Would you buy what you have if you had to do it all over again....

[Sandy VDH]

So I own Wyndham, HGVC and HICV, yet I never starting by purchasing into any of these systems.

I have been a timeshare owner for over 25 years already. I did buy 2 timeshares from 2 different developers in the 1990s, but found TUG and I rescinded my 3rd purchase. Of course all of this predates the newer point programs that are now available. Funny thing was those 2 original purchases, while NOT in a big group at the time, got bought out by a big group.

My first developer purchase for $7K at Sea Gardens in Pompano FL, eventually became a Wyndham. This property I no longer own, as I did an equity trade with Wyndham to get Platinum Status and to get myself out of a large SA that was due after hurricane Wilma. I had purchased a few more resales weeks and then did a big deal with the equity trade and bought 160K, PIC 2 weeks and convert the fix weeks to points and guaranteed Platinum status. I am also glad I insisted they write in the platinum status as a condition of purchase, as they did try to take it away, but had to grandfather me in because of that clause I had them add. So VIPP is no reservation fees, no housekeeping fees, 30 free Guest Certs a year. So I basically pay my MFs and have only the additional cost of banking my points should I need to do it.

My second developer purchase at Bay Club at Waikoloa, Big Island HI, eventually become a HGVC property. I purchased another resale unit from an HGVC rep and because of that resale purchase my membership became Elite. While I don't think HGVC Elite perks are as good as Wyndham perks, at least I only purchased resale to get the elite status. The best benefit is the 7 day reservation at NO fee. This allows me to basically hold onto weeks in speculation. I can cancel or I can rebook for a shorter stay and then pay the reservation fee when I know for sure I am going. Allowing speculative bookings is the big plus for me.

In 1998 or 1999 I purchase a Vegas week on an online auction. I paid $500 for this week. I purchase it because, at the time Vegas was a virtual timeshare desert, and this week got good trade power. There was only a few very small resorts, no big resorts and big systems were here. But time change, as did this resale. It started as a Ramada. I actually got a check one year because the city had to pay right of way for the tracks for the transit system and I owned at one of the HOAs that got paid rights for that. So that year I got a check back. (That was a first.) Eventually the resort got bought out by Cesear's and moved to a resort across the street, think it was Summer Bay through that period. Eventually it became HICV, and existing owners got to sign up for the point system for $100.

Times have certainly changed. I might have done things a bit differently. Looking back. I never did get hooked on Marriott as a result. So I either saved myself some money or I missed an opportunity.

In the end I happy enough with what I have.

 

[Luanne]

Yes.

We used our first timeshare pretty much like a hotel. We'd go down there for weekends, play golf (no fee for owners to play) and exchange occasionally. Back then we got some great trade.

Our second timeshare is a fixed week on Maui that we have either stayed in, or traded for a different week somewhere on Hawaii. This allowed us to have a beach vacation every summer for years.

 

[DaveNV]

I've always believed in "Learning By Owning," where timeshares were concerned. My first purchase was an eBay resale of a tiny Studio unit in Waikiki. My buy-in was next to nothing, and it traded like crazy in the days before RCI went to their TPU system. In fact, my last deposit to RCI from there got me to the Manhattan Club in New York City about ten years ago. Definitely was a worthwhile ownership, for less than $500 a year in maintenance fees.

I wanted something on the beach in Hawaii I could count on, so I unloaded that Studio and bought an Oceanfront unit at a nice resort on Kauai. A number of other independents and mini-systems came and went, and each gave me great vacations, either at the resort, or through exchanging. No regrets on anything I ever bought, (all freebies or $1 eBay purchases), and I had no trouble passing any and all along to new homes when i was done with owning them.

My traveling timeframes changed, and a week at the same place was no longer a viable option for me. I wanted short stays and a better reservation process. So I sold the oceanfront week on Kauai, the last of my Weeks ownerships, and I bought WorldMark. I have absolutely no problem with what I own, or how I'm using it. Very satisfying ownership.

So to answer the question, Would I buy what i have if I had it to do over again?" is Yes, if I could bring my education with me. Owning WorldMark would be much more difficult if I didn't fully understand what they are, and how they fit into the overall world of timesharing. My Weeks experience and exchanging taught me plenty. WM is great to own, now, but without my basic timeshare education, I doubt I'd be this satisfied.

