1. Why should I work with Vermont Timeshare Brokerage?
Answer. Here at Vermont Timeshare Brokerage, our skilled team of veteran brokerage professionals has an extensive database of both timeshare properties and interested potential sellers. This is a very valuable service. We can help select the best choices from our enormous pool of potential properties and sellers. This means you have far more timeshares to choose from and, with our expertise, you have absolutely the best chance of finding the timeshare of your dreams!
We are the local experts. We provide the very best advice to safeguard all of our customers, whether long-distance or local, whether buyers or sellers. We protect our customers from problems and possible fraud, which can occur in any a long-distance real estate transaction. Our advice? Choose us! We are the local experts if you decide to purchase a timeshare right here in Vermont. Want another recommendation? If you are looking for a timeshare property to fulfill your vacation dreams, it’s a good idea to think about purchasing your timeshare locally or at least within driving distance. Purchasing a property nearby will help you save, gas, time and money, and avoid missed flights. As an added bonus, you won’t have to worry about extensive travel arrangements just to get to your chosen locale or waste precious time!
We are trustworthy. We are a highly respected company. Our professionals have built a sterling reputation for fair and honest dealing. As we constantly remind our valued customers, our “Rule Number One” when buying and selling timeshares is that everything must be in writing, an important rule in any real estate transaction. Every promise should be in writing. Unfortunately, there IS fraud in the timeshare industry. There are unscrupulous people who prey on unsuspecting buyers and sellers. Consumer education is vital. Our track record is that every single buyer has gotten exactly what they have wanted while working with us. Sometimes, even more! As part of your research, take time to read over our FAQs on what to look for in the timeshare marketplace and especially what to look OUT for. We think you will be led to a decision to use Vermont TimeShare Brokerage. Our bottom line is that we strive for excellence and our customer’s satisfaction in all our dealings, because we sincerely care about all of our customers.
2. Why would I want to buy a timeshare?
Answer. One of the best reasons to buy a timeshares is the ability to own a vacation home that you can enjoy year after year at a fraction of the cost of a second home. You can also change your vacation destination every year if you get tired of going to the same place! You can exchange your time and location with other timeshare owners! With a quality timeshare, you can even alternate back-and-forth each year between both options. As an owner, you can “trade” with other owners at any of nearly 5,000 resorts in over 80 countries worldwide!
3. What is a timeshare?
Answer. When you buy a timeshare, you receive exclusive ownership right to a timeshare unit at a specific resort, during a specific week, every year for as long as you retain that ownership. It guarantees you a memorable vacation experience!
A timeshare is also the name given to piece of real estate, where a number of individuals share ownership rights in the subject property. As opposed to a standard home, where there is only one owner, a timeshare is owned by a lot of people, most or all of whom who may not even know each other.
4. What is the “average” timeshare property like?
Answer. Actually, most timeshares are not predictably “average”! Even he “average” timeshare resorts are far superior to most hotels, and offer a wider array of owner amenities and services. The majority of timeshare resort locales are nestled within the most awe-inspiring and breathtaking settings. Most offer their buyers fully-furnished kitchens, spacious living areas, TV’s, VCR’s, and accommodations for numerous family members and friends.
5. Does timeshare ownership make financial sense?
Answer. Yes! Your luxurious vacation property is available for your use every year. You pay no additional costs aside from a nominal maintenance fee (see FAQ 10 below). Timesharing offers a lifetime of luxury vacations, but at lower price, which you can lock-in today with your purchase! Most people discover that, after just a few years of ownership, they have more than recouped their investment. These same people also realize that they have done more than just save precious dollars, as part of a wise decision to purchase a timeshare property.
If you choose a deeded property, it can be willed to your children as a long-lasting legacy. When renting your big-ticket luxury vacations, which also need to be methodically planned, and then reserved again and again, every year. Plus, there is no guarantee you can even return in the future. For these reasons and more, it’s a wise decision to buy a deeded timeshare.
6. Is now a good time to buy a resale timeshare?
Answer. Right now is a great time to purchase a timeshare! Real estate values all over the U.S. are depressed. The purchase of a resale timeshare at this point takes advantage of this market. Timeshare resale buyers not only enjoy the use of the timeshare unit, but reap an average savings of over 50% of the resort developer’s original asking price!
