Purchasing Questions in Hilton Head

Hi,

I have been recently discussing the option to purchase a the first week in March at Spice Bush in Hilton Head for approx $2000 including 1 banked week. I have spoken with several resale companies in the area and similar weeks are going for approx $3000. My wife and I really like Hilton Head and are wondering if this would be a good buy? With the recent glut of $1 timeshares on the market we are experiencing some first time nervousness. Has anyone had any experience trading these weeks? Any advice, particularly from someone with knowledge of the area, would be most helpful.

Thanks,

Tom

Do you intend to use that week or trade it every year? If you are trading what time of year do you vacation? March is not high season and can still be chilly.

I intend to use the week or trade it for the following week within Sea Pines every year because I have either 1 of those weeks off yearly.

Tom,

How early in advance do you know the exact week number that you need?

Have you considered a seasonal purchase for that same time that would offer some flexibility in the event that your travel plans get altered somewhat?

Pricewise, I think you might be able to get a silver Marriott on HHI for that price, or less.

IMO, you should consider joining TUG and then have access to the resort database for resort reviews and available Sales History pricing. I'll take a quick look in a little bit...

TommyR said:

I intend to use the week or trade it for the following week within Sea Pines every year because I have either 1 of those weeks off yearly.

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I know what week I need (either 9 or 10 as per the Sea Pines calendar) at least a year in advance and some times as many as 3 years in advance.
Thanks for the responses,

Tom

For more reference information......

Looking at some ebay Sales History on TUG, Marriott Monarch has sold weeks #6 & #8 this year for under $100 (one was 99 cents!). I also see a SPORT Season (weeks 12-22 & 34-42 - annual), that sold for $2013 in Feb '09 (for reference purposes, not the timeframe you need).

Looking at Marriott Grande Ocean ebay sales for Silver season (weeks 5-12, 44-48, & 51-52) for the past few months, I see 6 sales that averaged about $2290.

Added:
I'm not sure what is the "Sea Pines calendar", but please keep in mind that week numbers are not exactly the same week across resorts. I know for a fact that Marriott's weeks numbers do not align for every resort on HHI (I think due to historical reasons). Bottom line: As you become somewhat serious about a resort, you need to check their week-number calendar.

Tommy-is there a ceiling to the MF that you want to pay? Is there a particular part of the island that you must be in?

Marriotts are a good choice. IMHO I own a wk 9 fixed which is the first red week at Harbor Point next to Shelter Cove. It would be considered silver season. Marriott MF are higher than some other choices on the island it all depends on your intent. Trades well within II/MAR. Besides HH the only outside trade was to Harborside Atlantis. I have been to HH in May,June,July, Sept & Oct.

In March you should be able to get a decent price since that is the time you can vacation. April/May are warmer and there Verizon PGA Tour in April of each year in SP.

Many people seem quite pleased with Waterside resort near Coligny and Pope Ave. Not in Sea Pines but still near many things and I have seen decent prices on ebay.

You want to review the good stead that the HOA is in for reserve funds in case of a poor mgmt situation. When there was last a special assessment or interior ,pool,roof upgrade.

We adore HHI and bought Marriott resale thru Marriott site unseen. As another OP said you can get silver weeks even at the OF Marriotts for a good price but the MF hover around $1000. Closing costs vary.

I also liked Swallowtail which I believe it the same mgmt group as Spicebush. There have been financial articles The Island Packet earlier last year so you just want to make sure it is in good financial stead should you proceed.

Check out Holiday Group. There is a week 11 at Waterside for $1500 and a week 10 for $2100.

http://www.holidaygroup.com/browse/index.php

TommyR said:

I intend to use the week or trade it for the following week within Sea Pines every year because I have either 1 of those weeks off yearly.

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Please check to be sure you are allowed to do that before buying. I'm not totally familiar with fixed weeks, but I'm not sure you can trade one fixed week at a resort for another week at the same resort (or even in the same area). I can't trade my Grand Cayman floating week for a week at another resort on Grand Cayman for example (and I've heard that about Orlando as well) -- but since it's floating, I can request any week during the year (or season). I think going with a seasonal (per PP) approach sounds better for you.

