Timeshare Owners... everyone has been warning you about timeshare resale scams but I want to take a minute to warn you about timeshare relief companies. On the outside, they all seem to offer a needed service... and in a very very few rare instances, they legitimately do but lets look at the whole picture even under the good situations!
First of all, they typically are preying on owners who have been trying to sell their timeshares unsuccessfully (typically, the lack of success has simply been due to either asking price, or chosen resale outlet!)They "pitch" to the timeshare owner that the timeshare is a liability, not an assett and they somehow convince an owner to pay a transfer fee (typically around $1,500.00) and then have the owner pay several years worth of maintenance fees (typically three to five) up front! And they say they are doing YOU a favor.
Let's ask ourselves a question.. if it is such a liability then why are they willing to take it off of my hands?
Another question... Why would I pay several years of maintenance fees plus the transfer fee, wind up with no vacations the next few years or no deed to a vacation and let them try to sell or rent it out and get money on top of what I gave them instead of me just paying my maintenance fees on schedule, use the timeshare while trying to sell it and not have to pay the upfront transfer fee? It makes no logically sense whatsoever!
Another question... If it is costing me too much to own it, does it really cost me less to wind up paying out the same costs of five years worth of usage all at once on top of the transfer fee?
If I bought my timeshare by a presentation that was geared emotionally rather then logically, why do I feel immune to being sold an idea like this emotionally rather then logically? Because when looking at it logically, it makes no sense whatsoever!
To be honest with you.. many transfer relief companies work like this.. They buy a list of names from a resale company of clients who paid to advertise their property but have not sold it. The resale company is happy to sell this list to the relief company because if they get you off of the back of the resale company, it is only to the benefit of the resale company. Now the transfer company either owns, or works through a negotiated deal with a transfer company. This transfer company makes no money if there are no timeshares being moved on the market. The relief company gives a PORTION of the transfer costs to the transfer company to redeed the property to a new name.. they just pocket the rest of what you pay them in the name of maintenance fees. All of those years worth of maintenance fees that you paid, will never ever make it to the HOA at all. Instead, the transfer company will place your deed into the name of an offshore company that is set up and designed to do nothing but go bankrupt. Now you just spent thousands of dollars on an emotional rollercoaster, again, the transfer company got paid to do their job and the relief company pocketed the HOA's maintenance fees for the next few years while using your property to raise their debt level enough to file bankruptcy.
The solution? There are no simple solutions but there are alternatives that are not so scammy and ill fated which do nothing but make scammers rich. Let's start with a solid, legal, good, reliable resource of information.. visit www.vacationbetter.org for information. Visit www.arda.org for even more information. Email me with questions or suggestions and I will be happy to give you my opinions. fredastemick@yahoo.com
Showing posts with label Sell My Timeshare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sell My Timeshare. Show all posts
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Timeshare Evolution
The following article on the evolution of timeshare or timesharing, was written by a friend of mine, Monica Stephens. Monica is a licensed sales agent, and owner of a brokerage where she focuses her years of timeshare experience in helping timeshare owners sell their timeshares on the resale market.. She works on a commission basis. To reach her, contact information is..
Monica Stephens
Phone: (540) 476-1350
Fax: (866) 855-8615
Email: Monica@VacationTimeshareResidential.Com
Timeshare Evolution
Timesharing first began in Europe in the 1960’s when people simply wanted a way to reduce hotel rental costs by purchasing their share in a hotel instead of renting. The costs of operating the timeshare are shared by each of the resort owners, creating vacation affordability for nearly everyone. These shared costs, are called maintenance fees. Depending upon the resort, maintenance fees are paid monthly, quarterly, or annually. Typically, maintenance fees are well below what the average consumer would pay for a comparable rental, thus saving the timeshare owner money in the long run.
In the early days of timeshare, owners owned a fixed week in a fixed unit at their resort, and this is where owners vacationed year after year. If the owners wished to vacation somewhere differently, and they weren’t able to rent out or gift their unit, or find another timeshare owner to swap with, they lost their week. Realizing timeshare owners needed more flexibility and variety; Resort Condominiums International (RCI) opened their doors in 1974 as the first company to offer timeshare exchanges. Interval International (II) followed suit soon thereafter. For a small fee, timeshare owners could join one of these companies in order to exchange their timeshare week for someone else’s week. In the beginning, there weren’t many resorts to choose from. As the timeshare industry grew, so did the exchange companies. While RCI and II are still the predominant exchange companies, numerous other exchange companies have emerged. Today there are over 6,500 resorts affiliated with RCI in over 100 different countries, and over 2,500 resorts affiliated with II in over 75 countries. Nowadays the exchange companies not only help their members exchange their week, but can also provide assistance with scheduling airfare, car rentals, and even suggest the area’s finest restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.
For those whose schedule won’t allow them the luxury of vacationing for an entire week at a time, point type ownerships are on the rise. Resort based point ownerships allow owners to book the unit size they need for the night, the week, or the month, depending on how many points they have at their disposal. And best of all, they can use their points at multiple affiliated resorts, all without having to pay exchange fees. Most resorts that offer point type ownerships are affiliated with a large resort group offering an almost endless array of destinations. Even if owners are lucky enough to visit all of the areas within the resort group, most owners can still venture to other areas by converting their points to a week, then depositing their week with an exchange company.
Because point type ownerships became so popular, even RCI has gotten in on the action. In 2000, RCI launched the world’s first global points-based exchange system. RCI aligned itself with various timeshare resorts worldwide to offer owners more flexibility and options for vacation travel. Like the resort based point ownerships, RCI point members can choose from various accommodation types, the unit size they need, and how many nights they wish to travel. These owners can choose to visit any of RCI’s affiliated resorts. However, RCI points are not limited to accommodations at timeshare resorts. The points may also be used for rental cars, cruises, hotels, golf lessons, and more. Owners can also borrow points from the following year if needed, or save their unused points for next year’s vacation.
The forms of interval ownership have also evolved over the years. When timesharing first began, there was only one type of ownership available, referred to as a lease hold or right-to-use property. People owned their timeshare for a designated period of time, typically for 20-40 years. While this practice is still in use, most timeshares in the US are deeded properties. A deeded timeshare property is considered real estate, you essentially own it forever. However, regardless of which type of ownership is owned, all owners have the ability to use their time, rent it, give it away, exchange it, and will it to their children.
In addition to fixed week ownership, many resorts now offer floating weeks. In this scenario, the owners do not own a particular week or unit; they own a season and unit size. They simply decide when they want to vacation during their designated season. This works out very well for owners at a four season resort as they can go skiing in the winter, site seeing in the fall when the leaves change, swimming and boating in the summer, and golfing in the spring. When owners tire of vacationing at the same resort, they can join an exchange company to broaden their vacation horizons.
Over the last 50 years, the timeshare industry has evolved in order to fit everyone’s needs. No longer do you have to vacation at the same resort year after year, or the same country for that matter. With so many options available to timeshare owners there’s no wonder why a large number of owners never go back to their home resort. It will be intriguing to see what may come of this industry in the next 50 years.
