It’s been nearly two years since I started this blog, and during that time so much has changed in the timeshare industry. As a full-time (and lifetime) timeshare professional, providing commentary on industry trends and events has been exciting, and, at times, cathartic… and I’d like to believe that the posts here helped changes the perceptions of at least some of the many thousands of readers. Timeshare is a great product, but still a relatively new product. It has suffered growing pains, as any new industry does, but these need not be roadblocks; only obstacles to be quickly overcome.
A substantial portion of HelpTimeshare.com has consisted of in-depth reviews of various timeshare resorts. The resorts I’ve reviewed have been properties where Bay Tree Solutions advertisers have owned timeshares. By creating a specific and positive narrative for a timeshare resort, we create reasons for someone to buy there. After much consideration, Bay Tree Solutions has decided resort reviews belong nearer the listings on its primary website. Looking for detailed reviews of vacation ownership resorts? Visit the timeshare resorts page and select a property. At the Help Timeshare Blog, I will continue helping timeshare owners to protect, defend, and preserve their resale values, with current and relevant industry analysis.
Thank you for your continued readership!
May 17th, 2011
Originally conceived of as a Fractional Residence Club, Sunset Cove Resort and Suites in Marco Island, Florida, may just be the best timeshare money can buy.
Back in 2005 Florida’s real estate market was burning so white-hot, it was easy to miss the opening of a small Residence Club along the Marco River. At that time, Fractional Ownerships were widely popular: Generally, a Fractional or Residence Club is sold as a 4 to 12-week block of time, with only limited exchange ability. Resort Developers have long sought to replace the word “timeshare,” as it is thought to be too stigmatized. (Vacation Ownership anyone?) Perhaps Sunset Cove Resort and Suites was to be the crossover: called a Fractional Residence Club, and sold in 1-week intervals like a timeshare.
Today, the real estate market has cooled – and most people understand that Fractionals and timeshares are not the same thing. So where does that leave Sunset Cove? On top, actually. Take away the confusing Residence Club label, and you’ve got a really, really, great timeshare.
Every one of the just 36 units at Sunset Cove is a 3-bedroom that sleeps 8. End units have 3 bathrooms in 1,900 square feet, and interior units have 2 baths in just under 1,700 square feet. These suites have far too many luxury finishes to list in one post, but highlights include Corian countertops, jetted tub, plasma TV, and a Bose stereo. Furniture is carefully selected, and of the highest quality.
The resort has an on-site marina, where owners are able to use a boat slip during their stay – a priceless feature for the sportfisher. Other Sunset Cove Resort amenities include a pool and spa, fully equipped fitness center, and a helpful concierge staff. Marco Island’s white sand beaches are just a short walk away, or there’s a complimentary beach shuttle.
Timeshares sold at Sunset Cove Marco Island were deeded ownerships until 2009, when Summer Bay Resorts took over timeshare sales at the resort. New ‘owners’ can purchase the Summer Bay Resorts Crown Club membership, with access to Sunset Cove, along with Summer Bay’s other popular properties, but no direct ownership. For existing deeded owners, Summer Bay’s involvement should provide good long-term stability; the developer has decades of experience in successful resort management.
There are two things you want in the ideal timeshare: sound real estate value, and lots of flexible exchange options. With the prime location, limited number of units, luxury appointments, and solid resort management, deeded Sunset Cove Resort & Suites timeshares have real, tangible value, but what about trading? Owners of deeded Sunset Cove timeshare have no less than four exchange programs to choose from!
- RCI Weeks – All Sunset Cove weeks trade in red season through RCI. The resort is notoriously difficult to exchange into, meaning weeks are in constant demand. Expect hassle-free exchanges.
- The Registry Collection – This exchange program only accepts Residence Clubs, luxury vacation properties, and very high-end timeshares. At Registry Collection resorts, you’ll travel like the rich and famous; enjoying locations off-limits to most timeshare owners. Expect accommodations equal or better accommodations to those at Sunset Cove.
- Hilton Grand Vacations Club – Your week can be exchanged for HGVC points, where you’ll exchange with priority to the many popular Hilton Grand Vacations Club resorts. Assigned point values for Sunset Cove weeks are fairly high, so expect to enjoy even more days of vacation.
- Hilton HHonors – On years when you’re not traveling to a timeshare destination, or need just a few nights at a time, turn your Sunset Cove week into Hilton HHonors Points, and stay at any Hilton hotel location.
