TwilightHours
TUG Member
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2021
- Messages
- 13
- Reaction score
- 10
- Resorts Owned
- None
Hi everyone,
I’ve been looking over all the FAQs and other new user information. There is a lot of good stuff there for me to absorb, so thanks to all who have built and maintained it over the years.
A little about myself to frame my desires and goals…
I’m about 5-7 years from retirement, so I’m not necessarily looking to buy something right away. In the last 10 years, I’ve ended up back on Maui enough to decide that I really like it. (see answer #1 below). I’m pretty sure that one of my retirement goals is to spend about 4 weeks a year on Maui once I retire. I don’t get enough vacation to do that now and don’t want to spend it all on Maui anyway. However, I plan to visit about once a year for ~11 nights because I like it so much.
It seems to me that finding some place that I’d want to visit most of the time would be my best bet. If down the line I decide I want to get into exchanging timeshares, Hawaii seems like a good location to exchange. Not sure that I want to jump right into that at first, though.
1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
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?
3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
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?
11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
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?
EDIT: Fixed a few typos.
I’ve been looking over all the FAQs and other new user information. There is a lot of good stuff there for me to absorb, so thanks to all who have built and maintained it over the years.
A little about myself to frame my desires and goals…
I’m about 5-7 years from retirement, so I’m not necessarily looking to buy something right away. In the last 10 years, I’ve ended up back on Maui enough to decide that I really like it. (see answer #1 below). I’m pretty sure that one of my retirement goals is to spend about 4 weeks a year on Maui once I retire. I don’t get enough vacation to do that now and don’t want to spend it all on Maui anyway. However, I plan to visit about once a year for ~11 nights because I like it so much.
It seems to me that finding some place that I’d want to visit most of the time would be my best bet. If down the line I decide I want to get into exchanging timeshares, Hawaii seems like a good location to exchange. Not sure that I want to jump right into that at first, though.
1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
I’ve been back to Maui 7 times in the last ~12 years. My first trip was there on a cruise ship and all subsequent visits were on land using VRBO to rent a place. I’ve stayed in Napili, Kihei, and once took a trip to Hana to spend a few night on that side of the island. My last 4 trips have all been to the Kihei area as I decided I just really like the part of the island. However, there is nothing wrong with the Lahaina/Napili area and find myself up there a fair amount each trip.
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’d stay at my home resort more than half of the time.
3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
I don’t know that I’m looking to trade to other locations, but who knows what the future might bring. I live near Seattle, so Hawaii is a convenient place to get to compared to most places (e.g. Florida). I could see myself wanting to also try out Kauai (visited once) or the Big Island (never visited except by cruise ship).
4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
Solo trips, I’m single and I travel alone, though sometimes a friend comes along.
5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
Travel anytime.
6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Yes, this is what I usually do.
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes and if I’m going to have to fly longer than 3 hours, then my preference is to stay 11 to 14 nights (11 being the sweet spot).
8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
I’m a 3 star plus kind of person, I think. On my Maui trips, I’ve stayed at non-resort type VRBO condos. If it has a kitchen, bed, lanai, easy access to a beach, I’m pretty happy.
9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
I’d feel comfortable spending 5k up to 20k (for just the right place), but I’d be looking to get 2 weeks on the island for that amount. A single bedroom is fine.
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?
The places I tend to VRBO end up being between $1800 and $2200 for a 11 night stay (fees, taxes, everything), so say… $1200 to $1500 per week of stay in maintenance fees. Maybe more if it were just the right place. I can afford more, but at some point, finding a rental becomes more economical.
11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Yes, very much so and I tend to plan my vacations to within an inch of their life.
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?
Yes.
Thanks!EDIT: Fixed a few typos.
