Transfer Smart News: Aspen Club Throws More Promises in their Efforts of Timeshare Expansion

The number of owners who are trying to get out of their timeshares may not be that high these days and the economy is slowly recovering. For some timeshare developers, this would be a great time to expand their operations. One of this timeshare companies is the Aspen Club and Spa which recently proposed to expand its operation. But the proposal faces some community issues and to overcome such oppositions, the said company has stated a number of promises to the area involved.

The Aspen Club and Spa timeshare expansion proposal includes a provision that would give every city of Aspen employee a free one-year membership if the club fails in its commitment to have valley locals comprise at least 50% of the membership rolls. This is just one of the proposals which were outlined in the latest version of the club’s application to add 20 timeshare units, 12 affordable housing units and 41 parking spaces to its site at the end of Ute Avenue.

Meanwhile, other concessions include a promise to reduce the club’s energy consumption, despite its increase in size. In the proposed ordinance which grants the expansion, it requires that the club submit to energy audits. According to Aspen Club and Spa LLC managing partner Michael Fox, there will be $2 to $3 million in upfront investment in better energy systems, such as a ground source heat pump. On the other hand, the club is also promising to not increase car trips on Ute Avenue, despite the 71 new bedrooms proposed for the property between the timeshare condos and the affordable housing units.

Currently, the owners who are getting rid of their timeshares may be slowing down along with economic recovery. For some timeshare companies, this is a great potential to expand their operations. And for Aspen Club, although there may be oppositions regarding their proposal for expansion, they are determined to win this. Those concessions and promises have been put on the table by the Aspen Club in an effort to win council and community approval.

Transfer Smart News: Connecticut BBB Warns Consumers about Unscrupulous Timeshare Resellers

In Connecticut, owners who want to get out of their timeshares by selling it are recently warned by the Connecticut BBB about unscrupulous timeshare resellers who ask for thousands of dollars in upfront fees to cover closing costs for deals that never come to fruition. As the scams are very prevalent in this industry, such owners are susceptible to these offers that are too good to be true.

As a result of the current economic condition, selling timeshares has become a popular option for families looking to reduce their expenses and build up cash reserves. On the other side, there are also many fewer consumers who are buying timeshares for sale on the market. However, timeshare sales dropped 40% in 2009 according to the American Resort Development Association.

Some of the companies that have F ratings from BBB are Resorts Condo Management, Creative Vacation Solutions, Platinum Property Exchange and Premier Timeshares Solutions. These companies are said to convince a number of timeshare owners that interested buyers are already lined-up and that the sellers had to pay thousands of dollars in upfront fees for closing costs. But the said promises were never materialized.

Meanwhile, the Better Business Bureau has some tips for those owners who want to get rid of their timeshares by selling it. First, you may visit bbb.org and get a report on BBB Accredited Business timeshares. Review reports on all companies in this industry and compare their ratings. Also confirm licensing requirements as some timeshare resellers will use fake addresses or PO boxes to mislead timeshare owners. Verify this with the state licensing board. Moreover, don’t fall for the hard sell or an offer that sounds too good to be true as unscrupulous timeshare resellers may claim that your property is in demand and they can sell it immediately. But unfortunately, these promises are often empty.

Transfer Smart News: Timeshare Industry Shows Resiliency after the Economic Downturn

The recent economic downturn may affect the timeshare industry in some ways and may even be the cause why some owners tried to get out of their timeshares but according to Jeff Tisdall, the RCI Middle East and North Africa managing director, the success of timeshares during the economic downturn has also caused the investors and owners to look towards shared ownership and mixed use developments in Dubai.

As Tisdall said, this is because the fundamentals which analysts look for when predicting strong potential for timeshare are all present in Dubai and most importantly perhaps, Dubai is really starting to mature as a leisure destination. He added that from a consumer perspective, the financial crisis helps to highlight some of the key advantages of timeshare as when times are tougher economically, we all tend to use what we already have.

Meanwhile, the move towards timeshare in the region is highlighted by the continued success of the market in destinations such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada where timeshare owners have continued to travel, despite the economic downturn. Moreover, as Tisdall stressed out, if you looked back 12 to 18 months, the strength of the residential market made it very difficult for established vacation clubs to enter the Dubai market by acquiring a block of residential units and then offering them to their member base. Currently, the conditions are much more favorable.