Monica Stephens
Phone: (540) 476-1350
Fax: (866) 855-8615
Email: Monica@VacationTimeshareResidential.Com
Timeshare Evolution
Timesharing first began in Europe in the 1960’s when people simply wanted a way to reduce hotel rental costs by purchasing their share in a hotel instead of renting. The costs of operating the timeshare are shared by each of the resort owners, creating vacation affordability for nearly everyone. These shared costs, are called maintenance fees. Depending upon the resort, maintenance fees are paid monthly, quarterly, or annually. Typically, maintenance fees are well below what the average consumer would pay for a comparable rental, thus saving the timeshare owner money in the long run.
In the early days of timeshare, owners owned a fixed week in a fixed unit at their resort, and this is where owners vacationed year after year. If the owners wished to vacation somewhere differently, and they weren’t able to rent out or gift their unit, or find another timeshare owner to swap with, they lost their week. Realizing timeshare owners needed more flexibility and variety; Resort Condominiums International (RCI) opened their doors in 1974 as the first company to offer timeshare exchanges. Interval International (II) followed suit soon thereafter. For a small fee, timeshare owners could join one of these companies in order to exchange their timeshare week for someone else’s week. In the beginning, there weren’t many resorts to choose from. As the timeshare industry grew, so did the exchange companies. While RCI and II are still the predominant exchange companies, numerous other exchange companies have emerged. Today there are over 6,500 resorts affiliated with RCI in over 100 different countries, and over 2,500 resorts affiliated with II in over 75 countries. Nowadays the exchange companies not only help their members exchange their week, but can also provide assistance with scheduling airfare, car rentals, and even suggest the area’s finest restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.
For those whose schedule won’t allow them the luxury of vacationing for an entire week at a time, point type ownerships are on the rise. Resort based point ownerships allow owners to book the unit size they need for the night, the week, or the month, depending on how many points they have at their disposal. And best of all, they can use their points at multiple affiliated resorts, all without having to pay exchange fees. Most resorts that offer point type ownerships are affiliated with a large resort group offering an almost endless array of destinations. Even if owners are lucky enough to visit all of the areas within the resort group, most owners can still venture to other areas by converting their points to a week, then depositing their week with an exchange company.
Because point type ownerships became so popular, even RCI has gotten in on the action. In 2000, RCI launched the world’s first global points-based exchange system. RCI aligned itself with various timeshare resorts worldwide to offer owners more flexibility and options for vacation travel. Like the resort based point ownerships, RCI point members can choose from various accommodation types, the unit size they need, and how many nights they wish to travel. These owners can choose to visit any of RCI’s affiliated resorts. However, RCI points are not limited to accommodations at timeshare resorts. The points may also be used for rental cars, cruises, hotels, golf lessons, and more. Owners can also borrow points from the following year if needed, or save their unused points for next year’s vacation.
The forms of interval ownership have also evolved over the years. When timesharing first began, there was only one type of ownership available, referred to as a lease hold or right-to-use property. People owned their timeshare for a designated period of time, typically for 20-40 years. While this practice is still in use, most timeshares in the US are deeded properties. A deeded timeshare property is considered real estate, you essentially own it forever. However, regardless of which type of ownership is owned, all owners have the ability to use their time, rent it, give it away, exchange it, and will it to their children.
In addition to fixed week ownership, many resorts now offer floating weeks. In this scenario, the owners do not own a particular week or unit; they own a season and unit size. They simply decide when they want to vacation during their designated season. This works out very well for owners at a four season resort as they can go skiing in the winter, site seeing in the fall when the leaves change, swimming and boating in the summer, and golfing in the spring. When owners tire of vacationing at the same resort, they can join an exchange company to broaden their vacation horizons.
Over the last 50 years, the timeshare industry has evolved in order to fit everyone’s needs. No longer do you have to vacation at the same resort year after year, or the same country for that matter. With so many options available to timeshare owners there’s no wonder why a large number of owners never go back to their home resort. It will be intriguing to see what may come of this industry in the next 50 years.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Does the Berkley Group (or others) take timeshare back?
I am beginning this post with this title because it seems to be a search engine result which brings visitors to my site!
There are many developers who will take timeshares back through alternative means.. but for a timeshare owner individually to get a group to take back a timeshare, is practically impossible. For those of you asking these questions, you should be looking at a Trade in program available through various resale companies, and charitable groups. Developers do not like to accept one single deed back, but will consider the option when a company has pooled a lot of their inventory together.
I would suggest checking with groups like SellMyTimesharenow.com, Timeshare Relief, Last Resort Resales (who has charities they donate to), Holiday Equity, or other various groups you can find via research on the web. Many resale companies have contacts at companies who take in timeshares, even if they don't so a little sweet talking to an ad rep might get you where you want to be. Aside from that, your best bet is to go on and advertise and market your timeshare for sale or rent.
Hope this helps.. and if you find a company but arent sure if they are legitimate or not, as always, shoot me a note and I will find out for you if I dont already have the answer.
There are many developers who will take timeshares back through alternative means.. but for a timeshare owner individually to get a group to take back a timeshare, is practically impossible. For those of you asking these questions, you should be looking at a Trade in program available through various resale companies, and charitable groups. Developers do not like to accept one single deed back, but will consider the option when a company has pooled a lot of their inventory together.
I would suggest checking with groups like SellMyTimesharenow.com, Timeshare Relief, Last Resort Resales (who has charities they donate to), Holiday Equity, or other various groups you can find via research on the web. Many resale companies have contacts at companies who take in timeshares, even if they don't so a little sweet talking to an ad rep might get you where you want to be. Aside from that, your best bet is to go on and advertise and market your timeshare for sale or rent.
Hope this helps.. and if you find a company but arent sure if they are legitimate or not, as always, shoot me a note and I will find out for you if I dont already have the answer.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Why Timeshare Owners Need Choices
Todays blog post on the Timeshare Authority (www.thetimeshareauthority.com) by Jason Tremblay, CEO of SellMyTimeshareNOW.com, is a must read for any timeshare buyer or seller in the resale market.
"Educate yourself" here .... http://www.thetimeshareauthority.com/2010/08/14/why-timeshare-owners-need-choices/
"Educate yourself" here .... http://www.thetimeshareauthority.com/2010/08/14/why-timeshare-owners-need-choices/
Donation or Relief should not cost you anything!
I was bouncing around the internet today and found an article on another blog site that I want to share with you. There are so many scam companies out there professing to offer the timeshare owner "relief".. be cautious.. you might be better off giving away your money to an "upfront ad resale company" instead.
Check this article out.. http://www.timeshareheadlines.info/?p=1850
"These timeshare relief companies often have partnerships with escrow companies that will allegedly hold the clients upfront fees until the transfer is completed. These companies normally have bank accounts in Mexico and the clients are asked to wire the money for the taxes, appraisal, or title change to the Mexican bank account. Escrow accounts do not exist in Mexico like they do in the US for property transfers. "
Check this article out.. http://www.timeshareheadlines.info/?p=1850
"These timeshare relief companies often have partnerships with escrow companies that will allegedly hold the clients upfront fees until the transfer is completed. These companies normally have bank accounts in Mexico and the clients are asked to wire the money for the taxes, appraisal, or title change to the Mexican bank account. Escrow accounts do not exist in Mexico like they do in the US for property transfers. "
Friday, August 13, 2010
Timeshare isnt bad, just misunderstood!
