Hi, my name is Anthony and this is my dad. We have started this website for timeshare owners to sell and rent their units to buyers and renters direct.
NO MIDDLEMAN
Ray & Anthony Minelli
How This Site Works:
If your property sells through the listings on this site, all we ask is for you to make a contribution to Anthony's 529 Education Fund. Details for the fund are on the Contact us page of the site.
Simply list any timeshare for sale or timeshare for rent here on my site. Submit all contact information for buyers and renters to contact you direct. Transact all business direct and if you need any help we are here to assist.
All of you have paid all kinds of fees to list and sell your properties and sometimes it just sits there and you paid out some kind of fee. At Sint Maarten Rental Weeks: FREE MEMBERSHIP FREE TIMESHARE RESALE LISTINGS $15 Fee For Timeshare Rentals Only (No donations requested) NO COMMISSIONS
So give us a call and let's see if we can make this work for all of us here. Browse our site and listen to the song written and performed by my friend Mike Christopher. See you when you are back on Island.
PRIVATE VILLA and CONDO OWNERS MAY LIST AN AD ON OUR PRIVATE CONDO PAGE OR VILLA PAGE AT AN ANNUAL FEE OF $300 LINKED TO YOUR WEBSITE AND OR EMAIL ADDRESS. DEAL WITH PROSPECTS DIRECT AND PAY NO COMMISSIONS.
TATOC The Association of Timeshare Owners Committees - Putting Timeshare Owners First.
SINT MAARTEN!! TIMESHARE, TIMESHARE, TIMESHARE !!! BY Ray Minelli
The Dutch side of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin, with its white sand beaches and duty free shopping also hosts another industry which also keeps the island's economy growing with steady tourist flow. That's right folks, Timeshare!!! For years numerous vacationers falling in love with this friendly paradise to bring themselves and their family have been purchasing timeshare properties in the amount of two to four weeks at a time. Either from developer direct or by owner's resales. Buy here for exchange as in Florida? NOT TODAY!!! "We have been coming to the Island for the past 15 to 20 years and never miss a beat" is the most common thing you will hear from the die hard owner here on Sint Maarten. This is our Caribbean get a way, most will say as timeshare owners here on the Island. Just how many timeshare resorts are there on such a small Island? At least 17!! Yes, the island is only about 42 square miles, with 37 different beaches. It hosts a variety of activities from water sports to casinos and night clubs. Close enough to neighboring islands to never think of getting bored. But let us see what these resorts are:
Sea Palace was probably one of the first timeshare resorts on the island lies on the beautiful beach of Great Bay located on Front Street and overlooks a new attraction on the Island called the Boardwalk. Sort of a mini South Beach experience here on Sint Maarten. In the same area and part of Little Bay are Divi Little Bay Beach and Racquet Club and the Belair Beach Resort. Both of these resorts lie on the tranquil waters on Little Bay Beach. As we drive toward the French side of the island we will find Oyster Bay Resort tucked away in its own little world at Dawn Beach. Now let us go over the hill to Simpson Bay!! An ever growing area of the Island that hosts a variety of restaurants and nightlife. There we will find a variety of resorts, all within close proximity to each other and sharing the same beautiful and most overlooked beach on the Island. People i give you Simpson Bay Beach!! There you will find Five Star Resorts of Diamond's ownRoyal Palm and Flamingo Beach Resort, The Atrium, both of The La Vista properties, Pelican and on the other side of the bridge, Mary's Boon. During the high season winter months you can see the mega yachts ease their way through the bridge and enjoy outrageous sunsets. And please don't let me forget Port de Pleasance on the border of both countries of this Island paradise. Gorgeous spa and casino, restaurants and yachts. But where is all the action you may ask?? MAHO BAY I SAY TO YOU!! Resorts such as Royal Islander La Plage and La Terrasse, the soon to re open Grand Suites at the Caravanserai are in the middle of two of the best night spots on the Dutch side, if not the entire Island, Bliss and the ever famous Sunset Beach Bar. Come watch by day the planes land and take off just a short distance from you while you chill on the beach with a cold one on Maho Bay Beach. Ahhh, Paradise I say!! And finally Wyndham Resort's Sapphire Beach Club!! A little taste of French atmosphere on the Dutch side. And finally The Towers at Mullet Bay on the only golf course on the Island and just a skip across the golf course to the very popular Mullet Bay beach!! Let us not forget the quaint old Caribbean charm of The Summit Resort andOcean Club. So now let's wrap this up. A 42 square mile Island with 37 different beaches to satisfy even the most finicky vacationer and beach goer. Casinos, night life and 18 timeshare resorts that provide beds for the heads of the thousands of timeshare owners who come to paradise year after year!! OOPS!! We forgot Royal Islander Great Bay Beach Club. #19 COME VISIT US AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!! YOU'LL GET HOOKED TOO!! Written by Ray Minelli 8/17/2007
Timeshares are a large part of the vacation travel industry. Travellers who cannot afford to own a home abroad, or do not want the worries associated with exclusive ownership, often see timeshare as an affordable alternative. However, unscrupulous salespeople, poorly maintained properties and unexpected hidden costs have brought a lot of bad publicity to the industry. A well informed consumer can avoid the common pitfalls.