Up to this day, there may still be a significant number of owners who are trying to get rid of their timeshares as a result of the recent economic meltdown. But that doesn’t mean that the timeshare industry is in crisis as a whole. As a matter of fact, there are even major timeshare investments in some areas like in Dubai which is seen as a great potential for timeshare business.

Smart Facts You Should Know about the Timeshare Industry

The timeshare industry is considered one of the most popular industries in the entire world today. Although there is a considerable number of owners who trying to get out of their timeshares, there are still millions of individuals who look into timeshares and vacation ownership and is increasing with time.

The timeshare business has been around since it was introduced in the 1970s by a Frenchman who sold timeshares in his hotel rather than trying to rent specific rooms. Since the beginning of this business, the industry has seen a surge in sales especially during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. Today, there may be an economic downturn but many people are still making the time to save for a timeshare in some of the most exotic properties in the entire world.

With timeshare ownership, people pay for a property so that they can visit this place at either a fixed or predetermined time each year or a certain number of weeks each year. There are units which are available on exotic locations around the world today. In this way, any person can visit a new or exotic location but in an affordable manner. The price of a timeshare depends upon the location and the time of year you want to visit this place. Maintenance fee is also another important thing to consider when owning a timeshare. You are expected to pay a maintenance fee so that your property is taken care of even if you are not around to care for it yourself.

On other hand, some owners also rent out their timeshares if they are not able to visit it. There are also companies like RCI and ARDA that manage or organize large groups of timeshare properties so that people can trade time and move around the world. Timeshares are great for folks who want to travel as much as possible, want to see the world, and want to get away to some of the most beautiful places in the entire world but also bear in mind that are also costs involved with this type of vacationing.

Transfer Smart News: RDO Encourages Timeshare Consumers to Come Forward with their Complaints

Timeshare scams dramatically increased for the past two years and in 2009, it was identified that the most common victims are those owners who are trying to get out of their timeshares by selling it. As part of an effort to help stamp out such fraudulent practices targeted at timeshare owners, RDO or Resort Development Organization which is the trade body for timeshare and fractional ownership, is calling for consumers to come forward with their complaints.

Another particular complaints cited by RDO are from people who have been invited to a presentation either to discuss ways in which to dispose of their timeshare or to join a class action scheme, but are then persuaded to sign up to membership of a holiday club of which they had no former knowledge. This deal is usually followed by a deposit which is frequently taken and no cooling off period is provided.

The evidences that RDO will gather from this campaign will be presented to the enforcement authorities in both the UK and Spain to enable them to take decisive and hard-hitting action, thus, putting a stop to the distress caused to people who have been misled by this type of activity.

As getting rid of a timeshare is not an easy thing to do these days, timeshare owners are prone to be a victim of such activities. As a matter of fact, over the last few years, the number of complaints reported to RDO regarding timeshare fraud allegations has steadily increased. Another thing to be cautious about is if you are approached by a company that you are unsure of and should walk away if you are asked to sign a contact which does not give you the right to withdraw. As this could be a possible scam, better check it with RDO.

Transfer Smart News: Latin American Timeshare Industry Shows Resiliency in Difficult Times

During these difficult economic times, it’s no wonder why most people cutback spending. Usually, things that are considered luxury are avoided by most people nowadays and one of these is their ways of vacationing. That’s why we often see many owners nowadays trying to get out of their timeshares. But despite this, the vacation ownership industry in some countries still shows resiliency. Take for example, Brazil and Venezuela which recorded a double-digit growth in interval sales in 2009 mainly due to their sales in the domestic market. Latin America as a whole showed signs of strength and continued to attract new players to its vacation ownership industry.

According to RCI’s Executive Summary of the Latin American and Caribbean Vacation Ownership Fact Book, there are 61 new vacation resorts which joined the region’s vacation exchange system in 2009, and Latin America closed the year with a total of more than 1,200 affiliated resorts.

RCI also notes that 97% of interval sales in Brazil were done by domestic buyers. Meanwhile, Results from Venezuela indicate that Venezuelans purchased 99% of the 12,700 weeks sold in the country. With these and other data gathered by RCI in the region, the estimated sales of vacation weeks in Latin American totaled 212,316 intervals which is a 12% decline from the previous year.

