Marriott anounces it will spinoff its timeshare division

Marriot will own 20% of new company and the top executives are all from Marriott. Many people have their opinion on this move, some pro and some con. Marriott feels this will be a great move to have seperate entities and comes on the heal of the new destiantion club points. Marriott has stated that the new points program has been a great success. I joined for the flexibilty. I think has long as Marriott has its name on the door, the quality and service will not change one bit!!
Here is the announcement

On February 14

lodging company and a timeshare company. Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI) and its affiliates will remain

the exclusive developer of timeshare and fractional products for Marriott® and The Ritz-Carlton®, focused on

maximizing growth and development within this exciting industry. Marriott International will concentrate on its

global hotel management and franchise business. We believe this transaction will position MVCI to create new and

expanded offerings for you as Owners.

Most importantly, you should experience no changes in your ownership from this transaction. We will still operate

under the Marriott brand and continue to develop and manage to the same exacting standards that have made us the

recognized industry leader worldwide. You should see no impact in your service, resort experiences or usage options,

including access to benefits and lodging properties through the Marriott Rewards® program as a result of this transaction.

For more than 26 years, you have helped us create the finest and most extensive timeshare resort system in the

world. With the dramatic success of the new Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ program, we have meaningfully

expanded your vacation options. As we enter this exciting new chapter, each and every MVCI associate looks forward to

continuing to create new and exciting vacation experiences for you, your family and friends for generations to come.

We thank you for being a loyal Marriott customer and we promise to continue to work hard to deliver the

“Unforgettable Experiences” that you have come to expect from us. We will continue to provide you with updates

of this transaction as the year progresses. Thank you for your continued support.

Great deals on Ebay!!

If you are in the market for a timeshare, you must check out all the bargains on ebay. There are over 2000 timeshares for sale and many are the top end companies. (ie: Sheratons and Marriotts). I recently added to my timeshare portfolio by adding a Sheraton. I bought a one bedroom at Sheraton Broadway Plantation at Mytle Beach for $109.00 dollars. Usage is during prime summer time and Maintenance fees ,on a one bedroom is much lower than a two bedroom. You also get priority with interval on trading to another Sheraton. I figure if I don't use it, I will rent it for more than the Maintence fee. Time will tell, since there are many rentals out there. Remember it is very easy to buy a timeshare but selling it is very difficult. I sold one this year for one dollar, just so I could by a better one. Maintenance fees usually increase each year, however many sheratons have gone done a bit for next year!! This time of year when maintenamce fees come out is when many people decide to get rid of theres. I strongley suggest if you are interested in buying, to do your homework and research what you want. When you decide, research what you are buying. Many sellers don not have the correct information and you can buy something that you don't wont or is listed wrong. The good sellers will back up what they sell and work with you to solve any problems. Good luck and enjoy what you buy!!

Save money on a Disney Vacation

If you are planning a family vacation to DisneyWorld, I would like to give you a few tips on saving money. I have taken my family every year for  the last 7 years, and we have had many memorable moments. First I found the website Mousesavers.com. This website is loaded with ideas and information on saving money. It gives you area specials on hotels, if  that is what you want to do . I however would recommend renting a timeshare. You can find many for rent on ebay. You should also check the disney website, They have great deals with meals included at times.
Mousesavers.com has car rental deals listed, it gives you a link where you can buy tickets to Disney discounted (this is where i buy my tickets) much more information . You can sign up and get info each month emailed to you.
Another great site that has tons of info is the DISboard.com. Many different categories all dedicated to Disney. People give their experiences all on Disney. The two sites will provide you with many ways to save money.
If you do stay in a timeshare stay away from getting suckered into attending a timeshare presentation. Never buy from the developer, buy resale. The reason I endorse staying in a timeshare is the room. We stayed in the Park many times, but with five people in our family, it is too crowded. Timeshares are unbelievable. More amenities and room then some homes. We really enjoy our stays.
In conclusion the ways I have saved money is to buy park tickets from link at mousesavers.com. I have always found a good car rental code also at this site. You can also try naming your price at  priceline. When looking for airfares, check different sites. I usually look at orbitz cheapair and then directly at airlines website.
Stay in a timeshare, save on food by going to supermarket and get food for week. We always ate breakfast at resort and sometimes dinner. Disney is a great place and you will spend money, but there are ways to save some!!! Hope this helps  You can also Disney packages (on property or timeshare resorts)GOTO MY WEBSITE

