The first major hurricane to hit New Orleans in thirty years, Katrina has caused widespread damage. Though initial estimates are optimistic, very little information is available now.

Earlier this morning, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Louisiana peninsula at a speed of 145 mph. The eye of the storm moved within 30 miles of New Orleans late this morning, and this storm’s effects have been felt through most of Louisiana and Alabama and nearly all of Mississippi.

The information so far has been sparse, though optimistic. Official news sources say that for the most part, the many levees and dams that surround New Orleans are holding back dangerous high waters from both the Mississippi river and Lake Ponchartrain. Because most of New Orleans lies below sea level, the city is especially vulnerable to a hurricane of this force. One troubled area is the neighborhood of the Ninth Ward, where severe flooding has occurred. There have been reports of many buildings being stripped of their roofs by heavy winds.

Though the current damage estimates fall short of previous worst-case scenarios, the situation in New Orleans is extremely dangerous. Earlier, panels from the roof of the Superdome were dislodged by high winds. These panels slammed into the nearby Hyatt Regency Hotel, causing massive structural damage to a hotel that has already been battered by the storm. Most of the guests were taking shelter in a third-floor conference room, and there are so far no reports of injuries or fatalities among those seeking shelter at the Hyatt. On Lake Ponchartrain’s south shore, floodwaters have completely submerged the ground floors of many homes and businesses.

Earlier I made several attempts to communicate with two timeshare resorts located  in the French Quarter. I was not able to reach anyone. When more information becomes available, I will post it here.

Timeshares on the Hawaiian Islands prove especially stimulating to the local economy, according to recent findings.

According to a recent article, Hawaii’s tourism industry is experiencing record growth this year. What is more interesting to note is that timeshare owners receive much of the credit for this development.

This article went on to state that the number of timeshare owners who visit Hawaii annually is estimated to be around 500,000. The average price of a Hawaiian timeshare was given at $26,000, which may seem a bit low, though data here might reflect prices in the resale market.

A high-level Hilton Grand Vacations Club representative remarked that the level of occupancy in time-sharing unts can sometimes surpass that of hotel rooms/suites rented on a nightly basis. He also remarked on the exchange value of Hawaii timeshare, which is more valuable than timeshare in any other location in the world. Local residents even buy Hawaii timeshares, often solely for their exchange value.

Timeshare is becoming more and more entrenched in tourism-based economies everywhere. In a few years, it could become the backbone of Hawaii’s tourism industry. Under the aegis of a number of large resort companies, new Hawaii timeshare resorts are scheduled for construction in the years to come. This reflects the growing number of large hotel brands realizing the profit-making potential of timeshare, and increased consumer confidence in the product itself.

For more on this, visit the article at:

 http://khon.com/khon/display.cfm?storyID=6640&sectionID=1156.

Most first-time timeshare owners buy their first timeshares in Orlando. Like any timeshare purchase, a buyer should consider the pros and cons before putting ink on a contract.

Florida has more timeshares than anywhere else in the world, and Orlando has the most timeshares out of any region in Florida. RCI and Interval International show a  combined total of about 100 timeshare resorts in the Orlando area. Though there is clearly a high density of resorts offering vacation ownership in this part of Florida, the demand for Orlando timeshares is so high that new resorts are being scheduled for development all the time. Within the industry, it is said that most first-time timeshare buyers choose to buy their first timeshares in, or near, Orlando.

This has a twofold effect. On one hand, this situation creates a wide variety of options for timeshare buyers to choose from. On the other hand, a high consumer demand creates plenty of opportunities for timeshare scammers to ply their nefarious trade.

Before you buy Orlando timeshares, here’s some timeshare advice.

-Orlando is a great place for a high-intensity vacation, but if you’re looking for peace, quiet, and relaxation, keep in mind that even during some low-demand weeks, Orlando is jumping with activity. Plan any Orlando timeshare purchase accordingly! (Of course, if you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, you can get what you’re looking for and save a bundle if you buy time during Orlando’s slow season).

-In Orlando, the word “resort” can describe a wide range of different properties. Some have less-than-amenable amenities. Be sure that you know what you are getting before you buy.

-Anyone buying timeshare in Orlando is likely to be approached by people working for a resort development company. Sometimes these people offer cut-rate theme park tickets or other incentives -provided that the prospect attends a timeshare sales presentation.  While high-pressure sales pitches are frowned upon by ethical timeshare salespeople, the high demand for Orlando timeshares attracts a wide variety of people to the scene. Some of these will not hesitate to apply high pressure tactics to prospective buyers. Others are most certainly scammers. Investigating the resale market is almost always preferable. Due to the availability of inexpensive timeshares on the market, there are a lot of budget-friendly options available for the resale buyer. Also, when buying timeshare directly from an owner, a buyer doesn’t need to sit through a hard-sell presentation.

Though navigating the world of Orlando timeshares can be tricky, owning timeshare in Orlando can be immensely rewarding. The exchange value of Orlando properties is traditionally very favorable.  An Orlando timeshare purchase might be a smart move if you are buying timeshare for the exchange value. Location is another important consideration. There is so much to do in the Orlando area that a family could vacation here for twenty years and continually find new places to explore, or new activities to enjoy. As stated before, the sheer variety of options and amenities offered by resorts in Orlando allows a timeshare buyer to find the exact combination of amenities and facilities that he or she is looking for. Whether you are an avid golfer who wants a high-class resort with a first-rate course, or if you want to camp out under the stars at a wilderness retreat, Orlando probably has what you’re looking for. It may take some time to find the right resort, but in Orlando, chances are you’ll discover your ideal vacation spot.

Be sure to know all the facts before buying resale timeshares.

(Whereas the following information is geared toward those buying timeshare on the resale market, anyone selling timeshares should pay attention. If you plan on selling your timeshare, know that smart buyers will ask questions along the lines of the information presented below. I would encourage anyone selling timeshare to answer questions candidly and honestly.)

While it is true that timeshare resales cost much less than timeshare bought directly from a resort developer, you still need to make sure you’re getting what you want out of the deal when buying a resale timeshare. 

Here are some important points for timeshare buyers to consider:

1. One of the first questions that we ask to a prospective advertiser is whether or not the maintenance fees and property taxes have been paid up-to-date. The answer to this question could mean a difference of several thousand dollars in the total cost to the timeshare buyer. Make sure you know the whole cost before you buy.

2. As we all know, buying anything sight-unseen can sometimes bring unexpected results. For this reason, some timeshare owners like to see the actual timeshare unit in person before they sign paperwork.

3. For timeshares that are affiliated with an exchange company, find out if this membership can be transferred. This may save you a lot of hassles later on. This applies to points-system timesharing too. Find out if these points are transferable! Also, be sure that the bonus weeks or any other extras included in the purchase price of your resale timeshare can be transferred.

4. Find out the reason why the timeshare is being sold. This is an important consideration for any buyer.

5. Often, the seller pays to advertise the property while the buyer pays the closing costs. Find out what charges you will be responsible for when the sale closes.

6. Some timeshare units are inevitably located in a facility that has been partially remodeled. Make sure you’re not paying a new-unit price for an old, beat-up timeshare.

7. Has the timeshare been used this year? This is especially important when dealing with an odd-or even-year-use timeshare. It might be two years before you can actually use your timeshare. In the case of right-to-use timeshares, the lease on such property is usually only good for a certain number of years. Be sure to find out how much time is left on the lease.

I hope that those considering a timeshare purchase would ponder these seven points. These timeshare tips could save a lot of grief in the long run.