Advice for Ft. Myers/Naples/Sanibel area

[Maple_Leaf]

Red tide is horrible near Vanderbilt Beach in Naples this week.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

We really like the Vanderbilt Beach and Yacht Club in Naples. Gulf Point Intervals is a smaller resort also in Naples on Vanderbilt beach and we like it too.

On Sanibel we've stayed at Casa Ybel, Sanibel Beach Club and the Lighthouse Resort and Club. I can recommend all three. The Lighthouse Resort and Club has 3 bedroom units and the 2 bedroom units have a den instead of the 3rd bedroom but the den functions nicely as a third bedroom. The office has a list of weeks for sale at the Lighthouse if you wanted to call the resort.

On Captiva we've stayed at Plantation House at South Seas Island Resort which we loved and and Plantation Beach Club at South Seas Island Resort which we also enjoyed. The South Seas Island Resort decorates very nicely for Christmas and also has the Christmas Stroll on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Dec. 8 to 23. You don't have to be staying at one of the South Seas properties to be able to do the Stroll, but would have to pay.

If you type in the name of any of these resorts and click on images you should be able to see pictures.

We have a resort that is in the RCI point system and have stayed at all of these resorts through RCI.

I was thinking of buying one of the TS’s in this area and they go for big bucks. Beside RedWeek and our Msrketplace where would be good places to search out resale’s ?

 

[Jan M.]

I was thinking of buying one of the TS’s in this area and they go for big bucks. Beside RedWeek and our Msrketplace where would be good places to search out resale’s ?

I've never looked but would guess that you won't find someone giving them away free or cheap as there is more demand. Your best bet might be to call the resorts. Most stand alone resorts have lists of weeks owners are looking to sell. I wouldn't expect to pay any less than $1k-$2k and depending on the week maybe more. But you never know and it pays to keep checking.

 

[Panina]

I was thinking of buying one of the TS’s in this area and they go for big bucks. Beside RedWeek and our Msrketplace where would be good places to search out resale’s ?

Not all are big bucks, depends on the resort and when you want to go. Is Sanibel, Captiva and Naples the only areas or would you consider Marco Island too? I know you want to stay as low as you can in price but if you let me know the most you would be willing to spend and weeks that would work I might be able to help you as I have extensively looked in these areas.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Not all are big bucks, depends on the resort and when you want to go. Is Sanibel, Captiva and Naples the only areas or would you consider Marco Island too? I know you want to stay as low as you can in price but if you let me know the most you would be willing to spend and weeks that would work I might be able to help you as I have extensively looked in these areas.

My aunt just bought a condo in Port of the Islands in Naples. So e likeI want to find a place close to her so I can visit. I know she will say just stay with her but we
Like to have my own space. Looking for November, December, January, February, March, April. Thanks I will PM you. You are the best. Thanks

 

[Sugarcubesea]

I've never looked but would guess that you won't find someone giving them away free or cheap as there is more demand. Your best bet might be to call the resorts. Most stand alone resorts have lists of weeks owners are looking to sell. I wouldn't expect to pay any less than $1k-$2k and depending on the week maybe more. But you never know and it pays to keep checking.

I’m fine paying up to $2K. I’m finding folks wanting $5K and up to $99K.

 

[jhac007]

I’m fine paying up to $2K. I’m finding folks wanting $5K and up to $99K.

What you are finding is the norm! The Jan/Feb/March weeks probably won't be found in the 2K range for the Marco Island to Sanibel Island area, especially the more desired resorts. Other than those months perhaps. Wintering on Marco Island or Sanibel Island will cost a (as an owner) you a premium, as does renting. I purchased a winter week from an owner at the Eagles's Nest in 2007 and have noticed over the years the prices definitely have not dropped. Therefore it is a matter of how bad you want those winter weeks, I just don't believe trading will ever get you there every winter!

 

[Sugarcubesea]

What you are finding is the norm! The Jan/Feb/March weeks probably won't be found in the 2K range for the Marco Island to Sanibel Island area, especially the more desired resorts. Other than those months perhaps. Wintering on Marco Island or Sanibel Island will cost a (as an owner) you a premium, as does renting. I purchased a winter week from an owner at the Eagles's Nest in 2007 and have noticed over the years the prices definitely have not dropped. Therefore it is a matter of how bad you want those winter weeks, I just don't believe trading will ever get you there every winter!

I really want something in Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs. So I guess I will have to spend a few more $’s then I wanted. Thanks for the input.

 

[rapmarks]

Yes the winter weeks are very high, compared to other areas

 

[WackyLucy]

I really want something in Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs. So I guess I will have to spend a few more $’s then I wanted. Thanks for the input.

