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Oceanfront or Oceanfront Deluxe??

C

califgal

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We finally decided to buy resale at WKORV. We want annual oceanfront....so the question is ,should we buy the standard OF or the OF deluxe? It looks like the studio side of the standard has a better view than the deluxe, is that true?We'd mainly stay on the 1 bdrm side, but sometimes want to stay for 2 weeks and move from the studio to the 1bdrm. Maybe even save our EOY island only for trading, and not give aaway our oceanfront! I know the maint. fees are more on the deluxe.

Also it seems that because there are more of the deluxe it would be "easier" to reserve our week, could that be true? We have school age kids so we have to go in the summer or spring break, maybe even Thanksgiving some time.

I will be planning to make reservations 12 mo to the day out at 5am when ever we reserve.
I appreciate your opinions!
 
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califgal said:
We finally decided to buy resale at WKORV. We want annual oceanfront....so the question is ,should we buy the standard OF or the OF deluxe? It looks like the studio side of the standard has a better view than the deluxe, is that true?We'd mainly stay on the 1 bdrm side, but sometimes want to stay for 2 weeks and move from the studio to the 1bdrm. Maybe even save our EOY island only for trading, and not give aaway our oceanfront! I know the maint. fees are more on the deluxe.
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What are the prices and maint fees for each?
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David of (David and Robin) and I just discussed this yesterday. The studio OF does indeed have a true OF balcony. The OF Deluxe studio's balcony is really more of an ocean view since it is on the side of the resort. You are correct in that the OF Deluxe is bigger which does come with slightly higher MF. My best guess is that the cost of the OF will be about $4-5k less than the OF Deluxe. I believe there are 12 OF and 24 OF Deluxe units so reserving OF Deluxe maybe easier although at 12 months out in the am you shouldn't have a problem with either. Good luck with you decision!
 
There is an OF deluxe for 52K, haven't found any OF avail, but was also told by someone else it would be 4-5K less.I shouold correct myself, any standard OF I've found are priced at 65K and maybe one the same price as deluxe.! Haven't bought reslae before, what should I offer for the deluxe...50K? Typically, would the owner counter like in a home purchase? Maint fee for deluxe is about $2050. I think about $400 less for standard.
 
We bought OF Center on the resale market 2 years ago. I think personal preference comes into play alot with making this decision but I'll tell you why we decided on the ocean front center: (1) the balcony on the studio side of the OF Center is a true OF balcony whereas the deluxe one is more boxy and faces the side of the building (2) If you look at the larger deluxe unit you will notice most of the additional space is the walk-in hallway (it's huge) and so you will be paying higher maintenance fees for not that much more actual living space (3) privacy. We've only used our OF unit once thus far but we got the 6th floor and all we saw out our windows was ocean, all we heard at night was the ocean and only people on ships could look into our unit. Personally, this is huge for me because when I was laying out at the pool I couldn't help but look up at the OF deluxe units and watch people in their units eating, walking around, etc. It made me that much more appreciative about being truly OF instead of having corner windows where people look in at you from the pool area. That being said I believe people that prefer the OF deluxe do so because of the many windows and all the light you get in your corner unit from all the windows (again, for me, that was actually a negative-see #3 above). Also, maybe people who own OF deluxe corner units like overlooking the pool area on the studio side. My preference is to not have the pool noise.

So it was really easy for us to decide on the OF center versus the OF deluxe because of our preferences of privacy, true OF lanais on both sides of our unit with lower MF and a lower purchase price it was a very easy decision for us to make. Of course, the OF deluxe are tooted as the best units so I'm sure there are many people who prefer those units. Just decide what's important for you.
 
I think we feel the same way about the OF center, but there's more of the corner units and could buy one now. I know I shouldn't feel in a hurry, we could wait for a center OF. Are you able to get your high floor at 12 mo. without stress??
 
mepiccolo said:
We bought OF Center on the resale market 2 years ago. I think personal preference comes into play alot with making this decision but I'll tell you why we decided on the ocean front center: (1) the balcony on the studio side of the OF Center is a true OF balcony whereas the deluxe one is more boxy and faces the side of the building (2) If you look at the larger deluxe unit you will notice most of the additional space is the walk-in hallway (it's huge) and so you will be paying higher maintenance fees for not that much more actual living space (3) privacy. We've only used our OF unit once thus far but we got the 6th floor and all we saw out our windows was ocean, all we heard at night was the ocean and only people on ships could look into our unit. Personally, this is huge for me because when I was laying out at the pool I couldn't help but look up at the OF deluxe units and watch people in their units eating, walking around, etc. It made me that much more appreciative about being truly OF instead of having corner windows where people look in at you from the pool area. That being said I believe people that prefer the OF deluxe do so because of the many windows and all the light you get in your corner unit from all the windows (again, for me, that was actually a negative-see #3 above). Also, maybe people who own OF deluxe corner units like overlooking the pool area on the studio side. My preference is to not have the pool noise.

