Wyndham Worldwide and Wyndham timeshare are among the many companies in the hospitality and timeshare industry that are rallying support for victims of the tsunami and all that is occurring in its aftermath.

As Wyndham Worldwide continues to monitor and take precautions to safeguard its hotel guests, timeshare owners, and employees in the Pacific region, they are also setting up a special fund for contributions to the American Red Cross.

Through the Wishes by Wyndham program, Wyndham Worldwide will match all contributions made through the Wishes program up to a total of $25,000 USD. Follow this link to make your donation through Wishes by Wyndham: http://www.wyndhamworldwide.com/pacific-relief/donate-today.cfm

Once your donation is made, you will receive a receipt via email for your tax records.

For travel advisories for the region, visit www.travel.state.gov

Money is moving again and that is good news for developers in an industry where financing seems largely to have been locked –frozen—for many resorts and timeshare developers looking to expand.

Last week, Wellington Financial, the exclusive Resort Finance lending correspondent for Liberty Bank, announced that they recently completed a $20 million transaction with Reunion Resort & Club Wyndham Grand Resort, a Florida timeshare. Wyndham Vacation Ownership is the exclusive sales and marketing agent for timeshare sales for Reunion’s 256 units.

Tom Anderson, executive vice president and chief real estate development officer, Wyndham Worldwide says,“Wyndham Vacation Ownership was pleased to work with our resort clients at Reunion to reach a deal with Liberty. We’ve been handling the sales and marketing of the resort’s vacation ownership interests since mid-2010, as part of our Wyndham Asset Affiliation Model.”

Ron Goldberg, president of Wellington Financial, explains, “This project truly has it all. It includes a luxury hotel, three championship golf courses, casual and fine dining restaurants, tennis courts, boutique spa, fitness center, 10 pools, a clubhouse, a 5-acre water park with a 150-foot lazy river, winding water slides and an interactive water playground. The resort is also the world headquarters of a prestigious golf academy founded by famed golfer, Annika Sorenstam, ANNIKA Academy.”

The 2011 ARDA Annual Convention & Exposition will be held March 27-31 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida. This annual timeshare industry event attracts over 3,000 participants from more than 20 countries. The ARDA Exhibit Hall also provides the largest trade show that specifically targets the timeshare resort development industry.

Activities start with the RCI/AIF Golf Tournament on Sunday afternoon, (March 27). Over the next two day attendees can choose from the Luxury Forum; Principles of Timeshare: Parts 1 and 2; the Sales & Marketing Forum; committee meetings; Educational Sessions Wave 1, 2, & 3; along breakfasts, luncheons, an ICE Breaker party, networking events, the Awards Gala with reception and dinner, and much more.

Terry Jones, Founder and Former CEO of Travelocity, Chairman of Kayak.com will be the keynote speaker. Jones offers concise and actionable insights into how leadership is changing in this new technology-driven world.

Signature sponsors for this year’s ARDA Convention are American Express, International, Equiant, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Hilton Grand Vacations, Holiday Systems International, International Cruise and Excursions, Interval International, RCI, ResortCom International, Starwood Vacation Ownership Incs, and TimeShareWare.

Sell My Timeshare NOW is a proud member of ARDA and we’ll be at this conference learning, networking, sharing, and be a part of this very special event.

The Board of Directors for the American Resort Development Association’s (ARDA), has voted to unite with Women in the Industry (WIN) for the purpose of strengthening and growing both organizations.

ARDA has officially announced the decision that was made during its Annual Fall Conference held last October in Washington, D.C. Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA explains, “WIN’s direction is clearly in alignment with ARDA, especially with our mutual commitment to embrace the diversity within our industry, develop leadership, and contribute to charitable platforms. As we make the transition, there will be benefits for both of our organizations as our goals are clearly complementary. One of the first changes members will see is the institution of a new ARDA Philanthropy Council with WIN Co-President Cathy Backus as chair.”

WIN Co-President Lani Kane-Hanan adds, “As our groups unite, ARDA will incorporate WIN’s operational needs within its existing infrastructure, allowing us to operate more efficiently while furthering our common goals.”

History of WIN, Women in the Industry

Women in the Industry (WIN) was originally formed as a grassroots, volunteer non-profit organization for the purpose of advocating, educating and connecting women in the vacation, vacation ownership, and timeshare industry.

Because of high interest levels by individuals and valued corporate support, WIN has grown steadily since it was first launched at the 2008 Spring ARDA Convention. Today, WIN’s sponsors include: CARE; CSA Travel Protection; First American Title Insurance Company; Chicago Title; Group RCI; ICE; Bluegreen; Island One Foundation; Marriott Vacation Club International; Old Republic Timeshare/Fractional Interest Services; Perspective International; ResorTime.com; The Resort Trades; SFX Preferred Vacations; Shell Vacations LLC; SML Marketing LLC; and Spirit Incentives, Tricor Timeshare Title Insurance, and Wyndham Worldwide.

