Home
Timeshare: An Impartial Article
October 1, 2010A multi-billion dollar industry, timesharing began in North America and Europe in the 1960s, as a convenient answer for regular vacationers looking for a place to stay. Through its 60 years of existence, the industry has seen more than its fair share of legal and ethical issues, mostly concerning scams and questionable business practices.
Thanks to the large money involved, the timeshare trade was a constant avenue for fraud. In addition, even legitimate companies and salespeople resorted to aggressive, misleading and sometimes illegal tactics just to meet their quotas amid rising competition. Although the industry was able to weather these, other problems still make timesharing an uninviting investment.
Though you probably won’t realize it at the time of the purchase, timeshare maintenance fees are a big disadvantage. They may considerably be less expensive than actual hotel stays, but these prices never go down. These fees are essential to keep the property in mint condition but somehow don’t cover all the necessary services your unit needs. In other words, watch out for those extra charges and special assessment fees.
Week exchanging, although touted as a timeshare advantage, can also be a huge headache for owners. Although, the program allows a timeshare owner to visit other properties of the resort company, it does not, however, guarantee access to them, especially during the peak season. Believe it or not, there are resorts which are almost impossible to get into even when it’s supposed to be an “internal exchange.” It only becomes worthwhile if the owner is a member of an external exchange company, which is yet another membership and expense.
Price is a huge timeshare disadvantage. It shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to know that every week you buy from a developer is mostly overpriced. Property resales, like those on EBay are way cheaper, although you’d still have to pay the same maintenance fee. The only time it may make sense to buy from the developer is when a new resort is first offered for sale. It will be hard to find resales for those for a few years. And the resale price could actually be higher than the pre-sell price.
Condo-hotels or travel membership clubs are great timeshare substitutes. The two programs have a different (although highly similar) system compared to timesharing and allows for more benefits, including access to a number of timeshare resorts. Some travel clubs even offer lifetime membership for a fraction of a cost of a timeshare unit and minus the maintenance fees. After paying the membership fee, the club member will still have to pay for each vacation, but the amount he’ll have to release is comparatively much less.
Being a timeshare owner has its benefits. In the end however, such membership has too many disadvantages to be considered favorable. Free your mind from thinking that the best way to have a holiday is by owning a timeshare property. Remember that there are other, better options out there.
Tips and Hints on Timeshare Transfer Businesses
September 23, 2010Thanks to its popularity during the precession years, the timeshare industry has garnered a negative publicity by attracting scams seeking to cash in on the trend. With the increasing competition and onset of the depression, its image wasn’t helped as companies and their sales reps resorted to unethical practices to meet quotas. Many victims of such practices have sought to escape their contracts.
One of the main reasons for the rush to get out of timeshare is the unfulfilled expectations. Cutting corners on maintenance, poor amenities, unprofessional services and misleading brochure information are just some of the reasons why many timeshare owners have to regret ever signing that contract.
Add to these the inflexible weeks and difficulty in exchanging properties, leading many owners to regret ever signing that contract. And all the while, the annual dues keep rising. When trapped in such a seemingly hopeless situation, timeshare transfer companies are the most logical and practical solution. These specialized businesses provide quick and hassle-free solutions to timeshare problems. They take care of all the paperwork, guaranteeing freedom from future obligations, for a fraction of what real-estate agents cost. However, before making the pay, there are a few substantial points that one needs to clarify with these companies to make sure that one’s not falling for another trap.
Upfront Fees: Other companies call them deposits or advance pay. Whatever they’re called, paying these fees does not guarantee a successful transfer. Most companies will tell you that they are used to initiate the process and cover the cost for the primary paper work. However, it still pays to read the fine print stated on the contract. Do your part and find out if the company is legitimate in the first place. Also, make sure that there are clauses that guarantee a successful transfer or at least some percent of your money back in case the transaction does not succeed.
About their process: Asking a company how they manage their business and how they go about resolving issues will give one a gauge on the firm’s knowledge about the transactions they deal with. It also allows one to have an idea of the steps that the company shall take to effectively liquidate the property. Ultimately, this gives the client a rough understanding of the procedures involved, cost and the duration of the transaction. It is important to note that these companies use professional agents who are experienced with dealing with on-goings like these. These agents’ actions greatly affect the duration and the total cost of the transaction.
Issues and Testimonials: Having real people speak for the company is the best way to understand their reputation. Ask for names and possibly contact numbers of people they’ve serviced before so you can do your own personal digging. Additionally, it is important to research about the company’s background on the net. If the company was somehow involved in any scam or was accused of such, you’d probably see that on the net. Check for more information and then clarify them with the company’s agent.
