Hello, I'm new to the forum...questions about timeshares in Mexico

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

And here are two more, a week 14 2-bdrm and a week 16 1-bdrm. These look to me to be overpriced by at least one-half - maybe as much as 75%.

My point is that if you look you can find them, and even though you are looking for a very specific time period, there are still lots of choices. You don't have to buy the first one you see; if someone doesn't accept your offer move on to the next. There are probably 50 willing sellers out there and you will be their only viable sales prospect.

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

Thanks for your help T.R.

I have been doing searches on Google, but maybe I'm being to specific? I put in Club Cascadas de Baja for sale.

The second link you posted won't pull up for me. Do you remember the web site?

Thanks in advance!

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

I know many people don't approve of Mayan Palace but a big advantage is the choice of differant mexico locations. They are beautiful properties.
If bought with knowledge and not talked into by sales people it could be something you'd like.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

sale.

The second link you posted won't pull up for me. Do you remember the web site?

Thanks in advance!

timeshare resales - RCI, Fairfield, Palm Springs timeshare

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

Thanks!!!

The other thing we are dealing with is that as I mentioned before, the current RTU expires 2017. So the "Legacy" membership which is actually a deeded membership (held in a trust in the states) starts in 2018. We have the opportunity to purchase that right now even though we won't be using it for the next ten years. It is one of the units we want. But is it a good idea to buy something now that you cannot start using until way into the future?

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

No it isn't. Things change in our lives and that's one of the major reasons so many people try to sell their timeshares. Better to buy the one that ends in 2017, then if things change you don't have to worry about selling it so much. Consider what you spend for a timeshare to be spent money- anything you can get back is found money (and good luck/judgement).

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

OK - let me expand on my thoughts a bit more here.

My first piece of advice to you is to not rush into things. Take your time, rent if you want, but don't rush into things. Explore areas other than Mexico. Your profile doesn't indicate where you live; before buying in MX I would certainly explore the Caribbean or Hawai'i, depending on which is more convenient for you.

First, one of the beauties of timesharing is the beauty and enchantment of visiting different locations. One recurring pattern in the time I've been involved in timesharing is people who have visited a locale, fallen in love with the location, and rushed out to buy something in that area. Then, after getting into things further, they find other locales that are more captivating or more practical, and they wish they owned in those locations instead. So I totally encourage you to take your time and explore before committing.

What does that mean for your current situation?? If you are absolutely committed to Club Cascadas, I would set a firm buying price that is sufficiently low that you know that if you change your mind in a couple of years, you are sure you can get out money ahead. IOW - set a price you know is a lowball and stick to it. If that means you don't buy anything now, so what??? The annual fee you save can always be used to rent a unit at Club Cascadas. In the meantime you can get educated.

Since you're interested in Club Cascadas, I presume that you are interested in sun and sand. There are lots of locations that offer that - I encourage you to check them out as well.

***

Underlying this is the notion that as a general rule, MX is not a good place to own if you are also interested in trading to other locations. It's easy to trade into MX, and the trade power of most MX locatiosn to get to other locations isn't that good.

If you are absolutely certain that MX is what you want, that's fine. But if you buy (in MX or any place else) you should also have an exit strategy - what are you going to do if situations change and in five or ten years you want out and don't want to keep paying annual fees? If you don't have an easy out from someone such as a family member or friend who is willing to acquire the unit from you (by buying or by gift) then your only option is probably to sell. So you want to be sure that you can get your money back. That means buying at a price now where you know you can get your money back later.

I understand there are some features of Club Cascadas that make it more valuable to you. But in the larger scheme, CC is not a prime Cabo resort - when you need to sell it the things you like about it are irrelevant.

Don't let your love for that property cause you to overpay. Approach it objectively - be very aware of what your exit strategy will be and let that guide your thinking.

We've taken that approach and it has served us well and kept us making from some big mistakes where our hearts were ready to take us places we had no business going.

[neash Member Find all posts View Profile Close neash]

Last few weeks, there were some great summer Royals weeks on ebay.

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

Friends don't let friends buy timeshares... Just kidding. In Mexico, I would seriously consider an RTU unit. That way you are locked in to the maintenance fees for only the years left on the contract. PUHLEEZE be aware that the purchase price of a Timeshare purchased from the developer will in all likelyhood be cut in half (at least) as soon as you walk out the door, should you want to resell. The "hit" will be worse than buying a new car. I would recommend you pick some gold crown resort (RCI's top rating), and check for resales on EBAY. This will quickly establish a price. his way you will be armed with a realistic cost.

