Timeshare Owners Associations have traditionally been the primary venue for timeshare owners to stay up to date with what is happening at their resort. The management of that association is the key to making it run smoothly.  With Bluegreen's move to assume the management of this association, what is a timeshare owner to think?  Normally the resort developer will run the owners' association and then later turn it over to the owners themselves.  They will then manage the units, oversee maintenance, and other functions.  Apparently, there about 9,000 members in this owners association and I am sure they will be watching to see how Bluegreen Corp performs.

In a study recently published by Stroman Realty, Inc, they listed the top ten best timeshare resorts.  The results of the study are published on www.rpmls.com. 

So, here's the list:

The timeshare buyer demographic is quite diverse. Over the years, we have brokered the resale of timeshare for many interesting professionals like doctors, lawyers, judges, television weather forecasters, and NFL coaches.  In addition, some timeshare resort developer's staff including salespeople also buy and sell on the secondary market. I guess the reality of a strong resale market for timeshare would really "hit home" with resort personnel if they realized the amount of transactions being consummated with their own personnel.  Unfortunately, for many years the "industry" denied the existence of a timeshare resale marketplace.  This fallacy has changed in recent years with many in timeshare realizing they can no longer deny the inevitable fact that consumers will need to sell their timeshares at some point. So, what if any mention is there about "timeshare resale" during a resort's training for new or current employees?  I would be willing to bet most do not mention resales whatsoever.  This would probably make sense from the retail side in order not to confuse the training process and keep the focus on the presentation and sales 101.  However, including the topic of Resales could benefit the training process in ways possibly not realized currently. Maybe it would be beneficial if the salespersons were trained about how to handle the consumer's questions regarding an existing option to purchase resale.  What percentage of resorts with active sales lines in today's market offer guidance to their staff regarding the vibrant and growing resale market? -Crash

"Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has announced that construction of its 400-room luxury resort in the Bonnet Creek Resort complex adjacent to Walt Disney World® at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., which began this month, is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2010.

It is anticipated the complex ultimately will total 1,594 vacation ownership units, the most at any Wyndham Vacation Ownership location." (source)

In the press release, they describe something a little different: Be Together Suites. They describe them as oversized rooms designed to sleep a family of six comfortably with a king-size bed, bunk-bed alcove with game station and sofa bed. About 20% of the timeshare units will be this type of suite.  That is different.

The obvious prediction of success will come because of its location: as close to Disney as you can get without being inside the park in a Disney Resort.  In addition, these accommodations will have all the amenities that timeshare owners have now come to expect: high speed internet access, LCD TV's, and gaming stations - that's inside the rooms!

Many older timeshare resorts in the region need to get up to speed to compete with the new resorts being built today. 

Up until recently, the only thing holding back the major players in the timeshare resort industry from developing in Dubai was the lack of laws to regulate the business.  Now that the regulatory obstacle has been resolved, both Marriott and Wyndham have spoken up.  "Speaking in advance of the Global Travel and Tourism Summit that is taking place in Dubai on April 21, 2008, Steve Holmes, Chairman and CEO of Wyndham Worldwide, parent company of Group RCI, the world leader in timeshare exchange, explained just why the leisure real estate sector in the region stands to gain through the establishment of local timeshare regulations." (AME Info)

And, from ArabianBusiness.com comes yesterday's story of a joint venture in Dubai involving Marriott: "In a defining moment for the high growth hospitality sector in the UAE, Omar Al Futtaim, CEO of Al-Futtaim Group and J.W. Marriott Jr., Chairman and CEO of Marriott International, Inc., announced a Joint Venture agreement today to launch Marriott Vacation Club, Dubai Festival City, the first Marriott Vacation Club resort in the Middle East - and the largest outside North America."

With these two - Marriott and Wyndham - getting the ball rolling Dubai may in fact turn in to a major destination. But, will the extravagant buildings and opulent furnishings be enough?  Will it be just a "novelty" item?

Time will tell.

PS: As an update, Marriott is expanding their hotel presence in the Middle East at a stunning rate: "In the Middle East alone, the company expects to expand its current portfolio of properties from 26 to 65 through 2011. With the signings involving nine properties and 2,000 rooms, Marriott's Middle East hotel pipeline now stands at 39." (from the Earth Times, press release by Marriott International, Inc.)

Today, we are in the middle of the Verizon Heritage.  Last year's winner, Boo Weekley, has the lead in round 4 with a 270. 

