Need A Vacation Break? Timeshare Tip RCI Points & Interval International Short Stays

We hope you enjoy and find the video below on using your RCI points or Interval International Gold  membership to take a well deserved mini-vacation helpful in giving you some ideas on how to maximize your timeshare ownership.

Westin Ka anapali Ocean Resort Villas, Maui, Hawaii

Syed and I had company last week from the mainland. Our friends own a two bedroom lockout at the Westin Ka anapali Ocean Resort Villas and were using the studio portion of the unit.

I thought you might enjoy seeing the North Villas. The bathroom is as large as the sleeping/living area and has a beautiful Jacuzzi tub and walk in shower. The kitchen is the usual size for a studio, but big enough for breakfast and leftovers from one of the wonderful restaurants in Lahaina or the restaurant onsite in the North Villas.

This is a really beautiful property. Westin has some of the nicest timeshares in the industry. We were married at The Westin St. John in 1991. I will look for some pictures of the property to post on our blog as well.

The timeshare resale industry has slowed like all the other industries in the U.S. however we have been selling this property and the Marriott’s recently. Seems people always want quality. The upside of purchasing a timeshare resale now, is it seems the developers are not exercising their “first right of refusal” which allows a resale buyer to purchase at a lower price than in the past. There are more motivated sellers on the market. If it is not a Buyer’s market it is a Seller’s market. NOW it is a buyer’s market!

Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village Grand Waikikian

We vacationed in the new tower at Hilton Grand Vacations Club at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We took a tour of their one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom and Penthouse timeshare units.

The Penthouse is amazingly beautiful.

There is a view to die for from this condo located on the 39th floor. We were told it took 28,000 points for one week in the three bedroom Penthouse. WOW – that is a lot of points for just one week! Funny because when Syed got up this morning he said he didn’t know why people vacation for only one week.

Our flight was only 22 minutes from Maui. Most people who visit Hawaii travel all day or many hours to arrive. That is two days of precious vacation time just traveling.

Why buy Hilton Grand Vacation Club Points At Hilton Hawaiian Village timeshare resale?
You get more for your money! And with Hilton points you own the same thing as someone who buys direct from the developer. I asked what the Penthouse in the Grand Waikikian Tower was selling for and was told $150,000. The sales rep said they are selling fast.

We Maximized Our Hilton Grand Vacation Club Points.
Same luxury resort, with georgous views but requiring less points we opted to stay for the week in the Lagoon Tower. We think it makes much more sense to purchase a timeshare resale in a two bedroom in the Lagoon Tower, because you can have the same experience of luxury and save money. Best yet, use your points with high trade value to use at Hawaiian Village or at any other of the Hilton Vacation Club Properties

There are currently timeshare resales available at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village in the Lagoon Tower for a two bedroom (7000 points) starting at $19,000. http://www.hoteltimeshares.com

Seems like the best buy to me.

Timeshare Resales the Bright Spot in the Real Estate Market

Since the beginning of this year, the timeshare resale industry is seeing a surge in sales activity. Sales are above 75% of what was happening last January and significantly higher then what we saw in the last quarter of 2009. People have accepted that we will be in a recession for sometime and the uncertainty of the elections is over. Prices have come down which means there are great buying opportunities to be found. Bargain hunters and savvy buyers are taking advantage of these terrific prices and motivated sellers in the rejuvenated timeshare resale market. What I am seeing are buyers who are still interested in hotel timeshares like Starwood, Marriott’s and Hilton. Shoppers are also snapping up other properties $2500.00 and under. It is a great time to buy!

Things to do in Maui, by a local

Whether this will be your first time to vacation in Maui or it will be your 100th time, here are a few suggestions.

Things to do and Places to visit on Maui Read more

Timeshare Holiday To Do’s While In Hawaii

If your are staying with in the USA this year and you own or have trade value you might want to timeshare in Hawaii. If you do here are some interesting tips on making your Hawaii Timeshare getaway more fun.

Knowing The Capital Of Hawaii And Other Facts

So not only does paying a visit to the capital of hawaii pay off in terms of site seeing and education, but also in seeing some of the State’s most important politicians. Also, there is no doubt that within the heart of the capital of … Read more

Tips to help you in choosing which timeshare to buy

Seeing Red is a good thing with timeshares

Whether you are planning on exchanging your week or renting out your week, it is very important to select a very high demand week from your resort. This goes well beyond selecting any “Red” week from your home resort. Some weeks in the Red season are more”Red” than others!

For example, February and March weeks, Christmas , New Years weeks, have a greater demand in Winter resort areas like Florida, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Ski resorts, than other weeks that may be coded as “Red” by the resort or the exchange company. Summer weeks in beach resort locations would have good exchange and rental value.

In short think about the time of year and season of the resort that you are buying your timeshare from is it that areas peak travel to time or close to it?