I want your family to vacation in style, luxury and in a cost effective manner. I have three children and while they were growing up, my husband and I quickly learned the problems that come along with trying to vacation with a full family on a budget and in convenient clean accomodations.
There is so much negative information out there that it is hard for the average consumer to find any real relevant information that would keep their experiences positive. Thats what this site is about so please, pull up a chair and consider these things..
Vacation ownership is one of the most highly regulated vacation products. Individual state timeshare laws govern the purchase process so educate yourself.
The only people who should purchase a timeshare are families or individuals who want to vacation in luxury, with a sound plan for the future and who can afford it. If you vacation already, then this can be a cost effective way to keep your vacation style up and not suffer future inflation rates.
Look at your current vacation expenses. Consider if you are willing to spend more or less depending on the vacations that you want to take, plan to take, or wish you could take. Weigh out the cost of the timeshare, the benefits of it and the negatives of it, along with the cost, benefits and negatives of renting hotel rooms or other accomodations.
Go see for yourself what the buzz is all about. Dont be afraid to take a sales tour at a resort, and dont be afraid to check out the alternatives! If you are not ready to purchase, you can simply state that to the sales rep. If you stay smart and strong, then you have nothing to fear. The negative talk on the internet about people who were "duped" or "scammed" in to buying a timeshare, simply were people who believed everything they were being told and let their gaurd down. See what they show you in writing and what they show you with your eyes. Fill in the words yourself, dont fall for everything.. just go for the education. Talk to friends who already own. If they have bad things to say, find out why and then think about what they have said.. does it sound like they are just angry because they "bought a lie" or because they truly were "duped".. but pull out the positive as well and understand what the good parts are.
Read all documents carefully and understand what you are being offered. If you do not understand what you are reading and being asked to sign, stop and think. Pull out your cell phone and get on the internet and look up the terms of some of the words that are in front of you that you do not understand. Educate yourself.
According to VacationBetter.org, you should "Look for signs of good property management, such as well-maintained facilities and resort amenities, good housekeeping,and friendly service. Take a look at the resort’s annual budget, which is usually available through the property’s HomeOwners Association (HOA)." good point!
Learn about and understand the exchange companies and the process for exchanging. The odds are unlikely that you will want to vacation at the same resort year after year.. verify what your options will be and the costs associated for vacations that you transfer to another resort.
Educate yourself. Educate yourself. Educate yourself.. there are many websites available with solid positive information. Soak through some of my previous posts here and research the companies and sites that I have mentioned.
Last case, email me your questions. I do not charge for free timeshare advice. And I am not being paid by anyone else for it. I just want to make sure that before you make a bad decision and bring more negative to a very solid good product, you are educated and make a decision that is right for you and your family no matter what that decision is.
There is so much negative information out there that it is hard for the average consumer to find any real relevant information that would keep their experiences positive. Thats what this site is about so please, pull up a chair and consider these things..
Vacation ownership is one of the most highly regulated vacation products. Individual state timeshare laws govern the purchase process so educate yourself.
The only people who should purchase a timeshare are families or individuals who want to vacation in luxury, with a sound plan for the future and who can afford it. If you vacation already, then this can be a cost effective way to keep your vacation style up and not suffer future inflation rates.
Look at your current vacation expenses. Consider if you are willing to spend more or less depending on the vacations that you want to take, plan to take, or wish you could take. Weigh out the cost of the timeshare, the benefits of it and the negatives of it, along with the cost, benefits and negatives of renting hotel rooms or other accomodations.
Go see for yourself what the buzz is all about. Dont be afraid to take a sales tour at a resort, and dont be afraid to check out the alternatives! If you are not ready to purchase, you can simply state that to the sales rep. If you stay smart and strong, then you have nothing to fear. The negative talk on the internet about people who were "duped" or "scammed" in to buying a timeshare, simply were people who believed everything they were being told and let their gaurd down. See what they show you in writing and what they show you with your eyes. Fill in the words yourself, dont fall for everything.. just go for the education. Talk to friends who already own. If they have bad things to say, find out why and then think about what they have said.. does it sound like they are just angry because they "bought a lie" or because they truly were "duped".. but pull out the positive as well and understand what the good parts are.
Read all documents carefully and understand what you are being offered. If you do not understand what you are reading and being asked to sign, stop and think. Pull out your cell phone and get on the internet and look up the terms of some of the words that are in front of you that you do not understand. Educate yourself.
According to VacationBetter.org, you should "Look for signs of good property management, such as well-maintained facilities and resort amenities, good housekeeping,and friendly service. Take a look at the resort’s annual budget, which is usually available through the property’s HomeOwners Association (HOA)." good point!
Learn about and understand the exchange companies and the process for exchanging. The odds are unlikely that you will want to vacation at the same resort year after year.. verify what your options will be and the costs associated for vacations that you transfer to another resort.
Educate yourself. Educate yourself. Educate yourself.. there are many websites available with solid positive information. Soak through some of my previous posts here and research the companies and sites that I have mentioned.
Last case, email me your questions. I do not charge for free timeshare advice. And I am not being paid by anyone else for it. I just want to make sure that before you make a bad decision and bring more negative to a very solid good product, you are educated and make a decision that is right for you and your family no matter what that decision is.
Timeshare Resales Leader Steps Up to Expand Timeshare Owner Options
DOVER, NH--(Marketwire - 08/13/10) - Sell My Timeshare NOW, the global leader in timeshare resales and rentals, announces that the company is expanding its services, introducing important new options for timeshare owners.
Jason Tremblay, the company's founder and CEO, says, "Timeshare owners want and need choices in how they resell their timeshares. In addition to the owner-advertising option Sell My Timeshare NOW has always offered consumers, we are expanding our timeshare brokerage service capabilities and will begin presenting those services as an additional option when sellers contact us."
As part of the new business model, Sell My Timeshare NOW is transitioning to a sales team almost exclusively comprising licensed real estate professionals. The company is serious about de-emphasizing timeshare advertising as its primary product: beginning last March, it has been conducting in-house training at the corporate offices in Dover, New Hampshire, to help prepare employees for the required testing they will face in obtaining state real estate licenses. Tremblay says that he sees this as investing in the company by investing in its employees, and that SellMyTimeshareNOW will also be looking to hire additional licensed real estate professionals for its Orlando, Florida offices.
Sell My Timeshare NOW offers by-owner timeshare advertising sold by trained timeshare sales professionals, and its affiliate Timeshare Broker Services offers a full range of professional real estate services. In 2009, the company's websites generated 61,743 offers to buy timeshare resales and 85,949 offers to rent timeshares.
Consumers who want to resell their timeshare intervals or timeshare points through Sell My Timeshare NOW can pay a one-time advertising fee ($599) for sale-by-owner advertising and marketing that the company provides through its highly visible, well-positioned websites. The owner's timeshare ad remains on the company's websites, continuing to be marketed until it sells, with the timeshare owner benefiting from a money-back guarantee should the timeshare sell through other means.
