Should we buy?

[Hokie4Life]

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
Myrtle Beach

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
Visit at least half the time

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Las Vegas, Florida, New York City, Colorado, Chicago

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
2

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
Any time

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
No

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes but we like to be able to do a long weekend every now and then.

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
4+

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
$2,000

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
$1,000

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Yes

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
Yes

Note: We're interested in every other year options to begin with. 1 bedroom 1 bathroom with HGVC (gold or silver).

 

[GT75]

Well, HGVC would certainly be a very good option for you (but I think you already knew that). HGVC does have resorts in all of the locations which you have listed. I am certain that you could pickup 1 Bd EOY Gold/Silver season for less than $2K (I would expect fee). The problem with this will be that your yearly MFs will be very high for the amount of points which you receive. You may consider purchasing a platinum season to get a better MF/point ratio. You will also pay club dues ($186 this year) every year if you own a EOY HGVC TS.

I think that HGVC is more 4 star TS with Marriott and Hyatt being higher level.

My overall recommendation is to consider the buy-in and year MFs in whatever resale you purchase. HGVC is really a great system and they treat resale owners very well.

 

[dayooper]

While I agree with @GT75 on his recommendation, not being able to long term plan gives me pause. Unless you are booking in the lower seasons (which it looks like you will be able to), your will need to book at least 7-9 months in advance for the more popular times at many locations.

HGVC is a great system with awesome resorts. One trip to The Boulevard in Vegas and I was hooked. The Ocean 22 resort in Myrtle Beach is fantastic and I hear great things about Ocean Enclave as well. It’s very flexible and, once you know how to use the system, can be a cost saver. One you vacation in a nice condo style resort, you will never go back!

 

[GT75]

not being able to long term plan gives me pause

Yes, I missed the response to question 6. @dayooper is correct, personally HGVC works best when you book at 9-month mark. If you don’t book then, you will be getting the left overs. Now BI, Orlando & Las Vegas has good availability later.

 

[CPNY]

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
Myrtle Beach

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
Visit at least half the time

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Las Vegas, Florida, New York City, Colorado, Chicago

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
2

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
Any time

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
No

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes but we like to be able to do a long weekend every now and then.

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
4+

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
$2,000

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
$1,000

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Yes

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
Yes

Note: We're interested in every other year options to begin with. 1 bedroom 1 bathroom with HGVC (gold or silver).

Hope you didn’t buy yet, I have a feeling many will end up on the resale market cheap shortly

 

[cbyrne1174]

Based on those destination Wyndham or Hilton are your best options. Resale of course. If you go with Hilton, make sure you're deeded to a platinum week in a low MF resort. In their system, the amount you pay in maintenance fees is based on unit size alone. A platinum week can be worth 10,000 points and a bronze week worth 5,000. Both cost you the same, but the platinum deed gives you twice as much vacation time. If you go with Wyndham, make sure it's just a low MF resort. Their MF are calculated by points alone. A club Wyndham Access membership costs $6.28 per thousand points and a deed at Grand Desert costs $4.87 per thousand. At the 10 month mark, points are points so paying more per point is silly unless you need to book that location more than 10 months out.