What’s the difference between buying a timeshare from the developer versus buying from the resale market?
The differences vary depending on the resort and developer. For example, with Hilton Grand Vacation timeshares, if you purchase a timeshare from the resale market you cannot become an Elite member. Also, Hilton will not accept a trade-in if you have bought a timeshare from the resale market. As for Marriot, you will not be able to exchange the points you gain from a timeshare resale into reward points, so you are unable to use the points for hotel stays. The only exchange possible is with other Marriott timeshares. Finally, with Wyndham, if you purchase a timeshare from the resale market, you cannot become a Wyndham VIP member. Each resort provides different benefits to those who purchase their timeshare directly. In summary, those who buy resale timeshares do not receive all of the benefits that direct buyers do. (Above information provided is true to the best of our knowledge as of March 2022.)
Can I exchange my timeshare for a different resort?
Yes, there are several exchange companies that can arrange this for you. II and RCI are some examples. Having a timeshare in Hawaii, you will have the highest exchange rate, since Hawaii is classified as high season all year round.
Should I get a fixed week or floating week timeshare?
Some units have fixed week and others are floating week. If you intend to stay in the same unit every year at the same time, a fixed week timeshare is important. If you intend to travel at different times of the year, a floating week timeshare should be sufficient. Please consult our licensed real estate professional for more information regarding meeting your needs.
How long does it take to transfer ownership of a timeshare?
The time it takes to transfer ownership will vary case by case. Most of our Hawaii timeshare owners live in Japan and therefore it takes a little extra time for documents to be sent back and forth as opposed to the time it would take to complete a domestic sale.
What happens to the seller’s unpaid loan or maintenance fees?
All our transactions will be processed through a Hawaii-based escrow company, which means any unpaid loans and unpaid maintenance fees are examined by said escrow company. If there are any unpaid fees, the seller will be required to pay this off before ownership can be transferred. In addition, since all of our transactions are covered under the escrow’s title guarantee, in the rare case of the seller’s fees being transferred to the buyer, the title insurance will cover such costs.
