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Westin St John Purchase or trading into it

Trace

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HI - I've been browsing these boards for some time now and just finally decided to register as I am considering purchasing a fixed week at Westin St. John and am seeking some advice. I am looking at buying a 1 bedroom loft in October. The week works for our schedule and the loft provides the privacy we need from the children.

My question is for those who may know...how hard is it to trade into a 1BR at Westin St John during October? For example, would I be better off with a Sheraton Desert Oasis and do ongoing requests? We would also like to travel to Harborside on occasion during the same time (October). Is it hard to get in there during October?

Furthermore, a 2BR would be ideal for us but I want to keep the Maintence fees reasonable at Westin St John so would accept a 1BR. Can a 2BR be easily obtained via II trade for either Westin St John or Harborside during October? Would that also be a reason to go with a Sheraton Desert Oasis 2BR, to allow a the ability to get 2 bedrooms?

I hope that all makes sense and thanks for the help!

Tracy
 

DavidnRobin

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WKV (Scottsdale)
HI - I've been browsing these boards for some time now and just finally decided to register as I am considering purchasing a fixed week at Westin St. John and am seeking some advice. I am looking at buying a 1 bedroom loft in October. The week works for our schedule and the loft provides the privacy we need from the children.

My question is for those who may know...how hard is it to trade into a 1BR at Westin St John during October? For example, would I be better off with a Sheraton Desert Oasis and do ongoing requests? We would also like to travel to Harborside on occasion during the same time (October). Is it hard to get in there during October?

Furthermore, a 2BR would be ideal for us but I want to keep the Maintence fees reasonable at Westin St John so would accept a 1BR. Can a 2BR be easily obtained via II trade for either Westin St John or Harborside during October? Would that also be a reason to go with a Sheraton Desert Oasis 2BR, to allow a the ability to get 2 bedrooms?

I hope that all makes sense and thanks for the help!

Tracy

Tracy - there is no easy answer for your questions as they are dependent on too many variables and unknowns.

If you buy a 1Bd at WSJ-VG - be prepared to use it as a fixed week (and fixed check-in day) - do not overpay for this villa as Oct weeks are not worth much on the resale market, and come with the same MFs as those holding prime weeks

As to a 2Bd versus a 1Bd... there are no 1Bd villas in the BV section, but many 2Bd villas - this means that there may be more 2Bd availability overall at WSJ (VG and BV). Remember that there is a pecking order for WSJ: 1) Owners reserving their villa, 2) Owners reserving another week other than their villa, 3) SVN, and then 4) II exchanges. From what I have gleened from TUG posts -- SVN exchanges are possible (but need to frequently call Owner Services and check - and be flexible) - plus you cannot wait-list unless you are 4* which has logistic benefits since you have to hold your existing villa and wait if you <4*. You will also need adequate SOs for a SVN exchange and they vary between VG and BV phases. II exchanges are not often reported here.
 

Trace

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Thanks for the info. I saw a 1BR unit posted here for sale but we really need the loft at a minimum. The one we are looking at is week 40 and works good for our schedule, I just didn't know if there was a way to get into WSJ roughly around the same time yearly for essentially less MFs. It's hard to find resale prices and I know those listed on redweek are extremely high for offseason. I guess the way i see it is offseason to some is prime season to me, due to my schedule. October is very low hurricane history from my research too.
 

jerseygirl

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I think your chances of trading into either resort during October would be pretty good if you owned a mandatory resort. But, with a resale SDO, you would be relying on Interval, and deposits are pretty rare (there are usually Harborside deposits during hurricane season, and occasionally a few WSJ weeks ... but never what would be considered a "bulk banking").

If you join TUG, you can search the sightings board for reports of Harborside and WSJ II deposits.

Re WSJ -- There were definitely October weeks deposited in 2009 ('cuz I grabbed one!) but I don't recall seeing any for 2010 or 2011.

Re HRA -- pretty consistent Sept - early Dec and early January weeks deposited to II the last few years.
 

Trace

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Thanks Jerseygirl - It's a pretty tough scenario relying on II. I guess maybe the cheapest way to start would be by buying an 81K mandatory such as a Key West or Bella Vistana or a Westin Kierland? If that doesn't work out, at least it will still allow trades within SVN to hopefully Lagunamar or possibly even the family vacation to Orlando. We really are "off-season" travelers.

What is probably going to be the best StarOption value going right now? I see prices are all over the place!
 

jerseygirl

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For 148,100 SOs, Westin Kierland is your best bet (the only other mandatory resorts that come with 148,100 are Hawaii, Harborside, and Westin St John -- all have high fees).

For 81,000 -- I would buy a Vistana Villages (Bella and Key West). Yes, the maintenance fees are less at WKV, but the purchase price is significantly higher at WKV.

Vistana Villages 81000 SOs = $950 maintenance fees (I know the "sticky" shows higher than this, but I own a 2-BR and that's what my 2011 bill was)

Westin Kierland 81000 SOs = $743

Estimated Prices:

Westin Kierland One-BR = $8500 (just a guess, based on Redweek)
Vistana Villages Two-BR = $1500 (guess based on a lockoff selling for $1750 on eBay recently)
Savings $7000 / pays the extra $207 maintenance fees for 33 years!
 

Trace

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I think I may have found two Every Other Years (odd and even) to buy @ Vistana Villages (mandatory sections). Will this cause me additional fees yearly than owning just one?
 

jarta

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Yes. You will have to pay a 2nd SVN (mandatory) fee for your 2nd mandatory week. For 2011, the first week was $119 and the 2nd was an additional $33. There are reports circulating that the SVN fee (which includes the II fee) will go up for 2012. There is no additional fee for owning SVN weeks above 2.