Hanging out with the popular crowd

Just like in Real Estate you want to buy a timeshare at the lowest price in a high demand resort or location area (keep in mind season too even if in a year round area). Also buying into a point based timeshare system though major resorts or part of a large exchange management system is good.

While you might look at things such as, how many stars or if it is a Gold Crown rating this is not the only criteria to look at for judgment as there are some terrific resorts in high demand areas that are flying low below the radar so make sure that you check these out too when you are wanting to buy a timeshare.

Popular crowd timeshares considerations to ask your self are

• Is there a year round demand in this area?
• Attractions and activities: Are there major attractions or popular activities near by? Example Las Vegas, Disney World, popular golf resorts, entertainment such as Branson or beautiful beaches or is it centered around top ski resorts that also provide summer season activities as well. (golf & ski).
• If buying into a point based system or vacation club, how big is their network? Do they have resorts and affiliations to the above mentioned types of resorts? Do they have a good reputation? Do current members find it easy to get the weeks or resorts they want when they want to?

Simply by hanging out with the popular crowd (high demand timeshares and areas) you will be able to zero in on choosing the right timeshare to buy that will help you in not only exchanging but help you to maintain more of your investment. (remember buy from the timeshare resale marketplace to save and get the most for your dollars)

It’s about quality

Quality is a subjective thing because some might judge on room appointments and others on the experience factors such as close by activities. To begin assessing quality you can get an idea by the star or designations associated with the resorts through the exchange companies as well as looking at the resort yourself either online or in person.

For resort specific timeshares,

• View the room/ accommodations – do they meet your needs, if exchanging in network look at rooms in some of your other areas of interest, do you like these?
• Activities and resort amenities- are there things to do at the resort its self? Pool, game room, spa concierge, activity desk.
• Stuff to see, are there things close by to do both paid and free attractions?
• Shopping close by including grocery if you are wanting a timeshare with a kitchen for a self catering holiday.

Points and Vacation Clubs

• Look at the network of resorts and locations
• Like above review the resort accommodation descriptions, pictures and your area’s of interest.
• Read the fine print, how easy is it to exchange or trade in prime areas.
• Do they offer bonuses or access to resorts at lower cost for those weekend getaways that you don’t want to use your points or time for?

We recommend that you also visit some of the popular timeshare forums and do a search on the resort in question as you will most likely find reviews by actual owners or visitors to that resort. When assessing quality also do your due diligence and check out the resorts & clubs through the BBB, consumer review type publications such as consumer reports, the VOICE and if in Europe see if they are registered at OTE.

Major brands such as Marriott, Fairfield, Hyatt or vacation clubs such as Disney, Shell vacations and others take pride in their services, amenities and consistency in network wide quality. Note some of the smaller resorts might not be part of the clubs or resorts direct but do have affiliations with top management, networks and exchanges – these are a worth while too check out as well.

Timeshare Yoga – how flexible are you

Many timeshare owners love the ability to do, see and experience the world as well as be able to choose when they vacation.

Flexibility in when and where is another consideration you should keep in mind when buying a timeshare. Because, life is fluid and as such what might be a good time to travel for you this year might change might change next year. So being able to choose and adapt to what fits for you is a good thing.

Flexibility Indicators

• Is the timeshare part of a larger chain or club and do they allow you to bank or exchange your weeks easily within their system, and best yet do they give you preference because you are part of the network?
• Can you break up your weeks (if you bought a week based timeshare) for example 3 day trip to LV and 4 days skiing at another resort?
• Are you only allowed to exchange week for week ex: second week in march for second week in march?
• Can you bank and build up your weeks to take a longer vacation in the future? For example can you bank this years time to next year to trade for a two week vacation?
• Is the timeshare part of a larger exchange network? For example are they part of Interval, RCI or other exchange network of resorts. And if so, is the exchange network easy to trade and exchange your time or points to take the holiday that you want to in the place you want to.

Just like in life the more flexible you are and your ability to go with the flow of life the happier you will be. So, by practicing timeshare yoga your holidays will flex to your wants and needs.

Stay Tuned to We Talk Timeshares for more timeshare buying tips and information

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Are Gas Prices Freezing You Out Of Your Vacation Plans?

What’s in the news in timeshares is what is in the news across the country, “GAS PRICES”!

With the rise in gas prices it affects not only air travel with higher ticket costs but people who travel by auto. I spoke to the Manager of a resort in Southern California last week who told me that owners at that resort can’t afford to drive to their timeshare for the week because of the high cost of gas.

Most of the owners at this resort live Arizona who use summer weeks at the Coast in Southern California. When they add the cost of fuel to their travel plans many find that it has added a additional $350 plus to their travel expenses. (This was their play money of the past.)

Some TIPS on Saving Money and Stretching your vacation dollars.   Read more