Timeshares 101

Let’s say you are on a Christmas holiday in Europe and stay at this fantastic ski resort at the foothills of the Alps. While there with your buddies you think it would be good to pool your money and each go in on buying a vacation property. Then, each of you will be able to use it a certain time of the year. In this scenario, the ownership of the property is shared and the percentage you paid is the percentage of ownership you will have.

A timeshare has a similar concept, but with key differences. The main difference is, you are not going in on the purchase with people you know. To facilitate all the deals there is a management company that takes care of the entire deal and finds all the interested buyers of the property.

Additionally, you just pay for a percentage of the entire value of the property while your co-owners pay the other percentages. There are also maintenance fees that you have to pay to the ones responsible for overseeing the property. The downside of timeshare is that the prices are extremely inflated and selling timeshares is not a good way to make a profit.

There are other kinds of timeshares. There are those where you are not actually buying ownership of a property but are just paying for a right to use it. This is no different than renting a condo for a week, except you pre-pay for many years. The benefit of this is you can sometimes sell your time to someone else if you are not able to go on vacation that year.

Selling timeshares can be very difficult for those who do not know to do it. So you should buy a timeshare with the intent of using it and not making a profit out of it. Nonetheless many people still opt for timeshares for it saves them on hotel bills and the hassle of booking for an excellent accommodation.

The Georgian Inn Beach Club: Florida’s East Coast Wonder

How many times have you been to Daytona Beach only to find yourself looking for a place to stay nearly an hour away?

With a vacation membership with Resorts 360, one could have many choices for prime beachfront condos to stay at in Florida.

Some travelers have expressed their concerns about this ongoing issue, but that’s because they overlook one of the most underrated resort destinations on the East Coast of Florida.  It’s the Georgian Inn Beach Club and we’re here to tell you why.

While most people are trying to get that “oceanfront” property for the week in a popular destination spot, you’ll be getting a beautiful ocean view and still be able to walk across the street to the beach.  Sunrises, sunsets, and tourist watching will all be at your disposal while staying at the Georgian Inn Beach Club along with several activities to keep you entertained during your stay.

All rooms are decorated in a nautical motif coming with everything from a fully equipped kitchen to queen size beds, pullout sofa couches, and everything else you need to enjoy your stay.  Once you’ve got yourself situated into your room it’s time to venture onto the rest of the Georgian Inn Beach Club and see what it has to offer.  If the beach is busy you might want to grab your towels and head on down to the pool for a few hours.

It offers a beautiful view of the ocean and is considered one of the largest in the area.  This is great news for you since you won’t feel like you’re cramped up like sardines and instead can enjoy a day basking in the sun.  While you’re poolside, be sure to enjoy a game of shuffleboard and get acquainted with other residents.  You never know who you might run into while you’re there.

For those of you bringing the whole family this plenty to do for both adults and children.

You can find all kinds of “backstories” about the resorts you want to stay at before you go, by searching the inventory at the Resorts 360 website.

Adults can find themselves whisked away on a casino cruise at any given time or taking a romantic horseback ride thanks to the accommodations of Shenandoah Stables.  Then again you may want to stick together for some fun and head on over to Go-Kart city for a bit of racing or test your skills at the Pirate’s Cove Mini-Golf area.

Shopping is unbelievable in Daytona on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday when you turn your attention to the world’s largest flea market.  Even if you aren’t into outdoor sales the Volusia Mall is right around the corner.  However, if you want the great deals then you can take a trip to the St. Augustine Outlet Mall which is only an hour away.

Last but certainly not least you have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best restaurants in the state of Florida.

If you have your eye on seafood then there are a plethora of options available.  Anything from Park’s or Shells to Aunt Catfish’s deliver a little bit of everything for your delight.  While these are all great places to dine, the Teauila’s Hawaii dinner show attraction is unbeatable.

We’ve only scratched the surface to everything available at the Georgian Inn Beach Club and the surrounding area.  So grab your belongings, family and friends, then head on down to Daytona Beach for a great week of vacationing.

It’s fun, it’s inexpensive, and it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Staying in fully furnished, beachfront condo, without the timeshare ownership is a great way to travel. Resorts 360 can show you how to do it for $299 a week and you never pay any yearly maintenance fees or exchange fees!

Selling A Timeshare? Dont Get Ripped Off!

The biggest scam remains to be when someone contacts you stating that they have a buyer waiting to buy your timeshare week. This is often a contact that comes soon after you have placed an advertisement selling my timeshare or timeshare for sale or timeshare resale on the internet

The amount you will receive for your timeshare week, they say, is very close to your asking price and is often a figure that is way more than the true market value, even though you may be unaware that the market for timeshare resales is very thin indeed.

