Timeshare property resale scam

As if we don't have enough problems with real estate

these days...now there's a new way consumers are getting

fleeced as they try to sell their "Time Shares" to keep up

with our not so robust economy. 

Always a way for thieves to prosper, Rats, they did it again...

Check out this article from the

California Association of Realtors...

A federal court has temporarily halted a telemarketing operation that targeted consumers trying to sell their timeshare properties. The defendants allegedly charged consumers thousands of dollars, falsely claiming they had buyers lined up for sales that supposedly would be reviewed and approved by the Federal Trade Commission.

According to court papers filed by the FTC, the Orlando, Florida-based defendants, who operated out of mail drop addresses in places such as Las Vegas, Boston, and Orlando, contacted consumers trying to sell their timeshare properties and told them they had buyers for their properties. In order for the sale to proceed, the defendants charged consumers up to $3,150 – either as an “earnest money deposit” to commit them to the sale, or for sale-related expenses – which, consumers were told, would be refunded when the sale closed. Consumers were instructed to pay by cashier’s check or money order sent by overnight delivery, and to immediately sign and return a “sales agreement” or “sellers’ document” that would be mailed to them.

In the complaint, the FTC alleged that the “sales agreement” was a marketing contract for advertising the property, not a sales contract. Consumers who signed the contract and sent their payment to the defendants often were not contacted again, and consumers’ properties were never sold.

Contrary to the defendants’ alleged assertions, the FTC

does not review or approve timeshare sales.

Dont' fall prey to these scams.  If you have a real estate question, call me!  If I don't have the answer, I'll find it for you. 

Fast Facts
Calif. median home price: May 2011: $291,760 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. highest median home price by region/county May 2011: San Mateo: $810,000 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. lowest median home price by region/county May 2011: Merced $113,000 (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. Pending Home Sales Index: June 2011: 119, an increase of 1.9 percent compared with prior month. (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. First-time Buyer Affordability Index: First quarter 2011: 53 percent (Source: C.A.R.)

Mortgage rates: Week ending 7/14/2011 30-yr. fixed: 4.51 fees/points: 0.7% 15-yr. fixed: 3.65 fees/points: 0.6% 1-yr. adjustable: 2.95% Fees/points: 0.5% (Source: Freddie Mac)

Have a great summer! 

Charlie (and Dyna)

Team South Bay Realty

Your Realtors for Life!