About Andreas Rossler Expertise I'm able to answer general questions on timeshares and specifically in regard to purchasing, renting or exchanging timeshares on the secondary or resale market and through the Internet. I have expert knowledge in sales, mechanics (how and why timeshares work), and timeshare exchanges.
I am also well versed in timeshare financing and may be able to guide you to better financing or refinancing options for your timeshare purchase.
If you ask questions of a legal nature, or those requiring tax advice - I may not be able to answer fully.
Experience I have 10 years of industry experience in sales, management and processing. I'm currently CEO of Timeshare Village, a resource for timeshare owners and industry professionals.
Organizations Mensa - Life Member
Publications I have been interviewed by Channel 7 News in the Bay Area of California regarding my opinions on Worldmark, the Club timeshares as developed by Trendwest-Wyndham Resorts.
Education/Credentials MBA - Master's in Business Administration
BS - Mathematics
BA - Economics
California Real Estate Broker
Question HI - I 'bought' 3 units (connecting) for one week each - all Week 21 (week before and including Memorial Day weekend) at the going to be built Westgate Myrtle Beach tower for every other year (nice!). I can pay it outright totalling ~ $40K - so, no finance charges. Also, no closing costs. They said they could get $8K/week for all 3 and could sell for ~ double after it gets build (1/09). Is this a good investment? I would want it to pay for itself and just use the cheap mini-vacations elsewhere. There is more invovled - like got money from house fire and not ready to buy a house - pending divorce, etc. - just fyi
Answer I can buy Westgate in Florida all day long for $500-$2,000 per week. Go ahead and check eBay - no, not the listings, but the COMPLETED listings - what they actually sold for. You'll find the listings priced too high - most never sell. NO, not a good investment. Timeshare is an absolute waste of money unless you are going to use it every year for vacations. Have them put it in writing that it will sell for double - I think you'll find them reluctant to do so. Matter of fact, if they mentioned the word "investment", I would consider reporting them to the attorney general in Florida. If they sold this to you as an "investment", write me back - I have about 13 different ways you can make their life hell for ripping you off.
Here's what will happen: you'll spend 40K for the weeks. Five years from now, you'll dump all of them for about $500 each because you're sick of maintenance fees. You'll never tell anyone you bought them out of embarrassment. You will have lost roughly $45K in costs and maintenance fees. Check out this site:
Go ahead, print this out and show it to them. Let them know they are thieves and not to be trusted with a penny of your money.
If you think it will sell for double after it is built, I also have an investment - this bridge in Brooklyn I'm trying to sell (just a joke).
Please, I beg you, don't buy timeshare as an investment. Hey! I have an idea - since it is going to sell for double after it is built, why don't the sales people buy the weeks! They could double their money!
If you just bought, you have 10 calendar days to cancel.