Silly things they say:

They will claim to be a top timeshare resales company having sold timeshares for many clients. They will often state membership of some trade association or other, even though this is no guide to safely selling your timeshare week. They may even offer for you to be able to check their standing with their lawyer.

The telephone numbers thay they give you to check will be often be mobile numbers, answered by one of their colleagues in their own sales office! They may also send over a contract which appears to have the name and a signature of a buyer. This contract is a fabrication and even good lawyers have been taken in by them.

This is the part when you will really know for sure that everything up to now has been leading to lightening your pockets: they will ask for a fee prior to you receiving the proceeds for selling your timeshare. This will be for any one of a number of ficticious reasons; a legal requirement, deed registration or transfer costs, to cover sales fees or import taxes, whatever.

OR, they may invite you to visit them to collect the money from the buyer. You go to their offices expecting to return with money in your pocket ” but actually return much poorer, perhaps with membership of some bogus holiday club and/or a piece of paper promising enormous sums to be paid to you in 3 to 5 years time. A Cash Back promise that is certainly worthless.

They may even tell you that, as a victim of an earlier fraud, you will get back the money you paid (and even some of the money that the fraudsters had promised from the sale of your timeshare). All you have to do is pay a fee now. The caller may well be the same person who defrauded you the first time!

Oh, and beware of someone who calls saying that they are representing a bank that is holding your money. They will say that they are just waiting for confirmation that you have paid your ‘transfer fees’ and then they will release your money to you!

One of the worst things that you can do is fall for the scam whereby you trade in your timeshare week for membership of a holiday club - and pay a fee - then find out at a much later date that your timeshare week has not been transferred, leaving you with the maintenance charges to pay on top of any charges for your new holiday club.

Timeshare sales people are highly trained to sound convincing and the people involved in these scams simply won’t let morals guide their behaviour. They are out to steal your money and will be persistent and inventive in their approach.

NEVER send any money to any company on the promise of selling your timeshare ” whatever reason they might give you for paying and certainly do not give them your credit/debit card details. NEVER send an ownership certificate, or even a copy of one. Let your lawyer deal with all that.

Timeshare Resell: Ripoff?

It is common knowledge that the real estate market is struggling and that many people need to unload their real estate before it loses it’s value. So this is bad news for those who want to sell their timeshares right? Well, actually timeshares are completely separate from the real estate market - so that is the good news!

The irony is that timeshares have nothing to do with real estate, even though it is a common misconception otherwise. Even the government is trying to separate the two industries as far apart as possible.

When you are selling a timeshare you are selling a vacation. Timeshares can be a much more pleasant and even cheaper experience than other ways to travel.

So when you are selling anything it is important to find the right buyer, right? So those are the two main principles of selling a timeshare. Listing it at the right price and marketing it to the right buyer.

Some people think that using a company is the best way to price and market your timeshare correctly. This is for you to research and decide for yourself.

Two of the best marketplaces for buying and selling timeshares are Ebay and Craigslist. They are cheap (or even free), and thousands of potential buyers shop on these sites.

What You Must Know If You Want to Sell a Timeshare

Okay, recent trends in the real estate market may say that now is a difficult time to sell. Well good thing timeshares have nothing to do with the real estate market right?!

The irony is that timeshares have nothing to do with real estate, even though it is a common misconception otherwise. Even the government is trying to separate the two industries as far apart as possible.

Timeshares are simply vacations bought ahead of time. Many people find vacationing in a timeshare more comfortable and enjoyable than a regular vacation.

So when you are selling anything it is important to find the right buyer, right? So those are the two main principles of selling a timeshare. Listing it at the right price and marketing it to the right buyer.

First of all, it is helpful to have someone that can help you price your timeshare appropriately. Secondly, you need to market your timeshare effectively. Lastly, these companies will help to broker the transaction (similar to a real estate transaction) and deal with the contracts, paperwork, money, and legal issues.

If you want to sell your timeshare on your own the best thing you can do is list it on Craigslist or Ebay. You can research the prices of other timeshares that are being sold to help guide you. As a matter of fact, many of the companies you would hire to sell your timeshare would just go and list it on one of these sites anyways.

Top Reasons People Sell Their Timeshares

Most people who buy a timeshare will try to sell it at some point. Just like if you bought a house or something else. The main reasons people choose to sell are:

1. Affordability. Something may have happened in someone’s life that has effected their budget such as a job change or health issues.

2. Never used the timeshare. You may have all the best intentions of using your timeshare every year, but some people have a difficult time actually making that happen.

3. Boredom! Some people eventually tire of vacationing in the exact same place every year, even though some may find this situation comforting and easy.

4. Beneficiary issues. It is very common that people will inherit a timeshare from deceased loved ones. Some of the beneficiaries may not want or be able to use the timeshare.

These are some of the most common reasons why people are selling their timeshares. Once you decide to sell you have to figure out how you are going to actually do that.