The Timeshare Snare
September 16, 2010The Enthusiasm Behind Safe Hands Transfers. Some families, couples, and even bachelors and bachelorettes opt to buy timeshare properties in different locations so they can have a secured place to live in once they decided to take a break away from the city. These properties that they purchased are commonly known as vacation ownership that include condominium units, cabins in ski resorts, villas, townhouses, or cabanas near the beach.
Vacation ownership offers benefits to holidaymakers but this type of asset is not really suitable for everyone, especially if you are the type of person of who is not fond of having yearly vacations. Timeshare ownership is bound to agreements, contracts, and charges. These charges include taxes and maintenance fees that you have to pay, since failure to comply with such payments would just lead to troubles that can be more buck-eating than the expenses that you are bound to give.
Unfortunately, the very same maintenance fees, needed for the upkeep of the property and survival of the timeshare club, may be one of the biggest hassles. Whether you take a vacation or not, you are bound to pay such fees. Moreover, these charges may increase by as much as 4% every year.
The industry has also become a magnet for professional scammers and shell companies. People carried away by slick sales pitches, “gifts” or high-pressure sales tactics may end up losing their money due to scams. At the very least, they may end up with a property that’s a far cry from what they saw in the brochure.
Having a vacation property may also sound posh but the thing is people who own timeshare assets are obliged to travel to the same vacation every year in order to maximize the money shelled out for the property. It is a common knowledge that having a vacation getaway should be fun and exciting yet going to the same destination annually can be boring and restrictive. Sure, some people are just after the idea of having a secured place to relax once they book their holiday but being in a similar place every vacation robs the enjoyment and experience that they can have in other places around the world.
In the long run, some people who gamble to experience having a timeshare property will decide to sell them back in the market. This process is actually not as simple as one would think because the demand on timeshare resells varies on the season and area of the property. Moreover, economic downturn also affects the procedure, making the whole process more complicated to bear. And yes, that’s the reality. Getting rid of timeshare is definitely not an easy thing to do.
So maybe, instead of investing a huge amount of money for a timeshare property, it is better to spend those hard-earned pennies on assets that have equity, since the master deed of timeshares were held by the company, which reaps the benefits of appreciation and take out loans.
So before plunking down a huge amount of money based on a smooth sales talk or glossy brochure, keep the cost in mind. Remember that a timeshare property is not a one-time purchase, but more like a bad marriage that’s hard (and very costly) to get out of.
Safe Hands Transfers is here to help you! The own experience in the timeshare industry mixed with the key people of our organization, allows Safe Hands Transfers the flexibility to provide customers with a solution that is 100% secured.
Experience Faster and Safer Transaction with Direct Transfers
August 24, 2010You may be one of the many timeshare-holders who are mulling over the option of selling their timeshares. Admit it. No matter how much you enjoy staying in your vacation spots every summer, the burden of paying maintenance fees and other charges and taxes somehow makes you think that it is not wise to keep your timeshare anymore. You become busier or perhaps, you realized that there are other places in the world that you can visit, instead of sticking on the same destination over and over again.
But before jumping into the decision of selling your timeshare, you should know that it is not that easy to look for buyers who might bargain to pay less for your timeshare asset, thus, you’ll just experience an insufficient return of investment.
Professional help is important once you decided to put your asset in the market. However, you also have to be cautious when seeking for companies that are dedicated to help you sell your timeshare. Unfortunately, the timeshare industry has been one of the favorite nests of these scammers who heartlessly lure people who just want to get profit from their investments.
Fraudsters often contact their potential victims via phone or email, and mind you, they know the best lines to make you agree with their proposals. They have promises like money-back guarantee after paying them a particular amount of money when your property remains unsold for a certain period of time. Sometimes, you would even end up paying extra charges because of their services that do not actually meet your goal of selling your timeshare.
That is why to avoid being scammed, it is important to make sure that you seek help from credible timeshare-reselling companies that are dedicated to fulfill this job.
Direct Transfers Company is a credible group that guides timeshare holders to come out of their contracts. Their expertise in the field will practically save you from financial and legal obligations, which are the often issues that occur during timeshare-reselling process.
Direct Transfers are also more than willing to assist timeshare holders to get rid of agreements that complicate the whole process of getting out of timeshare contracts. Have a hassle-free trade with Direct Transfer’s assistance to immediately enjoy the profit that you deserve from your timeshare investment.
Its all Legitimate with Direct Transfers
August 5, 2010
Aside from keeping an asset, another reason why people shell out money for investment is to get profits out of them. Buying a timeshare is actually one of the common ways to invest to experience either of the aforementioned reasons.
Though there are families or couples who enjoy the privilege of having a secured vacation spot, there are people who feel like having a timeshare property is a wrong decision because of the extra financial burden it brings. Maintenance fees, taxes, and other charges make them want to get rid of their contracts.