[Deer Path Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Deer Path]

Our first time in Cabo was also Club Cascades and we loved it but as some of you have said one may want to try some others before purchasing.
At that time we were nabbed at the airport to tour Playa Grande. We really liked it but did not purchase it at that time.

Some of the things about CC that were not as desireable were the type of furnishings like cushions on cement for a couch, no view of the ocean, no TV or telephone in the units.

A year later we used a bonus week in TP to book into CC again but had to cancel at the last minute when my DH father died. So we used Hilton points and booked into Playa Grande a month later. We did purchase at that time and have been very happy that we did. They have many swimming pools and hot tubs and an easy walk to marina and town.

Another resort that we love is the new bldgs. of the Cabo Villas Beach Resort on Mendano beach. We have an exec. unit with a jacuzzi on the balcony.

We really are not interested in going back to CC after our other experiences even though we really liked it at the time.

We have toured several timeshare properties and that is a way to find out about them without purchasing.

We all are looking for different things and that is good. Good Luck in any decision that you make but buy where you want to go rather than for an exchange.

Judy

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

I agree with the above posters...buy resale and well check out other timeshares first, as well as other Mexican areas if Mexico is the place you choose.

I own 6 timeshares in Mexico, some resale some developer ( only developer as not available resale). I have made good use of them, do not trade them , I love them, maybe in future but for now no way! I also own two in states, always trade those.

Each and every area of Mexico is different and each and every timeshare is different, so proceed slowly.

I own at big and small reosrts and like both for differing reasons. I am a Mayan owner and yes it is big, has numerous resorts throughtout Mexico and Costa Rica to come I think, but it is my least favorite as it is just so big and well so americanized. But they are nice properties.

I would suggest you slow down a bit and take your time. Would I buy something ten years out as you mentioned, no, circumstances change as well as places, and weather conditions can change a place as well like a hurricane. Buy where you will go, where you love and then if you get sick of it you can exchange it, but buy resale if possible, financially makes more sense.

Good luck!

[Rick Lasker Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rick Lasker]

Dear Readers,


Mexican timeshares are under Mexican jurisdiction; therefore they are regulated by Mexican laws and norms; every detail such as the owners location or nationality etc. is secondary.

Rick Lasker.

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

Hopes,

I own at the Costa de Oro in Mazatlan. As my first (and so far, only) foray into timeshares, I wanted a RTU in case I realized it wasn't my cup of tea. I have a fixed week (28) and a fixed unit, and 10 more years on my contract. I couldn't be happier with what I have.

Here are my suggestions, much of which echo's other poster's.

• Don't buy at a mandatory AI resort. With one caveat. If your resort is isolated and you're using it to get away from the rat race, to be pampered, and not to enjoy the city you're in, then by all means - AI can be worth it.
• Buy off eBay or Redweek.com, or another location you can get a timeshare for under $50. I see PBSB (Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach) all the time for Cabo on eBay for $1. ALL the time.
• If you want a certain fixed week, be flexible for what resort. If you want a particular resort, be flexible on the week. Floating weeks are a good way to go, and are listed just about as frequently on eBay as the fixed (for Mx resorts).
• Ask for an estoppel letter and call the resort to confirm the information. If anything looks funny, don't buy. (example - I was seriously looking at a property in Tahoe. The seller said it was weeks 1-52. The estoppel said it was 'red weeks'. The resort said I could *try* to reserve a 'white' week 6 months ahead (instead of the normal 12), but it would be unlikely that I could get it.)
• Read reviews for the resort. Take the comments with a grain of salt. Some people have very high standards. I actually recently read a review marked down two points because the outside of their refrigerator had scratches!
• BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO VACATION. Your home resort should be someplace you love to go. Even if you're going to get into trading, there are times you'll just want to call your home resort and tell them you're coming down, and avoid the hassle of banking, searching for the right place, the right time, and then trying to get it.

Whatever you decide - take your time. If looking on eBay, WAIT for what you want to come around. It WILL.

Good Luck!

[addison01 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close addison01]

Hello everyone,
I am addison michale and I am also new here in this forum and It's really nice to see you all here. Actually I found this forum just few days before and I got a lot of information and some experienced people too, that's why I sign up this forum for communicating more knowledge. so thanks for allowing me to be a part of this forum.