If you intend to sell your timeshare and do not know where to start, this article is for you.  Although timeshare resale is a very competitive market, the process of selling can easily be accomplished on your own. Once you have put in place the following steps, the process of selling is half way done...

Five points come to mind:
1.       Know your product/know your buyer;
2.       Know the transfer procedures and associated costs;
3.       Know the comparables;
4.       Know how to price it accordingly;
5.       Know if you are up to do it yourself or not.

1.        Know your product. 
What do you own?  We have had a lot of people contacting us not really understanding what timeshare program they own.  Is it a fixed week or floating?  Do you own a deed or a right to use?  Is it annual, biennial, triennial? Even or odd years... How does your program work?  Can you trade within the club or do you need to trade with an exchange company? 

Once you advertise your program, chances are you will receive all kind of inquiries from 2 types of buyers: those who know your property and the mechanics of timeshare; and, 2) those who are interested but do not know how it works really.  To avoid sounding like a broken record, you should know from the start who you are dealing with. 

Type 1 buyers are mostly looking for a specific unit, or a week in that property, want to pay as little as possible (and want to know how can the transfer process be worked out between the two of you).

Type 2 buyers: You should be prepared to plainly explain the mechanics of the timeshare concept to first-time buyers; however, too much information may be confusing and you might lose their interest.  Try to present your program in as relevant a manner to your buyer as possible. Therefore, your first challenge here is to establish a good rapport with your prospect and find out how your program can match his or her interests.  Make sure what you’re explaining matches your buyer’s inquiry... If you get into lengthy explanations you can quickly lose his or her interest, therefore, give short and relevant answers to their questions.  Ask questions to determine what your buyer needs is what you can offer.

2.        Know the transfer procedures and associated costs.
Most developers would disclose such information at the time of purchase in your contract; however, it sometimes could be a grey zone.  Therefore one of the first steps would be to check with your resort and find out what’s involved with the transfer of your ownership (try getting it in writing to keep as a reference).  Secondly, your resort’s administration may be assisting owners and be willing to give information such as:  has past resale transaction done lately? What kind of prices programs such as yours traded at? Was a resale company, if any, used to assist the sellers and if so, which one? 

Thirdly, to know the procedures will tell you right from the start if you’re willing to tackle the process on your own.  Some developers make it very restrictive and pricey and others make it very easy with hardly any additional fees.  Once you know what’s involved, you should be prepared to deal with it to avoid burdening your buyer with such process that may appear overwhelming for a first time buyer. 

3.        Know the comparables.
Google your property.  You’ll soon see what other travelers have reported on it.  If you agree with the comments... then you’ll know how to present it to potential buyers.  If you disagree ... Write your own comments and add pictures to support your points.  These comments found on the net are always to be taken with a grain of salt.  However, if they make your property look bad, something has to be done about it and as a member or owner, you should take the right initiative to present your timeshare property more accurately. 

Refer your buyers to your resort’s website if they have one.  If not, refer them to a website where your resort is shown...  Add your own pictures showing the unit, the outdoor facilities and so on.   Is the location of your property in high demand, when are its high and low times and the particular clientele enjoying this resort (popular for families, couples, golfers).  Be prepared to outline the pros and cons of your resort. 

4.        Know how to price it accordingly.
You should be taking into consideration the annual fees or the maintenance fees.  Low maintenance fees equal higher resale value.  Now the question is:  How do you qualify maintenance fees as high or low. Two ways: 1 – you could compare your maintenance fees (divided by 7 nights) to a hotel nightly stay rate in the area.  Does your unit offer more amenities, space and comfort than that comparable hotel room?  Yes?  Then your maintenance fees could be qualified as low.  2 – if you have owned this property for several years, what percentage, would you say, has the average increase been over the past 5 to 10 years? Less than 5% per year as average is considered low and increases of over 6% is considered high.

In your asking price, you must factor in the additional transfer costs as well as the annual fee.  Also, whoever enjoys the benefit of the Trade for the year should bear the cost of the annual fee for that year.  Therefore, this can be added to your price or offered as an incentive.  Lastly, will you transfer your Exchange Network membership as well as the deposited time in it?  If so, keep in mind that these should not affect your asking price; however, it should be outlined as added benefits in buying your program and may help you close the sale.

5.        Know if you’re up to the process or not.
Taking into consideration what you need to do, the cost of promoting and so on, are you up to doing it yourself?  This will easily help you decide whether or not you would require assistance in selling.  Another factor to take into consideration, the higher your asking price is, the more likely you will require assistance in collecting the money.  You should know that most sale transfers fail to close when it comes time to collect the money.  Be prepared to spend time screening the serious from the curious, and once you get a serious offer, know the possible avenues to assist you... a notary’s or a lawyer’s in-trust account, for example, will help reassure your buyer that his money is safe while the transfer process in underway.

These are the steps to know in selling your program.  Are you confident enough to undertake them yourself? 

