Which Property to buy? Kierland or Vistana Villages

[andremike]

I got a lead on a Westin Kierland Timeshare for sale. 148K options Platinum week. I guess this resort has some pretty low maintenance fees. I am mostly looking to get in to get the star options and don't really want to stay at Kierland. The buy in is much higher then lets say Orlando Vistana Villages.. but I assume the Maintenance fees are slightly higher. How much is to much to buy into Kierland

 

[dioxide45]

Kierland is probably in the $13,000 range for a 148K Plat Plus week. If you can get it for less, then it is a good deal. Vistana Villages Bella or Key West are probably much less but the maintenance fee per StarOption is higher. Over the long run, Kierland is likely to be cheaper as the ongoing cost of the maintenance fees is where the real costs are. You can likely also turn around and sell Kierland for close to what you paid. The same is true of Vistana Villages. This makes the maintenance fees more important.

 

[andremike]

Thanks,, If I only care about the STAR OPTIONS Do I care about Gold vs Platinum?

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks,, If I only care about the STAR OPTIONS Do I care about Gold vs Platinum?

You don't want gold because it has fewer StarOptions and the same maintenance fee as Platinum Plus. Thus a much higher maintenance fee per StarOption.

 

[needvaca]

Both are great. I own both. Platinum only

 

[DavidnRobin]

Ahhh... the age old question WKV vs SVV...
Only Plat/+ for either. iirc, I believe a Tugger just deeded back their WKV Gold after not being able to give away.

WKV P+ has good ability to rent and has maintained its value for the most part over the years.

Our two WKV P+ VOIs (resale 81K SO each, 2007-08) have been the best VOIs to own - hard to find a better value if bought pre-Aug22.
We have either rented it, used it, converted to SO for 1Bd WKORV (twice upgraded to OFD), and now Abound at a very good exchange value.
And resale cost is still close to what we paid in 2007-08.

 

[andremike]

What's your opinion of a 1 bedroom at westin Kierland Plat + 67k options for $4k?

 

[andremike]

I also see some Sheraton vistana villages key west 2bedroom 95k option. Platinum for $8k..

 

[andremike]

Then I see Sheraton vistana villages Bella 2 bed Plat 81k for $4.9k

 

[dioxide45]

I also see some Sheraton vistana villages key west 2bedroom 95k option. Platinum for $8k..

You don't really want this one. The maintenance fees are higher because these are the lock off units. This results in higher MF per StarOption. You really need to look at maintenance fee to StarOption ratio.

 

[dioxide45]

Then I see Sheraton vistana villages Bella 2 bed Plat 81k for $4.9k

If this is the Platinum week, it is a good one to own. I don't think it is worth $5K though. Probably closer to $2K, but prices may be down now post Abound.

 

[dioxide45]

What's your opinion of a 1 bedroom at westin Kierland Plat + 67k options for $4k?

If I understand correctly, this is the smaller 1BR unit and is perhaps the best of the best when it comes to maintenance fee to StarOption ratio. Looks like a decent price also. You don't really want the larger 1BR. The 2BR Plat+ is better than the large 1BR.

 

[5finny]

I own several Vistana Villages weeks Plat at 81,000 star options
One was gifted me by another tugger
I actually do not remember exactly what I paid for the others but I can't believe over $2K including costs
Things may have changed but your $4.9 K price seems high
But:
If you want a timeshare it seems prices are always on the high side
If you are selling a timeshare prices are always low
If you are patient your price will probably be lower
On the other hand paying a little more for instant gratification (if you can call 6 months closing instant) is not terrible as over the long haul a couple thousand dollars is not too material

I do not own a WKV
I wish I did
I think it is a better long term value than the Villages

Many tug members are knowledgeable
That certainly includes

@dioxide45​

You will not go far wrong listening to that tugger

 

[andremike]

You don't really want this one. The maintenance fees are higher because these are the lock off units. This results in higher MF per StarOption. You really need to look at maintenance fee to StarOption ratio.

So what else am I looking out for? WHy does a Lockoff make Maintenance fees higher?

 

[dioxide45]

So what else am I looking out for? WHy does a Lockoff make Maintenance fees higher?

The lockoffs have higher square footage and MF is most often based on square footage. If looking at SVV, you want a dedicated Platinum 2BR. It would be 81,000 StarOptions. The 44,000 1BR Platinum SVV weeks are also prized weeks to buy, but they are rather rare.

 

[andremike]

You don't really want this one. The maintenance fees are higher because these are the lock off units. This results in higher MF per StarOption. You really need to look at maintenance fee to StarOption ratio.

So what else am I looking out for? WHy does a Lockoff make Maintenance fees higher?

