SC Timeshares! So many to choose, which one?

[ctydisneyfan]

Hello everyone,
I am in need of some solid advice! My husband and own a DVC timeshare and love it, but I want to purchase another from a "hotel chain" to give us more flexibility with multiple locations without using II or RCI, but also be a good trader so in the future we can use it for that. I have my eye on purchasing a timeshare in Myrtle Beach, SC because we would actually use this most of the time and if I'm going to buy another location I want my home resort to be where I would vacation. I opted out of Hilton Head because DVC has one so I'm not in need for this location. So here's the delema...

We love Sea Watch but the right contract has been evading me... I found two options which would work but not sure which is the better deal?

1) Fairfield Wyndham Sea Watch 189,000 points for $1275 + closing (499) MF's $1016.76
2) Fairfield Wyndham Ocean Blvd 308,000 points for $1000 + closing (499) MF's $2100.00 (seemed really high so I confirmed with seller and they say these are correct...I can't see it, but that's the deal)
3) Sheraton Desert Oasis 1BR 1Bth, float 1-52, $600 + closing (550) MF's $468

I am looking for a contract with approx Wyndam 203,000 points, so I could get a 2BR OR Sheraton 2BR lockout, although a 1BR will work fine but would love the availability for the 2BR. We are a family of four, 2 kids ages 6, 12.

Any advice would really help, as I am really overwelmed!

Jill R

 

[Bill4728]

The key part of your question which wasn't asked is what do I not get by buying one of these?

With both the Wyndhams you'll likely get FSP (Fairshareplus) the point program in Wyndham which allows you to go to other wyndham resorts using your points. A BIG PLUS!
With the Sheraton, since you'd be buying resale at a voluntary stawood resort, you'd not get SVN ( starwood Vacation network) and could not do internal trading to other starwood resorts. Not a big deal if SDO is the only place you want to go but it's a big deal if you want to do internal trading within SVN because you'll not be in SVN.

Hope that helps

 

[Steve]

In regards to the Sheraton, do you mean Broadway Plantation or Desert Oasis? Broadway Plantation is in Myrtle Beach while Desert Oasis is located in Scottsdale, AZ. If you are going to want a two bedroom villa in Myrtle Beach, then I wouldn't purchase a one bedroom in Arizona.

I have seen quite a few two bedroom weeks for sale at Broadway Plantation on eBay for very reasonable prices. You might want to be patient and keep looking for a while until you find just the right timeshare for you. There's no need to rush.

As for the Wyndham resorts, I'm no expert on this system. But $2100 in maintenance fees is what the Four Seasons charges. I wouldn't buy a Wyndham package with fees that high. I think it would be extremely hard to resell it in the future if you decided it wasn't for you.

Steve

 

[lprstn]

Hello everyone,
We love Sea Watch but the right contract has been evading me... I found two options which would work but not sure which is the better deal?

1) Fairfield Wyndham Sea Watch 189,000 points for $1275 + closing (499) MF's $1016.76
2) Fairfield Wyndham Ocean Blvd 308,000 points for $1000 + closing (499) MF's $2100.00 (seemed really high so I confirmed with seller and they say these are correct...I can't see it, but that's the deal)
3) Sheraton Desert Oasis 1BR 1Bth, float 1-52, $600 + closing (550) MF's $468

I am looking for a contract with approx Wyndam 203,000 points, so I could get a 2BR OR Sheraton 2BR lockout, although a 1BR will work fine but would love the availability for the 2BR. We are a family of four, 2 kids ages 6, 12.

Any advice would really help, as I am really overwelmed!

Jill R

I believe this is the better "deal"

2) Fairfield Wyndham Ocean Blvd 308,000 points for $1000 + closing (499) MF's $2100.00 (seemed really high so I confirmed with seller and they say these are correct...I can't see it, but that's the deal)

The reason is because with 308,000 pts you can dooo so much within Wyndam. It is equivlent to 2 weeks + within Wyndam, and within RCI up to potentially 10-12 weeks of travel a year. Not to mention that these usually go for at least .01 cents per point, so I would say its a pretty good deal. However, I currently have 311,000 pts, but my MFs are $1432 a year. But if you want priority at the Wyndam Ocean Blvd (which is a great resort to rent out since Myrtle Beach has a lot of events that make it easy to rent at) this is definately the best buy, and what I would purchase if I had it to do over again.

Definately more bang for your buck.

With Wyndam you pay monthly for you MFs so its not as bad as coming up with all of that money at one time.

 

[bnoble]

I think one would be better served by being patient for a lower MF/K deed to come along, and perhaps by combining a few smaller MB deeds. $6.82/K is very very high, and even in MB (which tends to have higher MFs) you can do better.

As an aside, I agree---something doesn't sound right about that. If you can get the seller to give you the contract #, you might be able to confirm the MF amount with Wyndham.

 

[stratusnj75]

I would definitely not buy the contract with $2100 maintenance. That is insanely expensive. If Seawatch is what you really want and you must have it now, I would say buy that contract. You can always keep your eye out for another contract to add to your point total and you can always rent points as well from other Fairfield owners.

The other thing you have to consider with Fairfield is that other than the ability to book 13 months out rather than 10 months out, there is no advantage to owning in Myrtle Beach than anywhere else. So you could buy very low maintenance fee contracts somewhere else and use those points to book in to anywhere in the Fairfield system, including Myrtle Beach.

Devin

 

[ctydisneyfan]

I have already passed on the contract with the 2100 in fees as they were not forthcoming with the details as to how they came up with the # since the resort quotes $4.64 roughly for fees per point.

My question to those that own? Is it that difficult to book at the Myrtle Beach Sea Watch without 13month priority if I can be flexible on the summer week? Please let me know as I would like to explore the cheaper MF's if this is the case... thanks for all your suggestions and your time...

 

[bnoble]

The sense I get is that Seawatch fills up first. It's a step above Westwinds in quality, but closer to it than Ocean Blvd in points cost. If you have your heart set on Seawatch for summer, you'll do best by owning in Myrtle Beach. At the moment, all MB resorts have ARP in all MB resorts, so any one should do---until that's changed.

 

[lprstn]

I have already passed on the contract with the 2100 in fees as they were not forthcoming with the details as to how they came up with the # since the resort quotes $4.64 roughly for fees per point.

My question to those that own? Is it that difficult to book at the Myrtle Beach Sea Watch without 13month priority if I can be flexible on the summer week? Please let me know as I would like to explore the cheaper MF's if this is the case... thanks for all your suggestions and your time...

Well that is one of my favorite resorts there, however, I don't see you having a problem booking at any of the MB Wyndams within 10 months, unless its during the holiday weeks or big event weeks. To be honest, I've always used a 70K point week that I trade with RCI a year in advance to get a good room at Sea Watch, since I prefer to use my other points for weekend trips... As long as you are open to any of the resorts in MB you will be happy. I go there every year so you should not have a problem booking at all no matter which Wyndam you own at.

* But I will note, if you want to get there every summer, without any complications, owning there is a definate plus. However, if you just want to be in MB every summer (not to picky which of the 4 Wyndams you stay at) than you can own anywhere and pretty much get a MB reservation in the summer when booking 10 months out.