Advice Needed Re: first-time TS buyer

What a great resource TUG is! I'm glad I found you guys...

My in-laws have owned 2 weeks of 1 BD TS in So. Florida for 20+ years and have been quite happy with their experience but ailing health has prevented them from using it much these past years and they have several weeks banked. i just booked a 1 week exchange fairly easily (RCI.com) and got turned on to the TS idea from there.

I've been browsing resale listings and am interested in acquiring a TS but only if the terms are just right, as we will still have use of the Florida TS.

So far I've found two listings that look like they might fit the bill and would like your opinions before go any further, if you please:

Option #1: an eBay listing for a 3 BD (not lockoff), 2 Bath unit, Silver Crown/RCI resort. The week is fixed at 36 (Red). MF are reasonable. eBay list price is very low, with closing costs tacked on at around $500.

Option#2: Listing on a resale website, 2 Bed, 2 bath unit at the same resort, fixed red week 26. Asking price is higher, but I put in a lowball offer (just in case) and with closing costs added on, it would cost me a few hundred more than what my limit on the eBay listing would be.

I like the 3 BD unit (option 1) because it would mean we could have guests, but the fixed week 26 (option 2) coincides much better with my own annual vacation time, meaning we would have an easier time using the TS as a default week anytime we weren't looking for an exchange (the resort is pretty close to home).

Since I would be buying with exchanging in mind as well, which of the 2 weeks do you think would have greater exchange weight, and does the extra bedroom provide that much more exchange power? The resort is in the north, and both weeks are in the summer season.

Thanks so much for any input you might be able to provide. I am new to all of this and don't want to overlook any details that I might learn the hard way

Need to know what resorts you are talking about.

Buy a unit with a lock-off if that is an option.

I love getting two weeks vacation with my Grande Vista week.

Charles

eduam99 said:

Option #1: an eBay listing for a 3 BD (not lockoff), 2 Bath unit, Silver Crown/RCI resort. The week is fixed at 36 (Red). MF are reasonable. eBay list price is very low, with closing costs tacked on at around $500.

Option#2: Listing on a resale website, 2 Bed, 2 bath unit at the same resort, fixed red week 26. Asking price is higher, but I put in a lowball offer (just in case) and with closing costs added on, it would cost me a few hundred more than what my limit on the eBay listing would be.

I like the 3 BD unit (option 1) because it would mean we could have guests, but the fixed week 26 (option 2) coincides much better with my own annual vacation time, meaning we would have an easier time using the TS as a default week anytime we weren't looking for an exchange (the resort is pretty close to home).

Since I would be buying with exchanging in mind as well, which of the 2 weeks do you think would have greater exchange weight, and does the extra bedroom provide that much more exchange power?

Click to expand...

Option 2 would be much much better. Week 26 and 27 which sometimes include July 4th is the best trading week in Florida. (some others are almost as good)


BUT before buying anywhere, take your time and learn about TS and the many options you have in owning a TS. Buying is very easy and if you buy resale can be cheap. But selling something that doesn't fit you and your family can be a pain. So do your research before buying.

Good Luck and Welcome

Bill4728 said:

Week 26 and 27 which sometimes include July 4th is the best trading week in Florida.

Click to expand...

Better than week 10 to 15, in SE and SW Florida?

Bill4728 said:

Option 2 would be much much better. Week 26 and 27 which sometimes include July 4th is the best trading week in Florida. (some others are almost as good)


BUT before buying anywhere, take your time and learn about TS and the many options you have in owning a TS. Buying is very easy and if you buy resale can be cheap. But selling something that doesn't fit you and your family can be a pain. So do your research before buying.

Good Luck and Welcome

Click to expand...

The OP doesnt mention where the units that he is interested in are located. He says his inlaws own in FL but he doesnt mention that is where he wants to buy. Hopefully he will clarify.

clarification!

I realize my post overlooked the location of the unit I am thinking of buying. It's in New England (inland), not Florida!

Sorry for the confusion and thanks for the responses to date.

It's okay to tell us the actual resort. That would help us a lot in giving you advice.

For any inland New England resort week 26 should outtrade week 36, as that's after Labor day (when kids return to school) and before prime foliage season.

sure, it's called "Mountainside Resort" in Stowe, VT. Anyone know of it?

Thanks again

Week 26 will be the better trading unit however I dont know if I would purchase either one if mainly planning on trading. Winter in Stowe would be a different story.

Trading power may not be that great, especially if you compare it to the Florida units that you have experience with.