It is always risky to buy property sight unseen, but many people do this when they purchase timeshares. If you purchase in an area where you wish to vacation, you may be unpleasantly surprised when you arrive at your destination. However, many timeshares are purchased with the intent of trading them for others in different locations, and in this case the location of the property is a bargaining chip, not the actual physical property. Timeshares in prime locations, such as Hawaii are easier to trade than others.
Recently, big corporations such as Disney, Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt have entered the timeshare market, and their properties are of a uniform standard around the world. First, you should know that if you buy a new unit directly from a timeshare company, it may cost up to 60 % more than if you purchased from the resale market. Buying from a timeshare-company is more expensive primarily because of the company's marketing costs, which include free trips, meals and vacation activities for prospective buyers. Most customers of these timeshare companies buy on impulse, without any intent to purchase when they first walked into the timeshare seminar. Hard sell tactics and "Buy it now one time only offers" are the rule, and to avoid into being pressured into a bad deal, the best tactic is to avoid these sales presentations altogether.
Try the resale market for better deals. Timeshare-resales are listed on many websites, on eBay and with independent timeshare brokers. The search term "timeshare resale" produced approximately 500,000 results on Google, so there are plenty of services to choose from. If you buy directly from an individual, a resale broker or a lawyer can handle the closing for a charge of $300 to $500.
If you are buying a timeshare for the resale value, consider regular real estate instead. Timeshare do not increase in value in tandem with conventional real estate. From a strictly financial point of view, timeshares are poor investments. Most real estate increases in value, but this is not always the case with timeshares, especially those bought directly from timeshare companies. If you get a good deal on a resale timeshare in a prime location, it may increase somewhat in value. But usually timeshares are like cars--they are commodities to be used, and are resold for less than the original purchase price. Don't think of timeshares as real estate, they are vacation plans.
Also, unless you buy in a prime location, swapping them may not be easy. Timeshares are frequently sold on the claim that a buyer can trade a week in one place for a week at another location. This is only true if the location is in demand by other vacationers. Otherwise, expect to vacation in the same location each year.
To find out whether or not you will be happy with a timeshare, it may be a good idea to rent one for your next vacation. Many timeshare units are placed on the rental market by owners who couldn't get away to vacation at their allotted time, and these units often rent at bargain prices. Check the same websites that offer timeshare resales for available rentals.
There is a new "points system" that is being offered by some timeshare properties. Instead of getting a week each year, buyers purchase a set number of "points". These can be redeemed for a week's stay during peak season, for longer periods during off-season, or even spread over the year in two or three day segments. Some large hotel companies, such as the Marriott, also offer a points system whereby a stay at their hotel earns points in the company's timeshare system. Points systems can be confusing, so be sure you have a clear understanding of the services you are buying. For instance, find out how much advance time is required to reserve a week at the resort during peak season, whether the points have an expiration date, and if it is possible to transfer the points to other facilities in the same resort chain. However, when it comes to vacation planning, the points system offers more flexibility because the buyer is not locked into the same week every year.
Most important, don't forget the annual maintenance fee. Time-share owners are responsible for paying a portion of the property's upkeep. These annual fees, including maintenance and real estate taxes, typically range from $300 to $700 per week of ownership.
In summary, timeshares can be a good buy if they offer some flexibility in terms of transferring to other locations and timing your vacation. The typical time-share is a small condo with kitchen facilities and one or two bedrooms. Ideal for a family vacation, and since such units rent for $150 to $200 per night, a timeshare purchase may be the cheaper way to travel. However, if you are a mobile traveller who likes to stay in a different town every night, a single person who doesn't need the extra space, or if you travel at unpredictable times, then a timeshare may not be suitable.
The island has several stables to rent horses. Arrangements for guided tours through the hills and on the beaches should be made at the stables.
WATER SPORTS:
The island offers excellent diving and snorkeling. Underwater visibility runs from 75 to 200 feet depending on conditions. Wind surfing, sailing and jet skiing have enjoyed rapid growth over the years and instructors are usually available.
CHARTER FISHING:
Charters, available for half or full day hire, usually including tackle, bait and food and refreshments can be arranged by your hotel's activities desk.
SAILING:
Internationally renowned for hosting the famed Heineken Regatta and 12 Meter Challenge, Sint Maarten / Saint Martin fascinates boaters of all sorts with crystal blue waters, brisk trade winds, secluded beaches and first rate mariners services. Sint Maarten also offers various yacht chartering services from day trips to neighboring islands to sunset cruises, boasting the best views of the island.
DUTY- FREE SHOPPING:
One of the joys of visiting the island is the duty-free shopping! Great values can be had because prices are the lowest in the region. The best places to shop on the Dutch side are Philipsburg's Front Street, Back Street and Old Street, Simpson Bay and Maho Reef. Wherever you go, you will find fashion clothing, leather goods, jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics, china and crystal from around the world. All famous names are well represented on both sides of the island. Sint Maarten also plays host to a number or art galleries and studios featuring the finest local and Caribbean works.
CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION:
US citizens entering Sint Maarten for 3 months or less must bring a valid passport, return travel tickets, documents for next destination and sufficient funds are also required. Canadian citizens entering the island for 14 days or less must bring a valid passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate. Return tickets and sufficient funds are also required. Citizens of all other countries should contact their consulates to make sure of documents such as visas which may be necessary to enter the island.