The 2 EOY assessments are each 1/2 of (or very close to) the 1 EY assessment. ... eom
 
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DavidnRobin

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We are off-season travelers as well. Keep in mind that traveling during and after hurricane season can be problematic due to unstable weather - or if a major hurricane or tropical storm hits USVI - clean-up can take quite a while. So traveling off-season to STJ is better done May-early July (IMO) - it is generally beautiful (and quiet) during this time.
 

Trace

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Jarta - Thanks for the info. I guess its not that big of a deal for the few $'s.

David - Very good point. We travel twice yearly...Spring and Fall, once with the kids, and then if possible, once without. May / June is a good time for us also so I guess I will broaden my search!

Thank you!

T
 

Trace

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OK, still having my own little conundrum.

The Every other year thing fell through and am still considering a annual week at St. John. Few more questions...

If I do purchased a fixed week, is it possible to float it during the same season? Would that be done with the StarOptions at the 8 month mark?

Also, finding resale prices are pretty tough. I am looking at potentially a 1BR "Loft" or a 2BR in Gold Plus Season (21-42). Anyone know the approximate resale of these? I saw the one in ebay history that was a smaller 1BR studio for $400 and then the other one on here asking $500...

Also, I tried to read through the whole Merged WSJ thread but there was ALOT of reading....Is the Special assessment done now? Will MF's return to their standard amounts?

Thanks again!

Tracy
 

DeniseM

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You will want to buy the week you want. Trading for a different week is difficult - there is more demand than supply.

No one actually knows will happen with the maintenance fee - that will be announced the end of the year.
 
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I actually have had good luck trading our WSJ. You just have to call early. Our 2012 is booked for June. We only trade into WSJ though. We have never traded for anywhere else. Although the one year we didn't go we had to bank it at Interval. I received an email last week saying we need to use it before July 2012.
 

DavidnRobin

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OK, still having my own little conundrum.

The Every other year thing fell through and am still considering a annual week at St. John. Few more questions...

If I do purchased a fixed week, is it possible to float it during the same season? Would that be done with the StarOptions at the 8 month mark?

Also, finding resale prices are pretty tough. I am looking at potentially a 1BR "Loft" or a 2BR in Gold Plus Season (21-42). Anyone know the approximate resale of these? I saw the one in ebay history that was a smaller 1BR studio for $400 and then the other one on here asking $500...

Also, I tried to read through the whole Merged WSJ thread but there was ALOT of reading....Is the Special assessment done now? Will MF's return to their standard amounts?

Thanks again!

Tracy

Hi Tracy -

The studio is not a 1Bd - the studios are the lower floor villas, and the 1Bd loft are on the top floor.

Cost is difficult to determine, and I would not want to bias you with my guess or importantly what I would be willing to pay - at this point for these villas I would also consider the MFs since the cost is probably not too high. I recall that Holiday Homes on STJ has an extensive list of WSJ-VG VOIs. I also listed the asking and selling price in teh WSJ thread, but be aware that prices have continued to drop.

I would not expect to float within your season - little to no reports (here at least) of this occurring. Also, if you move forward - pay attention to the check-in date as this is also fixed. Ours is Friday and glad it is - STT is reportedly a mess on Sat and as I undertstand it can be very uncomfortable waiting in 3 long lines (check-in, customs, security).

The special assessment is over - I reported the proposed MFs for 2012 and the comparison to previous years. Mine is down to $2450 (2Bd TH) from a high of ~$2800, but that included the 3-year increase in reserves (aka as a Special Assessment that was never correctly passes by the HOA is I understand correctly) We are very happy with the refurb - including the new siding and roof - and voted in favor - as did most Owners - they didn't get a quorum as SVO-WSJ database and communication system sucks (IMO) - for lack of a better word. For reference, our MFs in 2006 (1st year) was around $1650 (iirc) with an SVO subsidy of ~$250. This is from memory - I have e-files of this.

Be aware that there is apparently some momentum on a lawsuit filed by WSJ-VG Owners. I am not sure exactly what is at issue (it is rarely discussed on the WSJ thread, and I am not in-the-loop). I assume the refurbish, and HOA BOD control by SVO (common). While I am sure intentions are good - I would be wary that this could negatively impact positive strides that have been made over the last 2 years and may affect resort conditions and expenses to the HOA. {I hope not}

btw - we love STJ, the resort, and our villa... we are sad that we may not be able to go in 2012. [Advertising deleted - DeniseM]
 
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tomandrobin

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btw - we love STJ, the resort, and our villa... we are sad that we may not be able to go in 2012. [Advertising deleted - DeniseM]

LOL....She got you again!

We will be heading to WSJ in 2012, after missing the last two years. Trading into Maui and Aruba instead.
 

tomandrobin

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Everyone's vacation style and approach to vacationing is different.

As much as David loves his fixed weeks, I loathed being tied to the same week every year. So I bought in the Bay Vista section, float week, so I can pick they week I can travel to St John.

There is both an upside and a downside to owning Bay Vista. But at the end of the day, its really about the island(s) then the unit.
 

DavidnRobin

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WKV (Scottsdale)
LOL....She got you again!

We will be heading to WSJ in 2012, after missing the last two years. Trading into Maui and Aruba instead.

I do not recall that being advertising since I neither offered my villa for rent or exchange to Trace... anyway she PMed me - so too late!!!! :D

DeniseM know that I have always enjoyed the gray area of so-called no advertising rule here on TUG.
 
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