posted 05-24-2005 03:48               

It's week #34..end of August & it's a lockout. They are asking $10,000. for it. *That is for 1 week every other year*. It was built in 1999. This is a Re-Sale.

Now--I'm exploring online & see that many are also for sale at Harbor Hidge in Sounthwest Harbor & At The Falls in Ogunquit.

posted 05-24-2005 03:59               

Sheila

posted 05-24-2005 06:18               

Did you check EBay?

posted 05-24-2005 07:01               

An end of Aug week is not the best, nor the worst. Biggest demand for T/S is when the kids are out of school. In many parts of the NE, they are out until Labor Day...but not in the other parts of the country. They are usually back in school by mid Aug.....and these are the folks who would probably like to visit...but can't at that time......(Are very many locals goint to visit with the kids?) If this resort is listed with II or RCI, and is a red week, it is not a bright red week. YOUR TRADING will be affected by its trading power. NOT ALL RED WEEKS ARE SEEN AS THE SAME.

I think you need to read more here before you buy anything. . Check the reviews. Do check www.redweek.com If someone sees an every year week, lock out for $2000, you know $20,000 is too too much for an every year.

Did you sign anything yet??? I never thought a T/S sales agent would put it off until Friday....unless they expect you to do research, and say no...and they will present with a "Great Offer"..."Just for You". Don't fall for it.

Finally, I have seen weeks at on of the top USA T/Ss (via resale) on the Beach in California with L/Os for $ 20,000 a year....Its a Four Seasons Managed resort, attached to a Four Season Hotel & Golf Resort. That is a top trader. (Maint fees a a bit high, however....owners feel the fees (about $1000 a week) are worth it. (Remember, a turn in to II will result in possible 3 weeks use. Hard to understand? Thats why you need to read the TUG articles. Start with T/S 101.

posted 05-24-2005 08:54               

$10,000 is way to high for a every other year TS at a Basic Resort. For $10,000 you could get a every year at many Gold Crown or 5* resorts.

Don't sign anything until you do more research. If you decide the buy the TS you are asking about after your research (which I doubt you will), it will be available later but if you sign for it, you will be stuck with it.

If you put a deposit on it, make sure you cancel with in the time alloted and use the exact procedure specified in the contract.

posted 05-24-2005 10:40               

SBtS

Here's to swimmin' with bowlegged women
-- Cpt Quint of The Orca, Amity, USA

posted 05-24-2005 13:08               

He's on the phone w/ the go-between now.

No, we hadn't signed papers yet just gave them $50. to show we are interested. And we went to see it yest.. We liked it; it suits our needs. It's all on 1 level; I have MS that is progressing.

I'm under the impression for those who suggested Harbor Ridge:
that they might all involve stairs. We will contact Harbor Ridge to find this out.

Now--on the Lock-out factor: From what we understand--we can break it down in half (we liked both sides of the Unit--2 apts.-1 smaller side) & deposit that & take a week the next yr.--so, that way, we would get 1 week each yr..

It's just that we will have to pay the $129.00 to Interval, I think it is, to use the small side on the odd yrs.. (So--another expense)

So-Dave just got off the phone w/ her-she said the price is at rock bottom & they can't go lower. (they expect it will sell at $10,000) She wants us to give our final answer by this Friday.

She said they are known to give very good service & have high standards there for 1 point. Also-said that their maintenance fees are lower than most (quoted $280 per yr. plus maybe 140 for Prop. tax per yr. Bottom line quoted: Everything divided up per yr. would be a total of $340/350. per yr. Inc. the 129. to Interval). Also she says it's a very good week there Week #34 the last wk. of August.

She gave me her e-mail address so I can e-mail other Q's to her.

Does anyone know if it's customary to try & find out the name & e-mail or phone # of another owner who has the week before or after or something to talk to them to see how they like the Unit, etc? (it's probably not done; I don't know)

-The unit is just 5 yrs. old.
-We like both sides of the lock-out.
-It's all on 1 level which I need.
-We don't have kids; so trading the small half every other yr. would be desirable; that's all we need is to be able to sleep 2-4 per yr..

I wish now that while we were over there we had gone to see Harbor Ridge. I had it in my head that being nearer to Bar Harbor would be A LOT of tourists & crazy activity & that didn't appeal as I need to rest & relax. I figured from Ellsworth..we could just go to Bar Harbor 1 or 2 days of our week.

posted 05-24-2005 13:49               

Uncle Henry's ( a local sell all kind of magazine here in New England) has 4 of them 4 sale for under $10,000 and most are comparable summer weeks. I believe they are every year units. Check it out at the following link:
http://www.unclehenrys.com/CLASSIFIEDS/Search/Results.aspx?SearchID=5220691&isHi storicSearch=N

Hope this helps.

JMHO of course

frenchieinme

------------------
Visit our webpage at http://userpages.prexar.com/rhoude

posted 05-24-2005 16:32               

Two bed for sale is $9000 or best offer for week 28 and $6500 for week 25 (Every Year). This is one sales website. There are dozens of resale places you can check.

This is not a good deal,

If you become so handicapped and need a wheelchair, -which we all hope is not the case, most T/S have a handicapped accessable unit. My uncle stayed in one at Trapp Family Lodge units.....please don't jump on thois yet.

I don't know who is at the end of the line, but if they can so easily dispose of it for $10000 EOY, why are they still pushing you? They should offer you the $50 back, and rush to the sale of the next person. (Tell them you need a less expensive resale.....or will rent.....or will trade back in with a Marriott unit (and still have 1 or 2 weeks) BTW $129 for II or RCI membershipis a lot less than overpaying by $15000.

posted 05-24-2005 17:18               

quote:

---

Originally posted by KenK:

".....or will trade back in with a Marriott unit (and still have 1 or 2 weeks) BTW $129 for II or RCI membershipis a lot less than overpaying by $15000."

You lost me on this part, Ken. Where does the 15000. come in?

And what do you mean by us getting hooked up w/ Marriott ?

Anyway--don't know where the nearest Marriott Resort is. We want to buy near here. Don't have the money to fly much. We'd like at least 1 resort in Maine where we are & eventually maybe another one not too far (driving distance).

Thanks for your suggestions, you & everyone; we are pretty much decided to let that original deal go now. Everyone's convinced us it's too costly. Thanks!

Debbie & Dave, Maine
[/B]

---

posted 05-24-2005 17:50               

Since I see units on the sales bbs a unit for $6500 (or best offer) at the place you want to buy (week 25 every year 2 bed 2 bath), I simply subtracted the amount they are asking of you.....a eoy for $10,000 is the same as an every year for $20,000. $20,000-$6500= $13,500. And this every year 2 bed 2 bath will be for 2 weeks a year. I don't know the trade value difference, but I can try to check II for the different weeks.

I'm just a worried you might get taken. I'm the cheapest guy (well one of) on TUG.

posted 05-24-2005 18:06               

Demand index for NE inland is : week 25=100, week 28=105, and week 34=100.

100 & over is good demand. So, all those weeks are in a good demand season....(ski time seems higher).

If the week isn't that important, but you want that specific resort, you know know when demand is higher....if you ever need to rent the unit.

posted 05-25-2005 04:26               

We were told the demand index for Week #34 for Acadia Village in Ellsworth, ME is: Either 130 or 135...can't recall which.

Anyway they said it's the highest. And trading power is excellent. Would be able to trade for whatever we want, they said.

They also called it: *Prime Red*....they said there's Boirder Red & Prime Red.

Well, we've pretty much decided not to take this deal at this point. Everyone seems to think it's too expensive. We will look around in the future at other places.

posted 05-25-2005 07:06               

Best of all, you came here and asked questions. The people who responded gave good advice. And, had you gotten some bad advice in this thread, there would have been some vocal opposition!

posted 05-25-2005 07:33            

quote:

---

Originally posted by frenchieinme:

Uncle Henry's ( a local sell all kind of magazine here in New England)

---

posted 05-25-2005 12:47               

quote:

---

Originally posted by mambo:
Hi Ken,

We were told the demand index for Week #34 for Acadia Village in Ellsworth, ME is: Either 130 or 135...can't recall which.

Anyway they said it's the highest. And trading power is excellent. Would be able to trade for whatever we want, they said.

They also called it: *Prime Red*....they said there's Boirder Red & Prime Red.

Well, we've pretty much decided not to take this deal at this point. Everyone seems to think it's too expensive. We will look around in the future at other places.

Thank you, ALL ! Debbie & Dave

---

You have received very good advice and you have chosen....WISELY.

You will easily find better deals.

posted 05-25-2005 13:14            

quote:

---

Originally posted by mambo:
Hi Ken,

We were told the demand index for Week #34 for Acadia Village in Ellsworth, ME is: Either 130 or 135...can't recall which.

---

I own a week #34 at another inland NE resort. I also own several quartershares at another inland NE resort that covers all 52-53 weeks of the year. Week 34 is the week that usually overlaps the last week of August first week of September. It is also the week that many NH schools now start school.

#34 may be prime red in their book, but I find #34 trades like a pink week for me unless the whole week is the last week of August, which is once every 4-7 years depending on leap year and calendar.

