New Owner...is this a good deal?? Please Respond

[grgs]

Glorian--

Where are you able to get the ebay transaction data for such a lengthy period of time?

It's called OCD. I've been tracking these sales for years, and don't feel I can stop now. I just hope I never lose my Google spreadsheet! I have stopped following some resorts/seasons, but do try to keep up with the mandatory ones.

Glorian

 

[PamMo]

Lisa- Thanks so much for all the information....this morning I took care of the rescission, and I do plan on monitoring this site and keeping up with the benefits/downfalls for a future purchase. I truly appreciate your help in addition to everyone else's. Keep up the good work.

Keith, you did the smart thing. Congrats! I think you were on the right track about purchasing a timeshare for your family, but hang around TUG and learn how to get just what you want/need - without spending too much. I wish we knew about timeshares when our kids were young. We LOVE the options, space, and quality of our timeshares. (So do our kids, grandkids, friends, and extended family!)

 

[DavidnRobin]

It's called OCD. I've been tracking these sales for years, and don't feel I can stop now. I just hope I never lose my Google spreadsheet! I have stopped following some resorts/seasons, but do try to keep up with the mandatory ones.

Glorian

and we appreciate it (at least I do, not so sure about FredM {jibbing}).

If you want to send me what you have - I will store for you. I gave up doing the eBay tracking some time ago (didn't care anymore...), but glad you have kept up because it gives great historic perspective, and great counter to the TS dogma that often plagues us.

 

[grgs]

Hi David,

I sent you a pm.

Glorian

 

[robin50]

What does SVN mandatory property mean? How do you know if it is a mandatory property? I have looked at the Westin Lagunamar but not sure if you get staroptions for that property. Also, the Maui resorts have huge maintenances fees which I would want to stay away from. What resorts can you purchase that are mandatory, that give you star options and can be used to rent at the Westin Lagunamar (Cancun) or Maui? Any comments or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[ValleyGirl]

Glad you are here at TUG!

Please read the information for newcomers at the top of the Starwood forum.
A lot to learn but great vacations ahead.
I would just say you should own where you want to go back to often.
Options are the ability to exchange but do not reflect the likelihood or unlikelyhood of exchanging into at the time you want or the view you might value!

 

[grgs]

What does SVN mandatory property mean?

Basically, it means that staroptions transfer on resale.

How do you know if it is a mandatory property?

These are the mandatory properties:

Harborside Resort at Atlantis
Sheraton Vistana Villages, Bella and Key West phases only
Westin St. John, Virgin Grand/Hillside phase only
Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas
Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, North
Westin Kierland Villas

(see the TUG Starwood article)

Generally speaking, if you're buying mainly for staroptions, I would look at Westin Kierland or Sheraton Vistana Villages (Bella and Key West phases). Westin Kierland platinum units cost more upfront, but have lowest maintenance fee cost per staroption; Sheraton Vistana Villages will have the lowest upfront costs, but a higher maintenance fee cost per staroption.

Glorian

 

[SMHarman]

Basically, it means that staroptions transfer on resale.



These are the mandatory properties:

Harborside Resort at Atlantis
Sheraton Vistana Villages, Bella and Key West phases only
Westin St. John, Virgin Grand/Hillside phase only
Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas
Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, North
Westin Kierland Villas

(see the TUG Starwood article)

Generally speaking, if you're buying mainly for staroptions, I would look at Westin Kierland or Sheraton Vistana Villages (Bella and Key West phases). Westin Kierland platinum units cost more upfront, but have lowest maintenance fee cost per staroption; Sheraton Vistana Villages will have the lowest upfront costs, but a higher maintenance fee cost per staroption.

Glorian

and there is not much in the 140,100 staroption range in VV

 

[LisaRex]

and there is not much in the 140,100 staroption range in VV

Actually, there will never be anything in the 148,100 SO range at SVV since they were all designated as either platinum (not platinum plus) or gold season. The most you'll ever get is if you buy a 3 bdrm platinum, which comes with the very clunky 139,700 SOs.

Personally, if I wanted to go to Cancun, I'd buy a membership to Tug or Redweek.com for ~$15 and rent units from owners. No way would I pay tens of thousands of dollars to own a TS when rentals at some really great places are so reasonable.

 

[grgs]

and there is not much in the 140,100 staroption range in VV

Correct. If you're need/want enough SOs to trade into a 2 bedroom unit in prime time at all Starwood resorts, then Kierland is the way to go. If you can get by with 81,000, then Vistana Villages is an option.

Glorian

 

[Mjasp]

Hooray for Tuggers!!!! Another one saved!!!!!! And in only twenty minutes, too!

OMG I am laughing so hard! I just read this thread to my daughter, all the RESCIND NOW posts and yes IT IS A BAD DEAL!

Keith, listen to everyone here and you will not go wrong. I own at VR, I bought resale and got lucky when they refurbished they let us get into SVO for free, I also picked up a FREE unit from someone who is very active on this site, that unit is not in SVO and I use it the old fashioned way. Since my family all lives in Orlando and now my daughter recently has moved there it is perfect owning 2 units.

But don't do anything before checking here first. I love owning my timeshares, but I love it more because they hardly cost me anything except maintenance.