The Executive Summary also indicates that despite the tough economic environment of the previous year, some other markets showed promising growth signs like Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia with new timeshare players came into the industry and introduced new resorts.

The challenges brought by the recent economic downturn made several owners want to get rid of their timeshares. This is a way of minimizing expenses to battle such difficult time. But in spite of this, the vacation ownership industry in some areas like in Latin America still showed a robust condition.

Transfer Smart News: Perspective Magazine Launches New Versions

In the timeshare and fractional industry, Perspective Magazine is regarded as the most read independent monthly publication. As the industry is faced with the challenges of low sales and an increasing number of owners planning to get out of their timeshares, such publication provides useful and up-to-date information regarding timeshare ownership to the intended stakeholders. Recently, it was announced that a new version would be launched at the ARDA Convention & Expo in Las Vegas that would be dedicated to the USA, Canada, Mexico & Caribbean markets.

There are more than 2,500 attending industry professionals who received the new version of Perspective Magazine in their delegate bags and were also able to visit the publication’s booth in the Expo hall throughout the three-day event.
According to its CEO Paul Mattimoe, by combining pre-launch and the convention, they’ve taken on 14 new advertisers in less than eight weeks, most of which range from 3 to 12 month campaigns. He added that there were also many others at the Las Vegas event who thanked them for creating this new version and were looking forward to becoming future clients once new budgets were approved.

Meanwhile, Perspective Magazine North America launched with a print and online reach of nearly 13,000 registered users. Thus, it became the largest independent monthly trade publication in the region and although plans are already in place to extend that lead significantly further over the course of the rest of 2010.

These days, although the economy is slowly recovering, a considerable number of owners still try to get rid of their timeshares. But with publication like the Perspective Magazine, the plights of such owners can be alleviated by providing relevant information regarding the timeshare ownership. In so doing also, this publication serves to attract more consumers to opt for timeshares as a way to vacation.

Renting a Timeshare as a Smart Way of Vacation

Timeshares can be a great way to vacation and nowadays, there are some options to avail of this kind of property without actually buying it. As a matter of fact, some current owners get out of their timeshares and opt for those lesser cost of availing timeshares. One of these fabulous options is through renting a timeshare. Meanwhile, if you’re up to rent a timeshare, there are some important things that you should know before you jump into such option.

First, identify your reasons why would you want to rent a timeshare. In comparison to owning a unit, timeshare resorts are often luxury accommodations and you’ll expect also that it involves a greater cost. These usually offer also a number of amenities. On the other hand, units rented from timeshare owners can be cheaper than these. But be aware that timeshares typically rent for a week, and you probably will not get daily maid service unless you pay extra.

Another thing to ask also is how much of a bargain will I get from renting one. Renting as your option typically saves you up to half of what a resort might charge for the unit.

To learn about timeshare rentals, try to browse some sites on the net like RedWeek.com where you can search listings for free but must pay if you want to contact the owner. These sites also include user reviews of many resorts. Once you deal with an owner and sign a lease, typically, you send half the money who will register the week in your name. You can then call the resort to verify before sending the other half of the money.

These days, there are many owners who are renting out their timeshares and these can be great opportunities for those holidaymakers looking for quality but budget-wise vacation. With this option also, vacationers are free of those fees like annual maintenance fees that a typical timeshare owner has to deal with.

Transfer Smart News: Westgate to Sell Development Rights for its Timeshare-Hotel Project

The economic meltdown may not be over yet and in timeshare industry, low sales and many owners trying to get out of their timeshares are still observable. With many of these challenges today, timeshare operators may come up with drastic decisions. One of these recent case is the Florida-based timeshare developer which is seeking a buyer for its 400-unit timeshare-hotel project planned for construction atop the Anaheim GardenWalk parking garage.

The Westgate Resorts of Orlando originally had hoped to sell the development rights for $37 million, but now it will settle for whatever it can get in an online auction-type sale, according to company Chief Operating Officer Mark Waltrip.
Westgate has already architectural drawings, utilities and parking, as well as the air rights to build above the parking garage at the mall, located on Katella Avenue just east of the Disney resort. The developer also had planned to begin construction by last year, but was delayed due to the sour economy and a lack of financing.

