With a population of 37.7 million, California is the most populous state in the union.  And, according to the California Travel and Tourism Commission "California is currently the number one travel destination in the country. Travel and tourism expenditures total $93.8 billion annually in California, support jobs for nearly 930,000 Californians and generate $5.6 billion in state and local tax revenues." No doubt about it, the demand for timeshare resort properties is huge in California.  In northern California the largest concentration of timeshare resort destinations is around Lake Tahoe.  In southern California, the timeshare properties are located in a triangle between Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and San Diego. When you first look at the list of resorts in California, it seems large.  But when you take into account the resident population and add tourism, the demand far exceeds the supply.

What conclusion could you draw from this?  More quality timeshare resorts could be built in California with high expectations for success.

If you want to buy a timeshare in California, here are a few featured properties from www.rpmls.com:  Marriott's Newport Villas, Marriott's Desert Springs Villas I, Lawrence Welk Resort Villas, Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Vista Mirage Resort, and Desert Springs Villas II.

If you are ready to say "Sell my California timeshare!" take a look a the professional services of this timeshare resales broker: www.rpmls.com.

An interactive wolf sanctuary from Elite Land Tours www.elitelandtours.com in Palm Springs California:

It is not too often that it gets this cold here on Lake Conroe Texas. After all, we are tucked into the southeast corner of Texas, not far from the Gulf of Mexico. How cold is "this cold"? I think the thermometer went down to 32 degrees last night. Naturally this arctic blast has me thinking of palm trees, beaches, emerald water - the Bahamas. Featured as one of the top destinations by www.travelchannel.com the Bahamas has a lot to offer.

They specifically describe Paradise Island and the Harbourside Resort Atlantis timeshare resort. They describe Atlantis as having "several hundred rooms, seventeen restaurants, a dozen bars, an aquarium and a water park located on the property." There are several other hotels on Paradise Island, and many of them have made arrangements with Atlantis for their guests to have full access to the guest services offered by Atlantis.

If you are going to book a hotel, remember to start one or two months in advance to get a better rate. For even more affordable accommodations, consider a timeshare - especially at Harborside Atlantis. But, don't pay the retail price, buy from a timeshare owner on the resale market.  You'll save thousands and have more to spend on your dream vacations. If you buy a Harborside Atlantis timeshare on the resale market, you'll save anywhere from 20% to as much as 50% off the going resort rate. Plus, you will have a much better room for your stay and more amenities close at hand.

Harborside Resort Atlantis timeshare Bahamas

In a recent timeshare study by Stroman Realty, Inc they listed their top ten best selling timeshare resorts from over a five year period.  Here they are:

1. Sheraton Vistana Orlando, FL
2. The Manhattan Club, NY, NY
3. Orange Lake Country Club, Orlando, FL
4. Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas Palm Desert, CA
5. Hilton Grand Vacation Club Flamingo Las Vegas, NV
6. Hilton Grand Vacation Club Sea World Orlando, FL
7. Worldmark by Wyndham Resorts
8. Marriott’s Cypress Harbour, Orlando, FL
9. Marriott’s Desert Spring Villas II Palm Desert, CA
10. Marriott’s Grande Ocean Resort, Hilton Head, SC

It was no surprise that five of the top ten best selling timeshares were in Orlando Florida.  Orlando has the highest concentration of timeshare condos and markets them profusely.  In addition, Walt Disney World attracts millions of visitors to Orlando Florida.

Marriott timeshares also accounted for four of the top ten timeshares sold.  The quality and name of Marriott drives their sales year after year.  They have also had a large role in "dressing up" the timeshare industry's reputation. Over the next few weeks we will be looking at each resort from an owner and buyer's points of view.

If you are ready to buy or sell timeshare properties, now is the time to do it.  If your circumstances have changed since you first bought your timeshare and you can no longer use it every year, it may be time to sell.  Having to pay timeshare maintenance fees for something you do not use is, at the least, frustrating.

There is a wealth of information about buying and selling timeshare available at www.rpmls.com. 