Timesharing Style has designed its services to help timeshare sellers and buyers with the above process.  What we offer are specialized advertising, marketing and rental services for timeshares owners wanting to sell and rent and timeshare buyers wanting to buy and rent.  We create bilingual advertising in French and in English; promote your timeshare to interested buyers; assist clients with the transfer process; use an in-trust account that complies with the Quebec Consumer Protection Law; and provide you with any assistance you may require along the way. 

For more information about buying or selling timeshares call toll free 1.866.769.5656 or click here...

What is Timesharing Style?
Our primary goal is to provide comprehensive information on current timeshare trends, while empowering individuals and families alike on their choices related to all timesharing products available today.

Why do people sell their timeshares?
As your lifestyle has changed over the years so has timesharing.   What once worked for you may not work today. Visiting Walt Disney World may have been your motivating factor to buy a Florida timeshare 15 years ago but today the kids have grown and personal circumstances in your life have changed and so have your needs in traveling.  It is not uncommon to find timeshare owners who have acquired over the years several styles of timeshare properties and now are willing to sell or trade their timeshare for something more convenient to their needs.

Who buys a timeshare?
There are hundreds of timeshare properties sold worldwide everyday. The Timeshare segment has grown to be one of the fastest-growing sectors in the hospitality industry.  The vacation ownership/timeshare industry continues to grow at an ever-increasing rate with proven family quality time values in mind.

Be assured that Mother Nature is not creating any more shorelines or mountains. Visiting these beautiful destinations worldwide is becoming increasing difficult and more cost-prohibitive than ever before and this is why timesharing continues to work for the savvy traveler.

Now with a resale market being more prominent in the field today, competitive prices can benefit a wider range of travelers in terms of accessibility.

It has been speculated that last year alone, approximately 50% of timeshares were sold on the resale market! You will enjoy all the benefits that the developer would offer with savings of up to 60% off the developer’s prices”.

Where are you located?
We’re located in the popular and beautiful Québec Laurentians in the village of St-Sauveur des Monts.  This location attracted us first because of its high rate of visitors from Montréal but also from other parts of the province of Québec, including Canada and the rest of the world.

The Quebec Laurentians is ranked 3rd in all the Quebec regions after Montreal (6,478,000) and Quebec City (5,288,000) to be the most visited by tourists. In 2006, the Laurentians alone welcomed over 2,808,000 tourists. Between 2000 and 2004, an increase of 45.5% in number of tourists was registered in the Laurentians.

St–Sauveur welcomes an ever increasing amount of tourists annually and this is one of the reasons we have conveniently located in the heart of St-Sauveur.

How does Timesharing Style work?
We have come to understand that it is not enough for timeshare owners to advertise their program at a ridiculously low price in order to sell their program.  Even though the timeshare resale market offers substantial discounts, it is important to re-sell at a price that is fair to both sellers and buyers.  Our services are basically geared to assist sellers in selling their program but especially designed to assist buyers to make the right choice for the best program to suit their needs and budget.  We believe in full disclosure of information to the experienced timeshare user or first time buyer, and assist them all along the acquisition process and importantly after their purchase. And, these are services that sellers need not preoccupy themselves with in order to achieve the sale of their timeshare.

Moreover, it is necessary to use the services of a third party especially when it comes to the monetary portion of the transaction.  As closing procedures require some time and monies need be paid prior to transfer, the use of an in-trust account is a must for all parties involved.

Timesharing Style’s services are non-exclusive and owners can deal directly with potential buyers using our expertise when needed along the way. In addition to our resource centre sellers can use additional methods to assist them when and wherever needed.
         
We create massive specialized exposure for owners’ properties at the national and international levels featuring timeshare program for rent or for sale in both Canada’s official languages for the convenience of the North American and European markets.

          We use from time to time other means of advertising such as direct mail, regional newspaper advertisement, and various methods of e-marketing to make sure our website gets the most traffic and exposure.  

          Timesharing Style’s management and personnel is committed to ensure a customer service that is geared to achieving results.

How do I evaluate my timeshare’s worth?
Get your free market analysis of your timeshare’s worth

The Original Purchase price of most timeshare units, purchased directly from the developer or marketing company, includes the cost of marketing.

This cost to the developer or marketing company can range from thirty percent to fifty five percent of the purchase price. This price includes the cost of gifts and other promotions used to entice prospective purchasers to view the timeshare development.

It is also important to contact your own resort to find out about the cost and conditions of ownership transfer.  This added cost can reduce your timeshare net value and must be taken into consideration in setting the resale price.

Every timeshare has its own value on the resale market.  The market demand for your property, its location, convenience, size of accommodation are still determining factors before a price can be set.  At the end, however, the net value you will receive for your timeshare will depend on the potential buyers.

What do I own?
Does your timeshare or vacation ownership come with a deed or is it a right to use? Important to note is that right to use (RTU) normally sells for lower amounts since they normally run for a set period of years and lose value as they “wind down” towards the end of their term.  However, this is not always the case and some purchasers are looking for shorter programs and we can advise on this point.

Ensure you have all documents that pertain to the timeshare/vacation ownership, including mortgage/loan information, tax records, annual fees, other related material such as owner’s kits and any mail outs the developer sends you.