Benefits of Owning a Timeshare

Reposted by Vacation Max
Enjoying Your Vacation Time In A Timeshare With Your Family By: Connor Sullivan
Timeshares provide you with choices for your vacation. The timeshare company most likely has resorts scattered around the country. This often means that, if you own a unit in one part of the country, you can negotiate a stay in another area. If you are not lucky enough to own a unit, there is always the timeshare rental. If you have a unit that you no longer need, you can find web sites that help people to sell timeshare units. They can even be auctioned off.
But what is a timeshare? It is most often a condominium unit in a resort. Normally a group of purchasers buy into a single unit. Each buyer is assigned a set time during the year during which they have exclusive occupancy of the unit. As with all condominiums, a monthly maintenance fee must be paid, whether the buyer uses the unit or not. The resort must be maintained whether or not owners are using their unit.
So what are the advantages of owning a timeshare? First of all, it is like the difference between a condominium and a house. A homeowner is responsible for all aspects about the house, both inside and outside. A condo owner is responsible for everything from the wallpaper inward. He or she pays a monthly maintenance fee so that the condo association can take care of the outside maintenance such as roofs and the grass. A timeshare works the same way. You have a place in the woods to call your own, but you are responsible only for the inside. A landscaper is in charge of the outside. By contrast, a family that has full ownership of a cottage on a lake must maintain everything in and around it. – Vacation Max
Another advantage is that you can forget about your unit except at vacation time. During your week, the place is yours exclusively, and it is predetermined how it will be used and who will use it during the remainder of the year. By contrast, the owner of the cottage can take the family there at any time during the year. But if the family uses it during only certain weeks of the year, they may want to rent it out at other times so that they can earn money toward the maintenance of the cottage.
But during your week it’s your little piece of heaven. Your kids can get some outdoor time. If your resort is on a lake, they can swim, boat, water ski, and all of the other fun things kids enjoy when there is water around. Since you always go at the same time every year, you can all get to know your neighbors who are staying for their allotted time. They will want to be your golfing and tennis buddies and your picnic partners.
If you don’t own a unit, you can rent the time of another family in their unit. This would be a good way to get to vacation in different parts of the country. An owner can also experience this same variety by trading weeks with owners in different areas.
This is such a helpful article! – Vacation Max

Ronny McPhearsonplaces to go on vacation

Timeshare Buying Tips

So, you want to buy a timeshare and pay as little as possible.
Rule number one - Don't buy from a developer unless it is a genuine closeout. The first timeshare I bought was from a developer that had sold out his resort and had a few weeks remaining that he wished to "blow out" so he could start a new project elsewhere. I paid $1900 for a week that in the previous year was being sold for $16,000 by the same developer! Don't be fooled by sales tactics on timeshare tours where they start out very high on the price and then magically find ways to keep lowering the price until you feel that it's a deal you can't refuse. Up to 60% of the cost of a timeshare is marketing costs. It is not uncommon for a developer to hire a marketing company that takes 50% of the sale proceeds. Sadly, in spite of promises made by salespeople, most timeshares resell for 20-50% of their original purchase price.
Do your homework. Are you seeking to own a timeshare simply for exchange purposes or do you intend to use the resort? It really does make a difference. If you are seeking a timeshare for exchange it is important to understand the rules of the exchange companies (the two biggest players in the industry are RCI and Interval International. Each has similar rules concerning exchanges. As a general rule, last minute exchanges are "first come, first serve". It makes little difference whether you are trading an expensive high season week or an inexpensive off season week. So, that week you buy on ebay for $100 may do the job as well a $10000 high season week if you have the flexibility to travel on short notice and choose from a variety of resorts and areas available.
On the other hand, if you want to exchange into top notch resorts in high season it becomes more important to own something that is in high demand. Exchange companies operate under the principle of "comparable exchange" meaning they try to match the vacation experience provided by what you own to where you exchange to. So, if you owned a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo at a 5 star resort in Vail Colorado in the peak of season a comparable exchange would be to a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 5 star in Cancun, Mexico in February.
In other words, you have to tailor what you purchase to the vacation experience you are seeking. Read everything you can at authority sites such as http://www.tug2.org/ and http://www.redweek.com/.
Where to buy? Two great places to start are http://www.ebay.com/ and http://www.bid4assets.com/. It is not unusual to find timeshares for under $100. The important thing is to know what you are buying. Contact the resort and inquire about the unit and week you are interested in. As the new owner you are liable for any back taxes, unpaid maintenance fees and assessments. Do a search on the internet for "timeshare user groups" and search for the resort you are interested in to see if there are any problems you should be aware of.
Another source of inexpensive weeks is from homeowner associations at resorts. Contact resorts you are interested in and inquire about homeowner association weeks for sale. These are weeks that are owned by the homeowners usually because they were signed over to them in exchange for releasing the owner from back maintenance fees and taxes owed. Usually the association only wants to recoup the back fees owed and is not terribly interested in making a profit. See if the resort has a website for owners. There will usually be weeks listed for sale there. If there is an owner's forum it will provide you with a window on how well the property is managed and experiences that owners want to share.Travel Deals