To find out more how you can become involved with WIN or become a supporter, visit the WIN website at: www.womenintheindustry.org

Last summer, two Mexico timeshare resorts dealt with what appeared to be cases of Legionnaires disease. Several cases, all since confirmed as Legionnaires disease, were diagnosed in tourists from the US or the Netherlands, who were guests at the Regency Club Vacation Resort or the Wyndham Cozumel Resort & Spa (formerly Reef Club Cozumel).

According to the US State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council, nine cases of Legionnaires disease have been confirmed since May 2008 among tourists at these resorts. A public health investigation in April 2010, recommended disinfection of the resort’s shared potable water system. Although this was done, in December 2010, the CDC was notified of a ninth case of the disease that was believed to have originated at the resort.

Typically, the source of exposure for contracting Legionnaires disease is by breathing in contaminated mist or vapor such as from a showerhead, spray mister, or hot tub; the disease is not spread directly person to person. In the US every year, between 8,000 and 18,000 people are hospitalized with the bacteria infection. Because it begins as a lung infection, persons most at risk of developing Legionnaires are the elderly, smokers, people with chronic lung conditions, or otherwise compromised immune systems. A milder version of the disease, caused by the same bacteria, is called Pontiac fever.

For more information about Legionella, go to the: CDC’s Legionellosis Resource Site.

It is important to note that risk of contracting the disease is low as indicated by how few cases actually develop, and that cases of Legionnaires have not been linked to any other Mexico timeshare resorts or Cozumel timeshare resorts.

Tiger Woods’ third attempt to design a signature golf course has now hit the skids, with all work on his planned course in Dubai at a full shutdown. Tiger’s Al Ruwaya golf course was planned to be the showpiece of an upscale resort community with vacation ownership and private residence properties described as villas, mansions, and palaces. But the struggling Dubai economy and perhaps the dwindling Tiger Woods brand has put this project in limbo.

Currently only about six golf holes are completed on the course and no construction has commenced on the planned luxury hotel and spa, vacation residences, or other amenities of the resort. Although spokespeople for the project say construction is likely to resume in the future, let’s look at the reality. Right now, this ‘golf course resort’ is nothing more than a half-dozen golf holes surrounded by desert. Golf fairways and greens are typically high maintenance real estate, requiring daily attention to keep them playable. Irrigation needs alone are significant for desert holes and without the revenue of rounds of golf coming in; these six already-developed holes are currently a financial drain. Now consider the cost of mobilizing the construction crew. Stopping a construction project, pulling the crew, and releasing the heavy equipment to other projects comes at a huge price. Tiger Woods Design announced its foray into Dubai golf course construction in December of 2006. Unofficially, work has been at a standstill for at least six months.

If you missed using your timeshare last year, chose a staycation, or just couldn’t work it into your schedule, you may be in for a pleasant surprise on your next visit.

Although media perception has tried to convince the world that timeshare and timeshare resorts were in a total downward spiral, here’s an update from Florida-based, Winter Park Construction (WPC), that paints a very different picture.

Jeff Forrest, President of WPC, explains, “In spite of the economy, our firm stayed very busy throughout the entire year handling large and small renovation projects for the timeshare industry’s major developers. Our clients included Starwood Vacation Ownership, Hilton Grand Vacations Company, Orange Lake County Club, The Berkley Group and Wyndham Vacation Ownership. Their resorts were located in Orlando, Kissimmee and Plantation, Florida, as well as in Myrtle Beach, SC; Newport, RI; Lake Geneva, WI and Cancun, Mexico.”

This past year, Winter Park Construction has been busy remodeling timeshare sales buildings, and making hurricane damage repairs and interior refurbishments for over 740 timeshare units. According to Forrest, “Many of our clients know us for building new projects, but refurbishment and renovation work has been a core segment of our business for 37 years. We expect this to grow even more in the future.”
One of WPC’s most fun (or perhaps challenging) timeshare related projects was the construction of a $4 million Fantasy Surf attraction for the Vacation Villas at FantasyWorld Resort in Kissimmee, Florida. Creating the environment to house a surfing simulator, which is designed so that riders “pretend” to ride the Hawaii surf, called for unique construction considerations.

The simulator offers the look of surfing and wakeboarding in a safe and controlled environment. Fantasy Surf features a FlowRider™ Double, designed to allow approximately 30 surf rides per hour. With padded walls, floor and beach all covered by a 3-inch sheet of water, the cushioned surface is surfable but still kind to surfers if they have a ‘wipeout’. While not their usual project, Forrest acknowledges that Winter Park Construction takes such challenges in stride, adding that the Central Florida area is filled with highly imaginative people.

The company, founded in 1974, and known as one of Florida’s largest construction management and general contractors, does not limit its business to construction and renovation in the timeshare industry. WPC’s portfolio include multi-family housing, commercial real estate, military housing, senior living markets and other projects.

Renovation of the Kid’s Club at the Viva Wyndham Maya Resort and Viva Vacation Club at Viva Wyndham Maya is now complete and ready to make your family’s Mexico timeshare vacation even more memorable.

