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Pet Friendly Timeshares Now More Popular Than Ever July 18, 2012

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Bluegreen Resorts, Disney, General, Hilton Grand Vacation, Marriott Timeshares, New Features, News & Events, RCI, silverleaf, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Westgate Timeshares, Wyndham Timeshares , add a comment

Pet Friendly Timeshares

 

Pet Friendly Timeshares are becoming more popular than ever

If you agree that when on vacation your pets require the same quality rooms as we do, you will be happy to know that there are dozens of pet friendly timeshares available. You do not have to rely on friends and family or a kennel  to care of your pet.

Buy A Timeshare.com has dozens of pet friendly timeshares in inventory.

As an important part of our family, pet friendly timeshares are becoming popular throughout the world. Often a necessity among today’s mobile population, BuyATimeshare.com can find the pet friendly timeshares to suit a large family or a private getaway. The needs of a pet vary and there are some details to consider when planning your next vacation:

Make sure there is enough room for pets to play where you want to go. A dog needs room to roam, walk, and relax. Nearby trails or mountains, fields and ponds are all great for dogs. Urban settings may be more suited for cats and small dogs as the bustle of a city may be too much for some dogs.

If your pet has a medical condition, they may need extra thought. Vacationing far from home may not be the best choice for pets with illness.  Always contact the resort to inquire about any breed or weight limits when planning a vacation.

Pet Friendly Timeshares

When traveling abroad, it is important to plan well-ahead of time. If you are going to be in another country, be sure to contact both the airline and the resort to learn all about their pet rules. Some airlines allow pets as carry on, it is crucial to research all guide lines before booking.

Well-socialized dogs that enjoy meeting new friends and exploring new areas will typically like a vacation away. An aggressive or nervous temperament may not be best to travel. Sometimes traveling is not the best way for your pet to vacation. Before making plans, learn the resort’s rules about pets.

Contact the resort and understand what “Pet Friendly Timeshares” mean to them. Often times the pets are welcome in the suites, sometimes it means there is simply onsite kennel service. Expect a “pet deposit” to cover any damages that can happen to the resort. Remember that pet friendly timeshares are for your ease and is not for everyone; make sure it is not too much for your pet to travel. Listed below are many pet friendly timeshares for you to choose from:

                                 
                             Interval International Pet Friendly Timeshares.

                         Resort Condominiums International Pet Friendly Timeshares.

                           Affiliated with Both II and RCI Pet Friendly Timeshares.

So if pet friendly timeshares is what you are looking for, you should be able to find more pet friendly timeshares and enjoy a full family vacation!

The NTOA Meeting Helps Timeshare Owners to Better Understand Their Industry February 28, 2012

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Bluegreen Resorts, General, Hilton Grand Vacation, Marriott Timeshares, New Features, News & Events, RCI, silverleaf, Sunterra/Diamond Resorts, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized, Westgate Timeshares, Wyndham Timeshares , add a comment

The National Timeshare Owners Association (NTOA) held its latest meeting at The Villages on Sunday, February 19, 2012. This latest meeting was aimed at helping timeshare owners and developers to better understand the issues facing the industry and the variety of resources available to them.

An expert cast of speakers presented their take on such topics as the current state of the resale market, exchange options and even a lesson on timeshare scams from the Attorney General’s office of Florida.

Nearly 160 timeshare owners from around the country attended the meeting for the valuable educational and networking opportunities available at every NTOA meeting.

Peter Emery, Sales Manager of CashOutATimeshare.com lead a discussion for timeshare owners who are looking at potentially selling or renting out their vacation properties. And according to the NTOA blog site, “we’re pleased to report that only a week later, some timeshares have already been sold!”

Rich Muller presented a powerful warning to timeshare owners and developers regarding alleged “Consumer Advocacy Groups.” Shep Altshuler, A representative from TimeSharing Today Magazine presented a discussion on the importance of owner participation in their home resort and the right every timeshare owner has. Those who attended the meeting left with a number of resources to call should they have any questions.

The National Timeshare Owners Association is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping timeshare consumers to better understand their properties and their rights as owners. The next meeting of the NTOA will be held in Baltimore on Sunday, April 15, 2012. This is typically the largest NTOA event of the year. To register, contact Ed Hastry.

Timeshare Exchange Company Creates New Way to Get Money from Owners March 17, 2011

Posted by John Stephens in : News & Events, silverleaf , add a comment

Interval International announced last week that they have created a new level of membership called the Interval Platinum level. Billed as its most prestigious membership level, II claims that “the program is designed for discerning vacation owners who desire higher-end travel experiences and personal attention at every step of the planning process.”

My question to II is – what does that make the Standard and Gold level members, vacation owners who are not as discerning or looking for a lower-end travel experience?

C’mon, man.