Now, along with more than 70 other properties across the country, Westgate is selling the development rights off. As Waltrip added, they’re just selling off non-core assets that don’t pertain to their timeshare business. As such, they’re not in the business of holding real estate.

Although the economy is already showing a slow recovery, the challenges are not yet over for the timeshare operators. They still suffer from low and the many owners who want to get rid of their timeshares. Some of these owners even hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart. As for Westgate, their decision to sell developments rights of the said property might be the best to do in this crisis-stricken economy.

Transfer Smart News: iTV Provider Reaps Strong Revenues at Timeshare in Mexico

The timeshare companies maybe are slowly recovering this year as the sales show an increase but another challenge is that there are still many owners who want to get out of their timeshares. However, despite the many challenges of the timeshare industry, there are some related industries that are reaping strong revenues and a great deal of profit. One of these is the Roomlinx, Inc. It is the leading provider of Interactive TV or iTV solutions for the hospitality industry today and recently, they announced that in the last four months, they averaged over $90 per room per month in revenue at the Casa Dorada Resort & Spa from rooms installed with its iTV product.

According to Mike Wasik, Roomlinx CEO, they are very pleased with their current results and this was a key installation for them because it's a foot in the door to the opportunity in Mexico. Cabo San Lucas maybe is a small community but they are already following up on additional sales leads due to their success at Casa Dorada.

Meanwhile, programming in Mexico is limited as many of the free-to-guest channels are Spanish while the majority of guests are US citizens. Roomlinx provides the guest access to a broader range of entertainment and provides additional benefits for both the business and leisure traveler.

The timeshare industry hasn’t fully recovered yet at this time as the sales still shows a slow increase and the number of owners who want to get rid of their timeshares is still increasing. Some of the owners even hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart just to get rid of such property. But despite this, it proves that with creativity and minimal market penetration, industries related to timeshare business can be profitable. One of these is the Roomlix which shows strong revenues at timeshare in Mexico.

Confessions of a Smart Owner who donated Her Timeshares

Many owners today have testified that their timeshares are something that they regret. Thus, they end up wanting to get out of their timeshares. But aside from selling such properties, one of the options to get rid of it is to donate it to charities.

Take the case of Cecilia Owens of Florence who said one of the timeshares she owns is great but she isn't happy with her other timeshares. Owens said her two other timeshares have turned to be more costly and she has paid more than $14,000 for both, but the bills continue.

As the fees for her timeshares are soaring, she was advised by a friend to consider donating it to charity like the American Kidney Fund. The American Kidney Fund said timeshares usually sell from $600 to $5,000. The sale will be handled by an outside firm and when the sale is complete you'll receive a receipt for your donation. Typically, the owner won't have to pay anything. Charities like the one cited above won't automatically accept every timeshare but they do take most. First, they will identify the value of the property to make sure it can be sold quickly for a profit. As a result of accepting donations, such charities are able to raise funds for their cause.

Timeshares became a popular way of vacationing these days but along with these there are also several owners who want to get rid of it due to a number of disadvantages like the fees involved. Some of them sell it while others hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart. On the other hand, one option that many owners are now trying to consider is by donating it. Although the owner won’t recoup some of the cost he/she initially paid for such properties, the great advantage here is he/she is able to get rid of his/her timeshare and without fees involved.

BBB’s Smart Tips for Timeshare Resellers

Timeshares are thought of as a great option to save-up on vacation costs in the long run. However, the recent recession greatly affect this industry. As a matter of fact, statistics indicate that timeshare sales dropped by 40 percent for 2009 and along with this, there are also many owners who want to get out of their timeshares. As the number of these eager owners who make their units available for sale, there are also more and more scammers who operate in various ways and usually offer things that are too good to be true.

Some scammers offer timeshare owners a chance to unload their timeshare while misleading the owners to pay thousands of dollars. Later on, the things that were promised were never realized and the fraudsters magically disappear.

In US, Better Business Bureau or BBB is the organization that is responsible for protecting consumer rights and they have some advice to protect the timeshare resellers from such conmen. They highly suggest, deal with a reputable timeshare resale company by referring to the BBB’s accredited list to timeshare resale companies.

