Talk me into or down from getting into Timshares

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

New member here and i am seriously considering buying myself a resale timeshare. I have been browsing e-bay for cheap properties in locations that i was interested in returning to. Has anyone had any luck with purchasing a deed through e-bay? Also what is the difference between the RCI weeks and RCI points systems?

I figure i can use the timeshare as is or i can deposit it on a year i would not be able to make it and use the credit to take 2nd vacation at some other point.

Im sure i have many more questions but lack of sleep is putting me in a fog as to what i want to ask.

thank you

Pied-à-terre why own?

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Referring to the "talking down" analogy, remember, there is no safety net.

You jump, you splat.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I live in mass and was looking at time shares in the Ft. Myers area my grandfather lives there and i havent been down since my grandmother died nearly 10 years ago. I remember staying on the beach front at this bungaloo beach house thing im not sure what you would call it and i loved it.

I get on average 3 weeks of vacation time a year normally i just use it to not come into work.

i also see on ebay some auctions for timeshares by charities that have the years maintenance fees paid up along with transfer and closing fees. Are these a good deal or is it something to be wary off since it seems the owners had issues trying to sell it.

Many SW FL timeshares were developed before anyone ever broke ground in Orlando, by an Indiana gentleman who moved there and ran a company named Captran.

A Little SW FL Timeshare History - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

Keith Trowbridge developed the first purpose-built timeshare in the US, according to some, in 1974, and went on the convert several SW FL beachfront hotels and motels to timeshares in the 70's and early 80's.

When I first started going to SW FL, that had not started yet . . . the same buildings were there, but still as motels. Of course, I was still a kid then.

When we picked up again on our SW FL visits in 1990, we started staying at them again, only as timeshares.

When we started staying at BR&C at Bonita Beach, the mom and pop stilt house beachfront rentals across the road was still there.

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...l-area-15.html Post 143

One year ('96 I believe) is was being bulldozed while we were there, and the next year a beach club for a gated community was there.

All this is to say that there are several old, comfortable, plain Jane SW FL timeshare resorts, long sold out, with long-established internal resale programs and fairly reasonable prices.

or

just try craigslist:

A Little SW FL Timeshare History - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

[Ridewithme38 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ridewithme38]

Don't tell the guys that paid 8k for two of them. There are 9 resorts where I would be happy to take free timeshares from. Gee, I will even pay money to get them. Prices are currently at rock bottom and will be going up in a year or so. Some have already left the bottom. Desirable properties will always have some value- crap will continue to be crap.

Desirable Properties will always have some value...this is true...BUT that value is with their Amazingly skyrocketing MF's not with sale prices, desirable properties have MF's in the 1k+ range and ammenities that fit that amount...the fact is, what you are paying for with the purchase price of a TS, has NOTHING to do with the value of the resort...its just the fee's for the paper work....The cost of the TS and the value is within the MF's and the amenities you pay for with those MF's...More and more buyers are becoming aware of this and are refusing to pay more then $1 for ANY contract...Crap will continue to be crap...those will be given away for free with all transfer costs paid by the seller...and in the even of REAL crap, the seller will even have to pay a few years MF's

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

6 of the resorts on my wannabuy list have MF's near $ 1k. Marriott and Disney are not on my wannabuy list. While maintenance fees are a consideration, they are not always a reason for not buying. Those fees often reflect the quality of the resort and it's amenities and sometimes low fees are too low and the dreaded special assessment is just around the corner.

[Presley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Presley]

6 of the resorts on my wannabuy list have MF's near $ 1k. Marriott and Disney are not on my wannabuy list. While maintenance fees are a consideration, they are not always a reason for not buying. Those fees often reflect the quality of the resort and it's amenities and sometimes low fees are too low and the dreaded special assessment is just around the corner.

I agree with this. The TS I am currently buying has MF's over $900./year. I looked at the cost of renting per night, $399.00 + taxes and resort fees. Obviously, it is less expensive to buy if I am going to use it every year, which is my plan.

Mine also comes with day use of the property and I can bring guests. I will rarely use that, but it is nice to know that it is there if I ever feel like dropping in for an afternoon.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

has anyone created a database to track how much individual timeshare companies have raised their maintenance fees. Would be interesting to see which ones have been known to raise rates more then others in the same area.

