If you are considering selling your timeshare, there are several options available to you.  Hopefully this blog article will answer many of those questions you may have if you need to sell your timeshare.

First, you may have thought of asking your home resort to assist you in selling your timeshare.  Unfortunately, most (about 58%) timeshare resorts offer no help in selling your timeshare for you. And if they do, often they will charge severe sales commissions - up to 40%!  For the resort developers, the greatest profit margin is when they sell the timeshare the first time.  Timeshares on the resales market offer the resort developers very little profit - thus, very little attention.

Second, you could advertise it yourself.  Placing your own ads in the resort's local newspaper will not reach your target buyers. The advertising should be nationwide and international to generate a worthy response.  Advertising in USA Today, for example, can cost you over $1,300 for a minimum 4 line classified ad for one week. Not only would that be costly, you would be responsible to qualify the buyers, search out the closing options, and close the deal. Also, online auctions of timeshares often generate excessively low offers - a "give it away" price.

Next, an option many choose, you could use a licensed brokerage that specializes in timeshare and fractional resales.  You will usually be charged a commission, but they would do all the legwork for you.

Finally, you could use www.rpmls.com. They take the hassle out of the selling and buying experience using the largest database of buyers and timeshare properties offered for sale in the secondary market. They have no appraisal fees, offer a "no commission" plan, professional timeshare specialists with a no pressure approach.  You can find out more about timeshare resales options for sellers at www.rpmls.com.

 

A Timeshare Sellers' Options - Plus a Slide Show of Wyndham Resorts!

If you are thinking of buying or selling your Wyndham timeshare, here's some valuable information! Over the years, Wyndham resorts have done well on the resales market.  Stroman Realty, Inc has published a list of their best selling Wyndham resorts.  Generally, these resorts are considered a great value and fine quality! The top selling Wyndham resorts include the Cypress Palm, Kingsgate, Westwinds, Fairfield Glade, Pagosa, Ocean Ridge, Star Island Resort, Sea Gardens, Branson, and Sapphire Valley.  In addition, these Wyndham timeshare resorts have shown great sales success: Royal Vista, Kona Hawaiian, Sedona, and Skyline Tower.

Many other Wyndham timeshare properties have been sold, but these have had the most activity in the resales market.  If you are ready to sell your Wyndham timeshare, go with someone who has had proven success.  See what the professionals at www.rpmls.com can do for you.  They will take the hassle out of selling - taking care of all the details.

Wyndham Star Island Resort, Kissimmee Florida

On November 14 ABC News ran a 8 minute video raising warnings to anyone interested in buying a timeshare. They highlighted all the stereotypical issues involving timeshares - declining values, rising maintenance fees, lack of true flexibility.  They made the whole industry sound either shady or worthless. They only told half of the story.

Owning and using a timeshare will work for you if you go into the experience with your eyes open. Especially at the beginning. Never pay retail prices for what many owners would be willing to sell you for a serious discount. Buy a timeshare at a location you really like and plan to frequent. Don't make your decision about buying a timeshare based on exchanging it every year for your favorite destinations. That seldom works out. Finally, use your timeshare. that's where the true value is. Over time, you really will save a bundle and enjoy much nicer accommodations.

When you get ready to sell your timeshare, use a timeshare resales specialist. A company with a lot of years of experience like www.rpmls.com. And be reasonable about what you intend to get out of it - What is my timeshare worth? The bottom line is . . .

Buy timeshare resale - don't pay retail.

Playa Grande Resort Timeshare - Cabo San Lucas Mexico

 

You will be asking yourself that question when you get ready to sell your timeshare. Why? Because the answer to that question may determine whether or not you will sell your timeshare or keep it. The only "official" guidance that has been offered came from the American Resort Developers Association who said that timeshares will usually sell for 50% to 75% of a retail price. But, with averages being just that, averages, that may not help you much.

Stroman Realty, Inc, has published a report that draws data from thousands of timeshares sold on the secondary market. Even though the rule of averages still applies, the following graph from that report gives timeshare owners a good indication that the resales value of their timeshare is going up quickly. The chart below shows that from 2003 to 2007 the average resales price of a two bedroom high season timeshare grew from $7,505 to $11,031. That's great news for anyone contemplating selling their timeshare. So, if you've been thinking about it, right now is a great time to sell!

 

These days, everyone is thinking more about saving money - for food, medical care, insurance, and yes, holiday travel. There are even magazines devoted entirely to the subject like Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel. The best way to save the most money on your vacation would be to use a timeshare for your accommodations.  The best way to accomplish that is if you were to buy a timeshare on the resales market at a destination you are likely to use.  Many people have purchased timeshares from the resort with never intending to use their timeshare at the resort. They intend to exchange to other locations. But if you really want to get the most use out of your timeshare and travel dollars, try to plan your timeshare vacation around the location of your time share resort. 

The initial cost of your timeshare should not be driven by the pressurized sales force at the resort. That's why buying a timeshare resale is the best way to go. Usually, you can purchase a timeshare from an owner who would be willing to make you a deal anywhere from 25% to 50% off the retail price. So if you can save thousands why do thousands of people buy timeshares at the resort every year?  It is a combination of good sales practices, seizing the emotional moment while you are there at their timeshare resort, and being sold on the idea that you are getting a great deal.