Also, confirm the company’s licensing requirements as some scammers will use fake addresses and PO boxes. Thus, verify if the sales representatives are licensed to sell real estate in the region of your timeshare. Moreover, find out the facts and figures about the resale processing. As most complaints to the BBB were due to an advanced appraisal fee that was charged for the timeshare owners, it is best to avoid upfront fees.

Timeshares are known as properties that are hard to get rid of. That’s why many owners turn to resale companies or representatives to get a deal. However, it turns out that the timeshare resale industry became a haven for scammers. As a matter of fact, it is on the top list of the consumer complaints. With this, the BBB stressed out to be vigilant when trying to resell your timeshare. On the other hand, a portion of owners simply hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart to get rid of such property.

Transfer Smart News: AG Identifies Timeshare Scam as the Top Fraud Last Year

The timeshare industry nowadays is a well-known sector as a haven of scammers and defrauders. The fraudulent activities may operate in various ways but the most likely victims are those those current owners who are eager to get out of their timeshares by reselling their units. Last year, it turns out that the scam that generated the most complaints to the state attorney general’s office affected very specific audience which are the timeshare owners. Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office disclosed that the top scam reported to the agency for 2009 involved bogus timeshare resellers.

According to Amie Breton, a spokeswoman for Coakley’s office, the agency received 169 complaints about the scam last year. She added that the attorney general’s office first noticed a surge in the timeshare scam complaints about 18 months ago and didn’t know of any geographic preference for the scammers, except that the complaints involved Massachusetts properties.

Usually, a timeshare reseller makes an unsolicited offer to a timeshare owner by getting the name from the local Registry of Deeds. The fraudster then asserts that he has a buyer lined up for the timeshare with a price that’s usually well above the market value. These scammers promise a quick sale and all the timeshare owner needs to do is hand over the money to cover the closing costs and other fees associated with the transaction. After this, the scammers may magically disappear as there is no actual buyer and no transaction takes place.

Along with the increasing number of owners who want to get rid of their timeshares are also the scammers who promise to get a deal for such properties. That’s why some owners simply hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart to get rid of it. However, if you own a timeshare, a sign of a timeshare scam is that a reseller might contact you when your timeshare isn’t even on the market and it requires advance fees for listing fee or appraisal fee.

Smart Things to Consider Before Buying a Timeshare on the Resale Market

If you want to ask about the benefits of owning a timeshare, then a timeshare salesman can give you several points on why you should own one. Meanwhile, if you want to ask about the disadvantages of owning such property, then, nothing can give you an honest answer than an owner who wants to get out of his/her timeshare. This is the picture of the timeshare ownership, there are advantages but of course there also a number of disadvantages. However, you will not be dealing with a timeshare salesman nor have the same expenses incurred by owners who buy from a developer if you will avail it through a resale market.

Timeshare resale market can be the wisest way to avail a timeshare nowadays. Imagine availing the same qualities from those units offered by developers at a cheaper price that’s usually 50% or less. But if you buy from the resale market, it is wise indeed to check out all aspects of your purchase and make a buying decision based on the right information. By doing so, you will, in fact, save a lot of your hard earned money.

Buying a timeshare on the secondary market has some of the same issues that you have to know first like are all the maintenance fees and taxes up to date? You should also know if the resort has a history of exponentially raising fees, avoiding owners’ complaints, or neglecting the maintenance of the facility. These, among many other questions will need to be answered before you can move ahead with confidence.

Although buying a timeshare from the resale market will entail much lower initial fees, it still has the same incurring fees involve just like the one from a developer. Take not that there still an increasing number of owners who want to get rid of their timeshares nowadays while some even hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart. Thus, do your research regarding the things that you must know like those mentioned above.

Transfer Smart Alert: Claims Directive Cites a Couple as Victims of a Timeshare Scam

More frequently these days, we hear stories about owners who want to get out of their timeshare units. But despite the reported disadvantages regarding timeshare ownership, there are still an increasing number of owners who go into this kind of vacation offer. Recently, the Claims Directive asks one of their timeshare compensation clients to share their experiences and asks how they come to part with over eighty five thousand pounds in purchases, have a home repossessed, get divorced, are still twelve thousand pounds in debt and will never set foot out of the UK again. This story is just one of the many owners who are victims of timeshare scams.

