New at this... considering TS on Kauai [merged]

[ACJB]

My husband and I are considering purchasing a timeshare on Kauai. We'd like 2 bedroom, 2 weeks deeded and probably not floating (unless someone can tell me why it would be a good idea!) Is there a way to filter the listing results I'm finding online?

Any help/advice would be appreciated. We'd love to do this but it all seems a bit confusing.

Carol

 

[DaveNV]

Welcome to TUG! There are a lot of options, but the first rule is to ensure you don't buy anything until you've done all your research. Buying resale is usually much less expensive, and since it's a buyer's market right now, you should shop till you find exactly what you want at the right price. Others here will have opinions and more experience than me, and I'm sure they'll be able to offer excellent advice.

Good luck!

Dave

 

[ACJB]

Thanks Dave!
I'm in New Mexico but have a trusted friend on the island who will do any footwork once I narrow the field! We've been there twice this year and love it!
Carol

 

[aliikai2]

There are almost no fixed weeks resorts on Kauai so floating of points are your optio

So,the main areas are Princeville, Kapaa, or Poipu. Which area do you want? What do you want in a resort? Ocean Front? A/C? Once we have those answers I can give you some ideas, Greg

My husband and I are considering purchasing a timeshare on Kauai. We'd like 2 bedroom, 2 weeks deeded and probably not floating (unless someone can tell me why it would be a good idea!) Is there a way to filter the listing results I'm finding online?

Any help/advice would be appreciated. We'd love to do this but it all seems a bit confusing.

Carol

 

[fishingguy]

ACJB,
Unless it is important that you get the same view and same week each year, then exchanging can be a less costly option. The maintenance fees (MF) for HI Timeshares can get grossly expensive -- and they tend to be going up significantly each year. In addition, since the MF are so high, most experienced Tuggers don't use them for exchanging; they tend to rent or use it themselves most of the time.

So you are essentially making a commitment that you'll go to HI each year or rent after your purchase. (After we made 2 trips in a row for a couple years, we started to reduce our trips to every other year and eventually stopped going at all; the newness/allure wore off.) If we wanted to go again I'd seriously consider renting from a TUG member -- you don't get burdened with high and escalating MF that way...

Just some thoughts, since it's 10x harder to sell a TS than it is to buy. JMO @ HI.

 

[ACJB]

We are most familiar with Poipu. We've stayed at Poipu Sands twice. BUT we are open to suggestions as to other parts of the island. Ocean front preferred. The place we stayed didn't have A/C and we didn't really miss it but it was right on the water.

Carol

 

[ACJB]

I think we are pretty set on going each year. My husband has COPD and in Santa Fe at 7,000 feet is on oxygen 24-7. When he gets off the plane in Lihue he takes it off and is "tank free" for the entire visit. Last time we left for home I half expected him to decide to just drop me off at the airport and buy a tent to live on the beach! LOL! So, I think this is a long term purchase and even if we can't get there we have lots of family members who would love to use the time.

I will however be careful about MF and "Special Assessment" agreements etc. Thanks so much!

Carol

 

[Rent_Share]

Just some thoughts, since it's 10,000x harder to sell a TS than it is to buy. JMO @ HI.

Correction

 

[Geckowest]

Hi,
My husband and I are considering purchasing a TS on Kauai. We would like 2 br, for 2 weeks. Any insight on how to narrow the search? Any and all advice appreciated.

Carol

Hi there, Noticed you are from Santa Fe, NM, we Live in Albuquerque, NM.

Send me an E-mail so we can talk. Wgecko@gmail.com

 

[talkamotta]

I own in Princeville. I love it there but others will like the drier side of the island. Have you ever been to Kauai and the other islands?

The first time I bought in Hawaii, I bought in Maui. Then I wanted another week and I bought in Kauai. I kind of like owning on 2 different islands.

Maui has exceptionally high mf's. Kauai is a little better. Check out ebay and other sites and then compare them with the tug reviews. Hawaii as a rule has higher mfs and if you buy there, plan on vacationing in Hawaii most years. Even though your timeshare will trade well as a rule, you will be paying high mfs + exchange fees and not getting the best value.

In Kauai, Wyndam has a number of resorts. You could check out how thier points work. That might give you more versatility in your travel plans.

Just a few things to think about.

 

[DeniseM]

I recommend that you join TUG and then you will have access to our extensive timeshare ratings and reviews for Kauai - that's the best place to start your research.

