What timeshare should we buy?

[Binx2007]

Hi! My husband and I are brand new to timesharing. We are in our thirties and have a family of 4 (kids under 10). Hoping you all can help point us in the right direction and provide advice. We recently rescinded an offer for Hilton Grand Vacations in Sedona in the US Collection, with HGV Max, and DEX (Destination Exchange). Upon reading up on this, I'm learning there is a difference between HGV and HGVC and am confused about the differences, and also what HGV Max is. Will buying a Hilton timeshare on the resale market provide the same benefits? Is 8000 points a good starting place? What can I expect the range in cost for buying in the resale market to be? Any tips on what to look out for (red flags, green flags, general advice).
Thanks in advance!

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

We live in AZ and would like to have the ability to drive to our destinations most of the time. We hear Vegas has low maintenance fees and were considering buying there. We also like to option of going to Mexico.

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?
We'd like the flexibility of going to new destinations. m

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
Four- 2 adults, 2 kids
5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
School schedule
6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Yes
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes, but we usually like to do 4 days 3 nights a few times a year.

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
3+
9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
$5-$8000

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?
We'd like to keep it at around $1000

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Depends!
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

 

[rickandcindy23]

You should look at WorldMark. They have resorts by Disneyland, lots of resorts west, including national parks. You can get what you want at 12-13 months out. I would start with at least 10,000 credits. The fees are about $1K on that, but the purchase price is nowhere near $5K. You can buy the credits pretty cheaply.

 

[jp10558]

Yes, I agree with rickandcindy23 - but to answer your questions:
HGVC is different than HVC. Max is an exchange between the 2 but only at the 6 month date, so slim picking at that point.

HGVC is way better than HVC in resale, HVC is restricted to only the home collection on resale. HGVC resale gets everything except status and Max.

8000pts is enough for a 1BR, but you probably want a 2BR, so most would say 11,200 in HGVC. HVC IDK, and I'd generally avoid owning IMO.

HGVC has limited locations though - basically Vegas, Hawaii, Carlsbad, Florida and Myrtle Beach. Worldmark has a lot more places on the west coast and has the highlights in Orlando and Myrtle Beach.

Pure points product in Worldmark will let you easily enough book shorter stays at their properties. However, if you ever want to get into exchanging, those are basically week long exchanges. You of course can pay for the week and use less time, but IDK how much sense that makes - really depends on the situation. Exchanging is good though in that it lets you hit way more locations - as do the cash stays in II Getaways if you use Worldmark.

Long story short - look at the 10,000 credit costs and MFs for Worldmark and then look at some of the locations online and see what the cost for a few nights is. Maybe ask in that forum how realistic the booking would be for some example stays to get a feel for how well it might work for you.

 

[geist1223]

I agree as to taking a look at Worldmark. Take a look at www.wmowners.com/forum. This is a Web Site by Owners for Owners. Worldmark and Wyndham are not involved. You can pick up a resell Account for as low as 10 cents per Credit. I recommend a 20,000 Account. This gives you 2 House Keeping Tokens and 2 Guest Certificates. A resell Owner has full access to the 90+ Worldmark Resorts. Also Monday Madness, Bonus Time, and Inventory Specials. These are cash options and the House Keeping is included. Booking opens at 13 months. From 13 months to 10 Months you have to Book a full week if Red Season. Less than 10 months you can Book less than a week. Worldmark has many Resorts in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah, Oregon, Washington, etc. Also Mexico, Canada, Fiji, etc. It is primarily West of the Mississippi. Credits are good for about 25 months. So Credits issued on August 1, 2024 can be used to Book until August 31, 2026. In that you can Book 13 months in advance the Credits expiring on August 31, 2026 can Book a Resort starting September 30, 2027. Plus you can borrow 1 year in advance. Also you can have up to 4 WaitLists. Worldmark has a very active WaitList. Traditionally about 30% of Bookings get canceled. You can cancel at least 30 days before check-in and you get all your Credits back.

We also own Legacy Diamond Resorts. We are not part of Max and have no desire to join Max. Max is a way (costs extra money) for a Legacy Diamond Member to Book HGVC Resorts at 6 month or less. And HGVC Members to Book Diamond Resorts at less than 6 months. Blue Green is now involved.

 

[Binx2007]

Such helpful information! We really like the locations they have. Thank you all so much.