Sea Pines is definitely where we want to be. We are from Canada and March Break falls in either week 9 or 10 each year on the Sea Pines calendar (it differs by 1 week from the II calendar in that Week 9 in Sea Pines is 1 week later than Week 9 as per II because when they made the calendar originally they counted week 52 as week 1). Would I have to purchase via ebay to get a Silver season Marriott in the $2000 range? The max MF we want to be at is $1000 for a place like the Grande Ocean but something around $750 would be more ideal. We are looking into Spice Bush because my wife's dad owns 4 weeks at the Monarch and 1 at Spice Bush (week 10) and has managed to trade his Spice Bush week to Grande Ocean if he puts the trade in early.

Tom

Yes on the Marriott silver season on ebay and of course one needs to know if the seller is reliable. Only place I have seen low prices for silver. I know Monarch weeks run different from Barony and Barony runs different from GO. Off by a week or two. Not sure on the others.

Other points to consider..............

Since your FIL owns at SB could he not ask the HOA if there are any foreclosure weeks for sale or FSBO at SB for the time period you want. You may get a good deal that way too!

I do love my timeshares but with MF increases you could probably rent for what you would pay for a MF at some of the resorts at that time of year. Or if there is a getaway your FIL could book that would be about the same or less than the MF trhough RCI or II.

as an example for villas/townhouses........


http://www.hiltonheadrentals.com/vacation-rental-filter.asp


http://www.seapines.com/vacation-rentals/advanced-search.asp#top2

"I do love my timeshares but with MF increases you could probably rent for what you would pay for a MF at some of the resorts at that time of year. Or if there is a getaway your FIL could book that would be about the same or less than the MF trhough RCI or II."

pcgirl makes an excellent point. You can rent off-season cheaper than owning, with getaways being plentiful that time of the year.

Tom,

I think you should cast a wider net in your search for a Sea Pines Plantation Timeshare -

In addition to Spicebush at Sea Pines, others to consider would be
Swallowtail at Sea Pines
Marriott's Monarch at Sea Pines
Marriott's Heritage Club at Harbour Town
Marriott's Harbour Club at Harbour Town
Marriott's Grande Ocean ( gives you free pass to Sea Pines as you know)
Sea Pines Plantation

Richard

Thanks for the info. I am open to any of these areas/timeshares. I think after debating for awhile, a silver season floating week at Grande Ocean or a fixed week 9 or 10 at the Monarch would probably be the best for us. If anyone has any info on how to find one of these it would be appreciated. Do I just have to keep my eyes peeled on Ebay?

TommyR said:

Thanks for the info. I am open to any of these areas/timeshares. I think after debating for awhile, a silver season floating week at Grande Ocean or a fixed week 9 or 10 at the Monarch would probably be the best for us.

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Do you have a plan related to the fact that you could be buying a fixed week at Monarch when your vacation time can be one of two different weeks?

If anyone has any info on how to find one of these it would be appreciated. Do I just have to keep my eyes peeled on Ebay?

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Did you check out the Frequently mentioned resale and rental websites here on TUG?

Are you familiar with setting up saved searches on ebay?

My plan is to exchange 1 week for another using II if I was to purchase a fixed week. As previously mentioned, my father in law has a week 9 and when our March Break is during week 10 he pays to trade it. All of his Marriott weeks seem to trade very well due to the high demand amongst Canadians for Myrtle Beach and HHI during that time because we can drive down there during the break. Also, I will look into using saved searches on Ebay. I have been using it for about a month but I am resonably computer savvy. I will do a search, but have any weeks gone on TUG for such great prices? I really appreciate the feedback. It is most helpful.

Tommy

I have found ebay or Holiday Group to be the lowest. I do not see many Monarchs but there have been a few for good prices. Tuggers have had good luck with them.

http://www.holidaygroup.com/browse/index.php

One Monarch that I hestitated to bid on was in May for about $3k for a gold week. I read about the seller/company on Tug having many issues and that made me quite leary. I have never seen a gold Monarch on ebay before and I am still sorry about not buying that week.

I myself search for gold weeks and they do not come up that often for what I consider a good price but I do see good deals on silver and I have saved the solds of the ones I was watching for future reference.



I do love the Marriotts on the island and if you can get a good deal on beachfront that would be my 1st choice.

TommyR said:

My plan is to exchange 1 week for another using II if I was to purchase a fixed week.

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Just keep in mind that this requires a yearly fees to II, and an additional exchange fee (each around a hundred bucks / yr)

Also, I will look into using saved searches on Ebay.

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PM me, if you need any help with that.

I will do a search, but have any weeks gone on TUG for such great prices?

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There is really no useful Sales History data available on TUG for those 2 resorts other that recent ebay sales

I really appreciate the feedback. It is most helpful.

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Glad you are onboard!