I would hope that for the $200 plus it costs members just to join and make a domestic exchange that they would at least get some personal attention if they needed it. Or is that too much to ask?

Let’s be real. There is a reason the company introduced a new level above the others and said that “members enrolled in Interval standard and gold programs are able to upgrade to Interval Platinum at any time”.

It’s all about the coin.

To be fair, timeshare companies have been pushing existing members and owners for years to upgrade from their existing benefit level to the “new and improved” model. Even more so due to the effects of the recent economic downturn as companies slashed their sales teams when the new sales levels took a nosedive.

Any recent growth, or lack thereof, for timeshare companies has come on the backs of existing owners and members.  

Silverleaf Resorts admitted it in their earnings report for 2010 when they reported that vacation interval sales were $206.3 million in 2010 compared to $241.0 million in 2009.

The reason they gave for the loss was that “the decrease in Vacation Interval sales is primarily attributable to a reduction in marketing to existing customers which resulted in lower sales of upgrade intervals.” So now they are blaming their lack of marketing to existing customers as a reason for losing money.

Why they decided to do this wasn’t mentioned, but upgrades have been the 800 pound gorilla in the timeshare sales office for years. So it’s no real surprise that Interval would go down this path and tell its members that if they want service, they’re going to have to upgrade for it.

Oh, and by the way, Silverleaf also reported that their sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of vacation interval sales were 55%, just in case you were wondering why the cost of a new timeshare from the resort was so expensive.  Take away that 55% off the cost of a new timeshare and you realize why there are so many great deals on the timeshare resale market. The BuyaTimeshare.com website is loaded with these deals for just about any kind of timeshare imaginable to meet your vacation needs.

I get the argument that developers counter with when they say they are the ones taking the risk to build the timeshare, get it off the ground, etc., so that’s how they can recoup their investment. But 55% for sales and marketing?

C’mon, man.

Timeshare Units in Massachusetts Destroyed by Fire February 10, 2011

Posted by John Stephens in : General, News & Events, silverleaf , add a comment

I read a report regarding the fire at the Oak ‘N Spruce Timeshare Resort in Lee, Massachusetts, and I was struck by one particular part of the story.

According to WWLP.com, an entire building was taken out by the fire and, thank goodness, with no reported injuries. Firefighters from several different towns were called to the resort just after 6:00am Monday morning to find a two story building on fire.

The website reported that “firefighters had difficulty fighting the fire because there is only one fire hydrant in the area. They were forced to truck water in from a nearby lake using tanker trucks. One building collapsed during the fire. Another had severe water damage.”

Take a guess at which part of the story you think is amazing to me?

One fire hydrant. For the entire area. Heck, I just walked 20 yards in front of my house, looked down the street and saw two fire hydrants. And having to pump water from a lake in February in New England to try and put out the fire?

No wonder they had problems.

Look, this is a beautiful area of the country, the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, which is a fantastic area of New England and has activities and amenities for all four seasons. But this is one of the older timeshare resorts in the region, having been bought by Silverleaf Resorts in 1998.

I don’t pretend to know the building codes in this area of the country, but I’d have to think that the developer got away with the bare minimum when they only had to put in one hydrant.

Such liability should probably be on the radar of the homeowners association since, in the long run, it would probably be cheaper to put in more hydrants than to fix the type of damage that a fire can cause.

Talk about a special assessment!

What may come as a surprise is just how many timeshare resorts there are in Massachusetts. The state is home to 44 timeshare resorts, which is #11 out of the 50 states and the most of any state north of North Carolina. Only Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina have more timeshare resorts east of the Mississippi River. It is an excellent area for such resorts because of the proximity to Boston, the Berkshires in the west and Cape Cod and the beaches to the east.

For people living in the northeast and looking for some great vacation choices, you’d do well to check out the options to buy timeshare in Massachusetts. You’ll find them on the BuyaTimeshare.com website by clicking here.

Just be sure to ask how many fire hydrants they have.

Timeshare Solutions for All, from BuyATimeshare.com February 20, 2009

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Bluegreen Resorts, Charity, Customer Comments, Disney, Donate a Timeshare, Fairfield Timeshares, General, Hilton Grand Vacation, Hilton Head Island, JetShare, Marriott Timeshares, New Features, News & Events, Planet Hollywood, RCI, silverleaf, Sunterra Timeshare, Sunterra/Diamond Resorts, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized, VOIC, Westgate Timeshares, Wyndham Timeshares , add a comment

The timeshare industry has brought us affordable vacationing and access to the world’s finest luxury resorts. Recent straits in the U.S economy however, have triggered companies to pare staff by the thousand. Unemployment has grown to 7.2 percent nationally. In the aftermath of a tough credit market, top brands in the hospitality industry have shed sales departments and are in the process of scaling down.