For owners who would rather let a licensed professional handle the details of the sales transaction, Timeshare Broker Services may be the better choice. Customers of Timeshare Broker Services pay no up-front fee to advertise their timeshares but will pay the greater of either a 15 percent commission or $2,000 when the sale of their timeshare closes. Brokered timeshare sales are conducted in much the same way as the sale of traditional real estate. "Both options are good choices," according to Tremblay, but he says the company recognized the importance of making timeshare broker services more readily available to consumers, since many people simply don't feel comfortable or have the time to be involved in the sales process personally.
Tremblay describes the overall timeshare industry as being in a period of growth and redefinition and discloses that Sell My Timeshare NOW recently obtained formal legal advice from the highly respected law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP, affirming that the business practices of Sell My Timeshare NOW and Timeshare Broker Services are in full compliance with Florida real estate brokerage laws. Sell My Timeshare NOW is counseled by Robert J. Webb, RRP of Baker Hostetler, a board certified Florida real estate lawyer with substantial experience in commercial real estate, timeshare and hospitality industry law.
About Sell My Timeshare NOW
Averaging more than 2 million pageviews per month, Sell My Timeshare NOW provides internet advertising and marketing solutions for timeshare owners seeking to sell or rent timeshare while offering timeshare buyers and timeshare renters competitively priced vacation ownership and rental opportunities. The company offers timeshare brokerage through Timeshare Broker Services. Headquartered in Dover, NH with offices in Orlando, FL, Sell My Timeshare NOW has been recognized on the Inc. 500 and 5000 Lists for two consecutive years as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S.
Contact:
Contact:Jay BadeVice President of Business Developmentjaybade@sellmytimesharenow.com 603-516-0680
Jason Tremblay, the company's founder and CEO, says, "Timeshare owners want and need choices in how they resell their timeshares. In addition to the owner-advertising option Sell My Timeshare NOW has always offered consumers, we are expanding our timeshare brokerage service capabilities and will begin presenting those services as an additional option when sellers contact us."
As part of the new business model, Sell My Timeshare NOW is transitioning to a sales team almost exclusively comprising licensed real estate professionals. The company is serious about de-emphasizing timeshare advertising as its primary product: beginning last March, it has been conducting in-house training at the corporate offices in Dover, New Hampshire, to help prepare employees for the required testing they will face in obtaining state real estate licenses. Tremblay says that he sees this as investing in the company by investing in its employees, and that SellMyTimeshareNOW will also be looking to hire additional licensed real estate professionals for its Orlando, Florida offices.
Sell My Timeshare NOW offers by-owner timeshare advertising sold by trained timeshare sales professionals, and its affiliate Timeshare Broker Services offers a full range of professional real estate services. In 2009, the company's websites generated 61,743 offers to buy timeshare resales and 85,949 offers to rent timeshares.
Consumers who want to resell their timeshare intervals or timeshare points through Sell My Timeshare NOW can pay a one-time advertising fee ($599) for sale-by-owner advertising and marketing that the company provides through its highly visible, well-positioned websites. The owner's timeshare ad remains on the company's websites, continuing to be marketed until it sells, with the timeshare owner benefiting from a money-back guarantee should the timeshare sell through other means.
For owners who would rather let a licensed professional handle the details of the sales transaction, Timeshare Broker Services may be the better choice. Customers of Timeshare Broker Services pay no up-front fee to advertise their timeshares but will pay the greater of either a 15 percent commission or $2,000 when the sale of their timeshare closes. Brokered timeshare sales are conducted in much the same way as the sale of traditional real estate. "Both options are good choices," according to Tremblay, but he says the company recognized the importance of making timeshare broker services more readily available to consumers, since many people simply don't feel comfortable or have the time to be involved in the sales process personally.
Tremblay describes the overall timeshare industry as being in a period of growth and redefinition and discloses that Sell My Timeshare NOW recently obtained formal legal advice from the highly respected law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP, affirming that the business practices of Sell My Timeshare NOW and Timeshare Broker Services are in full compliance with Florida real estate brokerage laws. Sell My Timeshare NOW is counseled by Robert J. Webb, RRP of Baker Hostetler, a board certified Florida real estate lawyer with substantial experience in commercial real estate, timeshare and hospitality industry law.
About Sell My Timeshare NOW
Averaging more than 2 million pageviews per month, Sell My Timeshare NOW provides internet advertising and marketing solutions for timeshare owners seeking to sell or rent timeshare while offering timeshare buyers and timeshare renters competitively priced vacation ownership and rental opportunities. The company offers timeshare brokerage through Timeshare Broker Services. Headquartered in Dover, NH with offices in Orlando, FL, Sell My Timeshare NOW has been recognized on the Inc. 500 and 5000 Lists for two consecutive years as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S.
Contact:
Contact:Jay BadeVice President of Business Developmentjaybade@sellmytimesharenow.com 603-516-0680
A new Option for timeshare owners
A NEW ASSOCIATION of licensed Real Estate brokers have formed recently in an effort to provide specialized services for owners with timeshares who want to sell. They organized, in part, to become one voice; a voice of honesty and integrity in an industry fraught with scam artists and fly-by-nights. Their mission is a simple one; to provide transparent services to timeshare owners who wish to sell collecting a commission ONLY after the timeshare is sold. The President of the non-profit corporation, Judi Kozlowski, admits “It took us a few years of trying to start to get started, but we are all on board now, and we are all headed in a united direction; That is to assist timeshare owners by first helping them find a marketable price point to list their timeshare, posting to the MLS, and then performing all advertising, dealing with buyers offers, etc. JUST LIKE REGULAR REAL ESTATE WORKS! In the end our goal is to help timeshare owners who want out, out of their timeshares and help buyers who want in, IN, dealing fairly and honestly with all the people we deal with.
One of our brokers, Saundra Mock , has specialized in timeshare resales for over 16 years and handles timeshares from just about anywhere and is knowledgeable in just about every product available.
We have other brokers who specialize in the area they are located in, or in a specific product or set of products; it just depends. The point is our association gives sellers choices that are scam free. You can find a list of our associates at www.ltrba.com . If you are seller or a buyer, you can trust an associate of the Licensed Timeshare Resale Brokers Association.”
One of our brokers, Saundra Mock , has specialized in timeshare resales for over 16 years and handles timeshares from just about anywhere and is knowledgeable in just about every product available.
We have other brokers who specialize in the area they are located in, or in a specific product or set of products; it just depends. The point is our association gives sellers choices that are scam free. You can find a list of our associates at www.ltrba.com . If you are seller or a buyer, you can trust an associate of the Licensed Timeshare Resale Brokers Association.”
Timeshare Cancellation Attorney Offers FREE Consultation to Potential Timeshare Victims.