Mr. and Mrs. J of Wales originally purchased their first timeshare in Tenerife in 1989. .The concept seemed great with only an initial investment of just six thousand pounds for a one bedroom unit. But after 13 months, it became apparent that not only had they been advised to purchase the wrong product, but even worse there was nothing they could do apart from upgrade at a cost of another five thousand pounds. Now, they realized that they had spent more money.

On another instance, they took on cruise holiday to Balearic Islands and yes to their surprise it was a timeshare resort. This time it was different, no sales people around and then from nowhere they were in the middle of a very good timeshare investment sale pitch. As it was a very persuasive pitch, they signed up and with an amount payable of twenty thousand pounds. They remortgaged their house, paid up, waited and suddenly the original timeshare marketing company disappeared.

The above-mentioned story is no doubt an example of a timeshare scam. While some owners are getting rid of their timeshare like hiring a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart, other consumers are being lured into this type of vacationing without validating the existence of the salespersons or companies that they are dealing with. However, this will serve notice to others, if it sounds too good to be true, it’s a timeshare.

Transfer Smart News: Exchange Network and Timeshare Company Renews Affiliation Agreement

Many of the owners are trying to get out of their timeshares nowadays because they are tied to the same destination that they’re going to visit every year. However, there are innovations done by a number of companies to answer this problem such as the vacation exchange. This works if the owner of a timeshare unit is in good financial standing with a certain member resort of a vacation exchange company. Then, it allows the owner to deposit their timeshare week(s), and exchange their week(s) with the company’s available inventory. With this option, a timeshare owner has a variety of locations to choose from.

However, when about vacation exchange networks, II or Interval International is one of the big names in this industry. It is a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. and recently, it had announced the renewal of its master affiliation agreement with Marriott Vacation Club International which is the timeshare division of Marriott International, Inc. The multi-year agreement extends the relationship which was first established in 1990 between two leaders in the shared ownership industry.

With the said agreement, Interval will continue to provide Marriott Vacation Club owners with both internal and external vacation exchange services, as well as an array of other leisure programs and benefits that reinforce the value proposition of their purchase. These also include offering the option of trading their accommodations for a resort within the Marriott portfolio or from among the 2,500-plus resorts in Interval's worldwide network. In turn, other Interval members are able to exchange into Marriott Vacation Club's beach, ski, golf, spa, and themed-entertainment resorts in internationally recognized vacation destinations.

The idea of going to the same vacation destination every year made some of the owners want to get rid of their timeshares. Some of them even hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart. But through the vacation exchange networks such as the Interval International, the owners have an option to hold their vacations on other locations and with the affiliations of these companies to the timeshare operators, consumers demands’ are made effective and efficient.

A Smart Way of Selling or Renting a Timeshare

Timeshare ownership actually refers to owning a designated parcel of time for sharing vacation property which is typically a week or more each year. It can be something as common as a condominium or as exotic as a private jet or yacht. However, as some owners realized that they want to get out of their timeshares, their common is to resell such property. On the other hand, some owners also make their units available for rent in the hopes that it will give a financial return.

First, check if you are legally able to rent out or sell your timeshare week. Then, find out exactly what week(s) you are able to sell. Do your research also on how much you can sell your timeshare week for by the available websites such as redweek.com, ebay.com or even local newspapers where your timeshare is located.

Write the ad for your unit available for sell or rent. Try to include the details on how many people the timeshare sleeps, what the timeshare resort amenities are, what rules and regulations the buyers will need to follow while there, how to get payment to you and what the penalties are if they cancel. After that, it’s time to post the ad on several different websites, including the ones listed above. Include pictures in the listing as well as your contact information.

Timeshares are known as properties that are hard to get away from. That’s why some owners simply hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart when they want to get rid of it. However, most owners want to recover some cash that they initially paid for such property and they do that by selling it or renting it out. If you’re among these owners, the above-mentioned points can be your guide.

Transfer Smart News: SPI to Unveil New Web-Based Timeshare Software

The timeshare industry is becoming unattractive in the eyes of many consumers and as a result many owners are trying to get out of their timeshares. That’s why those who are involved in this industry are coming up with innovations that will facilitate their operations in the hopes that it will bring back the profitable status of this business. Recently, timeshare software technology leaders, SPI Software said they plan to unveil new web 2.0 initiatives during the upcoming convention being held by the American Resort Development Association.

