Need Sheraton Mountain Vista VS SDO purchase and trade advice

[tillmalo]

I'm considering buying a Starwood resale and would love some thoughts or advice. I initially was thinking that I would try to pick up a platinum or gold-plus 2 bedroom L/O SDO EOY to use mostly as a trader in II. I have a Marriott but would love to have the Starwood preference in II. We live on the west coast so SDO would be a property we could easily access but again would likely just use to trade.

I know that SDO and SBP get recommended often on here as good traders, but I was wondering about Sheraton Mountain Vista...if I could find a Lockout during ski season. Honestly, I'd rather stay at Lakeside Terrace but feel that the lock-out at Mountain Vista would give me more for my money, as far as trading goes in II. Colorado is "home" to me and we go back there at least 2-3 times during the year, including peak and off season times. So, as far as the buy where you would use scenario, this would probably be a better fit for us.

So, my question is do you guys think that Mountain Vista trades very well in II? Do you think that I could trade a summer week or winter week in SMV to the equivalent in Lakeside Terrace fairly easily? For those that own either of these, have you been happy with the trades that you've gotten? All things considered, do you still think SDO would be a better choice? Of course, my dream is to trade into Harborside. (Long shot, I know but I can't help it...I have a six year old)

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!
Thanks

 

[tschwa2]

For a trader with the lowest upfront cost and ongoing MF, a SDO 1-52 EOY would be your best bet. The added cost and trouble to find a platinum SDO might be worth it as it might have higher trading power than a 1-52 for an ongoing search but so far no conclusive evidence to that fact. Any of the units you mentioned should be able to get a summer week at Lakeside Terrace fairly easily. A Platinum Mountain Vista should trade as well as SDO but would have a much higher initial buy cost. You would be guaranteed to get the ski weeks if that's what you want but it wouldn't be better for trading into ski season at LT. Ski weeks do pop up in II and the best way would be through an ongoing search. An SDO 1-52 should have more trading power than a summer week at MV.

If your willing to take your child of school Sept-Nov (and sometimes Jan-May), Harborside is a possibility if SVO continues to drop unreserved units into II. I don't think summer or school holidays will ever pop up on II.

 

[Robert D]

I would not buy a SMV for trading because the maintenance fees are too high. I own a 2BR LT ski week, and small 1BR's at SDO and VR (1-52) and can't really see much difference in trading power for instant exchanges with any of these three. However, I'm sure the LT would have better trading power for an ongoing search. I think the SDO 2BR would be hard to beat when you consider relatively low maintenance fees and low upfront cost.

 

[DeniseM]

If you are buying mostly to trade, then SDO is a better value, because you will pay more for a ski week at SMV and the maintenance fee is higher:

SDO - 2 Bdm. L/O - $908.41

Sheraton Mountain Vista - 2 Bdm. L/O - $1,133.98

 

[tillmalo]

Thank you so much for the advice. I certainly appreciate it! Looks like the y'all agree that SDO is a better choice and financially makes better sense.