Timeshare Cancellation Attorney
ORLANDO, FL, August 13, 2010 — MyTimeShareAttorney.com announced today that victims of timeshare misrepresentations are eligible for a Free Attorney Consultation. With all the marketing hype and high-pressure sales tactics being deployed by the timeshare industry, consumers need somewhere to get non-biased information. MyTimeshareAtorrney.com is providing Florida residents and non Florida residents who purchased timeshares located in Florida, a Free Consultation for simply filling out their online questionnaire.Attorney Susan Budowski, a Child Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children recently added Timeshare Advocacy to her law practice. “After listening to the heartbreak and sadness of couples and individuals who agreed to a “sales presentation” and ended up timeshare owners. They had no intention, plans and many, even the financial where with all to complete the transaction, yet they are now “Timeshare Owners”.
The sad fact is this is completely about money and the aggressive tactics are not only escalating, they are evolving in different masks; one focus, get you to buy before you leave their presentation.
Attorney Susan Budowski advocates, “sleep on your decision before ever signing anything. Make no mistake, no matter what they tell you, the “Deal” will be there again and again. Never sign on the first or even second presentation, the resort is NOT on fire.”
About Susan Budowski
Susan Budowski is an attorney in Orlando Florida. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since May of 2004. She has been working in Alternative Dispute Resolution since 1998. She is also an advocate for abused and neglected children as a Guardian ad litem. Ms. Budowski previously worked at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Langley Virginia where she received multiple Exceptional Performance Awards from high ranking members of the CIA including then CIA Director William Gates, who is currently the Secretary of Defense.
To learn more about Ms. Budowski’s services for timeshare victims please visit http://www.mytimeshareattorney.com
Contact: Michael Budowski
timeshare@susanbudowski.com
888.265.7900 Tel/Fax
http://www.mytimeshareattorney.com
ORLANDO, FL, August 13, 2010 — MyTimeShareAttorney.com announced today that victims of timeshare misrepresentations are eligible for a Free Attorney Consultation. With all the marketing hype and high-pressure sales tactics being deployed by the timeshare industry, consumers need somewhere to get non-biased information. MyTimeshareAtorrney.com is providing Florida residents and non Florida residents who purchased timeshares located in Florida, a Free Consultation for simply filling out their online questionnaire.Attorney Susan Budowski, a Child Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children recently added Timeshare Advocacy to her law practice. “After listening to the heartbreak and sadness of couples and individuals who agreed to a “sales presentation” and ended up timeshare owners. They had no intention, plans and many, even the financial where with all to complete the transaction, yet they are now “Timeshare Owners”.
The sad fact is this is completely about money and the aggressive tactics are not only escalating, they are evolving in different masks; one focus, get you to buy before you leave their presentation.
Attorney Susan Budowski advocates, “sleep on your decision before ever signing anything. Make no mistake, no matter what they tell you, the “Deal” will be there again and again. Never sign on the first or even second presentation, the resort is NOT on fire.”
About Susan Budowski
Susan Budowski is an attorney in Orlando Florida. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since May of 2004. She has been working in Alternative Dispute Resolution since 1998. She is also an advocate for abused and neglected children as a Guardian ad litem. Ms. Budowski previously worked at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Langley Virginia where she received multiple Exceptional Performance Awards from high ranking members of the CIA including then CIA Director William Gates, who is currently the Secretary of Defense.
To learn more about Ms. Budowski’s services for timeshare victims please visit http://www.mytimeshareattorney.com
Contact: Michael Budowski
timeshare@susanbudowski.com
888.265.7900 Tel/Fax
http://www.mytimeshareattorney.com
Thursday, August 12, 2010
LEADING U.S. TIMESHARE RESELLER ACQUIRES WEBSITE OF TOP CANADIAN RESALE FIRM
Dover, NH – August 5, 2010 – Jason Tremblay, CEO of SellMyTimeshareNow.com, one of the world’s largest and most respected online timeshare resale and rental marketing organizations, has recently announced the acquisition of the primary asset – as well as the customers – of Canada’s leading timeshare reseller, RapidResale.ca.
“During recent months, RapidResale founder April Cummins has become more involved in sales and marketing efforts for Canadian developers and sought a company to whom she could entrust her resale business, one that would take over the management of the existing website and the servicing of its customers,” explained Tremblay. “Due to our high level of success and national recognition, April asked if we would be willing to acquire this segment of her business to ensure a high level of continuing service for her customers.”
Added Tremblay, “The six-year-old RapidResale website is already a highly trusted, well-optimized, perfectly positioned site that ranks extremely well with Canadian search engines, such as www.Google.ca. We are excited about this acquisition since it will provide our web-based company opportunities to further expand our presence in Canada. Links on our website will lead potential renters and buyers to the Canadian site, benefiting everyone involved. Our ultimate plan is for all of our sellers’ properties to be displayed on all of our websites including RapidResale.ca.”
Jay Bade, VP of business development at SellMyTimeshareNow.com was instrumental in connecting the two companies. “As we acquire the domain name, database and website content of RapidResale.ca, we will provide their existing customers with greater exposure through our family of websites.”
Founded in 2004, RapidResale.ca is the domain name for Secondary Solutions Group, an Ontario-based Canadian timeshare resales leader with a solid reputation for success and its growth into a multi-million dollar organization. The company also provides sales and marketing solutions to developers of shared-use properties. April Cummins will continue to work with Canadian timeshare developers in the sales and marketing arena and refer them to our Vacation Property Solutions, the Resort Services Division of SellMyTimeshareNow for future resales and marketing needs.”
Commented Ross Perlmutter, President/CEO of the Canadian Resort Development Association, “With more than 180 shared ownership resorts and nearly 350,000 owners in Canada, we welcome the expanded presence of SellMyTimeshareNow. They are a leading international timeshare reseller that can potentially bring great benefits to timeshare buyers and sellers on both sides of the border.”
Founded in 2003, Sell My Timeshare NOW has grown to become the leading online secondary marketplace for timeshares on a resale basis. Each month, averaging more than 2 million pageviews, the Sell My Timeshare NOW websites deliver to timeshare owners and developers over 86,000 offers valued at $88 million for timeshare rentals and 61,000 offers valued at $338 million for timeshare resales.
About Sell My Timeshare NOW
The company is the recognized global leader in online timeshare resale and rental marketing, with over $427 million in offers through its websites in 2009. The company’s flagship website, SellMyTimeshareNOW.com, provides internet advertising and marketing solutions for timeshare owners seeking to sell or rent their timeshare while offering timeshare buyers and renters competitively priced vacation ownership and rental opportunities. The company also offers success-based timeshare brokerage through Timeshare Broker Services. Headquartered in Dover, NH with offices in Orlando, FL, Sell My Timeshare NOW has over 150 employees and was recognized on the Inc. 500 and 5000 Lists for the second consecutive year as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the country. For more information, contact Jay Bade, VP of Business Development at 603-516-0680.
Media Contact:
press@sellmytimesharenow.com
“During recent months, RapidResale founder April Cummins has become more involved in sales and marketing efforts for Canadian developers and sought a company to whom she could entrust her resale business, one that would take over the management of the existing website and the servicing of its customers,” explained Tremblay. “Due to our high level of success and national recognition, April asked if we would be willing to acquire this segment of her business to ensure a high level of continuing service for her customers.”
