Let me say first off I have never posted to a forum like this. Apologies in advance and if there is another place I should be looking/posting, please, let me know. This is very overwhelming.
In 2003 my husband and I purchased HGVC points in Las Vegas. In 2009 we purchased more in Orlando, but the deed is for a unit in South Beach. Until 2012 we used the points regularly to go to Marco Island.
We find that we are not using them, the fees are astronomical, and we don't know what to do. When we bought it was just us. Then we had one child. That was doable. Now with two kids, it is far more difficult, and expensive, to fly or drive to any of the resorts. I think that perhaps when they get older we might go back to using the points, so I am not entirely sure I want to sell both properties outright and be done.
Has anyone else found themselves in this situation? Is it better to just sell the properties or sell the points? Thank you for your help!
My Family has been in the same situation when my Parents purchased a timeshare back in 1996 and did not know the system like I do today nor knew anything about TUGSBBS. We were able to use our weeks in Europe and then sold the TS as our weeks were hard to Exchange let alone use the home resort in Utah.
Fast Forward to 2010 on a trip in Arizona I had the wise idea to go with my Father to see some resorts in the area and go resale. I had joined Redweek.com and TUGS BBS and we rented on Redweek.com a week at the Sheraton Desert Springs in Scottsdale. We found a week at the Villa Mirage and we used it for 2 weeks in a 2 bedroom at the Welk Resort in San Diego.
In 2011 we rented another week at The Ridge Lake Tahoe did the presentation and then went onto Redweek.com and purchased a 2 bedroom in the same building we were staying in. This is our home resort and we have been going every year since owning it plus did some bonus time there as well.
We have a Marriott week in Palm Desert which we used to exchange via Interval at the Ridge for this summer and as owners we are able to stay in the same unit in the Cascades as we get priority even on exchanged weeks of where we want to stay.
My point is try buying a resort that is located an easy drive from you like the Ridge Lake Tahoe is only 4 hours away and has a free shuttle down to the Casinos in South Lake Tahoe, Free Ski Shuttle to Heavenly plus their own private Gondola that connects to the Heavenly Ski Lift. In addition there is an Amtrak Bus Stop thats located feet away from the shuttle that takes us to the resort so in the winter we can take Amtrak to Sacramento and then the bus connection to South Lake Tahoe. We can even fly into Reno if needed and rent a 4WD car. So there are many options available to us.
If you can first own at a Home Resort close to you and the Exchange secondary you will be happier as you know you are going to use it. I think too many people buy a Home Resort so far away or make up an excuse as to why they can't use it. If you can't use it then you can rent your week and at least cover the Maintance Fees.
Hope this helps you.