My survey

[Werewolf]

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?

Orlando

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?

Trade

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?

Hawaii, anywhere with a beach, ireland, Scotland, Germany.

4) How many people do you usually travel with?

3 total (2 adults, one child)

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?

Generally locked into school

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?

Yes although my girlfriend is rolling her eyes at me

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?

Yes

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?

2-4, preferring higher, accepting lower

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?

$10-15k

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?

$1000-$1800


11) Are you a detail oriented planner?

Yes.

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you die?

Yes

 

[theo]

You don't indicate the country in which you live; my input following assumes that you are somewhere in the USA.

I would advise against buying a timeshare, instead renting where and when you can and want to go. I frankly do not see timeshare acquisition to "trade" as being likely to successfully meet your assorted destination objectives --- at least not with any properties or systems with which I am familiar (which admittedly does not include Hyatt (HRC) or Hilton (HGVC). Being locked into (changing) school schedules will also require considerable advance planning, perhaps made easier by renting.

Orlando timeshares and timeshare rentals are virtually a dime a dozen and relatively inexpensive; I would not advise buying a timeshare there (also, "trade value" there is reportedly quite low).

Just my own personal thoughts, opinion and $0.02 worth.

 

[Passepartout]

I agree with Theo. Rent. Save your $10-$18K buy in cost. You can rent in Orlando cheaper than maintenance fees (on many cases) and no obligation. Buying ANY timeshare primarily to 'trade' (exchange) is a fool's errand. It costs roughly half again as much to exchange than to go to a 'home' or 'home family' (same resort group) resort. Timesharing during school holidays REQUIRES planning and booking as far in advance as possible. Last minute bookings will work OK for generally second tier (2 & 3 star) resorts in the off season, but not in prime school holiday time on beaches.

In short, save your money, and at least for a few years, rent. Try several brands. You might find someplace you want to return to. If not, you still have a stash of cash.

Jim

 

[Mosescan]

I’m a little biased because I own HGVC and that’s what I know but you can get to Orlando, Hawaii and Scotland with them without having to exchange as they are a points based system and have resorts in all those locations. This would also give you access to RCI for potentially Germany and Ireland although I’ve not used RCI yet myself so others could speak to that.

You will still need to plan ahead but buyin is reasonable on the resale market. You really need to decide how many weeks a year and in what season and unit size you want in order to know how many points to buy. Lots of info on the HGVC page.

Again, as stated above, renting first is not a bad idea. You can rent at most of these resorts to try them out.....just don’t fall for the sales weasels pitch and buy from the developer. Take his info and then go pay thousands of dollars less on the resale market.

 

[WalnutBaron]

I’m a little biased because I own HGVC and that’s what I know but you can get to Orlando, Hawaii and Scotland with them without having to exchange as they are a points based system and have resorts in all those locations. This would also give you access to RCI for potentially Germany and Ireland although I’ve not used RCI yet myself so others could speak to that.

You will still need to plan ahead but buyin is reasonable on the resale market. You really need to decide how many weeks a year and in what season and unit size you want in order to know how many points to buy. Lots of info on the HGVC page.

Again, as stated above, renting first is not a bad idea. You can rent at most of these resorts to try them out.....just don’t fall for the sales weasels pitch and buy from the developer. Take his info and then go pay thousands of dollars less on the resale market.

+1 on Mosescan's advice. If you do choose to buy HGVS (Hilton Grand Vacations Club), I recommend you buy at least 8,400 points at one of the Las Vegas properties on the resale market. This will keep your annual maintenance fees reasonable and, as he suggests, allow you to trade internally within the HGVC system. Hilton is a really nice system, offering lots of benefits to resale buyers. It will also meet your desire for 4-star accommodations, whether you trade into Hawaii, California, Florida, or Scotland.

 

[tonyg]

Not enough information, the first being where are you located. You don't need a big upfront payout to get into timesharing when you buy resale and your timeshare purchase should be for cash(no financing). If you can't afford this - save up while you learn and decide what will work best for you.