Geez this time of year hurts.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I know MF's are a fact of life but boy does it hurt paying them. I just finished paying just shy of $5,000 in MF's with one bill yet to be recieved. That last one isn't due until Feb.

While I never enjoy making those payments, I still don't feel to bad about it all. I was looking up the rental price of one of our timeshare exchanges for this coming summer and, if not for the exchange, that one stay would run me $245/night plus taxes. That's at least making up for $1,715 in MF's and I still have 6 other vacations to take including HHV in a one bedroom ocean view unit this month.

I might whine about it a little this time of year but I'm sure not cutting back on my vacation time yet.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I gave away my best trader just for the high MF, I still have an Orlando week that I might get rid of as well simply because I have way to many weeks. I had maxed out on 16 now 14. I would like to get it to no more than 10-12 weeks.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

I wonder how many timeshares will be up for sale dirt cheap because of the high maintenance fees? Have you looked at the many dirt cheap offers for condo rentals or hotel stays too with airfares included? I wonder how long this will last? It is cheaper now not to own a timeshare unless you need to travel when the schools are out.

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

I just retired and i am looking to get a timeshare and i really don't know much about this market.
I see many timeshares for sale on ebay just for $1.00 including the closing cost and the transfer fee plus the mf's. I wonder why they just don't stop to pay and give them back to the resort

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

It is the same as saying you no longer want to pay for your house so you will just stop and let the bank have it back. It just doesn't work that way. It's a legal binding contract.
It is a good time to buy however.
Now five years out from no longer owning a timeshare I feel that I have apx.
28 hundred in my pocket from fees to use as I see fit. For me it is a good thing. I enjoy B&B for vacation because there is no hassell !

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I just retired and i am looking to get a timeshare and i really don't know much about this market.
I see many timeshares for sale on ebay just for $1.00 including the closing cost and the transfer fee plus the mf's. I wonder why they just don't stop to pay and give them back to the resort

Because the HOA doesn't want it back either and, they'll still be coming after you for taxes and maintenance.

It might seem as if you could just walk away from your own home but, in reality, that's not true either. The taxing municipality will still hold you responsible for your taxes and, someone will hold you responsible for upkeep and maintenance. I know in my neighborhood, once the grass reaches a certain height, the city will mow it for you and then send you the bill.

You can't even really walk away from a car. Sure you can abandon it on the side of the road but, someone has to take car of it and, since you have a deed, they'll look you up and charge you whatever fee's and fines are applicable. At least with a car there is a mechanism for disposal by way of the junk yard.

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

It's worth remembering, though, that the notion of what is "high" is changing. Just as our fees have gone up, so have hotel rates.

The cheapest room on Disney property for our annual week---in the so-called "Value" resorts---is now over $1000 at rack rate. That's for a 260 square foot box with one sink in the bath and two double beds.

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

Not hurtin here at Manasota Key.

Pierre--PM me with questions and let's talk. Yeah, for real, for $1 plus closing you get the same thing as someone paying $30K.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

It's worth remembering, though, that the notion of what is "high" is changing. Just as our fees have gone up, so have hotel rates.

The cheapest room on Disney property for our annual week---in the so-called "Value" resorts---is now over $1000 at rack rate. That's for a 260 square foot box with one sink in the bath and two double beds.

Like I said earlier just one week at a resort I've exchanged into would cost me $1,715 to rent. That's one of six weeks we'll use this year.

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

It's worth remembering, though, that the notion of what is "high" is changing. Just as our fees have gone up, so have hotel rates.

The cheapest room on Disney property for our annual week---in the so-called "Value" resorts---is now over $1000 at rack rate. That's for a 260 square foot box with one sink in the bath and two double beds.

Good point. MF's are definitely going up, and in some cases, much more than anticipated. It's a good idea to consider the current hotel rates for these resorts, and then see if the higher MF's still offer you good value for your dollar.