Starting with the newly repainted Kid’s Club exterior, the amenity also has new signage, a private pool for kids and a fenced outdoor play yard. Inside, young vacationers will find new kid friendly bathrooms, new décor and kid friendly furnishing, an updated kitchen, lockers and updated technology including a 50-inch flat screen TV and a DVD player. There’s even a nap area with tiny beds, perfect for anyone 3 feet tall or shorter.

The Viva Wyndham Kid’s Club is now open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM, making it easier for parents to enjoy sightseeing, a grown-up dinner, or other activities that are geared more for their interests than for those of their children. While family vacations are all about ‘family’ it can still be nice for many moms and dads to work in a little time that allows them a vacation from the family vacation. Knowing that children are safe, well supervised and having fun in a Wyndham Kid’s Club also allows parents to enjoy activities with older children or teens, which might be inappropriate or uninteresting to the little ones. Young vacationers, ages 4 -12 can take part in games, activities, talent shows, organized sports, even quite time like painting and sandcastle building. Wyndham Resorts and Wyndham timeshare consider their Kid’s Club facilities to be one of the ways the company demonstrates its commitment to unforgettable family vacation experiences.

The Viva Wyndham Maya Resort is a popular all-inclusive destination located in Playa del Carmen, a small beach town opposite the coast of Cozumel, Mexico. The resort is known for sailing, snorkeling, windsurfing, and its luxurious Renova Spa.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership (Wyndham timeshare) has announced its new affiliation in an exclusive sales and marketing agreement with Smugglers’ Notch Management Company, Ltd. Plans at this time call for all of the unsold interests in Smugglers’ Notch timeshare to become part of CLUB WYNDHAM Plus ®.

Franz Hanning, president and chief executive officer, Wyndham Vacation Ownership, says, “This is another significant step in executing our fee-for-service timeshare sales model while bringing a truly premier destination into our world-class portfolio of resorts. Smugglers’ Notch has a proud history of providing family-friendly vacations, which aligns with our business model of providing memorable vacation experiences for families. The affiliation with Smugglers’ Notch facilitates our expansion in New England and is also a win-win for two great brands.”

Sales are expected to begin in Spring 2011, with the property to be operated as a Wyndham Vacation Ownership affiliated resorts. Structured within CLUB WYNDHAM Plus ®, Wyndham’s points based internal timeshare exchange program, the new affiliation will make Smuggler’s Notch part of a network of over 70 resorts and tours. The sale of residential homes and the leasing of vacation rentals at Smuggler’s Notch will continue to be managed by Smugglers’ Notch Management Company, Ltd.

Other resorts that are part of an exclusive sales and marketing fee-for-service agreement with Wyndham include the 137 condominium-style units at the re-branded Wyndham Vacation Resorts Towers on the Grove at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and 256 condominium-style units of vacation ownership at the rebranded Wyndham Vacation Resorts Reunion in Orlando, Florida.

The Wall Street Journal community section recently looked at the question of assuming a timeshare loan, reporting that currently, only WorldMark the Club by Wyndham offers an assumable mortgage option.

Assumable mortgages, whether in residential property or in timeshare vacation ownership, historically have been considered an advantage for a property owner as they may make a property easier for a buyer to purchase and therefore more attractive to buyers in the marketplace. But assumable mortgages, in any venue, have become increasingly rare and they don’t necessarily represent a good deal for a buyer, especially in today’s changing real estate market.

First be aware that there are both qualifying and non-qualifying assumable mortgages. In the case of a qualifying assumable mortgage, the buyer has to meet standards of creditworthiness and ability to pay, just as if he or she was initiating a new mortgage that did not involve the seller. Also, the interest rate on an assumable mortgage could easily be higher than the interest rate for which a buyer in today’s banking market would qualify. Moreover, the property owner in a typical sales scenario will want to be compensated in some form for the equity the owner has in the property, meaning a cash payment to the owner will be necessary in addition to assuming the balance of the owner’s existing mortgage.

However, since most mortgages are structured to be front-end loaded on interest, the longer the mortgage has been in existence, the more the loan’s interest balance has been paid down. This means that a buyer, assuming a loan, could be jumping into payments that will eat away at the principle due in big, hearty bites.

Sellers, with an assumable mortgage should always receive a release of liability on the loan as part of the real estate transaction. If no document is in place, and the new buyer defaults on the loan, the original borrower is likely to become responsible for the debt. And although the property would return to the original borrower, taking possession of that property could take years if the matter became tied up in court.

Where Do Timeshares Fit into this Real Estate Picture?

As a timeshare buyer, you may be able to find an assumable loan from an existing owner of WorldMark the Club by Wyndham timeshare real estate. Depending upon the timeshare seller’s motivation, he or she may or may not require you to make a cash equity payment directly to the current owner in addition to assuming the balance of the upcoming timeshare debt.

Yet as you shop for a timeshare resale, do not expect to find many assumable loans, and remember that the loan’s terms, although assumable, may not be the best way to borrow money. A few lenders offer timeshare financing for a timeshare resale. Most often, the purchase of a timeshare resale is made through a personal line of credit or from the buyer’s savings. Although harder to come by than they used to be, sometimes a home equity line of credit is still the best way to purchase a timeshare resale.