SPI is a sponsor and exhibitor at the ARDA gathering which will take place on March 14th-18th at the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. As part of the company’s OrangeWeb package, the new web-based modules will continue to leverage the SPI’s Microsoft.NET technology platform. The latest modules to be announced will provide Web-based functionality that will assist the timeshare resorts in handling owner servicing, reservations, marketing and sales.

According to Matt Brosious, Vice-president of sales and marketing for SPI, they are very excited to unveil OrangeWeb and to answer the industry need for an integrated web strategy. He added that there is really no longer any need to develop expensive custom web-based timeshare software and they are particularly pleased with the enthusiastic reception the OrangeWeb has garnered from their clients and prospects.

Today, we usually hear many owners who are eager to get rid of their timeshares due to a number of disadvantages. Some even hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart just to get rid of it. However, with the latest of technologies available these days, many stakeholders in this industry come up with an efficient and effective solution that will somehow regain the confidence of its consumers like the one done by SPI Software.

Transfer Smart: RedWeek.com Shows Top Timeshare Rental Resorts

The timeshare industry may have reaped a negative image among its consumers while some current owners are trying to get out of their timeshare units. But despite this, a number of individuals still opt for this type of vacationing package and just like any other product, some resorts are well above others in terms of its consumers preference. Recently, RedWeek.com, the largest timeshare marketplace, released the Top 25 List of Timeshare Resorts chosen by their members.

The list shows brand new timeshares and recently opened resort phases which marked the most significant additions to this year's Annual Top 25 List of Timeshare Resorts. Meanwhile, Marriott Vacation Club International has six resorts new to the list for 2010 for an impressive nine resorts overall in the top 25. On the other hand, Disney Beach Club Villas in Orlando secures the number one slot for the second year running.

The top chosen timeshare rental resorts continue to group in the popular vacation destinations like Florida, the Caribbean and Hawaii which have 16 of the top 25 top picks with New York, US Virgin Islands and Cabo San Lucas having two resorts each on the list.

Nowadays, we all know that several owners are trying to get rid of their timeshares while some even hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart. However, some opt for timeshare rentals as a great alternative for owning a timeshare. In terms of this alternative, consumers have preference over some resorts and according to Maurice Aubrey, president of RedWeek.com, there is a strong following for the timeshare resorts of major hospitality brands. He added also that trusted quality and service rises to the top.

RDO: An Organization that Smart Timeshare Owners Can Rely to

With today’s negative image of the timeshare industry, consumers are hesitant to go into this kind of property while some current owners are trying to get out of their timeshare units. In Europe, one organization was established to improve representation for reputable companies in their timeshare sector and to promote and maintain quality standards, fair trading and growth within the expanding timeshare industry.

RDO or Resort Development Organization is a non-profit member association that actively campaigns against fraudulent operators. It also provides information to the authorities to help shut down bogus holiday clubs and actively works to alert consumers regarding timeshare frauds and protect the consumers' interests. It was established following the decision by the European Timeshare Federation in February 1998 to integrate all national timeshare trade assocations across Europe into one official membership organization.

Members of RDO include representatives from a wide variety of sectors of the timeshare industry from countries all over Europe. Also, some of the biggest names in the resort development industry are RDO members like Hilton, Pestana Resorts and Sol Melia. On the other hand, some are exchange companies, management, marketing companies, trustees, finance entities and resale companies. Every member of RDO must abide by a strict code of ethics which then helps in protecting the consumers when enjoying many years of quality timeshare holidays with the peace of mind and the assurance that they are buying from a reputable, quality company.

As we often hear or read today, many owners are complaining regarding their timeshares and decided to get rid of it while some even hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart. The RDO improve such condition while working with governments at both national and European level to create a fair legislation that will not only protect consumers' interests, but also ensure that overall industry standards are maintained and that positive growth is encouraged.