 

[talkamotta]

Oh, by the way. When considering resorts to stay at and or buy the review section is invaluable. But you need to join Tugs.

Ask more specific questions. The people here will help you with anything you need to know. Tugs is wonderful

 

[ACJB]

Wow, Thanks everyone! We have been to Kauai twice this year. My boss owns a condo in Poipu and has allowed us to stay there. We love it! I did send in a Paypal payment to join TUGS but for the life of me I'm not sure what my membership number is... gotta figure out how to find THAT!

Carol

 

[ACJB]

OK, figured out the membership thing... gotta wait for the email!

(Sometimes it helps to read the instructions! LOL!)

 

[BevL]

Congrats for finding us and doing some research before you buy.

Point at Poipu has a large special assessment issue right now. Lots about it on the Hawaii board here. Just a heads up on that one as not all ebay ads, etc., are disclosing it, apparently.

We're looking forward to our first trip to Kauai in January so can't help with the specific resort questions. But hang around here a while and ask questions about what resorts you're interested in. Chances are somebody owns there.

Welcome.

Bev

 

[ACJB]

Thanks Bev,
I had seen something about the assessment issues at the Point at Poipu. Too bad since it's right next to where we've been staying. Still, open to suggestions about other places and other parts of the island. Kauai is great you'll have a wonderful time!

Carol

 

[aliikai2]

The best buy on the island is the Pono Kai in Kapaa

You can get many resorts for almost free, but most have higher annual fees that the Pono Kai and aren't ocean front. You can view some photos on our site, click on the our site in our signature
We really like the PK, the 2 bedroom annual units are around $925 per week, the resort is on 11 acres of flat ocean front land, easy to get around and located near most of the food stores and restaurants.
jmho,
Greg

We are most familiar with Poipu. We've stayed at Poipu Sands twice. BUT we are open to suggestions as to other parts of the island. Ocean front preferred. The place we stayed didn't have A/C and we didn't really miss it but it was right on the water.

Carol

 

[ACJB]

Thanks Greg,
We'll check out the website.
Carol

 

[artringwald]

We like Poipu because it's more likely to be sunny. We bought a week at the Point at Poipu because it's one of the few places that has AC. You usually don't need it, but my wife gets migraines when it gets too hot or humid. We love staying at P@P, but like other owners, are not happy with the special assessment. We want another week or two there, but I figure rentals will be easy to come by because so many owners will have trouble paying the special assessment. TUG and RedWeek have many listing for P@P. Here's some pictures taken on the property: http://artringwald.smugmug.com/Travel/The-Point-at-Poipu

 

[jacknsara]

Aloha Carol,
Welcome to TUG.
I believe but am not certain that the few units of Nihi Kai http://www.wizardpub.com/Kauai/krnihikai.html that are timeshare are fixed weeks. There are a very few Kauai Beach Villas http://www.wizardpub.com/Kauai/krkauaibchvillas.html units within the timeshare system that are fixed weeks (all of that very small number that I have encountered are ocean front). I believe the same is true for Banyan Harbour http://www.wizardpub.com/Kauai/krbanyanharbor.html
However, I recommend renting over buying until market conditions change to the extent that timeshare resales occur for positive prices. Check out www.vrbo.com
Jack

 

[ACJB]

Thanks Jack,
I really appreciate the info. We are just starting to try and figure this all out, so all this input is really helpful!

Carol

 

[slip]

Checking out the reviews on Tug is the best place to start. I, like Greg love
Pono Kai and find it a great value but they don't have some things you may
want in a timeshare. Only you can answer that.
I do think it's a great time to get a great deal on a
timeshare and you are buying to use. You'll get good value buying for that
reason.
Narrow it down to 4 or 5 and start asking questions about the specific resorts.
First, you may want to narrow what part of the island you'll want to be on.

You'll get great info on Tug.

 

[ACJB]

Thanks Jeff,
I'm working on the narrowing down part. Would like to find two weeks but that will probably be a two part transaction. Will definitely put Pono Kai on the list.

Carol

 

[DeniseM]

I think the "fixed week" part is probably an unnecessary - at a home resort with floating weeks you have first priority to make reservations, and at most resorts, a savvy owner can reserve exactly what they want, by making the reservation as early as allowed.

 

[ACJB]

I was beginning to see that. The main thing is knowing we will be going back each year. I'd like enough room for our boys or other family/friends could come along if they wanted.

Carol