My suggestion would be to visit the OBX and the resorts before buying.
Newbie that has never visited/stayed at any timeshares in the OBX. My question is for those of you that have, and can make a comparison among those in that area, which are the "nicest", best traders, etc. Just trying to get some idea of how these units/resorts are. Please give me some input on these TS's as we are considering buying in this area. Also are there any point systems in the OBX? Sorry if this is too general, just trying to learn and absorb any and all info. THANKS, Jeff
You say that you have never visited/stayed at any timeshares on the OBX. I assume that you have been to the OBX. Did you travel around to the different areas? Was there a particular area of the OBX that you enjoyed more?
I grew up going to the Outer Banks long before timeshares. I have owned at several of the resorts on the Outer Banks. Everything is a matter of opinion. What's the best for one person may not be for another.
I have purchased BIS Duck and BIS Kitty Hawk in Points off eBay, but removed them from RCI Points after purchasing. They are more valuable to me out of Points. I believe the reason that I was able to purchase these for a low cost was because they were in Points and sometimes that drives people away from them. JMHO on that.
As stated previously, buy in the season that you can use. Don't buy an off-season week hoping to trade for summer. Also as stated, OBX prime weeks do show up on eBay, but you do have to be patient.
If you can travel to the OBX, either for a week or a long weekend, do it and visit the different areas of the Outer Banks, as well as the resorts. Become a Member of TUG (only $15/year) and check out the reviews of the various resorts.
BIS Duck was the first timeshare that I bought back in 1984. SPM Resorts has taken over the management of this resort, as well as Barrier Island's Ocean Pines and great improvements are being made. Outer Banks Beach Club is currently the only Gold Crown rated resort on the OBX, located in Kill Devil Hills. It is also managed by SPM Resorts. I have owned units there also. It is oceanfront (with oceanfront, oceanside and non-oceanside units). I own at Dunes South in South Nags Head and love this area because it is quieter and in a more residential area. The units are large and well-equipped, but this cannot be considered a resort because currently the only amenity other than a beautiful beach is a tennis court. The oceanfront pool has been washed away a couple of times and currently it is decision-making time whether or not to replace it and how that will be handled. Naturally, off-season owners do not care to pay for a pool that they will not be able to use. If you have pets, they allow owners to bring their pets. It is the only timeshare on the OBX, I believe, that allows pets.
The timeshares in Kitty Hawk (Seascape and BIS Kitty Hawk) are off the beach and considered the least desirable due to this fact. However, both offer a beach parking lot and have pretty good amenities.
I once stayed at High Dunes in Kill Devil Hills. I believe there are only 9 units. No on-site management. Only a small pool, but they set directly on the ocean and it is quiet.
Do your research and consider reviews, maintenance fees, any special assessments, location, amenities, season, size of units, lock-out or non-lock-out, etc.
I still recommend visiting first. All the resorts that I am familiar with will arrange for you to check out the units and amenities, and answer any questions that you may have.
Personally, I would buy what I would use or something that I would be able to rent out easily rather than exchanging. Exchanging sometimes doesn't necessarily work out and it means an annual membership fee to an exchange company, as well as an exchange fee. These all increase the ownership costs of your week.