7. Why are the most exclusive timeshares offered for such low prices in the resale market?
Answer. When you choose Vermont TimeShare Brokerage to help you find your ideal property from the timeshare resale marketplace, we will guide you to pay only the true fair market value of the property. If you purchase directly from the resort, you are paying a price that also has to absorb a lot of costs not related to your property, including sales incentives, benefits, administrative and marketing expenses. This is great news for our resale timeshare buyers!
8. What benefits are included with timeshare ownership at Smuggs’?
Answer. When you purchase your timeshare at Smuggs’ you will be guaranteed your specific luxurious home every year for the specific weeks you purchase. In addition to your accommodations some communities have private amenities that are available to owners at no charge when you own your timeshare in that neighborhood.
You have a choice of two Optional benefits packages at Smuggs’.
1. You can also purchase the Smuggs’ Pass for access to many of the additional resort activities and facilities plus great discounts. The cost for the SmuggsPass in the summer is $343 (plus tax) fee is per home per week or $49 per day (plus tax) and covers everyone staying in the home. These fees are subject to change. The cost for the SmuggsPass in the winter is $273 (plus tax) fee is per home per week or $39 per day (plus tax) and covers everyone staying in the home. These fees are subject to change. Please scroll down for a full description of the SmuggsPass.
2. You can purchase 20 years of benefits for $2,500.00 per person if you purchase the 2-week ownership. You can purchase 20 years of benefits for $1,250.00 per person if you purchase the 1-week ownership. The full benefits package includes FREE summer camps for kids ages 3-17 and FREE Lift Tickets in the Winter plus use of the waterparks and activities. There are also many discounts available with Smuggs’ full benefit package.
SMUGGS’ PASS DESCRIPTION
SmuggsPass – Your Pass to Fun at Smugglers’ Notch Resort!
Summer
In order to fully enjoy your vacation we recommend that you consider purchasing our Summer SmuggsPass. The SmuggsPass entitles everyone staying in your home access to the following activities* and facilities, plus great discounts on our award-winning children’s programs and shopping! These activities and facilities are available June 8 – September 3, 2012.
Unlimited Use of 8 Heated Pools & 4 Waterslides:
Mountainside Water Park including the 300 foot Giant Rapid River Ride, Turtleslide and Little Smugglers’ Lagoon
Notchville Park with the Twister Waterslide and Lily Pad walk
Courtside Pool with the Flume Slide and 2 hot tubs
Rum Runners’ Hideaway, home to our 25 foot Aqua Jump
Unlimited Use of the FunZone Family Entertainment Center: a 22-foot Giant Double Lane Slide, 45-foot giant obstacle course, mini-golf, the crawl-through Train Express, arcade games, and more.
PLUS:
Stretch & Go 1, 2, & 3, Smuggsational Family Social, Sterling Pond Hike, Marko’s Magic Show, Woodland Mini-Golf, Birds and Bloomers Walk, Family Splashdown, Aqua Aerobics, Bootleggers’ Basin Wike, Bonfire Sing-along, Forest Heritage Wike, Entertainment with Goodtime Charlie, FunMeister’s Clubhouse, Family Ties — I-Did-A-Cart, Disc Golf, Woodland Wildlife Nature Wike, Bigger is Better, Watermelon Walk, Aqua-Volleyball, Nature Center, Village Garden Tour, Outer Limits, Teen Alley, Teen Dodgeball Tourney, Liquid Courage Karaoke, Bingo Blast, Explore Morse Mountain Hike, Mount Mansfield Hike, Bears and Berries Wike, Adult Volleyball, Golf Tips, Friendly Pirate’s Rain Gutter Regatta, High Peak Tour, River Walk, Stowe Pinnacle Hike, No Strings Marionettes, Family Pedal Go Cart Race, Family Karaoke, Family Movie on the Green, Vermont Country Fair, Goodtime Charlie Dance Party, Live Band Jam, and more!
Discounts:
10% off the daily childcare rate at TREASURES.
