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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.

Renting Pet Friendly Timeshares Now More Popular Than Ever March 23, 2010

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

If you agree that when on vacation your pets require the same quality accommodations as we do, you will be happy to know that there are dozens of resorts available. You do not have to rely on friends and family or a kennel service to care of your furry companions. BuyATimeshare.com has dozens of pet friendly timeshare resorts in inventory. Included is a list: arranged by exchange companies Interval International (II) and Resort Condominiums International (RCI).

As an important part of our family, pet friendly resorts are becoming popular throughout the world. Often a necessity among today’s mobile population, BuyATimeshare.com can find the pet friendly vacation to suite a large family or an intimate 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 at the destination. A dog needs room to roam, walk, and… vacation. 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 consideration. Vacationing far from home may not be the best choice for pets with illness, or limited. Always contact the resort to inquire about any breed or weight restrictions when planning a vacation.

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

Well-socialized dogs that enjoy meeting new friends and exploring new environments 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 reservation, determine the resort’s rules about pets.

Establish communication with the resort and understand what “Pet Friendly” means 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 potential damages to the resort. Remember that Pet Friendly is for your convenience and is not for everyone; make sure it is not too much for your pet to travel. Listed below are many Pet Friendly resorts for you to choose from:

Interval International
– Alanda Club Marbella – Marbella, Spain
– Alpenland Sporthotel – Maria Alm, Austria
– Alpenland Sporthotel – St. Johann-im-Pongau, Austria
– Christmas Mountain Village – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States
– Corail Royal Marina – Tabarka, Tunisia
– Corail Royal Plage – Tabarka, Tunisia
– Disney’s Beach Club Villas – Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States
– Disney’s BoardWalk Villas – Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States
– Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States
– Erie Islands Resort & Marina – Port Clinton, Ohio, United States
– Executive Timbers Resort and Golf Club – Ridgedale, Missouri, United States
– Grand Seas Resort – Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
– Gold Point Condominiums – Breckenridge, Colorado, United States
– Grand Crowne Resorts – Branson, Missouri, United States
– Macdonald Dalfaber Resort and Options by Macdonald at Dalfaber Resort – Aviemore, Scotland
– Marbella Suites en la Playa – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
– Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas – Newport Coast, California
– Meadow Ridge of Door County – Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
– Northwoods Club of Lake Placid – Lake Placid, New York
– Summerfield Condo Resort – Kissimmee, Florida, United States
– The Banyan Resort – Key West, Florida, United States
– The Surrey Vacation Resort – Branson, Missouri, United States
– Villas at Lantern Bay and Eagles Nest Resort at Indian Point – Branson, Missouri, United States
– Westgate Historic Williamsburg – Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
– Windsurf Resort at Cabarete Beach – Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Resort Condominiums International
– Atlantic Resorts – Ocean Pines, Maryland, United States
- Bali Shangrila Beach Club – Bali, Indonesia
– Blue Bay Club – Cancun, Mexico
– Callao Garden – Canary Islands (Tenerife), Spain
– Celebration World Resort – Kissimmee, Florida, United States
– Caravanserai Beach – St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
– Fiesta Americana Condesa Acapulco – Acapulco, Mexico
– Grand Houseboat Vacation Club – Stigler, Oklahoma, United States
– Great Glen Water Park Club – Inverness-Shire, Scotland
– Inn at SilverCreek – Silvercreek, Colorado, United States
– Maeva Clubhotel Cannes Marina – Mandelieu, France
– Lucayan – Ocean City, Maryland, United States
– Marco Polo Club Hotel Happy – Kaprun, Austria
– Paradise Found Vacation Club at Sapphire Beach Resort – St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, United States
– Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay – Mazatlan, Mexico
– Pueblo Bonito Sunset – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
– Rancho Ruidoso Condominiums – Alto, New Mexico, United States
– Silverleaf’s Fox River Resort – Sheridan, Illinois, United States
– Silverleaf’s Hill Country Resort – Canyon Lake, Texas, United States
– Silverleaf’s Holiday Hills – Branson, Missouri, United States
– Silverleaf’s Holly Lake Ranch – Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, United States
– Silverleaf’s Lake O’ the Woods – Flint, Texas, United States
– Silverleaf’s Oak ‘n Spruce – South Lee, Massachusetts, United States
– Silverleaf’s Ozark Mountain Resort – Kimberling City, Missouri, United States
– Silverleaf’s Piney Shores Resort – Conroe, Texas, United States
– Silverleaf’s Seaside Resort – Galveston, Texas, United States
– Silverleaf’s Timber Creek Resort – Desoto, Missouri, United States
– Silverleaf’s Villages – Flint, Texas, United States
– The Grand Mayan Acapulco – Acapulco, Mexico
– The Hilton Club of New York – New York City, New York, United States
– Windjammer Landing – Castries, Saint Lucia

