Yesterday, a television station in Portland Oregon ran a story about an older couple who had been "taken" for nearly $1,000 in their efforts to sell their timeshare. In the interview they said "We can't really tell if they're crooks or not. They don't have a license. We were told by the one outfit they're a good outfit to work through. What do you do? You just go with it".

I guess there was the first red flag: they weren't licensed. When a timeshare owner decides to sell their timeshare, using a broker with a license will give you some assurance that there is some control, ethics, training, and regulation. An unsolicited inbound call (cold call) to your home from someone you don't know is never a good way to start a business relationship. These companies will often use very shady tactics, have no physical address, hold no license to do business in any state, and so on.

Stroman Realty, Inc recently published a comprehensive guide for timeshare owners on how to identify and avoid timeshare resales fraud and scams. Stroman Realty has been in the business nearly 30 years in the same location, holding the same broker's license, has the same management, and many of the same sales agents for many many years. Take the time to read the personal letter from Wayne Stroman, President and CEO. Mr. Stroman's credentials cannot be matched by anyone in the world when it comes to the timeshare resales industry. For example, Wayne Stroman currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of REALTORS® (TAR) (2000-2009); the Board of Directors for the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) (1999-2001 and 2007-2008); and HAR Secretary Treasurer 2008. In addition, Mr. Stroman is active with the Houston REALTOR® Information Service, Inc. (HRIS) and served on their Board of Directors (2002-2006). He was the HRIS Secretary-Treasurer (2002) and Vice Chairman (2003). He also sits on the Board of Directors for the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) (2003 & 2008). He was Chairman of the HAR International Council (2005 & 2006) and the HAR Technology Task Force for 2005. He was past Chairman of the HAR MLS Advisory Group (2003); and past Chairman of the HAR Statistical Information Subcommittee (1997). He also served on the MLS Advisory Group Committee (1990-94 & 1997-present); and the Y2K Task Force (1998-2000).

Check it out and see for yourself.

Last year's ski season with 60.5 million ski visits will hard to beat.

And some speculate that times of economic uncertainty will mean a disastrous ski season. However, history has shown that when it snows, people ski!

More important than even a recession is the amount of snow that falls early and mid ski season. Early heavy snows get the true snow skiing enthusiasts blood pumping. During the severe fuel crisis of 1970's and just after 9/11 we enjoyed some of the best ski seasons ever in North America. (source)

Timeshare resorts have many advantages over the typical ski resort hotels. You will be enjoying full accommodations, kitchen, laundry, and just more space. The ski timeshare resort will offer terrific proximity to ski lifts, ski lessons, ski package deals, and ski tours. Some of the most famous timeshare ski resorts are located in Colorado, Utah, Vermont, New Hampshire, and all across Canada. The number one best selling ski resort for Stroman Realty, Inc is Grand Timber Lodge in Breckenridge Colorado. Magnificant location, great slopes and lodging amenities to die for! Coming in second was Marriott Summit Watch in Park City Utah.

Profile #7: Selling Your Timeshare Through a REALTOR® Who is also a Timeshare Resale Specialist

Reselling your timeshare through a full service real estate broker who also specializes in Timeshare Resales gives you the best of both worlds. You will have working for you

(1) a professionally trained REALTOR® who is accountable to industry ethics and standards, has contract negotiation skills, the ability to turn a shopper into a qualified buyer, closing expertise, etc. and

(2) a timeshare resale specialist with first hand experience in reselling timeshare on behalf of individual owners and understanding the many variations characteristic to timeshare resales (e.g. point systems; fixed, floating, right-to-use, and deeded weeks; bi-annuals, quartershares, fractionals; red, white, blue, gold, and platinum seasons; familiarity with resorts; etc.) Here are a few qualities to look for in your Broker:

• Massive national and international advertising (newspapers, magazines, trade journals, direct mail, Internet, etc.)
• Incentive programs to encourage vigorous selling by their own Sales Associates and engaging other Cooperating Brokers across the nation to maximize exposure to clients timeshare properties for resale.
• High tech, user-friendly communication and computer systems to meet the needs and demands of their clients.
• On-going training and continuing education for Sales Associates; a robust Sales Support Department; membership in the National Association of REALTORS® and timeshare industry organizations; and active involvement in timeshare issues.
• Easy access to escrow or title companies acquainted with closing procedures unique to timeshare.
• Easy access to finance companies for buyers who need financing.
• Company policies that promote buyer motivation founded on market value, convenience and selection.

Profile #6: Broker Takes the Week Program

Initially it sounds great! So easy. However, this method of reselling is ill-advised. Here is the scenario:

The Broker typically takes over the week for a one to three year period to try to sell it. Sellers who participate in this method of resale should note that the broker may choose to sell the property as a low dollar "exit or bonus program" to other resorts if he cannot find an individual buyer. (This may be good for the broker but not so hot for the seller!)

The Owner has no vacation rights to use the unit during the listing period; has nothing to bank or exchange with an exchange company; and nothing to rent out to try to recover maintenance fee payments.

After multiple maintenance fee payments have been made and perhaps monthly mortgage payments also (with no vacation to enjoy), the owner is generally angry and may relinquish the week back to the resort.

Profile #5: Selling Your Timeshare Through a Net Listing Agreement

Regardless of what you've heard, how tempted you are, or how desperate you feel - be wary of reselling your timeshare through a Net Listing Agreement.

• Many Listing services May not accept Net Listings because they are deemed in some instances to be unethical. The National Association of Realtors recommends avoiding Net Listing Agreements as they create an unavoidable conflict with the client's best interests.
• The Seller says to the broker, "Just get me X amount and you can keep any amount above that." The conflict arises upon funding -- when the seller receives that set amount while the broker pockets any excess. sounds simple, doesn't it? However, this "excess" can be considerable. Look at the following example: