There are so many things to consider when buying a timeshare.

quality of property ownership/management... location, location, location...

If you buy resale, you will save money, but you give up the staroptions and the ability to trade points for flights ect.Research resales on sites like www.redweek.com and www.tug2.com.

Prices vary depending on phase 1 vs. phase 2. Phase 2 is newer and phase 1 is now getting a face lift. We bought during the construction stage but you can get an idea of prices 2nd hand through the above sites.

Don't consider a timeshare purchase an investment. It is not a financial investment and should never be represented that way. We all have different reasons for buying. Be sure you like it enough to want to go back year after year.

You can trade into any of the other Starwood resorts but you need to be flexible and watch your calender. There's a window of time that will give you your best chance to get in where you like. We have not been successful getting into St. Johns. The others have been no problem. Your yearly maintance fee includes the years membership into Interval International, on of the largest timeshare exchange companies in the world.

Yearly maintance fees are pretty steep at Harborside. You're paying aprox. $100./ year for use of the Atlantis facilities and about that for membership into I.I. We have never had a special assessment billed to us at Harborside, unlike the club we belong to next door or one in Florida.

As far as buildings being rated higher than others, a lot of people like the newer phase better because of the upscale, sleek furnishings. We are owners in phase 1, 4th floor and wouldn't trade for the newer units. I love my view of the marina and the fact that I'm sitting on my balcony in the shade in the late afternoon sipping my after beach/ before dinner cocktail watching the yachts and rich people on their playgrounds.

Do a lot of homework and keep asking questions.

Good luck with your research.

We had good luck one year getting into St. John and we are crossing our fingers to get in next year. We are owners at Atlanits, Orlando and Myrtle Beach. We have vacationed at properties in Rancho Mirage, CA; Avon, CO as well as the properties we are owners. We love the concept and have been very happy with the quality of the condos/villas. We look forward to returning as well as exploring all the others. Highly recommend Starwood!

We purchased in Maui, Hawaii in 2005 we have no complaints. We have gone to Atlantis once and are heading back this January then off to Hawaii in July. We were that close to buying there but since we didn't seem to have any issues with trade we decided not. We have had no problem trading through the Starwood network we did have an opportunity for St. John, I guess we should have taken it but my kids LOVE Atlantis so we decided there. Does anyone know if you loose the ability to trade with the small villa group with Starwood when buying second hand. I think all you can trade though is Interval you loose the Starwood group??? Also, you need to be able to control your schedule a year in advance or at least 8 months. Any one who has children in activities I know find it somewhat difficult to plan so far in advance. I do find even if you don't own a timeshare it is getting that way anyhow. I also recommend having a floating week not a set season, can you do that at Altantis??

Good luck get back to us what you do.

Your questions regarding appreciation and investment strongly suggest that you need to educate yourself regarding timeshares and the best place to do so is at tugbbs.com You will find many helpful folks there and a forum devoted to Starwood and will likely save thousands with a little time and effort on your part. Harborside is a "mandatory" resort so purchasing resale will give you most of the benefits, but not all, as purchasing from the developer. The annual mf at Harbourside are among the highest but if Harbourside is where you want to vacation the majority of time, it may be a good purchase for you. If however you wish to trade often, Harbourside is possibly a poor purchase as more often than not, you will be trading down. Do yourself a favour when you attend the sales pitch, leave your credit cards in the safe of your room.

We purchased the Starwood property in Saint John this year and would recommend doing it through the hotel chain as we did very well with the Starwood perks. We purchased prior to the price going up (they bumped the price two weeks later) and received what would equate to several thousand dollars worth of hotel stays. In addition, the Starwood points can now be used for flights which means you could get your week at a timeshare plus free flights.

I was very impressed with the timeshare staff at the Westin property in Saint John. There was very little pressure to buy and frankly the property and new building "sold itself".

Just an FYI. Please do your homework before buying a timeshare. There's much information on the "Tug2" website. (Timeshare User Group) These people really know what they're talking about, I've been a member for about 3 years. Read, read, read and learn before your purchase.