People are looking for various options around for investing their money and getting the profits out of them. However, buying a timeshare may be appealing in the first place, but when you actually acquire that, you may feel that you have taken a wrong decision.
This is the reason why people should think not just twice or thrice, but many times, before purchasing a timeshare property. Sales representatives are more than willing to explain all the benefits that you can get but bear in mind that your hard-earned money is at stake when you sign a contract for an asset.
But in case you decided to bite the bait, of course, there will come a time that you will realize that your timeshare doesn’t fit your lifestyle anymore, or you can no longer pay for the pertinent charges to maintain your vacation houses. That is why you will decide to put it in the market just to realize that it is not easy to sell your timeshare property. And because of that, some timeshare-holders just sell their properties for a very low price just to sell them quickly – a move that is more like a mistake than a wise decision.
Before committing this kind of mistake, timeshare-holders should actually seek the help of professionals since this kind of issue is not just about selling a second-hand TV or laptop, but a vacation spot.
Direct Transfer Company is a reliable group that timeshare-owners can count on when they finally decided to get rid of their contracts. These professionals provide proper guidance that guarantees legal procedures and financial obligations throughout the selling process.
Direct Transfer specialized in this field to help people lawfully escape the burden of paying timeshare charges. Because they are credible and legal when it comes to this kind of trade, this group should probably be the one to call to once you decided to end your timeshare contract.
Direct Transfers: The Exit Door from Your Timeshare Contract
August 3, 2010Have you ever heard Direct Transfers? Direct Transfers is your key if you are one of those people who want to exit from their timeshare contracts. Leaving vacation ownership is probably one of the most complicated contracts that you would encounter, and Direct Transfers is here to help you have a hassle-free take off from your timeshare assets.
Direct Transfers is a company dedicated to complete timeshare transfers services. As a leading shared properties consultations and solutions group, the company is more than willing to aid you lift the burden of maintenance fees, taxes, and extra charges off your back.
Do it the Direct Transfers Way
Breaking free from your timeshare contracts is not an easy thing to do because of the conditions that complicate the bond. Proper process and communication must be done in between in order to achieve a successful exit from the deal.
The Power of Research
Direct Transfers utilizes one of the most fundamental steps to do – research, through gathering pertinent information involved. From the comprehensive assessment of the property to assessment of balance, the company sees to it that they have all the necessary details that should be sorted out.
Working in Legal Ways
Nobody can dispute legal matters and Direct Transfers guarantees that all the documents and procedures involved are legitimate. Deeds, contracts, transfers forms, and other proofs of ownership or transfer are sorted out to make sure that both parties have nothing to argue about when the timeshare transaction ends.
Sealing the Deal
Direct Transfers also handles the documentation of the transaction, which involves the payment of real estate property taxes and other legal requirements with the state agencies affiliated with the timeshare resort.
The entire procedure might be complicated, but Direct Transfers sees to it that they do not leave their clients. Armed with proper knowledge in the field, the people who work for this company assure that all the required methods are performed accurately to achieve a stress-free exit from timeshare bonds.
A Hassle-Free Process of Timeshare-Resale with Direct Transfer
July 24, 2010
There will come a time that timeshare owners would choose to sell their timeshares on the spot. However, finding buyers is extremely difficult. Various responsibilities and household crises are along the way, making the option of buying timeshare assets become the last option to be included in their budget.
Timeshare properties require maintenance fees and extra charges and taxes that would practically affect one’s savings and budget. Timeshare-holders are bound to obey on all the rules and regulations in the contract and this has become a real pain; aside from the annual payments that they have to fulfill, there are parameters that they have to follow, which makes the process of selling even more complicated.
Though there are timeshare-reselling companies that offer services of aiding timeshare owners to put their assets in the market, sometimes, their effort to advertise your for-sale property is not enough since there are competitors in the market and buyers are practically hard to find. Sadly, there are buyers who even demand for prices that do not meet the price set by the seller. There are desperate ones who actually agree to these buyers, just to get rid of the contract immediately. Unfortunately, this move brings inadequate return of investment to the former timeshare-holders.
Direct Transfers Company, a leading shared properties consultation and solutions group, is a credible company that will assist timeshare owners get rid of their contracts, faster than any of the companies can do. With their extra effort of taking the ownership, as well as its financial responsibility, timeshare-holders do not have to worry about the pain of going out of their contracts.
Direct Transfers provide proficient services brought by trusted experts in the timeshare reselling industry. If you are one of those title-holders who want to put their timeshare properties up in the market, I guess it’s time for you to contact Direct Transfers to make the whole process easier.
Five Basic Tips for a Backpacking Trip in the Philippines
Vacations are often defined by ample rest and relaxation, which is also delineated by the amount of money inside the vacationer’s pocket. There is, however, a cheaper way to have a memorable trip that does not require a large budget yet guarantees real excitement that you cannot feel by merely laying your back flat on a sandy beach within your country.