Affiliated with Both II and RCI
- Kala Point and Resorts West Vacation Club at Kala Point – Port Townsend, Washington, United States
- Kilconquhar Castle Estate and Country Club – Leven, Fife, Scotland
- Premiere Vacation Club and Sedona Vacation Club at Los Abrigados Resort and Spa – Sedona, Arizona, United States
- The Plaza Resort and Spa – Palm Springs, California, United States
- Banff Rocky Mountain Resort – Banff, Alberta, Canada

Timeshare Suites Now Open at Planet Hollywood Towers January 28, 2010

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Customer Comments, Planet Hollywood, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Westgate Timeshares , 1 comment so far

PH towers, on the Las Vegas Strip, recently welcomed its first timeshare owners this month. While a timeshare at this long-anticipated resort sell for upwards of $30,000 BuyATimeshare.com is offers inexpensive timeshare rentals and resales at PH Towers and many other Westgate resorts.

Attached to the Planet Hollywood casino, PH Towers by Westgate has 1,200 new units which began accepting guests on December 25. The resort is comprised of vacation homes and regular hotel rooms. 500 units were open by Christmas day while the remaining suites will be open by January 29, 2010.

BuyATimeshare.com has timeshares and fractional interests available at this magnificent resort as demand has increased with the approach of the New Year. With suites for as little as $4,000 you can rent a week for only $1,000. Discover the difference luxury can make to your Las Vegas vacation.

As Westgate owns the tower, Planet Hollywood operates it. The Planet Hollywood hotel and casino is in talks with Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. for Harrah’s to take over operations. Though there is no deal yet, Harrah’s has filed an application with Nevada gambling regulators for a license to run the property.

Westgate Resorts Chief operating office Mark Waltrip said that Harrah’s is the top operator and marketing machine in the Las Vegas market. While it was great working with Planet Hollywood, Harrah’s would help take the site to another level.

Westgate Resort has around 10,000 existing timeshare units and many more in construction. There are many ways to get a great vacation property, but only BuyATimeshare.com can get you there for thousands of dollars less than anywhere else!

BuyATimeshare.com is The Confirmed Leader in The Timeshare Resale Sector July 13, 2009

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Marriott Timeshares, News & Events, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Westgate Timeshares, Wyndham Timeshares , 2comments

Two quarters through the year of 2009 many companies have not been able to outlast the slow economy, even fewer have been able to break even, and the extreme rarity are those that have actually made a profit. So, in a stifling economy that has affected every socio-economic bracket and hit every sector of commerce how is it that a young company is able to flourish in the vacation and leisure industry?

The answer is simple, yet something you might not expect.

As the financial world evolves, more and more companies begin to rely on advances in technology. Consumers have seen brilliant inventions and popular fads that burn brightly, but fade out quickly. As well as new schemes and advertising tactics designed to squeeze money out of saturated markets. But none of these developments have the ability to last, especially not when money is tight and consumers are cutting what is not necessary out of their budgets.

Yet, among all the chaos BuyATimeshare.com has quietly been putting up strong sales numbers in the profit column. How, you ask? Diligence.