If you choose to use a broker, make sure they are licensed. This will give you the protection you need from regulatory agencies in case a deal goes bad. Also when choosing a real estate agent, it is recommended to use one that does not charge any fees up front. Some companies charge for things such as appraisals and listing fees. Others however make all their money only when and if a deal is made and closed.

In this case, if you if the timeshare is not sold you are not out any money. Additionally, you can be assured that your agent will be working to sell quickly and for as much money as possible as this is the only way they will make any money.

The Only Proven Way To Dispose Your Timeshare

Under normal circumstances, selling a timeshare poses a bit of a challenge. But, given the present condition of the world economy, timeshare relief has become an extremely daunting undertaking to say the least. Yes, there are some strategies which could be employed in better times; however, right now, if you are an owner who is desperate to sell timeshare, then your best bet is to do it the right way on your very first attempt.

Timeshare relief can sometimes be near impossible when trying to go it alone. On the other hand, agents in general simply do not live up to their promises. Unfortunately, many charities are turning down offers of timeshare donations because they do not want to become tied down with the associated maintenance fees. Given the bleak prospects of charities being able to sell under the current financial situation, these fees cannot be tolerated.

There are more and more developers who are renting their unused timeshare inventory for less than owners’ annual maintenance fees. This discovery has outraged a great deal of owners. First, the resort itself competes against the owners for renters with discounted rates. Secondly, owners are forced to lower their rent to match offers. Lastly, when you take into account the fact that people can rent significantly cheaper than they can buy, it makes sense that selling a timeshare is a problem.

Similarly, you will find that even people who like the idea of timeshares aren’t buying them anymore. With the downturn in the economy, traveling is quickly becoming a luxury. While we travel to see relatives and loved ones, we are forgoing the leisure destinations. Therefore, across the board, owners are trying to get rid of their timeshares. Competition for the rare buyer is fierce. Unless you can offer something that thousands of others do not, you will not get a deal.

So if listing your timeshare doesn’t work, donating it doesn’t work, and you can’t even rent it, what’s left? There is hope. Find a good timeshare transfer company that will take it off your hands! These companies will save you time and money by transferring your timeshare out of your name for a fee. Once you start the transaction, top transfer companies guarantee the transaction.

Clinging onto a timeshare you do not use is pointless and serves no purpose other than costing you money. Conversely, getting rid of an unused timeshare has many long term financial benefits. Additionally, you will no longer carry the stress and worry which may have a negative effect on your health. If you are in a similar situation, save yourself a lot of trouble and find a reputable timeshare company as soon as possible.

How To Survive Timeshare Ownership During Economic Crisis

The timeshare industry depends greatly on the availability of credit in order for potential buyers to sign timeshare vacation package contracts. Without free-flowing credit, timeshare sales fall. To make up the gap in revenue, current timeshare owners are being asked to flip the bill. Many are seeking timeshare relief.

In many cases, owners sign contracts that allow their home resorts to charge them special assessment fees when warranted. The size of the fees are determined by the resorts and can be rather arbitrary. Some owners are unaware of these policies.

Reports of $500 to $3,000 special assessment fees being doled out have recently surfaced. These outrageous amounts are hitting owner pocketbooks at the same time personal incomes are stagnant or falling, and as retirement funds drop like rocks thrown into a pond. The financial blow has opened some eyes as to the fragility and milk-them-for-everything mentality of the timeshare industry.

Even with the bad economy, why are the special assessments so large? In good times, developers can leverage the upfront fees that owners pay or finance to get new commercial loans to build more timeshares. As timeshare sales drop, there may be no income to pay the interest and principal on the loans. The maintenance fees are not enough to cover everything.

But owners should not think about NOT paying those timeshare bills. Through decades of legal precedence, timeshare companies can and do impose stiff penalties for non-compliance. These include high interest rates on principal owed, collecting debt through employers, and placing liens on assets like homes, bank accounts, etc.

With the timeshare resales market already saturated, there is little left to do but to pay the bills and keep the timeshare. Many charities don’t even want the liabilities. For some timeshare relief, owners can try to rent their units to recoup some cost. But, they need to realize that their resorts are probably doing the same thing, yet at lower rental rates.

Spare Yourself From The Financial Burden Through Timeshare Relief

Are you a timeshare owner looking for some timeshare relief? No matter the reason, getting rid of a timeshare right now can be be a real nightmare! There are plenty of ways that seem like possible solutions to your timeshare problem, but especially in this economy, many of them frankly do not pan out. So, go with a sure thing on your first try and stop wasting valuable time and money.

The first thing you realize when you attempt to rid yourself of your timeshare is how difficult it is to do it on your own. Yet, many agents and listing companies over-promise and under-deliver on the high fees they charge. Even most charities will not take a timeshare any longer. They are finding them just as hard to move as anyone else, and they certainly do not want to get stuck with maintenance fees that they cannot afford.