Due to an increase in the demand for selling and renting timeshares, the resale market is witnessing a boom. Consumers are finding affordable vacationing during economic hardship and owners are getting their timeshares sold. Contrary to current conditions, BuyATimeshare.com has employment opportunities during a companywide upgrade.

The New Hampshire-based timeshare reseller and marketing firm, BuyATimeshare.com owners Wes Kogelman and Jason Hamilton grew up in the granite state and want to offer a legitimate solution for individuals looking to sell or rent their timeshare properties.

Kogelman stated “We have the most aggressive marketing program to bring buyers and seller of timeshare properties together; we’ve shown success with all timeshare properties throughout the world and want to offer people a risk free way to sell or rent their timeshare properties.”

As a vacation property ownership can bring years of affordable vacationing, likewise they can become a liability. While annual maintenance fees pile up for some owners, others are unable to even enjoy their vacation property year after year. A growing number of people are liquidating assets and scurrying to pay their inflated home mortgages, BuyATimeshare.com has created the resale marketplace on their website to help in your efforts.

This is a significant tool in a world driven by internet technology. More and more owners cannot afford, do not use, or are just looking to sell or rent their vacation properties. “We’ve listened to our consumers and want to do everything possible to help. We are providing a month of proven risk free worldwide exposure,” Kogelman said.

In today’s economy, BuyATimeshare.com is looking to help however it can. The company’s founders are offering an inexpensive route to worldwide exposure. Those who want to get money for their timeshare, or are just looking to secure a timeshare without the inflated price at the resort, can enjoy the for-sale-by-owner benefits at BuyATimeshare.com.

Travel Industry Rebounds in Poor Economy November 8, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Bluegreen Resorts, Disney, Fairfield Timeshares, General, Hilton Grand Vacation, JetShare, Marriott Timeshares, New Features, News & Events, RCI, silverleaf, Sunterra/Diamond Resorts, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Westgate Timeshares, Wyndham Timeshares , add a comment

Despite folks paring costs anywhere they can, consumers have not completely cut leisure travel out of their lifestyle. The travel industry is bouncing back. People who do still travel are adapting their annual routine, staying closer to home for a change. The attitude that followed the U.S. financial crisis has caused people to vacation at their own part of the country—enjoying their nearby cities and mountains. People are seeking more local destinations, finding unbeatable deals on their own side of the ocean and not giving up their plans to travel.

Rather than buying airfare to cross the open seas, Americans are exploring Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. Both the Peso and the Canadian dollar have dropped significantly, making travel to these country and great value for neighboring Americans. Today, people are forced to look deeper for deals on everything from gas to Christmas presents. They are beginning to explore the timeshare industry as an alternative to hotels or staying the night on grandma’s futon.

Owners of timeshares at far-off tropical destinations for instance, have not been able to ante up to the airfare, let alone venture the cost of fun. So their international timeshare sits and waits while the owner searches further to get the best deal for this year’s holiday trip. At timeshare resale companies like BuyATimeshare.com we are seeing a tendency in those who rent and buy timeshares. Consumers are placing less emphasis on international trips, only traveling as far as Hawaii to vacation, and renting a resort near their family for the holidays.

People are become more educated about the timeshare industry they are reaping the benefits of the resale market. BuyATimeshare.com has made buying timeshares on the resale market as easy as it gets. Like everything, you always pay less when it’s ‘used.’ But a stay at a luxury resort does not carry any ‘used-car’ problems—and will cost far less than retail. The search for value is greater than ever and travelers will cut back on spending by shortening trips and down scaling the level of hotel they stay at, and have switched to a more local destination. With companies like BuyATimeshare.com looking to sell timeshares, there is no reason to spend too much or cut back too much on your next vacation.

Silverleaf Seaside Resort Reopens in Galveston October 24, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, General, News & Events, silverleaf, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized , add a comment

After Hurricane Ike, little was known about the condition of Silverleaf’s flagship Seaside Resort on Galveston Island. In September the strip of coast took on some water and wind damage, but the resort is confident on a quick recovery.

As of October 17, Silverleaf began opening units and accepting reservation requests. By the end of November 2008, the entire resort has been scheduled to completely reopen. The winds and rain caused some exterior damage and there was extensive flood damage to repair.

Silverleaf said insurance will cover the damages, but said it doesn’t know how much hurricane damage will affect the resort’s future performance. In an effort to inform our customers of their resort properties, and help you plan your next vacation to Texas, you might like to know the beaches of Galveston are open.

BuyATimeshare.com Presents V.I.P Club Membership October 17, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Bluegreen Resorts, Customer Comments, Fairfield Timeshares, General, Hilton Grand Vacation, Marriott Timeshares, New Features, News & Events, RCI, silverleaf, Sunterra Timeshare, Sunterra/Diamond Resorts, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized, Westgate Timeshares, Wyndham Timeshares , add a comment

BuyATimeshare.com, the leader in timeshare resales, has recently developed a V.I.P Club for owners looking to sell their timeshares. Over the past year we have seen great success with ‘Featured Properties’ and ‘Hot Deals.’ In an effort to provide the maximum exposure possible, V.I.P members will receive 10 times the exposure and typically result in a quicker sale.