Added Tremblay, “The six-year-old RapidResale website is already a highly trusted, well-optimized, perfectly positioned site that ranks extremely well with Canadian search engines, such as www.Google.ca. We are excited about this acquisition since it will provide our web-based company opportunities to further expand our presence in Canada. Links on our website will lead potential renters and buyers to the Canadian site, benefiting everyone involved. Our ultimate plan is for all of our sellers’ properties to be displayed on all of our websites including RapidResale.ca.”
Jay Bade, VP of business development at SellMyTimeshareNow.com was instrumental in connecting the two companies. “As we acquire the domain name, database and website content of RapidResale.ca, we will provide their existing customers with greater exposure through our family of websites.”
Founded in 2004, RapidResale.ca is the domain name for Secondary Solutions Group, an Ontario-based Canadian timeshare resales leader with a solid reputation for success and its growth into a multi-million dollar organization. The company also provides sales and marketing solutions to developers of shared-use properties. April Cummins will continue to work with Canadian timeshare developers in the sales and marketing arena and refer them to our Vacation Property Solutions, the Resort Services Division of SellMyTimeshareNow for future resales and marketing needs.”
Commented Ross Perlmutter, President/CEO of the Canadian Resort Development Association, “With more than 180 shared ownership resorts and nearly 350,000 owners in Canada, we welcome the expanded presence of SellMyTimeshareNow. They are a leading international timeshare reseller that can potentially bring great benefits to timeshare buyers and sellers on both sides of the border.”
Founded in 2003, Sell My Timeshare NOW has grown to become the leading online secondary marketplace for timeshares on a resale basis. Each month, averaging more than 2 million pageviews, the Sell My Timeshare NOW websites deliver to timeshare owners and developers over 86,000 offers valued at $88 million for timeshare rentals and 61,000 offers valued at $338 million for timeshare resales.
About Sell My Timeshare NOW
The company is the recognized global leader in online timeshare resale and rental marketing, with over $427 million in offers through its websites in 2009. The company’s flagship website, SellMyTimeshareNOW.com, provides internet advertising and marketing solutions for timeshare owners seeking to sell or rent their timeshare while offering timeshare buyers and renters competitively priced vacation ownership and rental opportunities. The company also offers success-based timeshare brokerage through Timeshare Broker Services. Headquartered in Dover, NH with offices in Orlando, FL, Sell My Timeshare NOW has over 150 employees and was recognized on the Inc. 500 and 5000 Lists for the second consecutive year as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the country. For more information, contact Jay Bade, VP of Business Development at 603-516-0680.
Media Contact:
press@sellmytimesharenow.com
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Resort Equity Marketing timeshare resales
Here is an interesting article I found this morning with complaints about this company. Thought you should check it out too!
http://bit.ly/aQZb2N
http://bit.ly/aQZb2N
Friday, May 7, 2010
Timeshare resale complaints
I came across this article printed today on some timeshare resale scams in southern Florida. Very interesting indeed. Sorry I could not watch the actual news broadcast but the station isnt available here.
The article starts off with:
Timeshare resale complaints
Posted: May 06, 2010 3:58 PM EDT
Updated: May 07, 2010 6:17 PM EDT
Video Gallery
Timeshare resale complaints
3:43
Text/Email Alerts More>>Find out first with Breaking News AlertsSign up for Traffic AlertsLocal Events in your InboxLocal News More>>Another hot weekend aheadGuilty on all counts: Man convicted on murder chargesPhotos: Airman killed in Vietnam War arrives homeRenter stung 140 times inside bee-infested homeTimeshare resale complaintsVolunteers start oil spill cleanup trainingOil spill could cause problems for sea turtles"Rubba Bandz" craze hits Southwest FloridaPolice: Student brings gun to Fort Myers High SchoolSuspected in Cape burglaries, 3 teens arrested"It's right in the middle of colonial America," said Michael Piccininne, describing his timeshare property in Virginia.
"It's right on a mountain, great for skiing," Doreen Cunningham said of hers.
"Marriott was a very desirable property," explained Bill Ranagan of his Orlando timeshare.
Piccininne, Cunningham and Ranagan are three Southwest Floridians amontg the thousands of timeshare owners nationwide desperate to unload their property.
To view the rest of the story go to..
http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=12440627
The article starts off with:
Timeshare resale complaints
Posted: May 06, 2010 3:58 PM EDT
Updated: May 07, 2010 6:17 PM EDT
Video Gallery
Timeshare resale complaints
3:43
Text/Email Alerts More>>Find out first with Breaking News AlertsSign up for Traffic AlertsLocal Events in your InboxLocal News More>>Another hot weekend aheadGuilty on all counts: Man convicted on murder chargesPhotos: Airman killed in Vietnam War arrives homeRenter stung 140 times inside bee-infested homeTimeshare resale complaintsVolunteers start oil spill cleanup trainingOil spill could cause problems for sea turtles"Rubba Bandz" craze hits Southwest FloridaPolice: Student brings gun to Fort Myers High SchoolSuspected in Cape burglaries, 3 teens arrested"It's right in the middle of colonial America," said Michael Piccininne, describing his timeshare property in Virginia.
"It's right on a mountain, great for skiing," Doreen Cunningham said of hers.
"Marriott was a very desirable property," explained Bill Ranagan of his Orlando timeshare.
Piccininne, Cunningham and Ranagan are three Southwest Floridians amontg the thousands of timeshare owners nationwide desperate to unload their property.
To view the rest of the story go to..
http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=12440627
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Timeshare Resales Help from ARDA
In a timeshare industry publication, Developments magazine, the American Resort Development Association (www.arda.org) discussed further how it is working to protect consumers and the timeshare industry where resales are concerned.
ARDA has been working with a Resale Task Force to create education and protection for timeshare resale buyers and sellers. There are two entities that timeshare consumers can utilize to learn about timeshare reslaes so they are not taken advantage of unexpectedly by fraudsters. Please visit VacationBetter.Org and ARDAROC.org for information on these services.
ARDA is still reviewing input and comments on the Model Resales Act and as more developments occur with this, I will keep you posted.
ARDA has been working with a Resale Task Force to create education and protection for timeshare resale buyers and sellers. There are two entities that timeshare consumers can utilize to learn about timeshare reslaes so they are not taken advantage of unexpectedly by fraudsters. Please visit VacationBetter.Org and ARDAROC.org for information on these services.
ARDA is still reviewing input and comments on the Model Resales Act and as more developments occur with this, I will keep you posted.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Florida Timeshare Resales Scams
I wanted to share this article with you. I have spent a bit of time trying to point out to you companies that I feel are honest and can help you sell or rent your timeshare, but thought I would stop a minute and show you who the Florida AG feels are "not" the good guys.. if you are approached by any of these mentioned here, then consider yourself educated now.
http://bit.ly/btnuyX
After reading this article, I also recommend again that you visit VacationBetter.org which is a website created by the American Resort Development Association and is designed to help educate the consumer about timeshare resales and rentals.
http://bit.ly/btnuyX
After reading this article, I also recommend again that you visit VacationBetter.org which is a website created by the American Resort Development Association and is designed to help educate the consumer about timeshare resales and rentals.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
My Resort Network
While I attended the CARE Conference in New Orleans, I had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with the owners and management from MyResortNetwork.com. MyResortNetwork.com is a website that is a "For Sale By Owner" platform much like Redweek.com or SellMyTimeshareNOW.com. It is a high traffic website where owners of timeshare can post their timeshare properties for sale or rent and recieve their buyer and renter leads directly, thereby skipping paying commission to a brokerage.