Fwiw, a family member very recently purchased a 1BR unit fixed winter (February) week at Bonita Resort & Club in Bonita Beach directly from an owner. The place is apparently an older, independent resort, directly across the street from the Gulf beach, managed by VRI. The selling price was negotiated down to $5,500, with the buyer paying all closing costs and VRI's mandatory transfer fee ($100?), making the total acquisition cost close to $6k.

Not at all sure if this is representative of the area, but it's at least a very current (only a few weeks-old) transaction, provided merely to give you a frame of reference. I'm sure that Sanibel, Captiva, Naples figures would be higher still. I suspect that Fort Myers Beach timeshare prices would vary widely, since the location and quality of the numerous timeshare properties there seem to differ quite a bit from one another in my limited observations.

 

[jhac007]

Fwiw, a family member very recently purchased a 1BR unit fixed winter (February) week at Bonita Resort & Club in Bonita Beach directly from an owner. The place is apparently an older, independent resort, directly across the street from the Gulf beach, managed by VRI. The selling price was negotiated down to $5,500, with the buyer paying all closing costs.

Not at all sure if this is representative of the area, but it's at least a very current (only a few weeks-old) transaction, provided merely to give you a frame of reference. I'm sure that Sanibel, Captiva, Naples figures would be higher still. I suspect that Fort Myers Beach timeshare prices would vary widely, since the location and quality of the numerous timeshare properties there seem to differ quite a bit from one another in my limited observations.

Thank you for posting this info! This is an excellent example of what I would expect thru out the area. Note, that this was a one bedroom that had to be negotiated down!

 

[jhac007]

Here is another example from Ebay:

• HYATT COCONUT PLANTATION ANNUAL 2/2 2,000 POINT PLATINUM SEASON WEEK 3/UNIT 5285
  Licensed Real Estate Brokerage - HRC Resale Specialists
  $6,999.00
  Local Pickup
  or Best Offer
• ***************************
• This is not Feb. but one could start a string of excellent winter weeks starting with this high end unit. I believe this could be had for closer to the price of the previous example one BR which does not match up to this unit. When you consider the flexibility of the Hyatt system the price on this one may not, once negotiated, be had at a better price. The only reason I did not go after this one is I recently purchased a Hyatt week #3 (for Jan. 2019) in Key West for a little less than this one.
• My weeks were pieced together over a few years to get a decent little winter portfolio that I keep an eye on in case I need to massage it a little. Would love to find a comparable resort week in SW Florida during Jan/Feb in this price range.

 

[Family_travel]

Does anyone have knowledge of summer week prices?

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Fwiw, a family member very recently purchased a 1BR unit fixed winter (February) week at Bonita Resort & Club in Bonita Beach directly from an owner. The place is apparently an older, independent resort, directly across the street from the Gulf beach, managed by VRI. The selling price was negotiated down to $5,500, with the buyer paying all closing costs and VRI's mandatory transfer fee ($100?), making the total acquisition cost close to $6k.

Not at all sure if this is representative of the area, but it's at least a very current (only a few weeks-old) transaction, provided merely to give you a frame of reference. I'm sure that Sanibel, Captiva, Naples figures would be higher still. I suspect that Fort Myers Beach timeshare prices would vary widely, since the location and quality of the numerous timeshare properties there seem to differ quite a bit from one another in my limited observations.

Thank you. I will have to spend more then I had planned. I appreciate the info as it gives me a good prespective of what I need to spend

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Yes the winter weeks are very high, compared to other areas

Here is another example from Ebay:

• HYATT COCONUT PLANTATION ANNUAL 2/2 2,000 POINT PLATINUM SEASON WEEK 3/UNIT 5285
  Licensed Real Estate Brokerage - HRC Resale Specialists
  $6,999.00
  Local Pickup
  or Best Offer
• ***************************
• This is not Feb. but one could start a string of excellent winter weeks starting with this high end unit. I believe this could be had for closer to the price of the previous example one BR which does not match up to this unit. When you consider the flexibility of the Hyatt system the price on this one may not, once negotiated, be had at a better price. The only reason I did not go after this one is I recently purchased a Hyatt week #3 (for Jan. 2019) in Key West for a little less than this one.
• My weeks were pieced together over a few years to get a decent little winter portfolio that I keep an eye on in case I need to massage it a little. Would love to find a comparable resort week in SW Florida during Jan/Feb in this price range.

I'm thinking that I will now have to spend at least $6K to $7K for a 2 bedroom on the gulf coast for a November or December week... I really appreciate everyone's input.

 

[Jan M.]

I'm thinking that I will now have to spend at least $6K to $7K for a 2 bedroom on the gulf coast for a November or December week... I really appreciate everyone's input.