This time of year is beautiful in coastal South Carolina.  If you are a golfer, you can find tons of great courses to play in the area.  If you think you may want to go there on a regular basis, there is no better way to do it than to stay in a timeshare golf resort.  You will not only save on expenses, but you will be in the middle of some of the most beautiful and challenging courses in North America.

You can find terrific deals on these best selling timeshare golf resorts at Hilton Head:

Wyndham Westwinds, Peppertree by the Sea, The Yachtsman, Sands Ocean Club, Links Golf & Racquet Club, Wyndham Seawatch Plantation-Towers, Maritime Beach Club, Sands Beach Club, Wyndham Seawatch Plantation or Marriott's Monarch at Sea Pines.

If you want to sell timeshare, buy timeshare, rent timeshare, www.rpmls.com is the place to be!

Recent news from the Wall Street Journal reported that the hoteliers with substantial timeshare resort interests fare much better in the stock market that those who don't.  So it may or may not be a surprise that Starwood, one of the biggest timeshare developers, announced plans to open 54 Sheraton hotels:

"Hotel developers are advancing plans to develop more rooms, as evidenced by last week’s announcement by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. that it aims to open 54 Sheraton hotels with 20,000 new rooms by 2009. Almost 70 Sheraton properties are expected to open by the end of 2010--with 30 including spas--in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia." (source)

What are Starwood's plans for timeshare development over the next year or two?  Profitability gets a huge boost from those who have timeshare in their portfolio.  Timeshare units tend to have a much higher occupancy rate, upsales potential, and long term income streams.  Starwood owners will be looking to see news about more developments!

Check out these timeshare resales deals for Starwood properties:

The Sheraton Vistana Orlando: one of the top timeshare resales of all time.

The Westin Mission Hills at Rancho Mirage features two championship golf courses, waterfall-fed swimming pools, tennis, putting green, three restaurants, full-service spa and more. Awesome location in southern California.

Sheraton's Mountain Vista in Avon, Colorado is near some of the most spectacular ski slopes in North America.

If you want to sell timeshare, buy timeshare, rent timeshare, www.rpmls.com is the place to be!

The Las Vegas Convention Center will be hosting the National Association of Broadcasters convention, set for April 14-17.  They are planning on entertaining 140,000 guests that week.  That is a huge number of visitors for any city to accommodate.  But for Las Vegas, that is not a problem.  They are prepared for this event - one of the biggest of the year.

The best value would be to stay in a timeshare resort.  There are many to choose from, and their quality is superb.  You get so much more: bedrooms, full kitchen, laundry, plus the in-house amenities.  Check out this comparison of hotels vs timeshare.

Buying a timeshare in Las Vegas would be a sensible idea if you routinely travel there for business or pleasure. Buying a timeshare on the resale market would be the way to do it.  Use a reliable broker - preferably a Realtor - so you will have the peace of mind that comes with professional service.

The Hilton, Polo Towers, Jockey Club, Tahiti Village, Grandview, HGV Club at Flamingo, Marriott, Summer Bay, Wyndham, and others resorts offer terrific opportunities to own a piece of fantastic luxury.

Check out these Las Vegas timeshares for sale.

Updating a resort's facilities may not take the "top honors" among news headlines, but for owners of timeshare in Aruba, KL International's decision to invest in their new holding is great news.  Here's a clip from the story:  "The Aruban includes a 362-Villa Hotel and Timeshare Resort, a 50,000 square foot permanent casino, a temporary casino and restaurant, and recreational amenities. In addition to completely renovating and upgrading each one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium suites, The Aruban is redesigning and renovating the permanent casino into a state-of-the-art gaming, entertainment, restaurant and convention facility. When completed this year the casino will be one of the largest in the Caribbean." (source)

Everyone benefits when their timeshare resort property receives modernization, internal upgrades, and good maintenance.  Ratings improve, owner satisfaction grows, and the entire area simply becomes a better place for all concerned.

In a recent study published by Stroman Realty, Inc, they reported that Hawaii timeshares resold over a five year period showed a sales price increase by an amazing 70%.  Up until now, such resales data has been difficult to come by. But, thanks to this study, a great deal of information is now available to timeshare owners and timeshare developers.  The study, "Timeshare Vacation Property Resale Buying Trends: a 2003 - 2007 Study" is available upon request at their website, www.rpmls.com.  It includes data for state by state comparison, sales volume and sales price comparisons, and timeshare buying trends.

The news about Hawaii timeshare resales is great for owners of properties in that state.  This trend is contrary to the residential market for most states.  If you have ever considered selling your Hawaii timeshare, now is a great time to do it.

If you want to sell timeshare, buy timeshare, rent timeshare, www.rpmls.com is the place to be!