Transfer Smart News: RAL Properties Signs to Use Triton Timeshare Software

With the challenges of the economy today that resulted to the many owners getting out of their timeshares, the timeshare companies may need more innovations that facilitate transactions with the current owners and potential clients. One of these innovations is the Triton Timeshare Software, a Sarasota-based technology solutions provider which has announced that RAL or Resort Property Management, Inc. has signed on to use Triton’s Property Management System for its six resorts. The said company is family owned and operated independent management located in Fort Myers, Florida. Specializing in sales and rentals on Fort Myers Beach, and Sanibel Island, RAL provides service to the owners, renters, and exchangers on a personalized basis.

Meanwhile, Triton’s integrated software suite will be used at RAL’s managed properties Estero Island Beach Club, Tropical Sands Resort, Island Tower Resort and Sales & Rentals Kahlua Beach Club (Ft. Myers, FL), Surfrider Beach Club (Sanibel Island) and Petit Crest Villas (Big Canoe, GA).

According to John Shaw, CEO of Resort Operations for RAL, Triton lived up to its promise of timely installation. He added that they’re up and running, faster than ever and all data conversions were smooth and easy. Their next move with Triton is to work with them on implementing the online rental and sales component of their software.

Nowadays, the timeshare industry is reaping a negative image towards the consumers. This resulted to the many owners today trying to get rid of their timeshares while some even hire a transfer company such as the Transfer Smart. The Triton Timeshare Software in addition to property management can help this by offering award-winning Sales and Marketing software which includes lead tracking, marketing management, payroll and forecasting tools, to name a few.

Transfer Smart News: BBB Warns Timeshare Owners from Deceptive Sales Tactics

In a difficult time like this, many owners look for ways to get out of their timeshares. By selling it, they can recoup their initial payments and stop paying maintenance fees. Nowadays, many businesses specialize in reselling timeshares but Better Business Bureau warns that some companies are using deceptive sales tactics to defraud thousands from cash-strapped timeshare owners.

Unfortunately, today not as many vacationers are buying timeshares. As a result, timeshare owners who are eager to sell their units are increasingly susceptible to offers that are too good to be true. Many unscrupulous timeshare resellers out there are taking advantage of the situation by misleading the timeshare owners into paying thousands of dollars in the hopes of unloading their timeshares quickly.

Some companies like Resorts Condo Management, Creative Vacation Solutions, Platinum Property Exchange and Premier Timeshare Solutions have earned F ratings with BBB for convincing the timeshare owners that they already have interested buyers but require thousands of dollars for upfront fees from the sellers and ultimately fail to complete the promised sale.

With the economic condition that we are having today, this might be the perfect time to unload expenses such as the one brought by timeshares. For some owners, they simply hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart to get rid of such property. However, if you opt to sell such property, beware of those deceptive resellers as they might defraud of your hard-earned money. As the BBB advised, make sure that the timeshare reseller you work with is a BBB Accredited Business or at the very least has a good rating with BBB.

Transfer Smart News: Timeshare Owner Wants Way Out Due to Beach Access Dispute

Most often, we hear or read stories about owners who want to get out of their timeshares and their common reasons for doing so are those hefty fees that usually increase over time. But recently, there is also a case about an owner who demands release from purchase contract and his reason might be unusual, conflict regarding beach access.

Gary Vinson, a part-time Marco (city in Collier County, Florida, United States) resident who owns a home on the Island, but who bought into a Crystal Shores timeshare unit specifically for beach access for his family throughout the year, is at dispute with the resort. He claimed rude and embarrassing treatment from local staff at the gate. Thus, he now wants completely out of the purchase contract.

Mr. Vinson said that along with the purchase of the unit about a year ago, he asked for, and received three letters of authorization that would permit him and his three grown children and their families to use Crystal Shores for beach access at any time. According to him, once his son, along with his wife Wendy and their three daughters, tried to gain beach access more than once, they were told the letters were fraudulent. He then took up the issue with corporate management in Orlando, and managed to make some headway after talking to Keith Kocarek of Marriott Vacation Club International.

The investigation found that the complainant is correct and the resort had made a mistake but Mr. Vinson already decided to be out of the purchase contract because of rude and unprofessional behavior surrounding the beach access issue.

Up to this day, the number of owners trying to get out of their timeshares is still increasing. Some even hire a timeshare transfer company such as the Transfer Smart just to get rid of it. Although, the most common reasons are those increasing fees, there are also a few reasons why some owners do so such as the professionalism of the resort staff like the case discussed above.