Last month, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) issued a couple of consumer advisories to aid existing timeshare owners in their quest for timeshare relief. The timeshare resale industry involves timeshare resale companies, online advertising companies, and other companies related to the secondary timeshare market. The ARDA advisories were aimed to help in ushering towards a safer and more positive resale environment. Both advisories were designed to help dispense with the increasing misinformation and confusion in the timeshare secondary market by supplying tips in verifying timeshare resale companies as well as their business practices, fees, and services.

Howard Nusbaum, Chief Executive Officer of ARDA issued a press release statement in relation to the current lawsuit faced by two Florida timeshare resale companies engaging in highly suspect timeshare relief activities. “This is not an indictment of our reputable resale company members, but rather a problem faced by everyone who loves this industry being painted with the same ‘timeshare scam’ brush,” said Nusbaum. “We continue to work with stakeholders to craft what we believe will be guidelines for best practices and legislation.”

Even if there are legitimate timeshare relief companies providing resale services out there, the huge majority of timeshare resale companies are mere fronts for fraudulent business practices. Hence, timeshare owners should always verify any timeshare relief company prior to transacting with it. The advisories issued by ARDA are very specific tips that should be followed by timeshare owners before getting rid of their timeshares by dealing with a potential timeshare relief company.

A lot of timeshare owners today who are frantic for any form of timeshare relief have mistakenly procured the services of the wrong company. This is because the majority of timeshare relief companies out there are mere fronts for fraudulent activities. Here are a few tips to avoid being misled by unscrupulous organizations.

Never permit something because of a telephone conversation until you have verified the credentials of a company.

Written materials such as brochures are poor indicators of legitimacy as these are easily fabricated.

Company references such as business addresses and contact numbers should be immediately verified

Ask for the real estate license of the company and verify it with the corresponding agency

Inquire about the company’s method of payment whether they charge commissions or upfront fees. In addition, ask if there is a single payment involve, or if you will still have to pay for the processing and escrow fees.

Companies who charge upfront appraisal fees are usually unreliable. The most reliable companies only charges fees after a successful sale.

The best tip is still to consult with the Better Business Bureau or any local consumer protection agency. This is because the BBB as well as agencies of the sort mentioned above will have a record of the complaints filed against the company. Complaints are pretty standard for most companies but the more legitimate ones will have a proven track record of complaint resolutions. Timeshare owners wishing to get rid of their timeshare are best off availing of the services of such companies.

Scores of timeshare owners today are ever more displeased with their vacation packages. The inevitable presence of expensive maintenance fees has prompted many timeshare owners to secure the aid of timeshare relief companies. By doing so, they hope to be alleviated from the recurring scourges of costly upkeep charges as well as the intermittent bills for special assessment fees. Hence, an increasing number of owners are seeking aid from third party companies, going so far as to recompense these companies for their service; ever hoping that their service fee would be their last expense on their timeshare property.

It is to the dismay of many owners that most of these timeshare relief service companies require the payment of an upfront fee before providing their services. In the timeshare resale business, a common modus operandi for fraudulent timeshare relief companies is to charge an upfront fee without guaranteeing the eventual sale of the timeshare property. Listing services are notorious for this type of timeshare resale operation, as the timeshares of their customers are just included in a public listing without further action on the part of the listing company.

Title transfer companies, on the other hand, also require upfront fees for their services. Title transfer companies transfers the timeshare ownership from the owner to a corporation, hence, freeing the owner forever from his timeshare financial liabilities. However, timeshare owners wishing to avail of this service should first make sure that the title transfer company is legally capable of getting rid of the timeshare property of the owner.

Many owners today are getting rid of their timeshare vacation packages due to expensive maintenance fees. Some owners choose to avail of the services of listing companies in order to help them sell their timeshare properties. However, timeshare property owners should be aware of the different types of listing services in order to effectively facilitate the sale or resale of their timeshare vacation package.

Listing services all have one thing in common, that is, they are advertising tools to expedite the sale of a particular timeshare property. However, different types of listing services provide different benefits and disadvantages; hence, owners should select the best type of listing service according to their unique needs.

Non-exclusive listings allow owners to contract with several brokers at once. Real estate brokers generally would not accept non-exclusive listings as their commissions are not guaranteed upon the sale of the timeshare. In contrast, exclusive listings bestow upon the broker exclusive rights for the sale of the timeshare. Hence, upon the conclusion of a sale, the broker receives his commission even if he was not the one responsible for the sale.

Lastly, net listing services allow owners to determine a fix price for the sale of their timeshare. Brokers may sell the timeshare at whatever price as long as he remits to the owner the agreed upon amount upon the conclusion of the sale. Thus, whichever listing service the owner chooses, the owner is assured of timely relief in their timeshare sales dilemma.