Nonetheless, the best deal would be if you buy it through a timeshare resales broker, like those at www.rpmls.com.  The have a huge selection of timeshare resales properties to select from, an educational and informational approach to helping you find the right timeshare resale deal, and a professional timeshare resales staff to get the deal closed - making everyone happy.

If you are ready to buy a timeshare on the resale market, check out these best deals.

If you are thinking of selling your timeshare on the resales market, check out what they can do for you.

This is a great place to do your research on the whole process of timeshare resales.

Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club Timeshare

 

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

 

"What is my timeshare worth?" "Do I need an appraisal on my timeshare before I sell it?" "What is my timeshare's value?" I hear these questions and other variations of it every day. Everyone who is thinking of selling their timeshare wants and needs an answer in order to come up with the best strategy for selling their timeshare.

Stroman Realty, Inc's website www.timesharelink.com has an in depth study of that very issue. You can find the entire article here: "Setting your timeshare sales price".

Long held industry advice is that the average timeshare will sell for about 25% to 50% of the current retail price from the resort developer. The problem with averages is just that - they are averages. An average will not take into account specific locations, supply and demand, amenities, developer's reputation, and many other things.  For example, a timeshare that gives you a fixed week during peak ski season in Breckenridge will be worth more than the same unit and resort during off season. Or, a Manhattan Club timeshare that guarantees you New Year's eve will be worth more than the same timeshare two weeks earlier.

The quality of service the resort gives to the owners also comes into play. Interval International and RCI rate their resorts with the quality of service being a large factor in deciding if they are a Gold Crown or Five Star timeshare. That will also influence the value of a timeshare when you get ready to sell it.

How about "a room with a view"? The article found at www.timesharelink.com says "A room with a view is not limited to areas near the beach or ocean. Some resorts may have rooms on one wing that is obstructed by another building while an adjoining wing may have a view of the downtown area. A resort may also have multiple views where one area of the resort gives owners a view of a mountain landscape, while another view overlooks a lake or the heart of the city."

Ultimately the value of a timeshare is in the memories of great vacations you have enjoyed by owning it. But when it comes time to sell it, it is harder to put a dollar amount on those memories. And, what if you never even used the timeshare? You'd have little or no emotional investment in it and would likely just prefer to get rid of it.

Either way, take a look at the guide I mentioned if you need help in figuring out what your timeshare is worth. Now that would be time well spent!

There's a brand new guide for timeshare owners that will prove to be quite valuable: "Selling Timeshares Property Owners' Guide". There is a huge amount of well organized information that anyone who is contemplating selling their timeshare should take the time to read.

In the guide you will find detailed information about how to set the sales price, your options for selling your timeshare, timeshares "For Sale By Owner", Realtors who specialize in selling timeshares, advertising companies, fees, commissions, escrow, and lots more.

In the section entitled "Understanding Timeshares and Being Prepared to Sell" the guide advises the timeshare owner: "Considering the many options and varying degrees of methodology between a FSBO method and utilizing a Licensed REALTOR, you should be able to find a method of selling timeshare that suits your needs."

Many of the misconceptions and myths surrounding a timeshare sale are addressed. As with all things, "fear may be overcome with knowledge".

This is not a "mashed up" rehash of old news. You'll find advice from timeshare experts who have hundreds of years of accumulated timeshare resales experience.

If you are thinking of selling your timeshare, read this guide. You will save yourself a lot of time, money, and aggravation.

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.

 

Today from www.MousePlanet.com comes this charming story: "The Disney Company recently purchased 21 acres of oceanfront property on Hawaii's island of Oahu to be home to Disney's first mixed-use family resort outside of its theme park developments. The expansive resort, scheduled to open in 2011, will have more than 800 units including hotel rooms and villas for Disney Vacation Club (DVC), which is Disney's rapidly growing timeshare business."

So, how is this a charming story? The rest of the story is the history of Hawaii and Disney.

Beyond the story of a 1937 cartoon with Minnie Mouse in a hula skirt (Hawaiian Holiday) is a magnificent accession of Oahu property destined to be one of the finest resorts within the Disney Vacation Club timeshare enterprise, or any other for that matter. Hawaii has long been a source of inspiration and imagination of the most desirable vacation destination of all time. And, the combination of travel and tourism will forever be the driving force of the economy of Hawaii.

Disney Vacation Club timeshares include:

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

Disney Villas at Wilderness Lodge

Disney's Beach Club Villas

Disney's BoardWalk Villas

Disney's Old Key West Resort

Disney's Vero Beach Resort

Disney's Hilton Head Resort

If you are thinking of buying a Disney Vacation Club timeshare, buy resale - don't pay retail. You can save thousands that way. If you want to sell your Disney Vacation Club timeshare, we have buyers waiting with standing requests! Give the timeshare pros at www.rpmls.com a call - 1.800.200.9857.

From Hawaiian Holiday, 1937