There are many timeshare brokers who search for buyers and sellers on this website so by engaging on this website, you are likely to be approached by a company wanting to assist you in the purchase or sale of your timeshare, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Your goal if you are trying to sell your timeshare is to be "seen" and this website certainly would be a good route to go. Give them a look while you are determining what path you are going to take while trying to sell your timeshare and you might decide that these guys are right for you.
There are many timeshare brokers who search for buyers and sellers on this website so by engaging on this website, you are likely to be approached by a company wanting to assist you in the purchase or sale of your timeshare, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Your goal if you are trying to sell your timeshare is to be "seen" and this website certainly would be a good route to go. Give them a look while you are determining what path you are going to take while trying to sell your timeshare and you might decide that these guys are right for you.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
ARDA announces Joint Consumer Education Program
Washington, DC – April 27, 2010 – The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and the National Timeshare Owners Association (NTOA), have announced a year-long campaign to help educate consumers about timeshare vacations. The first initiative answers ten of the most frequently asked questions
Read the full story here..
http://bit.ly/a0dPbe
Read the full story here..
http://bit.ly/a0dPbe
Friday, April 23, 2010
ARDAs proposed timeshare model act
It has been a little over a month since the ARDA convention where the Proposed Model Resales Act was such a hot topic! Many in the timeshare industry, from Developers to consumers, recognize this matter as one of high priority. The Model Resales Act will be used to guide Resale Companies in ARDA with policies that will better protect and serve both buyers and sellers of timeshare on the secondary market. The ultimate goal is to help set precedence for legislation on the state government levels that will benefit the industry as well as provide protection to consumers.
Recently, Management & Operations Magazine, sister publication of the Resort Trades interviewed Ken McKelvey. Mr. McKelvey, CEO of Defender resorts had also told us that much of the terminology in the Act was confusing even to someone coming from the resale industry. He felt however that this was a good foundation to start from and that future comment and suggestions would help mold the Act to its desired outcome.
I became curious as to any updates or developments on this topic, so I contacted Howard Nusbaum, President of ARDA and asked him what has transpired since the convention last month. According to Mr. Nusbaum, ARDA is still reviewing both verbal and written feedback about the Proposed Model Resale Act.
Concerning these questions about the Act, Mr. Nusbaum stated that “Several comments reveal some serious misunderstandings which lead us to believe the Task Force needs to be clearer in the drafting and that ARDA needs to do a better job of explaining the act and not assume that everyone is familiar with the nuances of previous legislation and/or legal opinions.”
Mr. Nusbaum went to further explain that despite the questions and misunderstandings, many comments ARDA has received have been extremely helpful in providing knowledge of what issues need to be further addressed and have also pointed to many good recommendations.
This process is still in its early stages and a large number of people in the industry are still new to many of these ideas that have been sited. The timeshare industry is encouraged to continue asking questions and providing feedback while ARDA and the Resale Task Force continue to move through the stages of completing and implementing the Act.
Mr. Nusbaum stated in conclusion that “The members of the Model Resale Act Task Force are reviewing and incorporating these comments. When that is complete it will be sent to the ARDA Board of Directors for their review”.
A recommended reading of the article “Resales 360” will be in the June edition of ARDA’s popular magazine Developments, for those following this topic and wishing to learn further information.
Thank you to Mr. Nusbaum for taking time to share this update information!
Recently, Management & Operations Magazine, sister publication of the Resort Trades interviewed Ken McKelvey. Mr. McKelvey, CEO of Defender resorts had also told us that much of the terminology in the Act was confusing even to someone coming from the resale industry. He felt however that this was a good foundation to start from and that future comment and suggestions would help mold the Act to its desired outcome.
I became curious as to any updates or developments on this topic, so I contacted Howard Nusbaum, President of ARDA and asked him what has transpired since the convention last month. According to Mr. Nusbaum, ARDA is still reviewing both verbal and written feedback about the Proposed Model Resale Act.
Concerning these questions about the Act, Mr. Nusbaum stated that “Several comments reveal some serious misunderstandings which lead us to believe the Task Force needs to be clearer in the drafting and that ARDA needs to do a better job of explaining the act and not assume that everyone is familiar with the nuances of previous legislation and/or legal opinions.”
Mr. Nusbaum went to further explain that despite the questions and misunderstandings, many comments ARDA has received have been extremely helpful in providing knowledge of what issues need to be further addressed and have also pointed to many good recommendations.
This process is still in its early stages and a large number of people in the industry are still new to many of these ideas that have been sited. The timeshare industry is encouraged to continue asking questions and providing feedback while ARDA and the Resale Task Force continue to move through the stages of completing and implementing the Act.
Mr. Nusbaum stated in conclusion that “The members of the Model Resale Act Task Force are reviewing and incorporating these comments. When that is complete it will be sent to the ARDA Board of Directors for their review”.
A recommended reading of the article “Resales 360” will be in the June edition of ARDA’s popular magazine Developments, for those following this topic and wishing to learn further information.
Thank you to Mr. Nusbaum for taking time to share this update information!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
So You Want to Sell Your Timeshare?
You probably have been turned away from your timeshare resort. Your friends tell you to call the real estate broker who sold you your house, but the broker tells you they know noone in the area of your timeshare location. You most likely have spoken to resale companies, and then did your online research only to be scared to death by warnings and horrible stories. You can not figure out how to sell it yourself. So what do you do?
First of all, you have to realize that many of the horror stories are legitimate and many come from clients who did not use their better judgement and then out of anger, lashed out at everyone else for the blame.
There are two options. One is to pay a marketing advertising fee upfront and then work the buyer leads yourself. The other is to hire a traditional timeshare broker who specializes in the timeshare resale industry and will charge a commission at the end, and handle the buyers. Between these two, there is no real right or wrong choice. Paying the marketing fee, you will pay it up front but usually pay less then the commission to a broker. However, the broker will handle the buyers and negotiate the deals for you. This is a choice you will need to make on your own. The real question is "WHICH COMPANY OR BROKER TO GO WITH ONCE YOU HAVE DECIDED THE METHOD".
Just like every other business, there are a few unhappy customers no matter how good someone is. Noone can please everyone all the time and some timeshare customers are just outrageous with their expectations. If you are reasonable and logical, either choice you make can have a positive outcome.
Price your timeshare right. When someone tells you on the phone that they can make you money off of your purchase price, they are lying to you. You will not make money. You will lose money off of your original sales price. If this were not the case, the potential new buyers would go buy directly from the timeshare developer at the resort instead of looking for a timeshare resale. This is like a car purchase. It is more expensive from the dealer and you get a lower price point buying directly from an owner who has driven the car awhile and gotten their money out of it by usage.
