Vacation Network

Family Travel and Reunions on the Rise, Survey Says

American Resort Development Association Encouraging Families to “Take Time for Togetherness”

(Washington, September 18, 2008)—Honoring the long tradition of connecting far-flung families through timeshare resorts, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) offers “how-to” travel options to help make family reunions fun, affordable and stress-free. As the summer travel season closes, ARDA provides travelers looking ahead to next year’s family get-togethers with suggested reunion activities, location ideas and success tips as part of its “Take Time for Togetherness” initiative.

Family reunions continue to grow in importance—and according to a recent Orbitz study, 50 percent of respondents said their favorite group to travel with is their extended family. And although the survey respondents wanted to be together for activities and meals, when asked about preferred sleeping arrangements, most said they wanted privacy.

“Today’s family reunions look very different than yesterday’s outdoor picnics and sleeping on your grandmother’s couch. Families now want to make the most of traveling long distances to visit relatives,” said Howard Nusbaum, ARDA president and CEO. “From spacious accommodations to activities for everyone, many travelers are turning to timeshare products as vacation options for family reunions. Timeshare continues to provide an experience for large families to be together, while still retaining space for themselves.”

“Take Time for Togetherness” provides travelers with event planning tips, including managing invitations, selecting a location, ice-breaker games, decorations and ways to stay in touch all year long. The helpful hints are available at www.ResortsRescued.com

“Every year for the past thirteen years, I’ve received the best holiday gift a person could hope for—three generations of my family coming together for a week during the Christmas season,” said Susan Humme, a timeshare owner. “I feel so lucky that all of us have been able to get together at MountainLoft in the Great Smoky Mountains and enjoy family time together year after year. It really makes the most wonderful time of the year even more special,” she added.

Everyone deserves not only a vacation, but a better vacation—especially when it’s a family reunion.

Planning it just right will make all the difference.

So if you are looking to buy a timeshare or multiple

timeshares, you have come to the right place.

Vacation ownership or timeshare ownership simply involves the acquisition of a

vacation home or resort for a specific period of time.

Before buying a timeshare, ask yourself a few simple questions:

Does the resort have any amenity awards (Gold Crown, Resort of International Distinction, 5 star)?

Is the package all-inclusive? If yes, is the all-inclusive package optional or mandatory?

How much is the all-inclusive fee?

Are there other mandatory fees charged (cleaning, utilities, occupancy taxes, energy surcharges)?
If so, how much are these charges?

Are any activities or amenities available free or at a reduced rate (e.g., golf, skiing, water sports, spa visits)?

Do these rights transfer with the sale?

If you have already run through the bewildering maze of questions, then there are other things to be
kept in mind as well. Buy because you plan to use your timeshare in the future and do not make the
mistake of considering your purchase in terms of real estate. Clearly it’s not!
While we give tips on buying timeshares you would need to answer the critical question whether
the vacation is in sync with your lifestyle. Most buyers forget to answer this basic question while
trying to comprehend the nuts and bolts of the deal. Think hard on what you consider most
important in a vacation – is it the resort itself, is it the location.
Prioritizing your needs is of essence. Visit, or rent a unit in our inventory to experience the
quality accommodations and recreational opportunities. While there, talk to existing owners about
their experiences. Many development companies also offer mini-vacations or sampler programs,
which may provide discounted options for a stay at the resort. Hopefully, this piece would have
helped clear some of your doubts on buying a timeshare. If yes, then get ready to give your family
“A Lifetime of Vacations”

Vacations Rescued

When does the seller get paid?

The seller gets paid once all other steps of the closing process have been completed and approved by an attorney. This includes the signing and notarization of all closing documents related to the transaction. Once the Buyer’s funds have been cleared, the money will be disbursed to the Seller.

Where is the buyer’s money held before it is disbursed to the seller’s account?

The Buyer provides the balance of the purchase price to be held in a separate escrow account pending the closing of the transaction. The funds will not be disbursed to the Seller until they have been cleared by the bank providing the escrow account.

What is a deed?

A deed is a legal document which is used to transfer from a person or entity certain rights in a parcel of real estate to another. It is used in all purchases sales gifts or other transfers of real estate.

Are there different kinds of deeds?

The two most common types of deeds are the Warranty Deeds and Quitclaim Deeds.

A Warranty Deed (“General Warranty Deed”) is the type of deed most commonly used in timeshare title transfers. A warranty deed transfers all rights to a property from a Grantor (Seller) to a Grantee (Buyer.) However, a warranty deed also contains certain promises or guarantees about the property made by the Seller to the Buyer. Warranty Deeds are used to ensure that the Buyer is getting exactly what the Seller claims—nothing more or less. If any of the warranties are later found to be false, the transaction may be legally challenged.

A Quitclaim Deed, on the other hand, simply transfers all rights to the Buyer without any guarantees about it being claimed. All representations about it are made either verbally or through other documents. However, the transaction may not be as easily challenged should the new Owner later discover discrepancies about the property and the manner in which it was represented. These are usually used in transactions such as gifts, where no money is exchanged.

Is joint ownership possible with timeshare properties?

Yes, two or more individuals may obtain ownership of a timeshare property. However, the exact nature of the joint ownership should be considered. A “tenants in common” relationship implies that all owners share equal proportions of the property, which may consequently be passed on to heirs as outlined by a will. The owners may also claim “joint ownership with right of survivorship.” In the case of one owner’s death, this arrangement would mean that all rights are passed on to the surviving owners—regardless of what may be claimed in the deceased’s will.

How is a deed recorded in a timeshare title transfer?

It generally must be filed in the county in which the title is located, at the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Recording the deed is extremely important in assuring that the transaction appears in the chain of title, should any complications arise further down the road. The recording of the deed with the proper government agency is part of the timeshare title transfer service.

Timeshares Rescued

Have you changed your mind about the timeshares that you bought?
Do you wish to dispose of your timeshares? Then read on….

Many times, you may find yourself wanting to sell off the timeshares for one or more reasons.
Maybe you don’t like it as much anymore or you have better uses for the money you spend on
maintenance etc. However, selling timeshares can be as easy and simple as buying them! The factors
of location, resort, unit size, season and type of ownership are important while selling timeshares.

The price plays a VERY critical role in their saleability.

So you must price your timeshares realistically and competitively. A good guideline would be past
or current resale deals at the same resort. It also helps to advertise your sale to reach out to many
prospective buyers. Advertising with Resorts Rescued, LLC will always make your sale viable. If
you are approaching other resale companies, make sure they advertise your timeshares widely.
Stay clear of companies that recommend an appraisal of your timeshares for the resale and demand
an appraisal fee. Any resale company worth its salt must be able to tell you upfront the
worth of your timeshares.

In a nutshell think from the buyers’ point of view, keep your price realistic, advertise well and in the meanwhile try to make the most of your timeshares!

Sincerely,

Resorts Rescued, LLC.