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

[Tiger]

As you can see we own 6 weeks in the Alii building at Lawai Beach Resorts. We started buying them in 1998, and just keep right on going. Check the resale prices on TUG's database. There is a reason other resorts are selling for $1, and LBR 2br2ba in the Alii building are still over $2000.

The most important thing is that the resort is owner operated. Members on the board are competetively elected. They hire a management company which is also composed of owners, which hires a local manager. Two years ago we found that we had some salt damage to our rebars. An expensive repair but it was paid for out of maintenance fees. We are currently completely redoing all the units in Alii including full renovations of the bathrooms. A multi year multi million investment. We are in such good financial shape that we were able to get a bank loan at good interest and again are paying the loan through the maintenance fees.

No special assessments. When we have financial choices we astually have a full owner vote on the issue by mail.

Check out the Lawaii Beach Resort web site for pictures and videos.

In the last 3 years I believe there have only been three Alii 2br2ba for sale on Ebay (though I could have missed some even though checked regularly) and I bought 2 of them. Why haven't more been listed? Because at this resort the owners aren't dumping them.

The Banyan building is newer and also nice, but the Alii is directly facing the Ocean (only about 100 ft away). The master bedroom is oceanfront so we have wonderful surf to help us sleep and awaken to early morning surfers and whales that we see right from our bed, while we sip our Kauian coffee.

 

[DeniseM]

Tiger - If you don't stop spilling the beans I am never going to find great deal on ebay!

 

[bailey]

Before actually purchasing, you might want to take one of your visits to actually go to see some of the properties you are considering. When I first got the timeshare bug, I also wanted to buy in Hawaii and saw all kinds of "deals" to be had. Luckily I waited and the next time I went to Hawaii, I took some time and looked at some of the properties. Some of the properties sounded and looked great from pictures but in person were not something I'd want to go to every year. You can read reviews and find very positive things said about some of these resorts, but in the end, it's a matter of personal taste. I was glad that I didn't jump into it. Good luck on your search and welcome to TUG.

 

[slip]

I checked out 5 different resorts while on the Big Island last week. We asked if
we could walk the grounds because we may want to trade in, in the future.
All the staffs were really nice and let us walk around and even let us look
at some units. It's a good idea on your next visit.

 

[slip]

Lawai Beach Resort is great one to look into. I almost bought there. There
have been some listed on Ebay and even in the Alii building that have sold for
well under $2000. I started watching in January of this year. Always email the
seller and ask for a copy of the deed. Some have been listed incorrectly.
Coral, Banyan and Alii are the only ones I considered but there are varying
opinions on each. They aren't always listed on Ebay but they do come up
with some regularity. When you are ready to buy, be like Tiger and be specific
on what you want to buy. Then be patient until one comes up.
One reason we didn't buy there is my wife always likes to be walking distance to a city
or town. I like this too but it's not a must for me like it is to my wife but I guess that
makes it a must for me to. Happy wife, happy life.

 

[Tiger]

regarding LBR
There are 5 different buildings on this point originally (1970's) called the Long House Beach after the eponymous restaurant. The first two were completely sold as condos. The third, the Coral building, was built to be sold as condos but hit one of the condo crisis times in the 80's and was converted to time shares. The developer, whose name I can't recall, by reputation was a wonderful person who never sold out to the larger groups. So the decision was made to complete the development with time shares. Eventually the resort was turned over to the owners who have run it since. Alii building was next On the left with your back to the Ocean. 85 % time share,the remainder condo, about half and half 1br and 2br. that sold out by 1995 or so while Banyan was under construction. It's the middle building. We viewed there while banyan 1br was for sale for about $15000. The agent actually cried when we wouldn't buy and followed us into the street saying "but you can afford it". so we then went to a reseller and viewed Alii and bought a 2br from him for $9500. Since then we've been back every year. About 60% of the available weeks are used by owners. On ebay over the last 3 years (for specifics check Tugs data base, the prices have generally been (sometimes it's complicated as to buying price what with current maintenance fees and costs etc.)

alii 1br1ba $1200
alii 2br2ba $2200
banyan very similar to alii
coral the bad baby of LBR. The first building on the right. No washer dryers in the room, less air flow due to the parking garage, view from circa 50% of the units significantly blocked by the wonderful Beachhouse Restaurant (successor to the Long House) These units sell for considerably less than alii or banyan, but owners get first choice 2 years in advance so they get the views, and they can join Hawai Time Share Exchange (HTSE) originally an inhouse organization and upgrade to Alii or Banyan. In any case these units CAN be found on Ebay for $1 plus costs and IMHO also are screaming buys.

So that's the deal on LBR. Many tuggers have bought weeks in LBR and do keep quiet. I think though that the more responsible Tuggers that own LBR the better chance that it will continue to be wuch a wonderful home away from home.