What year did the resell market kick in? In 1986 everything in Williamsburg, VA was brand new in the timeshare market.
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My Mom and I bought pre-construction from Mariner Properties (Now HGVC) on Sanibel,Marco and Hutchinson Islands from the developer....They do the research on where to build, develop beautiful properties and market them. The good ones are not the devil.
It seems to me that a good case can be made that the internet changed the timeshare business model fundamentally. Before our TSs could be marketed as resales by you, me, and everybody else, bona fide realtors had that market. It only existed in resort areas, and got inventory from the relatively few that's owners had disposed of. Remember that timeshares really are a relatively new occurrence. Say in the last 25-30 years max. At that early time, they were market as 'second home' low-cost condos in resort areas, and MF's were really reasonable, and it made sense to buyers to be able to will them to their kids. A trinket to attend a presentation was a toaster or blender.
Now, in the free-market 21st century, owners have grown up (and older), MF's are no longer much of a bargain, having quadrupled with no end of the increases in sight. Kids aren't kids any more, and vacations have changed. AND all it takes to unload the TS is to list it in the TUG Bargain Deals for nothing.
We are all blessed with 20/20 hindsight. It would be interesting (and impossible on TUG) to be able to ask this same question of non-TUGgers.
Jim