So it was really easy for us to decide on the OF center versus the OF deluxe because of our preferences of privacy, true OF lanais on both sides of our unit with lower MF and a lower purchase price it was a very easy decision for us to make. Of course, the OF deluxe are tooted as the best units so I'm sure there are many people who prefer those units. Just decide what's important for you.
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Ummm... a few things - we own OF Dlx. I have never stayed in the middle unit, but did have an opportunity to check one out while we were there in Nov. (next to us - it hadn't been occupied yet)

Most of your points are well-taken - but being able to see people in the Dlx side??? First the corner windows have shears - so during the daytime you are not seeing in (perhaps at night with the lights on... or with the shears pulled back) The Dlx 1Bd side balcony is bigger (hugh at 25ft x 7.5ft). The studio-side is bigger, and has a better layout - you are correct about the Dlx studio balcony being on the side, but since it sits in the front of the building it sits in front of the pools - also, there are corner units that face away from the pools - but you are correct - better to have a balcony facing the ocean, but the studio balcony isn't all that bad view-wise.

The 1Bd Dlx has a panaromic view with the windows on the side - and great light. The hallway wasn't wasted space for us - we made good use of it - plus the angles give more of an open/larger feeling. Even as 'wasted space' the Dlx 1Bd is more roomier and wider. The Dlx balcony is also more private since it sits back - whereas the center balconies are side-by-side.

The center studio is likely very easy to rent and at more of a premium. Also, I assume that the MFs are less. (the same as the OV premiums?)

Given all these things - I agree that the center OF is probably a better value. If we had known the studio-side had a true balcony - we would have probably bought a center OF. However, I have only seen one for sale in the 16 months I have been tracking (went unsold) - although I hear there have been others.

What did you pay for your center OF unit (we paid ~$53.5K)? (yes, a bit too much, but...) Also, are your MFs the same as the other premium units? I haven't seen a OV premium studio unit - did they take away some living space to make the floor space the same with the balcony (it seemed smaller than I would have expected)?
 
califgal said:
There is an OF deluxe for 52K, haven't found any OF avail, but was also told by someone else it would be 4-5K less.I shouold correct myself, any standard OF I've found are priced at 65K and maybe one the same price as deluxe.! Haven't bought reslae before, what should I offer for the deluxe...50K? Typically, would the owner counter like in a home purchase? Maint fee for deluxe is about $2050. I think about $400 less for standard.
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Yes - $50K for the Dlx. Be careful in the calculation of the MFs - whether or not they include the SVN fee. I posted the MFs breakdown as relative units(along with other stats at WKORV) a while back.

Also - $65K??? for the center OF??? good luck with that... they are fooling themselves...
 
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Ok..now I think we're back to hopefully making an offer on the deluxe. David you confirmed what we thought ...the view is more panaromic and we would really enjoy the huge balconly. Also we've stayed in a OV deluxe and it is definatley roomier, we too would make use of that hallway space. So I think we will make the offer! Thanks!
 
califgal said:
Ok..now I think we're back to hopefully making an offer on the deluxe. David you confirmed what we thought ...the view is more panaromic and we would really enjoy the huge balconly. Also we've stayed in a OV deluxe and it is definatley roomier, we too would make use of that hallway space. So I think we will make the offer! Thanks!
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I do think the center OFs may be a overall better value (depending on the cost) - but it does come down to supply/demand for both buying/selling - and reserving. Realize that you are paying >$20K premium for the OF over the OV - and that is worth it to you. I believe that these 24 OF Dlx and 12 OF premium are unique properties that are unmatched in Hawaii (including WKORV-N OF), and are worth the premium cost (but you are saving ~$20K over buying WKORV-N OF from SVO...).

We kept our 'junk' and wet-stuff in the Hallway - out-of-sight - some people think the foyer (that all LOs have) are wasted space (~50sqft), but again we prefer that over a common door like WKORV-N has - due to the additional privacy. I calculated the 'wasted' sqft space of the hallway, but can't recall what it was (something like 75sqft...?).