In the real estate industry one of the common tricks of the trade is inflated or “gamed” offer numbers. Consumers and potential clients look at the number of offers made, and the average offer amount boasted by a real estate company and use that as a way to judge if the company is successful or not. The problem is that there is an easy loophole to offer numbers. Online for-sale-by-owner property sites usually have online forms where anyone can fill out an offer on a property and submit it. This makes business easy and convenient, but the stats are not always accurate. Many times these offers made on for sale property are bogus and the person who entered the form has no intention or means of backing that offer up. But some companies still count these offers in their company statistics. And in the worst cases some companies enter their own bogus offers in order to inflate their numbers.

BuyATimeshare.com has just released their six month stats in confirmed offer numbers. This means that a specialist calls and confirms each offer that is entered and only the legit offers are counted. And these guys are no slackers either. BuyATimeshare.com is getting between 10,000 and 15,000 thousand unique visitors per day and receiving between 500 and 1000 offers every day. That is a lot more work, but it has paid off for BuyATimeshare.com as they are continuing to emerge as the timeshare resale company with integrity. Who would have guessed it would be old-fashioned hard work that drives commerce through the economic crises of the new millennium?

These confirmed offer numbers are even more impressive knowing that they can compete with the inflated numbers of other companies struggling to stay in the game. In a BuyATimeshare.com report you can see staggering statistics such as their total amount of confirmed offers in dollars for the first six months, which hovers around $35 million. You can also see evidence of the company’s resilience in these tough times as they still offer big name brands and are still getting the proper value for top-end property. For owners of popular brand name timeshares or for buyers looking for such property the report illustrates some comforting stats as their top seller is Worldmark by Wyndham which appear to be selling just as well as ever.

A big concern for timeshare owners lately has been that if they wanted to sell they would not be able to get money equal to the value of the property because no one can afford it these days. If that sounds familiar than BuyATimeshare.com evidently has the solution because they have high offer averages basically across the board for Marriott and Westin resorts properties as well as a couple top confirmed offers that you would never have guessed possible.

You can currently go on to BuyATimeshare.com and download the report in confirmed offers for free. Hopefully the release of this bi-annual report and the success of BuyATimeshare.com will urge other companies in the timeshare resale sector to focus on integrity and help BuyATimeshare.com bring a new reputation to the timeshare world.

Download the latest statistics on the top 20 sold resorts by BuyATimeshare.com

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.

Westgate Violates Do Not Call Registry January 30, 2009

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, General, News & Events, Travel, Westgate Timeshares , add a comment

For making phone calls to people on the national “Do Not Call” list, The Federal Trade Commission said on Tuesday, January 27, that Westgate, one of the largest and oldest independent timeshare developers, will be liable for $900,000 to settle the charges.

Mostly found in the Orlando, Florida area, Westgate has recently expanded to Las Vegas where the Towers at Planet Hollywood are accepting bids. In November 2008, Westgate was hit with a $1 million lawsuit for luring consumers with vouchers that were impossible to redeem. Though they have been a frontrunner in the hospitality industry from the start, the Orlando-based company has recently cut over 4,000 employees in response to current economic turbulence.

The Federal Trade Commission also announced a $275.000 settlement with a Florida-based company, Accumen Management Services Inc. and its subsidiary All In One Vacation Club LLC. The company made telemarketing calls to people who had filled out entry forms for a sweepstakes to win a vacation packages. The Federal Trade Commission said many of those who called were on the Do Not Call registry and did not agree to the telemarketing sales pitches for timeshares and vacation getaways.

Westgate apparently bought phone numbers from an internet-based lead generator that collects contact information with offerings on its Brandarama.com website. The veteran timeshare developer has received several thousand complaints from consumers. Other companies like Central Florida Investment inc., and CFI Sales and Marketing LLC, which have both done telemarketing for Westgate. Over 167 million phone numbers have been put on the Do Not Call Registry.

At BuyATimeshare.com we sell hundreds of Westgate properties to buyers and owners who already have and enjoy their timeshares. A premier brand, Westgate is one of the most popular and high-quality resort developers the world has seen. It is too bad they have such bad press in a time where timeshare needs all the credibility it can get.

International Interest in Timeshare and Resales January 16, 2009

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Fairfield Timeshares, General, Hilton Grand Vacation, Hilton Head Island, Marriott Timeshares, News & Events, RCI, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized, Westgate Timeshares, Wyndham Timeshares , add a comment

Despite economic troubles in the U.S, the economy has not really affected global interest in timeshare. Vacationing abroad is still popular and rebounding after a summer fraught with high fuel prices and struggling timeshare developers. All over the world, people are paying attention to the timeshare phenomenon—finding an inexpensive portal to a luxurious vacation thousands of miles away from home.

Hospitality Superpowers like Wyndham, Marriott, Starwood and Hilton have become nearly dependant on timeshares in recent years. 2008 was especially disagreeable to developers, evaporating their market value considerably. Wyndham Worldwide expects about a $1billion slip in vacation ownership sales over 2009. A trend that swept through the industry eliminated sales offices and marketing programs. Brands are predicting that 2009 will be tough as demand is anticipated to weaken further.

International occupancy of U.S timeshare has grown from about $2.7 billion $10.6 billion in a mere decade. Regardless of recent news, worldwide interest in timeshares has not slowed. Timeshare ownerships in countries like India are running rampid. RCI has witnessed a 39 percent growth rate from 2007 to 2008. RCI says it has seen a 40 percent increase in confirmed sales from its members in Goa, India over 2008.

Hilton Grand Vacations Club has noticed a remarkable correlation between international tourism and timeshare use. In response to this, Hilton has opened the Grand Waikikian, its fifth resort on Hawaii. The Aloha State had reported a declined in tourism down to a hotel occupancy of only 60 percent. Though the sum of U.S visitors to Hawaii is dropping off, there recent reports illustrate an increase in international tourism visiting timeshare destinations in Hawaii.

Due to the ever-growing popularity of timeshares, European parliament is working to tighten rules on EU timeshares companies. Timesharing is becoming widely used among Europeans who had been dealing with decades of bogus sales and resale companies. BuyATimeshare.com has been seeing this increase in offers from international vacationers, adding staff to compensate. Most of the people that visit our site are from all over the globe. They have dealt with scams before and are typically seeking a reputable company to help them—BuyATimeshare.com the company they chose.

The Timeshare Credit Crunch Saga: Part II December 10, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Customer Comments, Fairfield Timeshares, General, New Features, News & Events, RCI, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Westgate Timeshares, Wyndham Timeshares , add a comment

Scary times for everyone during this holiday season. The cheer this year is high yet sung with bated breath as U.S. employers already cutting 533,000 jobs since November. It is no wonder the tension is hitting home. This is the largest number of job losses since 1974. Numerous manufacturing and service companies are cutting employment by the throng. Timeshare demand is still high however, and travelers are still taking vacations. It is reliving to know that a much needed vacation, or holiday trip is still within a frugal grasp.

Westgate has laid off more than 3,000 employees and is looking at possibly cutting another 1,000. Wyndham is another struggling developer cutting costs (staff) where they can. Though other brands have made dramatic cut-backs, Wyndham has cut a whopping 13 percent of its workforce! Times got real tough once the credit market dried up. Wyndham immediately eliminated sales offices and marketing program. Since Wyndham Worldwide Corps., which finances 70 percent of their timeshare sales, did so by lending the customers the money to buy their vacation properties.

Developers then sell the loans into the market as securities backed by the receivable payments. A global credit freeze triggered by U.S. residential property defaults has abolished investor demand for all types of assert-backed securities. This has forced companies to tighten criteria and provide more limited financing. After the troubled housing market plummeted, investors worry that defaults on timeshare loans will spike. Those concerns have weighed particularly on Wyndham’s stock, which has lost more than 75 percent of its value this year.

Read Part I

Read Part III

If it is not BuyATimeshare.com, Buyer Beware December 7, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Marriott Timeshares, News & Events, RCI, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized, Westgate Timeshares, Wyndham Timeshares , add a comment

Over the past 30 years, more than 1000 timeshare marketing and sales companies have sprouted around the world. They all promise the same thing: quick sales at little cost to you. Unfortunately most timeshare companies employ many unscrupulous and overly aggressive sales tactics. A stigma has since formed around an otherwise legitimate industry. BuyATimeshare.com has been working to restore the good name of this valuable concept and consistently saves consumers thousands of dollars when purchasing a vacation property.