The history of M/F increases is not an indication of what the future holds. Many resorts have had the M/F escalate due to owners walking away and not paying. That puts the burden on the ones that do pay because the costs of running the resort remain the same. This has become a big problem in the past couple years.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

has anyone created a database to track how much individual timeshare companies have raised their maintenance fees. Would be interesting to see which ones have been known to raise rates more then others in the same area.

We keep track of them here whenever people provide the data in threads like this one. If you look at the bottom of the info for each resort in the resorts database, you might see the history, like for this resort.

[pkyorkbeach Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pkyorkbeach]

Two timeshare that I have we can drive to. Both are in areas that my adult children like and want to visit....Both near the beach. One is every other year the other every year. Did a lot of research, asking questions to find out as much info as possible.

Good Luck

The reason I bought is this was a less expensive way for us to vacation.

[Sidewayzracer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sidewayzracer]

thank you for all the replies, i haven't pulled the trigger yet on one and im gonna do some more research before i do.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Two timeshare that I have we can drive to. Both are in areas that my adult children like and want to visit....Both near the beach. One is every other year the other every year. Did a lot of research, asking questions to find out as much info as possible.

Good Luck

The reason I bought is this was a less expensive way for us to vacation.

Just curious. You researched and bought in an informed manner. What is your plan when you are done with the timeshares? That will happen sometime.

[KatyP Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close KatyP]

Rent Before You Buy

Every time we go anywhere outside of our sprawling metropolis, my husband and I rent a car.

Why? Because eventually we're going to buy another car. We want to experience as many different cars as we can, so that when we need to buy a car, we'll have an informed opinion about what to buy. There's a big difference between "taking a test drive" that lasts, what, five minutes, and driving it around all week.

It's the same thing with timeshares. You wouldn't (I hope) buy a timeshare without really spending some time in one first.

I own a timeshare, and I like it a lot. My favorite thing is that it has a full kitchen, which means we save A LOT of money because we aren't forced to eat out for every meal.

Another thing I like about my timeshare is that my particular timeshare company lets me use my points at over 60 different locations. So it never gets old.

I also rent it out to other people. If you'd like to see a list of all locations, click here --->

[link removed, please see forum rules and either link us back or use our Classifieds]

Take care,
Katy

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Every time we go anywhere outside of our sprawling metropolis, my husband and I rent a car.

Why? Because eventually we're going to buy another car. We want to experience as many different cars as we can, so that when we need to buy a car, we'll have an informed opinion about what to buy. There's a big difference between "taking a test drive" that lasts, what, five minutes, and driving it around all week.

It's the same thing with timeshares. You wouldn't (I hope) buy a timeshare without really spending some time in one first.

I own a timeshare, and I like it a lot. My favorite thing is that it has a full kitchen, which means we save A LOT of money because we aren't forced to eat out for every meal.

Another thing I like about my timeshare is that my particular timeshare company lets me use my points at over 60 different locations. So it never gets old.

I also rent it out to other people. If you'd like to see a list of all locations, click here --->

[link removed, please see forum rules and either link us back or use our Classifieds]

Take care,
Katy

How about you )?) . . . obviously another well-informed owner. . . What are your plans once you are done with your timeshare? What are you going to do with it?

You know . . . plan ahead . . . be informed.

[motomem Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close motomem]

I've bought 3 timeshares from eBay. First one purchased in 2006.

1. Fixed Dec week in Daytona Beach. Resort owned by Bluegreen. On my first visit I converted it into their points system (and bought some more points).

2. Fixed June week at an independent resort (not a big chain) in Dillon, CO. I've used it once. Plan to use it more. Have been depositing it into RCI for trades.

3. Floating week in Orlando (floats all 52 weeks). Resort owned by Bluegreen. Just got back from using it. Will keep it for now and use it. At some point I could probably convert it into the points system for more points.

There were no hassles at all buying from eBay. All were handled by closing companies. Just make sure the eBay seller has a good rating.

Research as much as you can the resort you're thinking about buying at. Call the resort directly and ask them questions. When was the last remodel? This might indicate whether or not a special assessment is coming up (one time maint fees for improvements). Look for reviews on the internet.

Owning has been a good experience for me. My big problem has been only having 3 weeks of vacation time. I get a 4th week next year... woo hoo!!

[Sidewayzracer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sidewayzracer]

http://www.specialassessmentwatch.com/Home.aspx

Does anyone know how reliable this site is for accurate information and up to date data?

Also if it says it is a deeded timeshare with a set week and then it says its a floating week 1-52 does that mean it can be either or?