Whatever happens - enjoy your stay and unit for years to come (it will be a downward exchange - and certainly not worth the SPs given from SVO if you bought from them). If not able to use in the future - the best value is in renting it - unless you can get an awesome direct exchange. (we rented the studio-side that almost offset the MFs - albeit, we could have probably gotten a bit more, but the ease of renting made it worth it).

Good Luck.
 
Did you use a service to rent you unit? I have listed on Redweek.com, but ended up using my unit before I got any inquiries. I was wondering what the best way to find renters was.
 
I think it is a matter of personal preference. That being said, the center OF lanai runs the entire length of the unit so it is really big. They come with 2 recliners and a small table and 2 chairs and we were able to leave the patio furniture out there, bring out the dining room table and very comfortably have sunset dinner for 6 adults and 3 kids in high chairs on 2 nights while we were there (probably the nicest meals we had all week). Also, we had 2 strollers and a bunch of kids pool stuff we were able to put away in the closet out of sight. The lanai on the studio side is obviously smaller but it also has the same furniture and an awesome oF view. The privacy factor is more important to us than having a panoramic view. Either way you are ocean front in Maui at the Westin so you can't go wrong. Enjoy your purchase.
 
emuyshondt said:
Did you use a service to rent you unit? I have listed on Redweek.com, but ended up using my unit before I got any inquiries. I was wondering what the best way to find renters was.
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Nope - TUG classifieds.

I hadn't gotten to the RedWeek ad yet - I was waiting for the 6-month point, but rented via TUG before that. At first - I thought the TUG contact was a scammer (I had a few), but turned out OK. We were prepared to go if we didn't rent - just that Robin lacks vacation time.

We priced it very fairly ($1700) on TUG - I would have listed it for $2400 on RedWeek and settled for $2100. Obviously - the lower rental price - the easier to rent. Being OF also helps.

It turned out that the renter was looking for that specific week - so that is also a consideration. I would only use a verified PayPal user (costs $50 in fees), but it gives the renter some security because they are the ones that take the risk (mostly). I had them pay 50% upfront (unrefundable) and the other due 3 months ahead.
 
mepiccolo said:
I think it is a matter of personal preference. That being said, the center OF lanai runs the entire length of the unit so it is really big. They come with 2 recliners and a small table and 2 chairs and we were able to leave the patio furniture out there, bring out the dining room table and very comfortably have sunset dinner for 6 adults and 3 kids in high chairs on 2 nights while we were there (probably the nicest meals we had all week). Also, we had 2 strollers and a bunch of kids pool stuff we were able to put away in the closet out of sight. The lanai on the studio side is obviously smaller but it also has the same furniture and an awesome oF view. The privacy factor is more important to us than having a panoramic view. Either way you are ocean front in Maui at the Westin so you can't go wrong. Enjoy your purchase.
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I don't disagree - as I wrote - I do think the center is a better overall value.
We were able to pull off a Thanksgiving dinner for 10! And a post-wedding celebration for 12 - that could have been a lot more. We love OF at WKORV - and consider it a better unit and better value than WKORV-N. of course - we paid a hefty premium - so we'd better... :)

The 1Bd Dlx side is entirely private - it had black-out curtains on the side (along with the shears) - so one could just close them, but the openess during the day was fabulous. The studio balcony is not as private - but this is only an issue really on the 2 lowest floors. At first - we had no intention to use, but after seeing it... we could easily stay there - where we would not want the OV/IV premium studio as we are balcony lovers - I would have slept out there if Robin was up to it. :p
 
DavidnRobin said:
We priced it very fairly ($1700) on TUG - I would have listed it for $2400 on RedWeek and settled for $2100. Obviously - the lower rental price - the easier to rent. Being OF also helps.
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Wow... what a great price for a studio. I think that is awesome. TFS.
 
In case you are interested there are 2 separate OF units available on www.myresortnetwork.com. I'm am assuming that they are not deluxe OF as the ads don't say the word "deluxe". It seems as if you have already decided on the OF Deluxe; I agree with others that both units are awesome!
 
Reservation odds with OFD & OF

First inclination is to think that more units means better odds at availability. There are more OFD than OF units. The odds of reserving desired dates at 12 months are statistically identical for each. Each has 50 floating intervals. More units means more owners, not more units with same number of owners.:confused:
 
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