To make matters even worse, there is an increasing number of developers who are being less than tactful by renting out their timeshare properties for less than the average owner is paying in annual maintenance. It’s hardly surprising then that so many owners are feeling abused, considering that they are now faced with having to compete with the resort itself to rent their timeshare. Furthermore, when one considers that rentals are now significantly cheaper than buying, there is essentially no incentive for prospective owners to purchase.

With the economy as it is today, the average family has no choice but to limit their spending as far as luxuries are concerned, like vacation travel and buying timeshares. Taking this into consideration, it becomes apparent that at present, supply exceeds demand creating a buyer’s market. So, unless you have something significant to offer which sets you apart from the crowd, your chances of finding timeshare relief are slim indeed.

If you are one of the thousands who have tried to get rid of your timeshare without any measure of success, then perhaps you should consider the services of a timeshare transfer company. These companies will successfully transfer your timeshare out of your name, and the top companies will even guarantee the results once you have agreed to terms.

Remember that there are plenty of benefits to dumping your timeshare, and none whatsoever to hanging on to one that you never use! You’ll never need to pay those hefty maintenance fees again, and you will have a huge load off your mind. The issue of getting rid of a timeshare can really weigh you down, so take action and find a reputable timeshare transfer company today.

Consumer Review - Timeshare Purchase and Ownership Vs Global Resorts Network Membership

Timeshare Purchase and Ownership vs. the Global Resorts Network Membership

If you are you considering the purchase of a timeshare for your personal or family vacations, and you are attracted to timeshare properties because of their luxury condo-type amenities, I would like to give you some additional information before you make that plunge and spend your hard earned money. I will also then give you the straight facts on a “no-brainer alternative” to a timeshare purchase, one that will save you big bucks, lots of headaches, and will instead provide you greater value, lifetime benefits and unparalleled flexibility.

Here are the straight facts concerning timeshare purchase and ownership -

There are two basic types of timeshare purchase and ownership, traditional and points based. Traditional ownership offers a single timeshare property with the option to use it for a specific week during the year, and changes add to the cost. This type limits you to the same location, year after year, for your vacations. With points based timeshare ownership, you are purchasing points or “currency” to redeem for access to a variety of resort locations and accommodations, so you can choose when and where to travel, and for how long. Traditional timeshare ownership typically ties the buyer to a specific resort at a specified time interval, but many traditional timeshare companies do offer exchange programs allowing owners to trade their weeks for other locations.

With each type of traditional timeshare, there are also two options: certificate ownership and deeded ownership. With certificate ownership, you enter into a “right to use” contract for a pre-determined number of years. (Certificate ownerships are most common with properties located outside of the US.) With deeded ownership, you own the property indefinitely for as long as you want, for the specified week(s) purchased. This latter type can be passed to your heirs.

The major drawbacks with both traditional and points based timeshare ownership are limited locations, large upfront costs, and then recurring or ongoing costs and fees for upkeep and maintenance. There are also real estate taxes you will be responsible for with deeded timeshare ownership. Upfront costs to get in to your timeshare now range from $15,000 to $85,000.

Here are the straight facts concerning the “no-brainer alternative,” the Global Resorts Network (GRN) membership -

A Global Resorts Platinum Lifetime membership will cost you $2,995.00. This is a one time cost. There are absolutely no ongoing costs or fees, ever. Your membership gives you unlimited access to a registry of five to six thousand luxury resorts worldwide, all available to you at a discount of 50% to 90% off the retail booking price. Prices for GRN members start at $298.00 per week and never exceed $699.00 per week for these luxury resort destinations. Many of these are the same luxury timeshare properties offered by timeshare sales companies. Discount luxury cruises are also available with your GRN membership.

A Global Resorts Platinum membership is a lifetime membership and is also willable to your heirs. There are never any restrictions or blackout dates, you can travel whenever and wherever you want. The properties and destinations with the GRN membership are not leftover bottom of the barrel bookings. They are the same high quality destinations and resorts that are available retail through any of the online agencies such as Travelocity or Expedia.

Global Resorts Network was started in 2006 by Al Morales, a former timeshare sales professional. This exclusive membership offered, however, has actually been sold outside of GRN since 1986 for more than three times the price through GRN. Resorts and cruises can be either booked online or via an 800 number and are backed by a truly superb customer support service.

For you entrepreneurs - as an affiliate with Global Resorts Network, you can earn $1,000 commissions from every GRN Platinum membership sale. You can earn the same $1,000 commissions for referral sale also. The cost to become an affiliate with Global Resorts Network is $100.00 per year. For more information go to: http://www.SucceedWithGlobal.com .

Get more information concerning timeshare purchase and ownership alternative comparisons: http://www.your-timeshare-alternative.com

 

Next Page »