Buy a timeshare on ebay

Today is definitely a buyers market. There are many great deals on timeshares, if you are interested in buying. My favorite site is Ebay. I have bought a couple of timeshares off ebay and would like to give you a few tips. Just to recap, if you want to own a timeshare, be aware maintenance fees will go up and sometimes resorts have special assessments. It is important to get as much information on the resort you are interested in. Next determine what size you are looking for one or two bedroom, lock-off or not.  I like lock-offs, because I can split my week into a one bedroom and a studio and get two weeks for the price of one. Buy where you want to go each year (fixed week or floating).
Ebay has thousands of timeshare for sale, Make sure you check the feedback of sellers you are interested in buying from. It is important that the buyer has good feedback, buying a time can take some time (2- 6 months) you need to be patient but you also have to stay on the closing companies butt. I have had to call and push them to make things happen. Here is a list you can check before buying. This list comes from (www.tug2.net) Check out this website for great advice

Information about the Resort

1.        Does the resort have any amenity awards (Gold Crown, Resort of International Distinction, 5*)?  How long has the resort held those awards?  Has award status recently been upgraded or downgraded?

2.        Is the resort all-inclusive?  If yes, is the all-inclusive optional or mandatory?  How much is the all-inclusive fee?

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

4.        Are any activities or amenities available free or at a reduced rate (e.g., golf, skiing, water sports, children’s programs, spa visits)?  Do these rights transfer with the sale, and can I transfer them again if I sell the unit?

5.        If the property is not deeded to a specific unit and week, what assurances are there that the developer has not or cannot sell more ownership units than the available occupancy weeks?

6.        Is the entire resort owned by a single timeshare operation, or is the resort ownership mixed (timeshare ownership, whole ownership, or even different timeshare programs owning different units within the same resort)?

7.        If the resort ownership is mixed and usage is floating or must be reserved, how likely is it that you will be able to reserve a unit you want?  If the units vary in amenities (such as view, quality of unit, building type, etc), how many of each type of unit does the timeshare program own?  How is usage assigned among those units?

8.        Does the property include a hotel operation as well as a timeshare operation?

9.        Is the developer still selling units at the property?  What percentage of the timeshare inventory has the developer currently sold?

10.    Does the developer dominate resort operations, or has control effectively transferred to the owners?  Have there been recent changes in management companies?  If so, why were the changes made?

11.    Has the resort or resort group recently changed affiliations with exchange companies?  Is the resort dual affiliated with both RCI and II?

12.    Does the resort have a program to rent units on behalf of owners? What does the resort charge for renting your unit?

13.    What bonus time benefits are available to owners (either at the resort or within the resort group)?

14.    What is the financial stability of the resort?  How do the annual fees compare with fees charged by other resorts in the area?  Does it appear that the resort may be underfunding operations?  Has the resort completed a review of the adequacy of reserves funding?  If so, have the results been shared with owners, and are the results available for review?

15.    Does the Homeowners Association have units for sale that they have foreclosed on for non-payment of fees? How much are the selling the units for? How many units do they own?

16.    What is the gap between potential and actual income from owner annual fees? (Potential income is the what the resort should collect if all owners paid their assessments. Differences between potential and actual assessments indicates owner defaults.)

1.        For resorts located subject to recurring major weather events (such as hurricanes), what insurance is in place and what is the deductible?  Does the resort have adequate reserves to cover the deductible?  If a special assessment were made to cover the deductible, how much would that be per timeshare week?  Is the policy limit large enough to cover reasonable costs of repairing or reconstructing the resort if it suffered extensive damage?

Information about the Unit/Week Being Purchased

1.        Is the week fixed or floating?  If it’s a fixed week, is the week fixed according to week number or calendar date?  Get a copy of the resort’s calendar.

2.        If the week is fixed, and is a holiday week (such as Week 7 for Presidents Day week in the US, Week 51 for Christmas, or Week 52 for New Years), what is your usage right in years when the holiday does not fall on the designated week?

3.        For floating weeks, does the resort bulk spacebank?  If so, when do they do that?

4.        For floating weeks, how do you reserve your week with the resort?  How difficult is this?

5.        How large are the units?  What is the layout of the beds, bedrooms, and bathrooms? How many bedrooms does the property have?  Does the exchange company rate the unit with the same number of bedrooms as the resort and the owner?  Are any of the beds sofa beds?  Are any of the beds Murphy beds? 

6.        Is the kitchen a full kitchen or partial kitchen?  If it has a full kitchen, are the appliances full-size of apartment-size?

7.        Can a week usage be split (e.g., into separate 3- and 4-day visits)?  If so, what restrictions apply and what are the fees for splitting usage?

8.        Must maintenance fees be paid before reserving weeks?  What are the maintenance fees?  Do the fees include taxes?  Obtain a history of annual fees.  Find out if there have been any special assessments.

