Thursday, November 27, 2008

How To Survive Timeshare Ownership During Economic Crisis

By Bobby Kip Hernandez

The timeshare industry depends greatly on the availability of credit in order for potential buyers to sign timeshare vacation package contracts. Without free-flowing credit, timeshare sales fall. To make up the gap in revenue, current timeshare owners are being asked to flip the bill. Relief is certainly not in sight.

While some timeshare owners know of the special assessment fee, few know that timeshare resorts can call for nearly any amount they deem necessary. The financial impact for these economic extenuating circumstances can add up to high dollar amounts for owners.

Reports of $500 to $3,000 special assessment fees being doled out have recently surfaced. These outrageous amounts are hitting owner pocketbooks at the same time personal incomes are stagnant or falling, and as retirement funds drop like rocks thrown into a pond. The financial blow has opened some eyes as to the fragility and milk-them-for-everything mentality of the timeshare industry.

You would think that the millions in upfront cost and annual maintenance fees would be able to keep afloat all timeshare resorts. Unfortunately, many corporations leverage what they have to build more timeshare units in different locales. This strategy works well in good economic times but tragically multiplies the draining effect when credit is scarce and when revenue decreases.

And what if the special assessment fees are not paid? Not surprisingly, many timeshare contracts are skewed in favor of the developer. They charge non-payment penalties, garner wages, and put liens on real property like the homes of timeshare owners. What's worse, default judgments can impose these penalties immediately following the payment due date.

What can timeshare owners do to fight back? There is not much relief if they plan to keep their timeshares. The number of owners that try to resell or rent their timeshares spikes up tremendously during economic crisis. Many charities will not accept timeshare deeds as donations knowing the accompanying liabilities. - 16492

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