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Re: SELLING MY TIMESHARE (by Marie M.):

marciaj12 wrote:

I have certainly learned quite a bit from reading this message forum;I'm a neophite with timeshare renting, selling, etc. Basically, I obtained a red-floating week from my elderly aunt. I wanted to help her out and she was happy it went to a family member, she loved the 10 plus years she used it. I own it,and haven't used it like I thought I would. There is no urgency to sell, I can just hang on to also. I'm just researching what is involved in the resale of a TS.

Just a quick question about "value", my understanding is that a red-floating week is a good thing, correct? And, does the "home" resort factor in the value/desirability or not? It's a resort in the Bahamas.

I'd be interested in any input, comments and thoughts!

The quality of the "home resort", the size of the unit, the season in which you are able to reserve weeks, and your own diligence in reserving a high-demand week at the earliest possible date (if you want to rent it out or use it), are key factors in determining the "value" of what you own. The amount of the annual maintenance fees, and any pending Special Assessments are also factors that impact upon success in selling a timeshare week at a good price.

Knowledgeable owners will tell you that there are many shades of "red" ranging from light pink to bright red. Of course this is nowhere in writing. You figure it out through experience, your own and others. Another factor is whether or not the resort has a special rating such as Gold Crown or Silver Crown by RCI, or 5* with Interval International. And keep in mind that even a "bright red" week at a "rated" resort may not sell well if it is in an area where there is a glut of timeshares for sale e.g. Orlando.

You can get an idea of the value of your week by reading reviews of the resort here on Redweek.com and at the Timeshare Users Group www.tug2.net ($15. membership fee--worth every penny of it!) and sometimes at www.tripadvisor.com. . See what price is listed in owner ads for a comparable week--rental and sale. Go to www.Ebay.com and run a search for your resort. Add it to your "favorites" and request Email notification whenever a week at the resort is listed for sale on Ebay.See if the San Francisco Exchange Company will accept a week from your resort for exchanging. They accept deposits only for higher quality resorts and weeks.

You should also run a Google search for complaints about your resort. Type in "Resort XYZ complaints" and see what comes up. Some resorts in the Bahamas have had severe hurricane damage, have been mismanaged, or are in serious need of refurbishment.

If you find the costs involved in ownership (annual maintenance fees, Special assessments) to be too burdensome, and you do not wish to invest time and energy into trying to sell it yourself, you could check www.donateforacause.com to see if they would be willing to accept it as a charitable contribution. There's a long list on their web site of weeks they will not accept. If you find your resort on the list, that's a pretty good indication that your week has little or no value. You would be lucky to find someone to "take it off your hands" for free. I hope that's not the case.

Just keep in mind: NEVER PAY AN UPFRONT FEE to any company to list your week with them. It's fine, however, to pay the minimal fees charged by web sites like Redweek.com and the Timeshare Users Group www.tug2.net and MyResortNetwok.com. where you place your own ads.

If you wish to mention the name of the resort here, you may get better feedback. (I sure hope it's not Club Land'or on Paradise Island!!!).