Dave

 

[Fredflintstone]

Although I now rent only, I have learned what I would buy IF I chose to buy. I have learned this through owning 9 resorts in the past plus lessons learned trying to unload them. Here are my learnings so far:

1. Quality matters. Buy the Platinum timeshares. The better the plan and resort, the better the resale and the easier it is to resell.
2. Check HOA performance before buying. As anything some HOAs are very accountable while others are...errr...you know.
3. Location matters. The better the resort in the sought after places, the better trade value, the easier the resale and the demand keeps the resort flourishing.
4. Scour. Buy for a buck. If you look there are always folks who just want out at any price. They are hungry. No need to pay thousands. Yes, I have seen the odd time Disney going for a buck from someone who just wants free of MF.
5. Buy in non judicial, anti deficiency states only. The best state frankly is California. I find states where you can pull the plug without consequence translates to more accountable, less cocky HOAs. They are careful because they know you have an easy time saying goodbye if they aren’t.
6. Check MF historically. If you can get a similar rental per week for a couple hundred bucks over a locked in contract, choose rent only.
7. Always get a resort you want to be at. Trader only timeshares are not as good as trade value can change.


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[elaine]

Do you still get a ding on credit in anti deficiency state?

 

[Fredflintstone]

Do you still get a ding on credit in anti deficiency state?

Depends. If you have a TS loan, probably. If it’s free and clear, probably not. Either way, you are not liable for any costs if you default.


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[Sugarcubesea]

I would purchase most everthing I purchased.

Hyatt Beach House, Key West - Even though I got a good deal on purchasing a Diamond week, this is my only regret in purchase​

 

[cbyrne1174]

I would have purchased the same amount of points with Club Wyndham (resale of course), but I would have saved up and bought a big Canterbury contract to save on annual maintenance fees. The $5,000 that I saved by taking close to free contracts will end up costing me more within the next 5 years. I should have thought past 10 years, but I wasn't sure about the product.

 

[x3 skier]

Yes I would. Allen House in London was my favorite by far until the RTU ran out.

I use the facilities at the Steamboat Grand all Ski Season but very seldom stay there except on a Space Availability basis. Raintree in PV is my go to place after Ski Season.

So I’m happy with all my buys and would do it again.

Cheers

 

[Synergy]

I first bought an odd sort of UDI fractional, where I could get many weeks each year. I ditched it when the weekly housekeeping fee crept up - it was still a good value, but was no longer really worth the hassle of trading when we stopped being able to take whole weeks away very often.

Years later, I picked up a 122k Grandview for almost nothing - I still consider it to be a good value. I was eyeing several other ownerships this past winter, and I'm glad I didn't end up pulling the trigger. I'm not a fan of this level of uncertainty - 122k points a year will be plenty until things shake out.

 

[mjm1]

We like each of the resorts we own as well as the Marriott points that we have bought. At some point we may need to scale back, but we have enjoyed each of the vacation experiences that we have had over the years owning what we own.

That said, we bought our first timeshare in Sparks, NV in the mid-80's and added an independent resort on Kauai the next year. We shouldn't have bought the first one, but owned it for about 15 years and used it for trades. We owned the Kauai unit until about 2010 and then sold it. Again, had a good experience with them, but it didn't fit our travel plans or needs. That's when we got involved with Marriott having traded into several of their resorts over the years. We have just added from there.

It has indeed been a fun ride.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[dsmrp]

I would purchase most everthing I purchased.

Hyatt Beach House, Key West - Even though I got a good deal on purchasing a Diamond week, this is my only regret in purchase​

Just curious Sugarcubesea, why do you regret purchasing Beach House? I recall you were excited to get it at the time.

 

[jjking42]

Bought everything resale started in 2004. First one was Fairfield Flagstaff. Still own it but if HOA doesn’t bring down MF I won’t keep it much longer

I have owned a bunch the only one I wish I had not bought was Marriott legends edge. I made the most of it using the Florida club but I am still pissed about the Marriott points skim and values for that platinum week. Sold it right after they started the points program.

Enjoyed owning HGVC Marco island weeks but don’t own it anymore. Strictly internal points now with Wyndham , vistana, hyatt. I no longer have to get two bedroom spring break weeks since the kids are grown and points are great for less than week stays


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[CO skier]

Yes, I recently more than doubled my ownership credits with WorldMark, so I would obviously "buy what I have if I had to do it all over again."