I own several Vistana Villages weeks Plat at 81,000 star options
One was gifted me by another tugger
I actually do not remember exactly what I paid for the others but I can't believe over $2K including costs
Things may have changed but your $4.9 K price seems high
But:
If you want a timeshare it seems prices are always on the high side
If you are selling a timeshare prices are always low
If you are patient your price will probably be lower
On the other hand paying a little more for instant gratification (if you can call 6 months closing instant) is not terrible as over the long haul a couple thousand dollars is not too material

I do not own a WKV
I wish I did
I think it is a better long term value than the Villages

Many tug members are knowledgeable
That certainly includes

@dioxide45​

You will not go far wrong listening to that tugger

Do you personally use them or rent them out? Have you used your options elsewhere? I'd like to get the best value for my money, but it seems like they are so .any questions and things to figure out..

 

[andremike]

The lockoffs have higher square footage and MF is most often based on square footage. If looking at SVV, you want a dedicated Platinum 2BR. It would be 81,000 StarOptions. The 44,000 1BR Platinum SVV weeks are also prized weeks to buy, but they are rather rare.

I think I mostly want the best bang for my buck to get the star options. I might stay at svv but also want to go to other vistana properties.

 

[dioxide45]

I think I mostly want the best bang for my buck to get the star options. I might stay at svv but also want to go to other vistana properties.

In order of most desired to less desired, the best bang for the buck regarding maintenance fees to StarOptions would be;

67,100 WKV Platinum Plus small 1BR
148,100 WKV Platinum Plus 2BR
44,000 SVV Prime/Platinum 1BR
81,000 SVV Prime/Platinum 2BR

The second and fourth on the list tend to be easier to find on the resale market.

 

[5finny]

As for me I have only used my 81,000 star option weeks at the Village for Star Option use​

I am quite satisfied with their value
I do not rent them out and I do not believe they would rent well-just too many weeks in Orlando
I do not occupy them as I can pick up a unit that is at least as nice for less given the glut of weeks in Orlando

In contrast WKV rents well and if you like pre season baseball (or other things) it is an excellent place to visit
If I was to do it over I would go with WKV
But the Villages may be a cheaper way to dip your toe in and see how you like the system
If you try it and like it you can always buy more

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Also consider a 2bdrm plat plus EOY. That will give you 148,000 points every other year which is 74,000 points every year if you bank half. A bit more than a 1 bdrm annual.

 

[andremike]

If I understand correctly, this is the smaller 1BR unit and is perhaps the best of the best when it comes to maintenance fee to StarOption ratio. Looks like a decent price also. You don't really want the larger 1BR. The 2BR Plat+ is better than the large 1BR.

So you think this is a good deal? Maybe I can get it lower then $4k.. as far as the 2 bed at wkv at 148k options they are asking $16k.. but with the cost/options of tge 1 bed, I'd say it's only worth $10k at most... what do you think? I'd consider buying both of these at the right price

 

[VacationForever]

You should not pay more than $2K for SVV Key West or Bella 2BR Platinum season and not more than $13K for a 2BR WKV Platinum Season. The "worth" is your own judgment and not relevant to market price.

 

[byeloe]

So you think this is a good deal? Maybe I can get it lower then $4k.. as far as the 2 bed at wkv at 148k options they are asking $16k.. but with the cost/options of tge 1 bed, I'd say it's only worth $10k at most... what do you think? I'd consider buying both of these at the right price

$4000 is a great deal for the WKV unit.
Back in 2017 we picked up 2 SVV two bedroom 81000 units. I think it was under $1500 all in. We just wanted the star options. They worked great for us for a few years. Then in 2022 I had the opportunity to sell them for $4000 each, so I flipped them and bought a small and large 1BD at WKV. We went from 162000 options down to 148100 but the ability to rent and the resale value makes up for it.
We have rented the large unit for 2x+ MF and used the SO from the smaller 1BD.

 

[andremike]

$4000 is a great deal for the WKV unit.
Back in 2017 we picked up 2 SVV two bedroom 81000 units. I think it was under $1500 all in. We just wanted the star options. They worked great for us for a few years. Then in 2022 I had the opportunity to sell them for $4000 each, so I flipped them and bought a small and large 1BD at WKV. We went from 162000 options down to 148100 but the ability to rent and the resale value makes up for it.
We have rented the large unit for 2x+ MF and used the SO from the smaller 1BD.

When is the peak time to rent at WKV? Is availability hard to get or do you make pending reservations at the 8-12 Month window? In hope of getting a booking?

 

[andremike]

what about some listings on this site at SVV at Bella? 67K options in Gold season.. there is one for $100.00. MF $1660. (I guess maybe the MF seems high.. for 67K Gold) IDK.. still learning... but for $100.. might be worth it