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My survey - what should I buy?

TwilightHours

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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?

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.
 

RNCollins

TUG Lifetime Member
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Tradewinds, Divi, Quarter House, Casa Ybel
Hi @TwilightHours, Welcome to TUG!

You sound like you might be a candidate for a timeshare. But I will let the other TUGgers with more experience guide you with your decision.
 

TravelTime

TUG Member
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Mar 20, 2018
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Resorts Owned
All Resale: MVC DPs, Marriott Ko Olina, Marriott Marbella, WKOVR-N, Four Seasons Aviara
It sounds like you are a good fit for a timeshare. I like the 4-5 star stuff so my recommendations might not be that great for you but I will make one anyway.

Since you are willing to spend up to $20K and $1200 to $1500 in MFs per week, perhaps you would be a good candidate for a 2 BR lock off at Westin Kaanapali South or North. It is 4 star. You could lock it off and get two weeks for $1300-$1400 a week in a studio and a 1 bedroom every year. I think the annual MFs are $2700 - $2800. I own an EOY at WKVORN but I do not recall what the MFs are. For $20K, you could probably get an island view or oceanview and maybe even oceanfront.

With Vistana, you could use your Star Options to exchange into Kauai which you mention wanting to do. I do not recommend exchanging with a Westin Hawaii property but the MF is the same for the Westin Kauai and Westin Maui. Other equal value properties you could use Star Options for include Westin St John in the US Virgin Islands and Harbourside in Atlantis in the Bahamas.
 
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CalGalTraveler

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
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Welcome to TUG. @TravelTime has great suggestions. for $20k you might be able to get an oceanfront if you search and negotiate hard but definitely Ocean View. Check Redweek and brokers like Syed at Advantage Vacations LLC who can guide you.

Also Maui has a bunch of 3* timeshares in Kihei which trade in II and RCI. You might be able to pick those up for less, however I am not familiar with the costs or MF on such units. Check out Maui Hill, Worldmark Kihei, and Maui Schooner in the TUG reviews for Maui.

You can also rent timeshares from owners. Check out Redweek and Koala.com. If a rental is less than the Maint Fee you definitely don't want to buy a timeshare. Why obligate yourself? For the Westins you will be ahead of rentals by owning a timeshare and will be able to sell when the time comes. Don't know how easy to sell for other properties. Recommend you rent before you buy to see what you like.
 

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
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Keep doing what you are doing. Nothing wrong with VRBOs and if you develop a relationship with owners (or a network of them) you can parlay that into precisely what you want. Over and over again. There is zero buy-in cost, no chance of a special assessment, and no exit cost. And frankly, should you tire of Maui (I know that is unimaginable now) or you experience a change of fortune and flying annually to use a property in Hawaii becomes exorbitant, there is no ongoing cost of ownership.

It's not wise to pay the price of ownership in Hawaii to exchange to other locations. Hawaii properties come at premium cost.

Whatever you decide, Buy resale. Save thousands!

Jim
 

TwilightHours

TUG Member
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Jun 16, 2021
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Thanks for the advice folks. My plan is to keep with the VRBOs for now, but keep an eye on a few properties that seem to fit my criteria.

I can see some real advantages to a place like Maui Sunset. The two weeks of fixed time fits my personality. The location is exactly what I like (at least for now). Also, it seems like it is a well managed place.

If anyone is an owner there or has feedback related to Maui Sunset, I'd love to hear about it.

One thing I learned from buying the three houses I've owned in my life is to get familiar with an area and learn all you can. That way, when you spot something you like and it is a good (enough) deal you will know to jump.
 

Limace

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Jan 31, 2018
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DVC-Animal Kingdom Kidani
We love Maui Sunset-we’ve been going there since I was pregnant with my eldest, who is now 24. Not fancy but immaculately maintained, friendly, and we like to location. My parents actually bought a two bedroom there jointly with five other couples-would spend a month there and rent the other month. They absolutely loved it but the other owners were all Canadian and they made the decision to sell in the last year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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