Noone can give you an exact time frame. No one can promise you that your timeshare will sell in the next 90 days, or week or year. The odds and probability might be there, but the promise simply can not be made to you. Be ready to wait awhile, and perhaps you will get lucky if you are advertised in the right location and at the right place.
Exposure of your timeshare advertisement is a requirement. You simply have to go with someone who is ahead of the game in the industry. You must choose a timeshare company or a resale broker who has more leads, more access to nationwide clients and the ability to expose your property to as many interested timeshare buyers as possible. Consider this a numbers game. If it takes 10 no's to get one maybe, and 10 maybe's to get one yes, then you need to find someone who can provide you with those 10 no's and 10 maybes as quickly as possible.
Read between the lines. Use your logic. When you see a warning from an angry timeshare owner about how they were "scammed", read the part where he describes a timeshare agent telling him that they have "timeshare buyers waiting" and that "we can sell your timeshare for more then you paid for it" or that "all we need to sell your timeshare is this first $2000.00 to get the paperwork started". Really? This person complaining is mainly upset and angry that they were not smart enough to catch a scam being thrown right in their face! Listen for someone to tell you the truth. Listen for the timeshare agent who says to you "I can not promise you anything" or "Though I feel good about your timeshare property, we will have to stay in touch until we find a qualified buyer for your timeshare". Listen for them to say things that you dont really want to hear. Noone wants to hear the ugly truths in life, but someone willing to tell them to you is less likely to be trying to take advantage of you. Do not punish them for telling you that your timeshare will sell for about 60% of what you paid for it. This is not their fault. If you simply choose to become angry with them for telling you the truth and you instead go with the guy who has promised you results at higher prices if you just pay him first, then you deserve to feel scammed by yourself.
Try these companies for a few options to research. I feel good about suggesting them to you and feel confident that if you behave logically and listen to what they have to say, you will be satisfied and not feel scammed.
http://www.redweek.com/ - This is a For Sale By Owner site with high traffic and visibility. You will pay to enroll and advertise, but there will be no commission once it sells. This site is managed by "internet gurus" who know how to get the buyers to find them... and again.. exposure is critical!
http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com/ - Another For Sale By Owner site with incredibly high traffic for exposure. These guys are a little more personal with you and will guide you through the process along with suggesting closing companies to help with your transaction once a buyer is found. If you speak with them and they feel that you should be with a broker instead based on the property you own and the sales pricing, they will refer you to a broker that will charge you commission at the time of sale.
http://www.timesharebrokerservices.com/ - run by the same guys as sellmytimesharenow.com but is a traditional brokerage who does not charge any fee upfront. However, beware! That might sound good right here, but if your property is not a high end luxury timeshare resort such as a Marriott or Hilton, the odds are that the commission will not be enough for them to pay much attention to you. It is actually likely to be more beneficial for you to sell it on your own in this event. This is what many people do not want to tell you! But I am here to tell you the truth.
First of all, you have to realize that many of the horror stories are legitimate and many come from clients who did not use their better judgement and then out of anger, lashed out at everyone else for the blame.
There are two options. One is to pay a marketing advertising fee upfront and then work the buyer leads yourself. The other is to hire a traditional timeshare broker who specializes in the timeshare resale industry and will charge a commission at the end, and handle the buyers. Between these two, there is no real right or wrong choice. Paying the marketing fee, you will pay it up front but usually pay less then the commission to a broker. However, the broker will handle the buyers and negotiate the deals for you. This is a choice you will need to make on your own. The real question is "WHICH COMPANY OR BROKER TO GO WITH ONCE YOU HAVE DECIDED THE METHOD".
Just like every other business, there are a few unhappy customers no matter how good someone is. Noone can please everyone all the time and some timeshare customers are just outrageous with their expectations. If you are reasonable and logical, either choice you make can have a positive outcome.
Price your timeshare right. When someone tells you on the phone that they can make you money off of your purchase price, they are lying to you. You will not make money. You will lose money off of your original sales price. If this were not the case, the potential new buyers would go buy directly from the timeshare developer at the resort instead of looking for a timeshare resale. This is like a car purchase. It is more expensive from the dealer and you get a lower price point buying directly from an owner who has driven the car awhile and gotten their money out of it by usage.
Noone can give you an exact time frame. No one can promise you that your timeshare will sell in the next 90 days, or week or year. The odds and probability might be there, but the promise simply can not be made to you. Be ready to wait awhile, and perhaps you will get lucky if you are advertised in the right location and at the right place.
Exposure of your timeshare advertisement is a requirement. You simply have to go with someone who is ahead of the game in the industry. You must choose a timeshare company or a resale broker who has more leads, more access to nationwide clients and the ability to expose your property to as many interested timeshare buyers as possible. Consider this a numbers game. If it takes 10 no's to get one maybe, and 10 maybe's to get one yes, then you need to find someone who can provide you with those 10 no's and 10 maybes as quickly as possible.
Read between the lines. Use your logic. When you see a warning from an angry timeshare owner about how they were "scammed", read the part where he describes a timeshare agent telling him that they have "timeshare buyers waiting" and that "we can sell your timeshare for more then you paid for it" or that "all we need to sell your timeshare is this first $2000.00 to get the paperwork started". Really? This person complaining is mainly upset and angry that they were not smart enough to catch a scam being thrown right in their face! Listen for someone to tell you the truth. Listen for the timeshare agent who says to you "I can not promise you anything" or "Though I feel good about your timeshare property, we will have to stay in touch until we find a qualified buyer for your timeshare". Listen for them to say things that you dont really want to hear. Noone wants to hear the ugly truths in life, but someone willing to tell them to you is less likely to be trying to take advantage of you. Do not punish them for telling you that your timeshare will sell for about 60% of what you paid for it. This is not their fault. If you simply choose to become angry with them for telling you the truth and you instead go with the guy who has promised you results at higher prices if you just pay him first, then you deserve to feel scammed by yourself.
Try these companies for a few options to research. I feel good about suggesting them to you and feel confident that if you behave logically and listen to what they have to say, you will be satisfied and not feel scammed.
http://www.redweek.com/ - This is a For Sale By Owner site with high traffic and visibility. You will pay to enroll and advertise, but there will be no commission once it sells. This site is managed by "internet gurus" who know how to get the buyers to find them... and again.. exposure is critical!
http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com/ - Another For Sale By Owner site with incredibly high traffic for exposure. These guys are a little more personal with you and will guide you through the process along with suggesting closing companies to help with your transaction once a buyer is found. If you speak with them and they feel that you should be with a broker instead based on the property you own and the sales pricing, they will refer you to a broker that will charge you commission at the time of sale.
http://www.timesharebrokerservices.com/ - run by the same guys as sellmytimesharenow.com but is a traditional brokerage who does not charge any fee upfront. However, beware! That might sound good right here, but if your property is not a high end luxury timeshare resort such as a Marriott or Hilton, the odds are that the commission will not be enough for them to pay much attention to you. It is actually likely to be more beneficial for you to sell it on your own in this event. This is what many people do not want to tell you! But I am here to tell you the truth.
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