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My survey - help!

Lskip

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Location
Vancouver, BC
Hello hive mind!
Hoping for some insight into what to buy. I grew up timesharing with my parents (owned at Wapato point in Washington) and would love to start a portfolio for myself. My husband is a teacher so we are limited to last two weeks of March (we are in Canada so spring break slightly different than a lot of states I think?), with maybe an occasional off season week. I certainly am open to buying multiple weeks (I'm more familiar with weeks systems but am open) to get what I want and rent out other times of years or perhaps buy a "trader" with lower MFs.

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where? Yes! I would love Hawaii - Marriott ko olina, Marriot MOC, Kauai, big Island, etc. I've thought about purchasing a 2br oceanfront ko olina and just using that every 2-3yrs and renting the off years.
Secondly, would love to own/rent when not using (or trade? But this seems impossible) in Whistler but I really find information lacking on this area (Raintree and whiski jack are big rabbit holes I can't wrap my mind around!). We live in Vancouver BC so would love a ski week but would be open to summer weeks as well.
Thirdly, would love to try out some great mexico resorts. Don't think I would buy or own here and would consider a trader for these types of trips unless someone else has another suggestion?

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time? I'm thinking that as a teacher's family with 4 kids and needing more specific weeks that owning a few different places and renting on the years I don't use may make the most sense?
I'm open to the idea of owning a couple weeks (maybe LO units like shadow ridge/desert springs) and trading in to Hawaii, mexico, etc but not sure how feasible this is for the weeks I want. I like the idea of owning somewhere I don't mind going to if all else fails though (we also like palm springs!).

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Listed above - whistler (ski), Hawaii, mexico, maybe Orlando once in a while or palm springs.

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself? 6. 4 boys - currently 5,6,9,10.

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule? Last two weeks of dec, Christmas break, maybe Easter weekend, Canadian Thanksgiving, Canadian may long weekend.

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Absolutely!

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yep

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
Doesn't everyone like higher end?

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
Maybe 50k?

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
Hm not sure. Could probably afford a lot but not sure how much I would like to spend. Money isn't too much of an issue.

11) Are you a detail oriented planner? Yes! Love to plan, search, OGS, flexchange searches, etc. As mentioned I'm limited in availability though

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do? Absolutely!
 

Janann

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
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Jul 20, 2006
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Resorts Owned
HGVC on the Boulevard, Las Vegas;
Disney's Saratoga Springs
My husband is a teacher so we are limited to last two weeks of March (we are in Canada so spring break slightly different than a lot of states I think?)
No, this is prime time in the United States. It can vary some from place to place, so you might want to google search more precise dates for the city and/or state you will be visiting if it is not a big spring break destination. Places like Orlando are definitely impacted during this time.

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
Maybe 50k?
I'm just clarifying in case anyone misses the part about you being in Canada -- this would be CAD$50,000 or about USD$39,600.
 

Lskip

TUG Member
Joined
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Messages
57
Reaction score
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Points
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Location
Vancouver, BC
No, this is prime time in the United States. It can vary some from place to place, so you might want to google search more precise dates for the city and/or state you will be visiting if it is not a big spring break destination. Places like Orlando are definitely impacted during this time.


I'm just clarifying in case anyone misses the part about you being in Canada -- this would be CAD$50,000 or about USD$39,600.


Ya, I know that the last two weeks of March are similar to a lot of states too and I'm sure it's busier than other times of year. I wish we were more flexible! I'm hoping we can find something that works for our family though and may just have to be creative?!
 

travelhacker

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
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@Lskip Do you already own a timeshare? How do you know all about OGS, Flexchange, etc?

Are you a long time lurker like I was and knew most of the terms before I ever purchased?

Can you also travel during the summer?

Depending on how much you travel, I think a Marriott week and perhaps a points system (like Hilton) could serve you very well.
 

Lskip

TUG Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
57
Reaction score
12
Points
68
Location
Vancouver, BC
@Lskip Do you already own a timeshare? How do you know all about OGS, Flexchange, etc?

Are you a long time lurker like I was and knew most of the terms before I ever purchased?

Can you also travel during the summer?

Depending on how much you travel, I think a Marriott week and perhaps a points system (like Hilton) could serve you very well.

I don't own a timeshare yet! And yes, have been a long time lurker. Everytime I would visit somewhere with my parents' timeshare I would get on a roll researching again, but have never pulled the trigger! There is just so much to learn! Especially since the only timeshare that I am familiar with is their Wapato Point weeks which is an independent timeshare (which allowed deposits into ii and RCI). I did enjoy the hunt using their weeks though and found them some great trades (they had incredible flexibility though and could go last minute, etc).
I'm very interested in other systems and am leaning towards Marriott (weeks?), but maybe because I've just become more familiar with it through the research I've done. I'm certainly open to other options, just not sure what makes the best sense for where and when I want to go!
 

travelhacker

TUG Review Crew
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I don't own a timeshare yet! And yes, have been a long time lurker. Everytime I would visit somewhere with my parents' timeshare I would get on a roll researching again, but have never pulled the trigger! There is just so much to learn! Especially since the only timeshare that I am familiar with is their Wapato Point weeks which is an independent timeshare (which allowed deposits into ii and RCI). I did enjoy the hunt using their weeks though and found them some great trades (they had incredible flexibility though and could go last minute, etc).
I'm very interested in other systems and am leaning towards Marriott (weeks?), but maybe because I've just become more familiar with it through the research I've done. I'm certainly open to other options, just not sure what makes the best sense for where and when I want to go!
So I will say that you can't go wrong with a quality Marriott week if you are willing to put in the time to set up OGS, use the sightings board, and be on the look out.

I would go with a Grand Chateau week. You should be able to get one for under $4000 (and potentially a fair amount less if you are patient). If you lock off, you should be able to get 1 really great week using an OGS with your 1 bedroom, and a second high quality week (but maybe not quite as aspirational unless you are flexible) with your studio.

Sheraton Desert Oasis (SDO) is a fantastic option as well. One thing that I like about SDO is that it trades as two separate 1 bedrooms and they don't charge a lock-off fee.
 

CPNY

TUG Member
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Jun 18, 2019
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Resorts Owned
Harborside Resort at Atlantis
SVV - Key West/Bella
WKV
Regal Vista at Massanutten
I don't own a timeshare yet! And yes, have been a long time lurker. Everytime I would visit somewhere with my parents' timeshare I would get on a roll researching again, but have never pulled the trigger! There is just so much to learn! Especially since the only timeshare that I am familiar with is their Wapato Point weeks which is an independent timeshare (which allowed deposits into ii and RCI). I did enjoy the hunt using their weeks though and found them some great trades (they had incredible flexibility though and could go last minute, etc).
I'm very interested in other systems and am leaning towards Marriott (weeks?), but maybe because I've just become more familiar with it through the research I've done. I'm certainly open to other options, just not sure what makes the best sense for where and when I want to go!
Being that you have a nice budget and since I love spending other peoples money, I’d suggest Marriott points. It will give you full flexibility which would pair nicely with your school travel schedule. You can buy all of your points on the resale market or you can contact Marriott and ask about a hybrid package.
 
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