9.        Is the unit deeded or right-to-use?  If right-to-use, how many years remain in the use period?  When the use period ends, does the owner have an option to renew or does the unit revert to the resort or developer?

10.    Are taxes part of the annual fee, or are they billed and paid separately?

11.    Are there any outstanding charges or liens against the property?  Have all maintenance fees and assessments been paid in full?   Has the seller paid off all loans associated with the purchase?   Contact the resort to be verify that developer financing loans have been paid off.

Information about Exchanging

1.        What “color” is the week, as designated by the exchange company?  What are the divisions between different color assignments for weeks at the resort?  How do those divisions compare with other weeks in the area?

2.        Are there other seasonal designations implemented by the resort or resort group itself (e.g., High/Low season; Platinum/Gold/Silver, Peak/Non-Peak, etc.)?  If so, where does this week fall?  These designations are often used by floating week resorts and for internal exchanges within resort groups.  They are important to know, since you can only reserve weeks within your season.  Also, these designations will also help show when weeks of the same “color” have differing real trade power.

3.        With what exchange companies is the resort affiliated?

4.        How do you deposit your week with the exchange company?  Do you do it yourself, or does the resort do it upon your request?

5.        How far in advance can you deposit a week for exchanging?  Do you need to prepay maintenance fees if you deposit a week early?

6.        If you use the week to trade, can you reserve a specific week or does the resort assign you a week from the resorts bulk spacebanking inventory?

7.        Is the resort part of group of resorts that offer internal trading or other preferences? Do owners receive any extra privileges or considerations if they exchange back into the resort?

8.        If the resort is part of a group that offers trading privileges, what are the procedures and fees to make exchanges within the group?  Can you make split week trades within the group (e.g., using part of your week at one resort, and the remainder at a second resort)? 

9.        What is the procedure to follow if you wish to make exchanges outside the group using an exchange company?

10.    Is the resort included in an exchange company points system (such as RCI Points)?  If so, how many points are assigned to the weeks that might be made available to you?  If the resort is not in a points system, are points assignments available for any nearby resorts?  This information is useful to help assess the real trade power of a given week.

11.    If the resort is part of a points program, is the specific unit that you are buying part of the points system?  If so, will the points membership transfer with the week ownership?  What are the fees to transfer membership or to convert a unit to the points program if you should choose to do so?  If you want to participate in the points program, get details in writing about the points program.  Note that even if a resort is part of a points program, owners may have a choice of whether or not to join the points program?

12.    What is the trade power of the week?  Does the owner have a deposited week that can be used to assess the trade power?  Can the owner provide information on previous exchanges made with the unit?  Has the resort been included in any TUG trade tests (see trade test links in the Sightings Board, available to TUG members only)?

13.    Does the week qualify for bonus weeks with any exchange companies?  If so, does the exchange company give the bonus week in return for depositing a high demand week, or is this part of developer agreement?  If it is part of a developer agreement, does the eligibility transfer to the new owner?

14.    Are owners at this resort blocked from using their weeks to trade into other resorts in the area?  If so, what resorts?

15.    How much will it cost to add this resort to your account at the exchange company?

16.    Are there any prohibitions or limitations on trading through independent exchange companies?  Are there any specific procedures that must be followed if you deposit your week with an independent exchange company?

Purchase Agreement Details

1.        What year does your usage begin?  Are all fees current through the start of your usage year?  Does the purchase include any banked or reserved weeks?  What is the procedure for transferring those weeks to you?

2.        How will title transfer be managed between the buyer and seller?  Will an escrow be used?  Who will pick the escrow company?  Who will prepare the title transfer documents?  Who is responsible for filing the transfer documents with the appropriate entities?  What fees does the resort charge for changing ownership in their records?  How will the closing costs be split between buyer and seller?  What happens if the charges are higher than anticipated?  Are there any special local government transfer fees or taxes.

3.        For deeded properties, what type of deed will be used to transfer ownership (quit claim, warranty deed, grant deed, other)?  How will you be sure that the seller is providing clear title?

4.        How long will it take to close and complete the transfer of ownership?  Are the rights to use any weeks in jeopardy if closing is delayed?  What will be done to ensure that the buyer will receive usage if closing is delayed (e.g., arranging rental; depositing the week with an exchange company and transferring the deposit to the buyer; reducing the sales price)?

5.        Is the seller also including the exchange company membership in the sale?

6.        Does the agreement include provisions to allow you to verify information about the unit and the resort with the resort management?  (Be aware that some resorts will not release this type of information without written permission of the owner.  Since it may take some time to get this permission, you should obtain this permission as soon in the buying process that you can.)   Are there provisions to modify or cancel the sale if the information does not check out?  If you cancel the sale, what happens to any deposits that may have been made?

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