15% off the purchase of non-sale items at 3 Mountain Outfitters.
30% discount off our Discovery, Trail Blazers, Adventure, Notch Squad and Explorer Camp Programs.
All of these activities, facilities and discounts are available to your entire party during your stay at Smugglers’ with the purchase of a SmuggsPass for a fee of $343 week (plus tax). Get the best value from your vacation at America’s Family Resort by registering for these programs and discounts prior to your arrival. The $343 (plus tax) fee is per home per week or $49 per day (plus tax) and covers everyone staying in the home. These fees are subject to change.
*Fee based activities such as massage, Artists in the Mountains, Zip Line Canopy Tours, Water & Wine Trip are additional and are not covered by the SmuggsPass. These fees are subject to change.
Winter
Smugglers’ offers a variety of award-winning family activities and Winter events* plus some great discounts on your ski and snowboard needs. These activities and events are available December 9, 2012 – April 8, 2013 . Discounts are available during non-holiday periods. We hope that your family will make the most of your Winter vacation by participating in our planned events and using our facilities such as:
Unlimited Use of the FunZone Family Entertainment Center: a 22-foot Giant Double Lane Slide, 45-foot giant obstacle course, mini-golf, the crawl-through Train Express, arcade games, and more.
PLUS:
Family Fun Races, Ice Skating, Bingo, Tube Sliding, Live Music, Karaoke, Marko the Magician, Showtime, Après Ski Parties, Dancing, Hot Chocolate Warm-ups, Winter Walking, Outer Limits and Teen Alley Teen Centers.
Discounts:
10% off nursery
10% off lift tickets
15% off children’s camps
15% off group lessons
15% off ski & snowboard rentals
15% off sport shop purchase of non-sale items
All of these activities, facilities and discounts are available to your entire party during your stay at Smugglers’ with the purchase of a SmuggsPass for a fee of $273 week (plus tax). Get the best value from your vacation at America’s Family Resort by registering for these programs and discounts prior to your arrival. The $245 fee is per home per week or $39 per day and covers everyone staying in the home. These fees are subject to change.
* Fee based activities such as massage sessions, Artists in the Mountains, Zip Line Canopy Tours, snowmobile tours and dog sledding are additional and are not covered by the general facilities fee.
9. What is a ownership/maintenance fee?
Answer. The purchase of a timeshare requires payment of some small additional yearly expenses. Ownership fees are the owners’ shared cost for the upkeep of their vacation home, as well as for maintenance of the building. Maintenance fees also pay for taxes, insurance, beautification, capital improvements, and general up-keep. This fee can range from $500 to $1,000 annually per week that you purchase. It is established and collected by the Homeowners Association or Resort Management Company. The specific amount of the ownership/maintenance fee varies with each property, and depends on the size and type of property you purchase.
10. Are there any other costs that I need to consider when making a purchase?
Answer. Yes, there are closing costs when you purchase real estate. You have found the perfect property for a great time and price! What happens next? Finally, the closing process for your timeshare begins, and you are in the home-stretch! You can rest easy, particularly if you have chosen Vermont TimeShare Brokerage. We can guide you through the process. Local attorneys or a timeshare closing company will handle all the legal work to transfer ownership.
We partner with only the best attorneys and closing companies. We will only work with companies that are licensed and bonded so as to ensure the safe and reliable transfer of your timeshare property. The purchaser is responsible for the closing costs on the purchase. Closing costs usually range from $500.00 to 1,500.00.
11. What are the differences between deeded, leased, or licensed timeshares?
Answer. Most timeshare ownerships are either deeded or leased for a specific number of years.
Deeded Timeshares. A deeded timeshare resale property is like most other real estate purchases because you own the timeshare outright and forever. The deeded property can be sold, rented or even willed to your heirs to create a lasting legacy. Deeded timeshares are truly yours to use every year.
Leased Timeshares. A leased timeshare property gives you the right to use a specific week at the property for a specific number of years, typically ranging from 20 to 99 years. When the lease matures, the right to use the property terminates and normally returns to the selling resort. Although gaining in popularity, leased timeshares are not as commonly purchased as deeded timeshares.
