I currently own. I don't own anything in Hawaii and since we go there twice every year (for another 10+ years, God willing), I think it makes sense to buy.

pacman

 

[MOXJO7282]

Richard
To your first point, I don't get your math. If I go on Redweek right now, a 2 bedroom rents for about $4000, or if I lock off the 2 br, which I would do, it is about the same for the 2 weeks (one in a 1 br, one in a studio). MF for a 2 bedroom at MOC is $1896. That is a $2100 difference, not +- $300. $2100 is a huge difference in owning vs. renting. I realize I am not taking into account the purchase price into the calculation, but if we are talking MF alone, I don't see how it is close.
On your second point, you say that Marriott future is up in the air. Not sure if Marriott is any more risky than any other ts family out there. I don't own a Marriott right now, and that is exactly why I am trying to diversify somewhat from the Hilton, Starwood, and Worldmark that I currently own. I don't own anything in Hawaii and since we go there twice every year (for another 10+ years, God willing), I think it makes sense to buy.

pacman

If you're talking the lowest season 1BDRM non OF, Sept thru early Dec you can score some nice rentals for sure, but for the most part MOC 2BDRMs are going to be anywhere from $800 to $1800 more than MFs for the prime and high demand shoulder weeks.

As for Marriott being risky, I'm at 180 degrees on that where I think there is much less risk with Marriott. If things go to hell in a hand basket I know i can sell every one of my units at least to rid us of the ongoing payments, so i think you're wrong on that point.