When a buyer searches through our extensive inventory, they have over 3000 resorts across the globe to choose from. By browsing the alphabetically organized directory, choosing B for Bahamas, U for Utah, buyers are ready to find their timeshare. 3-V.I.P Club advertisements will show up so you don’t have to search any further. As the buyer refines the search a new set of V.I.P ads that fit the criteria will appear.

We have been experiencing record sales and rental activity over the past quarter, and
traffic on our website continues to increase. We feel this addition to the search process will augment an ad’s exposure—making them even easier to find. “V.I.P Club members will receive unmatched exposure, and that means a faster sale” explains Wes Kogelman, Vacation Property Resales President. “People are finding it easier to buy online, and realizing the cost effectiveness of purchasing their timeshares at BuyATimeshare.com.” BuyATimeshare.com reported over $6.6milion in confirmed offers over the past month of September.

Hurricane Ike Messes With Texas: Part 2 September 17, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, General, News & Events, silverleaf, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized , add a comment

Vacationers have had a tough week due to the relentless hurricane Ike. The entire United States may be feeling the affect at the pump however. With 25% of the country’s fuel production at a stand still, gasoline prices seem to be the only thing rising in the aftermath. Hurricane Ike, with its abusive run up the Texas coast, left people stranded, properties destroyed, and many companies struggling to stay afloat.

In preparation for the imminent hurricane, 15 offshore platforms and coastal refineries were shut down and evacuated, including the Exxon Mobil Corp refineries in Baytown and Beaumont. Another in Louisiana remains shut down in the wake of the recent Hurricane Gustav two weeks ago. Together these refineries make up 25% of the U.S. fuel production, and as Ike slammed the coast it severely damaged the Houston energy hub and all crude production in the Gulf of Mexico. This was the biggest hit to the U.S. oil sector since hurricane Katrina and Rita in 2005. Oil companies aid they were flying workers back offshore to check for damage and restart operations.

In response to the coastal devastation, gasoline prices at the pump are rising steadily. Richard Newell, a Gendell associate professor of energy and environmental economics at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University explains that “although hurricanes have a short-term effect on gas prices, the long-term trend depends on the world price of crude oil.” Newell explains “Although gasoline prices will likely average above $3.50 per gallon through 2009, they should eventually come back down to the $2.30-$2.50 range within a few years.”

Hurricane Ike Messes With Texas: Part 1 September 15, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, General, News & Events, silverleaf, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized , add a comment

It has been a tough week for vacationers and service providers alike. U.S. oil production is nearly at a standstill, and gasoline prices are the only thing rising in the aftermath. Hurricane Ike, with its abusive run up the Texas coast, left people stranded, properties destroyed, and many companies struggling to stay afloat.

Galveston, Texas, was hit the hardest by hurricane Ike, an island community that has always been a popular vacation spot for tourists and timeshare owners at Silverleaf’s Seaside resort. In response to local and state orders the resort’s guests and personnel were evacuated on Thursday, September 11, when news of the impending storm was reported. Sharon Brayfield, President of Silverleaf Resorts, said, “We are very proud of our staff at Seaside Resorts for their brave efforts in insuring that all guests were evacuated before this devastating storm struck our coast. While we prepared our Seaside Resort for the hurricane, our primary concern was always for the safety of our employees and guests.”

As of today, the Silverleaf Company has not been able to return to the Seaside Resort to assess the damage. Based upon the preliminary reports of damage in the Galveston area, when the Seaside Resort will reopen is uncertain. Local authorities in the affected areas have not yet projected when full access to the island will be granted to residents and business owners. Silverleaf’s Piney Shores Resort, north of Houston, sustained minimal damage from the hurricane.

Port facilities at Galveston were so badly damaged that Carnival cruises had to divert two ships to New Orleans and cancel more than two upcoming cruises. Patrons will receive refunds, Carnival said, in about three weeks. The damage to cruise passengers’ vehicles left parked at the port terminal is in doubt. Carnival’s website said “we do not currently have a lot of information about the status of the ship channel, cruise terminal or the port access infrastructure. Local communication has been very challenging, and there are restrictions against incoming traffic into the Galveston area” They confess that there is tremendous uncertainty about when the port will be available.

BuyATimeshare.com, the leading name in Timeshare resales, is steadily watching all factors that may influence your travel. We are examining the ramification of Silverleaf’s Seaside Resort, as well as the affect on fuel in general. Folks have not seemed to reduce travel significantly, and though Silverleaf’s Seaside Resort may be in peril, the rest of their extensive portfolio of vacation properties are still in full swing.