While other timeshare resale companies fail to advertise and developers are loosing their ability to finance, BuyATimeshare.com is one of the few still bringing a value to timeshare properties. Developers simply lure people into tours with promises of prizes like airfare or concert tickets. Unfortunately these tours turn into high-pressure sales presentations. Consumers are often subject to deceitful tactics, and after a barrage of false promises they end up paying about 10 times what the property is worth.

Timesharing is a strong concept; people are still buying timeshares and vacationing with them annually. Many big-brand companies like Marriott, Wyndham, and Westgate are showing their frailty. They have plenty of properties to sell but they can’t get mortgages to back them. Imagine spending upwards of $30,000, just to watch the company fall apart. No wonder so many of these stressed timeshare owners get discouraged and want out of their contract.

After all of the deceit, it is difficult to tell who to trust when it comes to timeshare resale. Many people still have a sour taste in their mouth from their last timeshare encounter. So how does a company convey their legitimacy? Research! Always look into a company using independent resources like Rankng.com to find where a business stands and how trustworthy a site is. BuyATimeshare.com is the highest ranked timeshare resale company, with a trust gauge of 10!

BuyATimeshare.com has been providing affordable vacation properties for nearly a decade. Over the past month of September, we have seen a record number of people taking advantage of the resale market, buying multiple weeks at a time and still saving thousands of dollars. With over $3 million spent annually to drive buyers to our site, we have experienced over $45 million in confirmed offers in the last quarter.

A validated website and trusted member of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), BuyATimesahre.com gets properties on the market, aggressively advertised and sold! Our Buyer Specialist Department is there to facilitate the entire closing process, as well as answering any questions along the way. Buying, renting and selling timeshares have never been easier with worldwide online advertising and an experienced staff to assist you.

Most people do not even know there is a timeshare resale market available until after they pay too much from a developer. BuyATimeshare.com has the reputation of success, offering vacation-goers a cost effective means of advertising their timeshare and a venue for interested buyers to purchase them. When you are looking to buy or sell a timeshare, always do your research. Look into the area and the company in question.

The timeshare industry has been trying to clean up its act, there are still many companies out there just looking to capitalize on unsuspecting consumers. People are going to take a vacation, you have to, and even today people can afford to. As the economic situation continues to plummet people are making smarter decisions with their money. They are searching further to save more. To save thousands of dollars and hassle when buying, or simply rent for a cheep alternative to a hotel, contact Vacation Property Resales at BuyATimeshare.com and learn about your timeshare today!

The Timeshare Credit Crunch Saga: Part I December 5, 2008

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

The credit crunch has not yet gone away. At BuyATimeshare.com we are seeing an increase in timeshare sales. Since the beginning of 2008, we have not seen a drop in people looking to rent and buy affordable vacation properties. With many others trying to pare leisure expenses, many owners are looking to sell their timeshares ‘today!’

In the meantime, big-brand resort developers are paring costs in the midst of a devastating collapse of the credit market that has all but paralyzed their sales activity. Companies like Central Florida Investments Inc. were forced to close its Westgate Houston Preview Gallery and has laid off all of its 106 employees. This is in conjunction over 3,000 jobs cut by Westgate. The gallery was one of many that offered a full-size model with a living room and kitchen, styled after Central Florida Investments’ timeshare properties.

The Houston location, which opened in 2004, was the first offsite sales center for Orlando-based Central Florida Investments. The company owns Westgate Resorts, which operated the preview gallery. According to documents filed with the Texas Workforce Commission, Central Florida Investments chose to close the Houston location late last month, siting similar reasons to what we have been hearing all year. “…Westgate has been unable to access its regular and customary borrowing sources and, as a result, does not presently have the cash flow to support its operations in their current form without these staff reductions.”

Read Part II

Read Par III