Need advice ! Please

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

Hi all. I am new here and i have read alot of the "newbie" questions. I need a whole lot of help since i am new to timeshare.

I am interested in buying a deeded timeshare at Marriott Grande Vista and i am being offered a Platinum , two bedroom , with lock Off for $24,900. With 150,000 plus 110000 points.

After reading on the whole concept of New vs Resale . I realise that resale is the amarter choice. As a result i have a few questions :

1) Are there a list of reputable resellers that are well known in the business that is very professional and hassle free ?

2) What is the average cost that a reseller charges to have the property sold and handed over to me ?

3) Are there any major disadvantages of buying a resold Marriott timeshare ?

4) What do i loose by buying resale ?

5) Any general advice on Marriotts timeshare that was aquired though resale ?

I look foward to your responses .

Khemy

[cindi Member Find all posts View Profile Close cindi]

There is a continual debate between whether the points are really worth the (much higher) price you will pay buying directly from Marriott. I think in general you are much better off to purchase resale.

The only thing you lose by buying resale is those points. You are still a Marriott owner. They don't care, nor do the exchange companies.

There are very reputable people who handle resales for Marriotts. Two that come to mind right away are Seth Nock http://www.sellingtimeshares.net/ and Shelly at Transaction Realty http://www.transactionrealty.com/

I can personally vouch for Shelly who is absolutely excellent to work with. And on this site as well as on TUG, Seth also has an exchallent reputation.

I am not sure you understand the resale process though, from your comment about your #2 point. You find a sale, offer a price, they either accept it or not. They don't charge you extra to sell it to you. You pay the price agreed upon, plus (usually) the closing costs.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Here is one that didn't sell on ebay for less than $13,000. There was a 3 bedroom that sold for under $18,000...

http://cgi.ebay.com/MARRIOTT-GRANDE-...em220025118475

The only 'disadvantage' to buying resale is not being able to convert your week to points. Not a disadvantage imho. If you take a look at the points chart on Marriott rewards, you will see that 110,000 points per year will get you only a nice hotel room at the Ritz Carlton, NOT a big beautiful villa, for TWO NIGHTS in prime locations. I can't find my other grid, but I think you'd get about 5 nights in a Category 6 hotel. Imho, if you won't be able to travel every year, then you shouldn't be buying a timeshare, at least not one with annual usage. Also remember that usage of points is subject to availability... I have NEVER been able to use my points for a Vacation Club week.

btw, you can get a Marriott Rewards Visa and rack up points that way, that's what I do (good for hotels, terrible for airfare). You don't even have to be a Marriott owner.

The only thing I can add is you should do plenty of research before buying anything. If you buy a 'floating' week, be sure you will be able to use a Majority of the weeks in the float, not just one or two. There are some seasons at some resorts that include only one or two 'desirable' weeks, there have been problems with all owners competing for just a couple of weeks, leaves many unhappy owners... Even with Platinum season, I wouldn't count on getting Xmas or New Year's at Grande Vista... Owners who own more than one week have priority and can make reservations 13 months in advance, while owners of only one week can only call 12 months ahead. Though I never had a problem with my Hilton Head platinum week (platinum = summer, most weeks worked for me), Gold season owners were sometimes disappointed, many trying to get in during the last two weeks in August, though the Fall golfers were fine.

There are a few Marriott 'fixed' weeks around at some older resorts that are managed, but were not built by, Marriott. They are now building a 'fixed week' resort in Hawaii, but no resales there for a while.

Good luck with your research!

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

See BOLD and Red below

1) Are there a list of reputable resellers that are well known in the business that is very professional and hassle free ?
Answered above.....but there are also many others.

2) What is the average cost that a reseller charges to have the property sold and handed over to me ?
Normally the fee to the realtor/reseller is paid by the seller and can be a flat fee or a [percentage of the sale price.
As the BUYER - you would generally (but not always) pay the 'closing' costs which should be under $500.

3) Are there any major disadvantages of buying a resold Marriott timeshare ?As if now - IMHO - no.
The only difference is the ability to trade in your weeks for points.
As stated above, many people do not find this valuable since Marriott devalued the point system in 2002. You are treated by Marriott like every other owner.

4) What do i loose by buying resale ?
The ability to trade in for points and the purchase incentive points marriott would give you.

5) Any general advice on Marriotts timeshare that was aquired though resale ?
Make sure you are using a closing agent that will hold your money in escrow - don't pay the seller directly - you want to make sure you do your 'due diligence' and be sure no back fees are owed on the TS.

I look foward to your responses .

Khemy

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

See BOLD and Red below

Thanks for the advise. You all are great !