 

[Bunk]

Raintree in PV is my go to place after Ski Season.

Cheers

x3: We love going to Club Regina (Raintree) in Cabo and Puerto Vallarta. Not crazy about the maintenance fees but really enjoy the quality of the vacations there.

 

[bluehende]

My answer is Yes. Both that I have owned we are going on our 15th straight year of usage. We still look forward to going every year. Both were bought resale for virtually nothing so that certainly helps.

 

[mpizza]

I am happy with what I own now, but only because I have consistently evaluated and looked forward 5-years.

Years ago I would think nothing of planning and traveling the world independently. And I was grateful that timesharing allowed me to do that.

At this stage of my life, I realized I am more comfortable with renting units to get exactly what I want, guided group tours and cruising, so I disposed of 9 ownerships and reallocated the annual maintenance fee funds to pay for those trips (now on pause, of course!)

I still own 6 weeks (including my 1st purchase in 1992) and they figure into my 5-year plans. But we’ll see what future changes COVID-19 brings to travel!


Maria

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Great question.

Ask me in a year if I regret buying HGVC. So far we love HGVC and it is a great system. We easily save more than renting. However if Diamond/Apollo merge with them, I may be regretting this purchase if HGVC management isn't allowed to continue leading and if MF skyrocket to support the buyout.

I also regret buying our first HGVC timeshare from the developer, ironically this may have a silver lining because I heard that Diamond only will accept deedbacks of developer units. I may need this silver bullet someday if our MFs skyrocket with Diamond such that our TS becomes more expensive than renting.

Absolutely no regrets buying our resale WKORVN OF. EOY is the right cadence for us because we are not forced to visit HI every year and can mix and match with HGVC points stays on other islands. Although MF are expensive, with EOY we are paying half of an annual and can lockoff our unit and potentially turn it into an EY with a studio in year 2 or extend to two weeks for about $1400/week - a great price per week for ocean front. It rents for a premium too.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Nope. Selling a bunch of stuff, good stuff, but how much do we really need? Not this much.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

BTW...one of my other potential regrets is that none of our TS are in non-judicial, anti-deficiency states. However, all of our TS are hotel branded and desirable with resale value, so we could easily give them away if we were desperate and avoid such a mess.

Plus, I was thinking the other day that if things get that bad financially, then perhaps it doesn't matter because we won't have any money for them to pursue in an anti-deficiency suit. It would truly be a black swan event for our finances for us to walk.

I also don't believe they can go after a primary home or 401k funds if I recall correctly. Would love a lawyer to weigh in on this.

 

[Fredflintstone]

BTW...one of my other potential regrets is that none of our TS are in non-judicial, anti-deficiency states. However, all of our TS are hotel branded and desirable with resale value, so we could easily give them away if we were desperate and avoid such a mess.

Plus, I was thinking the other day that if things get that bad financially, then perhaps it doesn't matter because we won't have any money for them to pursue in an anti-deficiency suit. It would truly be a black swan event for our finances for us to walk.

I also don't believe they can go after a primary home or 401k funds if I recall correctly. Would love a lawyer to weigh in on this.

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[stmartinfan]

No regrets on our purchase of Divi Little Bay because we have gotten decent value from it despite it being a developer purchase. If I was starting over now, I might buy something resale with a better trading value and use it differently....but then we might have missed all those wonderful weeks with our kids enjoying fun times at the beach.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Just curious Sugarcubesea, why do you regret purchasing Beach House? I recall you were excited to get it at the time.

Your right, I was very excited to get my Hyatt as I have wanted to own Hyatt for years, but I only wanted a Diamond week because with with us still working we needed to be able to go in high demand time periods.

I think it was just the way they handled all of the COVID-19 stuff and the huge jump in MF's. I just really worry that another huge jump will happen this next year in 2021. They cancelled my week in the Keys, which I totally understand since the keys are closed but now I'm in RCUP, and I guess I just have to take the hit and not use those points.

 

[Cornell]

I own 3 WKV contracts. I bought them all resale. I love them & use them. So that I don't regret.

What I do regret is this - I wish I had ponied up more money to buy during platinum season. I didn't understand the benefit of owning during Platinum until after I made my purchase.

 

[JudyH]

Yes. But I got lucky with my tiger trader. I am glad I found TUG before buying more. Would I buy something today? No. I like the last minute flexibility of just renting a place for a few days or so.