The best part about all these options in that they’re ‘pay-as-you-go’ – Simply join and pay the yearly dues for the exchange program you want to use each year, and then save on exchange fees during years when you visit your home resort. With both mainstream and high-end exchange options, plus high demand and a low number of units, Sunset Cove Resort and Suites are timeshares that can truly take you anywhere.
Buying at Sunset Cove
Convinced yet? In order to buy a deeded Sunset Cove timeshare, you’ll need to look to the resale market – but don’t expect to find these weeks on eBay for $1. With as desirable as these weeks are, not many owners are willing to sell, plus original sale prices at the resort ranged from around $30,000 to over $65,000 per week, so even a 50% discount could mean paying over $30,000 on the resale market! Sound like a lot to spend on a timeshare? Maybe, but this is timeshare that works. Spend a few minutes on the web reading what owners are saying about their other, lesser timeshares, and you’ll find myriad complaints about exchanging, management, or accommodations; perhaps this is why many timeshare owners own multiple weeks – they keep buying more, hoping to eventually get it right.
If you’re serious about owning a timeshare, and want to get it right the first time, look at these Sunset Cove Resort & Suites timeshares for sale by owner, and make a purchase you won’t regret!
March 17th, 2011
During the last month alone, 3 high-profile timeshare scams have been raided by police in Orlando, Florida. In at least twenty news pieces on these developments, the public has been treated to images of SWAT teams busting down doors, police confiscating computers and printers, and the ubiquitous ‘deal board’ being dragged from a shady office by regulators. Taken at face value, these images may be reassuring; certainly, scandalous Florida-based timeshare resale companies give the industry a bad name. But, it takes a timeshare industry insider to recognize these stories are not good news – not at all. Behind the headlines are regulatory follies that threaten the very existence of a secondary timeshare market.
Exactly one year ago, this blog warned of a timeshare scam designed to convince owners that their properties were ‘already sold.’ Of course, to complete the deal required payment of an enormous up-front fee. Despite our best efforts (and those of numerous other legitimate timeshare companies) to warn timeshare owners, some continue to fall for this obvious fraud. The effects of the ‘It’s Already Sold’ scam have been devastating to real timeshare resale companies: forcing them to become apologists for their now-tarnished industry.
Making matters worse for the industry, reporting on timeshare scams rarely draws a distinction between real timeshare resale companies and criminal fronts. A notable exception is Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who warns of “scammers posing as timeshare resellers,” describing them as “fake.” All too often, descriptions of timeshare-related crimes are so vague and subjective they border on misleading: The Orlando Sentinel quoted police Sgt. Amy Ameye, stating victims “were told If you send money… we will get the paperwork going, we will get your timeshare sold for you” – a statement that could conceivably apply to any timeshare resale company, legitimate or otherwise.
In a press release from July 2010, the Florida Attorney General describes “actively pursuing timeshare resellers as part of a statewide initiative” – a blanket statement that presumably includes all timeshare resale companies. Given Florida’s prejudices, should it really surprise anyone that timeshare scams there have exploded? The State’s witch-hunt regulatory environment leaves no room for legitimate timeshare resale companies.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The ‘It’s Already Sold’ timeshare scam is clearly a crime that should be prosecuted. Possible Federal and State charges include Grand Theft, Organized Fraud, Intentional False Advertising, Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, and that’s just for starters. So what crimes were the Orlando timeshare scammers charged with? Unlicensed Telemarketing, a third degree felony in Florida.
In Florida, timeshare resellers fall under the authority of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DOACS), where they are regulated as telemarketing companies. According to DOACS investigator Sasha Velez the problem of timeshare resale scams in Orlando is “huge… We have over 40 to 50 cases unlicensed right now that we are looking into.” Of course, no one asked Ms. Velez the obvious questions:
What if these Orlando timeshare scams had telemarketing licenses? Would you have allowed them to continue defrauding consumers across the country? What if they scammed people in person, or via email?
This is the down-side of excessive regulation; the need for regulators. Folks that may be well-meaning, but just don’t get it. Solutions put forth by the DOACS, and others in Florida, have sought to criminalize the entire timeshare resale industry. The problem in Florida is not timeshare resale companies, it is criminals. If your State has criminals committing wide-scale fraud, the solution is not issuing telemarketing licenses, it is criminal prosecution.
February 16th, 2011
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