I would vote for the resale and stick with week 26-33 if possible.

------------------
Michael

posted 05-26-2005 08:42               

Ok, that timeshare that is a lock-out for EOY for $10,000
in Ellsworth, ME is way too expensive.

(No, we're not going to do it.)

But for the sake of learning something from this experience...if anyone cares to comment: What IS a reasonable price for such a situation ?

I'm trying to learn how we'll recognize a good deal when it is in front of us.

posted 05-26-2005 14:28               

Everything you said about that place was an excellent fit for you...except the price. When I (or we) mentioned other places like Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton, Hilton,or some others, it was to try to show you the comparison of what you were about to do, and what might be available at other places.

You mentioned float above.....no one (I don't think) responded. There are two (usually) ways you can own (or lease as a RTU) in a T/S. One is fixed week. This is a guarantee (usually) that you will get your owned week if you follow the rules to obtain it. (They all have different rules, too). Or you can always give up your fixed week to an exchange company. (If a L/O, you will need to inform resort that you are locking out your unit. That gives you two weeks (AT MOST RESORTS, EVEN TO TRADE). WHen you give your week up.......its gone, almost impossible to get back. You could also rent the week.

In a float, your week is owned in a period of time. When you want to reserve the week for your use or to exchange , you need to call the resort and seek availability. You will also need to L/O at this time. You can then rent, or give to an exchane company as above.

Why we think $10,000 for an EOY is too much is because for the same $10,000 (or even less) you can get a Five Star or Gold Crown every year lock out. II gives a bonus week for needed weeks, even if you lock out the unit if it is a top resort. So, in essance, you will get 2 to 3 weeks T/S use for the one week EVERY YEAR. And many times II allows a one (or even more) room sized upgrade...ie you L/O one bed will get a 2 bed 2 bath.

Closest Marriott to you, I think is in Boston...the Custom House. But it doesn't have a L/O function. USUALLY II wants those units so bad, however, they will give a bonus week for a trade in (ie 2 weeks for the one every year). Pricing here, however, is a bit over $10,000 for most weeks

If you like the resort you originally saw, I would continue to check it out. Have you gone into the office to see if there are any Home Owner Foreclosures (HOA or COA?). I was offered 3 weeks beach front (sleep 6-4 private) in March in S Florida (free) to take over maint payments & Taxes. Of course maint & taxes were $700 a week approx & wife said no......but keep looking. (I do wear the pants...but they are shorts).

Anyway, if you see something you like.....don't let them know you like it. Pretty sure you will find something. Try for a top resort in the area.....so when trading, you might get a bonus week via RCI. I know a lot of plain Jane units on Cape Cod get bonus weeks ....but they are summer...top demand.

I don't have a 2 week unit I can check for you on II by looking in Maine for this summer.....but usually, by this time, most weeks are already taken. You need to request at least a year out......thats the pitfall of exchanging...need to really be flexible. If you have kids.....a lot of the flexibility is gone.

posted 05-27-2005 15:38               

We are leaving for the wkend. Will start thinking about this
timeshare business again asap.

We have company company next week; going into a busy spell.

We are *very interested* in buying 1. You *will* be hearing from us again !

Today we went to get our $50. back plus turn in the II book they had given us. So--we are relieved that pressiure is off.

Take Care Everyone ! Talk more soon !

posted 05-27-2005 18:25            

Both weeks pulled Maine timeshares in July and August, 2006. Nothing for summer, 2005.

I pulled Mountainview, Vacationland Estates, and Moosehead.

posted 05-27-2005 20:05               

You don't need to spend anywhere near $10,000 to get good trade power. You do need to be very careful where you buy, and you need search at least a year in advance for summer weeks on the Maine coast.

To answer your question about what a good price would be for a every-other-year week in a fairly plain resort, I would suggest not paying over $3500 under any circumstances. Every-other-year week ownerships do not hold their value well at all.

Have a great weekend, and happy hunting for a good deal at a place that will meet your needs!

posted 05-30-2005 09:06               

Steve posted, I believe, that EOY weeks do not hold their value that well. I think this is the first time I've read that. Thanks for a little more insight.

Right now *in August*...at Harbor Ridge there are EYO weeks
selling for $5,000. (not lock-outs) Sleeps 6.

We are going to go & see that place this summer & The Falls in Ogunquit which is connected w/ II. And also check www.hillcrestresort.com which is connected w/ RCI.

I'm wondering: Does anyone have opinions on whether it's nicer to be involved w/ II or RCI ? Or are they both as easy & good to deal with?