Licensed Timeshares. Generally licensed “time shares” require joining a “vacation club”. Club members usually have the right to use the entire club and its services.
12. What do “Gold Crown” and “5-Star Resort” ratings represent?
Answer. Both the “Gold Crown” and “5 Star Resort” ratings are the highest possible ratings that can be awarded to a resort. These ratings are awarded by the Resort Condominium International (RCI) and Interval International (II) “timeshare exchange” programs, respectively.
These programs allow owners to exchange a vacation week for a week at any participating resort. Membership in these programs allows timeshare owners even more flexibility in the use of their timeshare ownership.
13. How does “timeshare exchanging” work?
Answer. The concept is really quite simple. It allows timeshare owners to trade their vacation week at their resort with another timeshare owner’s week at the other owner’s resort. Joining a “timeshare exchange program” is easy and affordable. You become a member of your home resort’s exchange company, or use the services of any of the other independent resort’s exchange companies. You can choose any company, according to which best meets your specific travel needs. “Timeshare exchanging” is big business, when you consider that, between the two time-share “giants” (RCI and II), over 1.5 million exchanges were processed last year!
There are several timeshare exchange companies. However, RCI an II are the two most prominent. These two companies are affiliated with over 5,000 resorts world-wide.
14. What do the designations “annual”, “biennial” and“alternate” mean?
Answer. “Annual” timeshares are meant to be used every year. “Biennial” timeshares are meant to be used every other year, and are designated to be used either in odd or even numbered years. Lastly, “alternate” timeshares are designed to be used every year, alternating the primary and float weeks (see FAQ 15 below) on the odd or even years.
15. What does a “week” mean? And when does it start?
Answer. Each resort creates its own individual schedule (or “calendar”) of “weeks”. Usually, weeks are assigned a number, typically starting with the first week in January. A week typically begins on a weekend day, a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
16. What Are some other timeshare “weeks”?
Answer. The following are five common types of timeshare “weeks”, and the unique ways timeshares can be used:
Fixed Week. Buying a fixed week timeshare allows the use of the unit for that specific week each year for as long as you own the property. Fixed weeks generally commence on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Float Week. Buying a float week timeshare allows you to use the unit anytime during the year, subject to availability. Some float may weeks have certain exclusions, usually specific holiday weeks.
Flex Time. Flex time is similar to a float week, but with restrictions. Flex time refers to a season, winter flex or spring flex, for example. Or flex time can represent a time frame, such as blue time frames and white time frames (this is industry lingo that defines certain periods during the year). High and low seasons vary from resort to resort, so flex time may be defined differently at different locations.
Bi-Annual. Bi-annual timeshare ownership allows the buyer the use of the resort, every other year, but it can be used for a fixed week, float week, or flex time.
17. What does “floating” mean?
Answer. A floating week is an ownership that allows the owner to reserve any week throughout the year. However, some floating weeks are restricted by season and can only be used during a certain span of time during the year. For instance, a winter floating week could be used during any week that falls within the defined winter months. Certain exclusions may apply, usually including holiday weeks.
18. What does “space-banking” mean?
Answer. Space-banking is an exciting concept that means allows an owner to “deposit” a time-share “week” (or even single nights) with an exchange company. In this way, unused timeshare “time” can be saved for later use. Owners may “space-bank” at their home resort or any other resort affiliated with the exchange company. Usage of banked time is, of course, subject to availability.
19. What is the difference between Red, White, Yellow, Blue, and Green time?
Answer. Each color serves as a rating of the overall desirability of the seasons and the selected week at a timeshare resort. Red is considered peak season, and the most desirable time and week of each year to own a timeshare. Red is followed by white, then yellow, then blue and green, which are considered off-season.
20. What are “points”?
Answer. Owners in a points-based timeshare ownership system can usually purchase “points” that can be used like currency to reserve any of several timeshare options: (1) changing the size of the timeshare unit or (2) changing the “time” to a different season. Points can even be used to (3) increase or (4) change the length of time when the timeshare can be used. Points can sometimes also be used as “money” for other vacation products, including airfare, hotel stays, auto rentals and more!