Great photo of Venice Beach, courtesy of www.pdphoto.org

Central Florida Investments, Inc, parent company of Westgate Resorts, Inc, has closed their Houston sales office and laid off 106 employees. (source)  This office has been doing "off-site" sales of timeshares for their network of Westgate Resorts.  Their office, located on Richmond Ave, featured a full sized model of one of their timeshare units to present to their buyers. They called this their preview gallery. The reason they gave the Texas Workforce Commission for the layoffs was that they "experienced an unforeseen business emergency brought on by the collapse of the credit markets." They were not able to sell their notes to their usual buyers, and the cash flow stopped. So far that all sounds like a normal by product of a severely tight credit market.

The reason this story caught my attention was because of the sales tactic of "off site" sales. I know that Westgate would not have kept the office open for the last 4 years if it were not successful. But, how hard must it be to sell a timeshare (at a top retail price) that may be actually sitting hundreds or thousands of miles away? Richmond Ave in Houston is nice, but it is not as popular destination as Las Vegas, Orlando, Hawaii, or others. So what kind of confidence can the consumer have when buying a timeshare in Vegas without going there? And how hard must it be for a sales person to close a deal when the buyer is not able to enjoy all the benefits and excitement of the terrific destination? Then, I'd wonder how high is their rate of cancellation compared to on site timeshare sales?  You'd think it would be harder to hold a buyer in this kind of deal.

I'd love to hear from any of you who used to work there or who have done "off-site" sales for timeshare developers!

Take a look at how we sell timeshares with no hassle, no pressure, and always "off-site".

Polo Towers Timeshare in Las Vegas

In today's BBC news, they reported that the European Parliament has passed a law mandating a 14 day right of withdrawal for timeshare purchases. Also known as the "right of recission (rescission)" in the US, this practice has been unevenly regulated for many years in the European timeshare market. Estimates are that there are 1.5 million timeshare owners in Europe. And, until now, a timeshare buyer had a difficult time changing their mind if they bought a timeshare.

This, along with several other unsavory sales practices, has left a very negative impression on the general public when it comes to timeshares in Europe. You don't have to look far to find hundreds of examples of European timeshare owners who have had bad experiences.

In the United States a timeshare buyers' right of rescission may vary from seven to 15 days. The length of time will be determined by either the laws of the state the timeshare is located in, or by the timeshare developer.  If you find yourself wanting to back out of buying a timeshare from the resort, you have to act fast and in accordance with the method they require. When you closed the deal on buying your timeshare, you were most likely given a checklist saying that they explained your right to cancel. It should also explain exactly what you must do to cancel. Usually, you have to exercise your right of recission by sending it in writing. Just make sure you go through the wickets they require.

Sheraton's Vistana Villages Orlando Florida timeshare

PS: Is it "rescission" or "recission" ? - I found it in the dictionary both ways......

Villa Group Resorts, based in Mexico, announced the opening of one of their finest timeshare resort projects: Villa La Estancia, Puerto Vallarta. This resort features 245 beautifully appointed suites ranging from 1,200 sq ft one bedroom units to the 3,350 sq ft three bedroom units. Coming from the Villa Group of timeshare resorts, it is no surprise that the quality, elegance, and value are unsurpassed.  All the units will feature the most modern communication, information, and luxury appointments. "Each of the spacious suites is stylishly decorated with marble floors, granite countertops, whirlpool tub, walk-in shower and spacious balcony. Wrought-iron gates open to Hacienda-style entryways where individual doors lead into each suite." (source)

In the world of timeshare resales, Villa Group Resorts' Villa del Palmar is a consistent best seller.  These resorts in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Loreto, and Cancun have high quality service, features and amenities. Timeshare owners of these properties have always given them way above average reviews. If you are thinking of buying a timeshare and want luxury, service, amenities, pools, spas, palm trees, and all at a bargain, then this would be the way to go.

Villa La Estancia, Puerto Vallarta

In yesterday's Orlando Sentinel, they interviewed David Siegel, Westgate's President. He announced that they plan to lay off hundreds of employees - they employ about 10,000.  Quoted in the interview, Siegel said "We're having a record year. We're in the most profitable year in our history and the banks are freezing our money," he said. "So we have no choice. In order for our company to survive we're going to downsize until the money starts flowing again."