If you aren't looking for Thanksgiving week in November or the week of Christmas/New Year in December then I wouldn't think you would need to spend that much. Those weeks, January, February and March weeks are all likely to be in that price range and possibly more.

 

[rapmarks]

Prices pretty high at the Marco island gulf side resorts, up in twenties for high season
When we were at Via Roma on Bradenton beach for first week of November, a lady had just paid nine thousand resale for a two bedroom, one bath there.

 

[Panina]

I'm thinking that I will now have to spend at least $6K to $7K for a 2 bedroom on the gulf coast for a November or December week... I really appreciate everyone's input.

For November or December you can get weeks for much less.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

If you aren't looking for Thanksgiving week in November or the week of Christmas/New Year in December then I wouldn't think you would need to spend that much. Those weeks, January, February and March weeks are all likely to be in that price range and possibly more.

I’m looking for November and December and hopeful to find something in January

 

[Sugarcubesea]

If you aren't looking for Thanksgiving week in November or the week of Christmas/New Year in December then I wouldn't think you would need to spend that much. Those weeks, January, February and March weeks are all likely to be in that price range and possibly more.

I’m looking specifically at Vanderbilt Beach and Harbor in Naples. I made two offers on different units. One for week 50 and one for week 48. One was listed at $6,500 and the other at $8,000 and neither seller would budge on the price. The realtor told me both have been for sale for over a year. So frustrating

 

[theo]

One was listed at $6,500 and the other at $8,000 and neither seller would budge on the price. The realtor told me both have been for sale for over a year. So frustrating

Some sellers insist upon using whatever they paid previously as a firm benchmark for establishing resale price. That's a bit foolish, of course, but some people are clearly reluctant to acknowledge the reality of the open marketplace.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Some sellers insist upon using whatever they paid previously as a firm benchmark for establishing resale price. That's a bit foolish, of course, but some people are simply reluctant to acknowledge the reality of the open marketplace.

That’s what I think is going on in these situations. The realtor told me the one seller inherited it from her mother and she has turned down multiple offers in the last year. Why do you even have it for sale if you don’t want to sell it. Ugh

 

[Panina]

I’m looking specifically at Vanderbilt Beach and Harbor in Naples. I made two offers on different units. One for week 50 and one for week 48. One was listed at $6,500 and the other at $8,000 and neither seller would budge on the price. The realtor told me both have been for sale for over a year. So frustrating

My opinion is the prices for those weeks are way overpriced as the two weeks you are looking at have lower, trading value because they are in less demand times. Be patient, make sure you are comfortable with the price and do not assume what you pay you will get back. Assume you will have to give it away when you no longer want it. Even if today it has value, next year it might not.

If you look at sharket.com you can see price ranges. Lots of units have sold. You can’t tell which weeks but my assumption is off weeks are in the lower range.

I can only compare this to Marco Island in pricepoints which is about a 1/2 hour away. I got a week 50 at hgvc surf club, 2 br , from a fellow tugger for free. I got a week 51 at sunrise Bay, 1 br, from a fellow tugger for free. I purchased an off week, week range you are looking for, at Sunrise Bay for $1000 including closing costs from the association and with this one I felt I overpaid but was ok with that. I accept when I no longer want it I will be giving it away. At lower price ranges these units are being offered, I got winter flex weeks at eagles nest at Marco Island 2 br and surf club at Marco Island 2br.

Have you visited the timeshare in the area? If not, on your next visit, visit them all. Speak to the managers , they know about HOA sales and people selling. If you go visit a week you want to buy and walk the pool area and talk to owners you might find out one of them wants to sell. This happened to me for a week 50 at a sanibel resort. Just talking three owners told me they would sell if I was interested. I got the free hgvc surf club instead.

 

[Maple_Leaf]

I’m looking specifically at Vanderbilt Beach and Harbor in Naples. I made two offers on different units. One for week 50 and one for week 48. One was listed at $6,500 and the other at $8,000 and neither seller would budge on the price. The realtor told me both have been for sale for over a year. So frustrating

Don't panic, at those prices those weeks will still be on sale a year from now. You'll eventually be able to pick them up from the estate executor.

 

[theo]

Have you visited the timeshare in the area? If not, on your next visit, visit them all. Speak to the managers , they know about HOA sales and people selling.

Maybe, maybe not...

I chuckled a bit reading the above blue-highlighted sentence, thinking about one resort in that same SW FL area at which I own two consecutive weeks. The manager there makes it a point to know / discuss absolutely nothing about anything other than the day to day routines at the property (in all fairness, she does a decent though not exemplary job at that).

Then again, at that same place the management company has a realtor on staff who advertises and handles all owner and HOA resales, so that's not really something that Ms. Manager really even needs to know anything about.