Known for being part of the hippie culture in the 60’s and 70’s, backpacking is an economical way to enjoy your holiday that traditionally differentiates itself from the other forms of traveling. It’s all about the limited usage of public transport, choosing low-cost hostels over high-priced hotels, length of the trip versus the typical vacation, eagerness in meeting the locals as well as seeing the sights, and of course, the use of backpacks.
Backpacking opens a traveler to a real adventure, especially if the backpacker chooses to have a trip on a third world country – where most of the immaculate paradises peacefully rest, seasoned with the thrills and risk of untainted culture.
The Philippines is one of the best destinations for a backpacking trip because there are a lot of surprises in its archipelago. Composed of more than 7100 islands, the country a perfect getaway in the Asia Pacific where you do not have to shell out a huge amount of money to enjoy.
If you are enticed by what a backpacking trip offers, you should first remember these basic points in order to maximize the experience that you are about to relish:
1. Grab proper garbs
Dressing down is a basic requirement, most especially in the country’s climate. The average temperature in the Philippines varies from 24 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius. Light clothes are advisable, such as cotton shirts and shorts, to avoid from sweating too much during your trip. Also, make a room for insect repellants inside your bags for sake of safety, not just for vanity, since mosquitoes are abundant in tropical countries.
2. . Verbalize your S.O.S.
TThe Philippines is known for the unparalleled hospitality so never hesitate to ask for help. Unlike most other Asian countries, the majority of the population can speak English. Locals are always willing to assist you in case you are lost, but make sure that you always interact with precautions since you cannot easily identify if you are already talking to a petty criminal.
3. Discover native delicacies
You might want to quit dining on fancy restaurants and fast food and try the authentic Filipino street foods that are being sold for a very low price. Fishballs, banana-cue (fried and sugared bananas on a stick), banana fritter (sugared banana steamed inside a wanton wrapper), and isaw (chicken’s intestines) are some of the local’s favorites that you will surely enjoy.
4. Tip is a common tip
It is a common courtesy in the Philippines to leave some cash behind after paying the bill, since most of the restaurants and bars in the country do not include tips for the servers in the final charges. This also goes to giving an extra payment to the cab drivers, like leaving them the small amount of change from the money you paid based on the meter.
5. . Prop up ecotourism and the nation’s culture
Just in case you are on an island hopping adventure, ask for a local boatman instead of grabbing packages from hotel accommodations. Aside from the fact that ecotourism helps to save natural resources, it alsoaids the economy sustainable in indigenous communities. You can also support their culture by merely respecting them, since the Philippines gives a high regard on respect, most especially to elders. Try your best to fit in and you’ll be surprised how locals will show their respect to you in return.
Backpacking in the Philippines is cheaper compared to other countries but as a rule of thumb, never forget to bring extra cash. Also, be extra-cautious in whatever you do and wherever you go while enjoying the beauty of the surroundings and culture.
This kind of trip will never fail to give you a sense of authenticity because it’s more than a vacation – it’s actually an education wherein you get to learn the environment first hand. Bear in mind that sheer gratification doesn’t just come from the magnificence of the place but also from the journey you take.
“We now no longer camp as for a night, but have settled down on earth and forgotten heaven.” - Henry David Thoreau.
Credibility: A Valuable Commodity
Deciding to sell your timeshare property might have cost you time to mull over the move but of course, you have your reason why you decided to let go of your asset. When this time comes, make sure that you are careful in choosing assistance when it comes to reselling.
Over the years, a lot of companies have used business professionalism for easy timeshare resell as their selling point to promote their services. However, some are just way too knowledgeable to this kind of trade that their customers end up being fooled by their properties.
These unscrupulous companies typically contact their targets via phone, direct mails, or emails, asking them to contact a certain number about your timeshare. Then sales representatives will lure you with claims like there is a high demand for resales, even though the rise and fall of timeshare reselling business varies on the location and the season. Aside from that, they also claim to have potential buyers interested in your properties, and money-back guarantees if they cannot sell your asset until the provided deadline.
Some timeshare owners were attracted by these alluring promises, thus they just ended up being scammed or the whole transaction just costs them additional payments because of the bonds and other policies that were not actually clear before the transaction.
To avoid these issues, the best way that a timeshare owner can do is to become extra cautious especially if these people cannot even show themselves. Ask everything about the company – from policies, consequences if the contract fails, as well as commissions and additional charges. One must also seek for licenses that will verify their credibility.
Direct Transfers is practically the company to run to when you decide to sell your timeshare. With their help, putting your timeshare property in the market would be easier and safer, since the company is trusted when it comes to this kind of business.








