Tag: resales

Member privileges if buying from timeshare resale market

Member privileges if buying from timeshare resale market

Buying a timeshare from the resale market may limit your member privileges.  For instance, with Hilton Grand Vacation Club (HGVC), for those who have bought a timeshare directly from HGVC, if you have a total of 14,000 annual points, you will be granted an ELITE status. However if you have bought a timeshare from the resale market, you will not be granted an ELITE status. Also, with HGVC, Hilton will not upgrade your timeshare if you have bought it from the resale market. Another example would be how Marriot and Starwood will not…continue reading →
Buy from resort or resale market? What’s the difference.

Buy from resort or resale market? What’s the difference.

The single one question that everybody asks is: What is the difference between buying a timeshare from the resort company / developer and from the resale market? The difference varies depending on the resort company. For instance with Hilton, there are two diferences. The first difference is that Hilton will not trade in your timeshare unit when upgrading. The other difference is that you are not able to become an Elite member. To become an Elite member today, you would have to purchase a timeshare worth over 82,000 dollars directly from Hilton Grand…continue reading →
Hilton timeshare guide: seasons, points etc

Hilton timeshare guide: seasons, points etc

Seasons at Hilton Grand Vacation Club Timeshare resort units are subdivided into 52 separate units of time (52 weeks in 1 year), each week sold separately and usually sold to a maximum of 51 owners. Each owner of a timeshare unit would own a deeded interest in 1/51 of the unit, which represents one week of ownership every year or every odd/even year. Hilton divides the 52 weeks into two different seasons: Platinum (1-18 weeks, 23-35 weeks, 42-52 weeks) Gold Season (19-22 weeks, 36-41 weeks) Simply put, Platinum season is high season (summer/christmas time…continue reading →
Renting out a timeshare unit

Renting out a timeshare unit

Q: If I rent out my timeshare unit, will I have to report the income for income tax purposes? A: In almost every situation, you are required to report the income on your tax return. The timeshare rental income is taxable, just like any other income you have. Q: What deductions are allowed as write-offs? A: Deductions may include your annual maintenance fee, advertising, rental commission, depreciation, property taxes (if you pay them separately from the maintenance fees) and interest expense on your timeshare loan (if you have a loan on the timeshare).…continue reading →
Hilton timeshare Hokulani in Waikiki

Hilton timeshare Hokulani in Waikiki

We had the opportunity to take a look at a timeshare unit in Hilton Hokulani this past week and would like to share some of our photos on our website. The great thing about Hilton Hokulani is that it is right in the middle of Waikiki, the interior is brand new, the service is fairly luxurious like a hotel, and more over, the decor is contemporary. There are two common downsides Hilton Hokulani guests tend to notice. One is that there are no ocean view units like Lagoon Tower or Grand Waikikian. However, if…continue reading →
Timeshare and hotel comparison

Timeshare and hotel comparison

How much money can I save by owning and using a timeshare rather than paying the hotel rate? Let's take an example of a 2 bedroom unit in Hilton's Grand Waikikian with an ocean view sold for $45,000. If you rent a similar size unit with an ocean view in Waikiki, rates run at around $1,000 per night. Here is a comparisone of how much you will pay in 15 years Hotel $7,000 each week x 15 years = $105,000 Timeshare $1,700 each year (maintenance fee) x 15 years = $ 25,500 (+ purchase price…continue reading →
A guide to views and points

A guide to views and points

Today, we would like to write about the "views" of timeshare units. In our listing database of resale timeshares, you will see the view listed under the category Type. (Some resorts do not have view types so it may be blank.) Here is a list of abbreviations and what they each mean. OV = Ocean View POV = Partial Ocean View GV = Garden View Points will depend on the actual view the unit has. For instance with Hilton, points accrued each year will differ depending on whether you have an ocean view or…continue reading →
Why buy a timeshare from the developer?

Why buy a timeshare from the developer?

Here are some of the advantages of buying a timeshare directly from a timeshare resort developer such as Hilton, Marriot or Wyndham. For instance, buying a timeshare in a new resort at an early stage will certainly allow you to choose from a wide range of choices in terms of available weeks or seasons, amenities and its location within the resort. There is also an element of trust associated with buying directly from an established brand in which you have confidence. In addition, if you need financing to purchase a timeshare, the developer…continue reading →
Buying a timeshare through the resale market

Buying a timeshare through the resale market

Until the mid 1990s, most buyers bought timeshare intervals directly from the resort developer such as Hilton, Marriot or Wyndham. The resale market began growing and now, because of the internet, buyers have more access to a variation of information and increased options for purchasing a timeshare. Today, many will tell you that the best way to buy a timeshare is through the resale market. The main reason behind this is simply that resales cost considerably less than those offered by timeshare resort developers. Resale timeshares are about 30% to 50% below developer…continue reading →