He went on to explain that this would have the largest impact on new projects, but in the mean time, they were going to be fine.

Here's the lesson I dug out of this: With Westgate Resorts, Inc being the largest privately held timeshare developer they have the flexibility to respond to quickly changing financial markets.  As a Westgate timeshare owner, you should be able to stay optimistic about your timeshare vacation ownership. If other timeshare financing money quickly goes away, other timeshare developers may have to scramble to find other options to keep their cash flow working and stay "out of the red."

So if you are one of over 400,000 owners of a Westgate timeshare in one of it's 28 resorts stay tuned in as the story continues to develop.

If you already know of layoffs at Westgate Resorts, chime in here on the blog.

Also, here's a link to my previous story about record sales for Westgate Resorts, Inc. and highlights on Westgate timeshare locations.

Yesterday's announcement from Disney that they will give free admission to one theme park on your birthday, brings up one important thing on my "to do list" - buy a Disney Vacation Club timeshare on the secondary market. After all, why should I pay the going rate at the resort when there are owners who would be willing to sell me their DVC for much much less?  I'd get the same product but for thousands less!

But how would I find the right resort, make sure the owner knows exactly what they own, and get the deal closed? What about escrow, closing companies, and transfer of ownership at Disney?

If you are really serious about buying or selling Disney Vacation Club timeshares, then you should utilize the services of timeshare resales specialists like those at www.rpmls.com. They have the size, experience, and systems to get the right deal and do it right the first time! With thousands of timeshare properties sold and closed, their experience would be the "steak" you need - with none of the "sizzle" so many seem to offer.

Disney Vacation Club's proximity to Walt Disney World, their amenities, and attention to detail would make any timeshare owner confident that they made the right decision - especially when you buy your DVC timeshare from another owner.

Many of us have had the experience of buying a used car: Shopping the ads, going to used car lots, checking the interenet ads.  But once you arrive on the used car lot, logic often goes out the window, and emotions take over. That's what the car salesman is hoping for. Not to say anything bad about the profession of auto sales, but, they are hoping you will overlook the negative aspects of their product and drive one of their cars home that day. 

It is wise indeed to do your "due diligence" and check out all aspects of this purchase and make a buying decision based on the right information.  In the process, 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:

• Are all the maintenance fees and taxes up to date?
• Are all the "extras" (points, rounds of golf, spa usage, tennis lessons, etc) transferable?
• Is there a big assessment looming in the future for the owners?
• Does the resort or resort management company have a history of exponentially rasing fees, avoiding owners' complaints, or neglecting the maintenance of the facility?
• Will you, in fact, get the next year's usuage?

These questions, and others, will need to be answered before you can say you have done your homework and then move ahead with confidence. You will get what you want at a price that will make you happy: you got a great deal on a timeshare you will use and enjoy. Resale beats Retail!

For example, consider buying a timeshare in Oahu Hawaii, Sedona Arizona, Branson, Key West, Virginia, New York, or Las Vegas at a serious discount!

If you want to move ahead with confidence, check out these deals at www.rpmls.com.

With about a half million owners, Westgate Resorts is the largest privately held timeshare company in the US.  They have announced a new service for their owners: www.westgatefamilies.com.  Westgate explains that this is a vacation photo/video sharing website for the owners to use as a community activity.  After visiting the site, it offers far more than just a media storage place. You can pay fees, reserve weeks, rent special deals they offer, and more.  They have done a good job of integrating a social networking website with conducting the business of running one of the largest resort franchises in the US.

My experience with Westgate resorts has been as a guest, not an owner.  I stayed at Westgate Vacation Villas in Orlando Florida for a family vacation. I noticed the attention to detail, maintenance, upkeep, and staff professionalism.  The facilities were well located in relation to Walt Disney World, and all in all, a great experience.

If you were to buy a Westgate Resort timeshare, I would recommend you buy the timeshare from an owner on the resale market.  You will save a bundle of money.  Why pay retail when you can buy resale? Check out some of these timeshare deals for Westgate Resorts for sale. And if you are ready to sell your Westgate timeshare, be sure to check out the services of www.rpmls.com.

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