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Westgate Right of First Refusal--have they ever exercised this right?

Rachelle Burk

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Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, TN
I want out of my Westgate Smoky Mountain property. We own a 2 BR every odd year. They have ROFR if I get a buyer. My question: Does anyone know if they ever actually buy it back this way? I'm sure they wouldn't if I had a buyer for $2K, but what if I got a buyer for $50 (and buyer pays the fees)? Not looking for speculations...I'd like to hear from anyone who actually knows. I asked Westgate, but of course they couldn't/wouldn't tell me a thing.
Thank you!
 

amycurl

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I doubt it. You will be giving this resort away, and possibly paying for closing costs and/or pre-paid MF for a year of free usage.
 

tschwa2

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Westgate does on occasion exercise ROFR from what I have heard. For example a fixed ski week 7, 51 or 52 are likely candidates for ROFR.
For floating weeks, I think you only need to worry if Westgate doesn't have inventory for that resort and season and has a specific buyer looking to purchase.
 

Rachelle Burk

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I have a FLEX WEEK, every odd year. I wonder if they'd exercise their ROFR if I sell it for $1.
 

tschwa2

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Fredflintstone

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Personally, I think all they care about is a maintenance fee payor. So, I don’t think they would stand in your way as long as they see the new owner as legit and sending in the maintenance fee payments.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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They have with me before, and it took away a $400 incentive check.
 

Rachelle Burk

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Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, TN
They have with me before, and it took away a $400 incentive check.
What do you mean by an incentive check? (I just want to get rid of my timeshare without it costing me ANY money. If Westgate exercises their ROFR and takes care of all the transfer fees, that's the same to me as if a buyer does.)
 

RX8

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What do you mean by an incentive check? (I just want to get rid of my timeshare without it costing me ANY money. If Westgate exercises their ROFR and takes care of all the transfer fees, that's the same to me as if a buyer does.)

Unfortunately, there are many Westgates being given away for nothing and even at that some still can't be given away. There are some sellers that throw in a cash gift at time of closing to sweeten the deal. Check completed eBay listings for Westgate for examples of what they are selling for and how much of a gift card.

Edited:

Click here for an eBay example of a Westgate (not your specific resort but EOY 2B) that went unsold with all fees paid and a $250 gift card.

Click here for an eBay example of your specific Westgate resort (EOY 2B) that sold for 99 cents and included all fees and a year's free usage.
 
Last edited:

LaFaraona

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I want out of my Westgate Smoky Mountain property. We own a 2 BR every odd year. They have ROFR if I get a buyer. My question: Does anyone know if they ever actually buy it back this way? I'm sure they wouldn't if I had a buyer for $2K, but what if I got a buyer for $50 (and buyer pays the fees)? Not looking for speculations...I'd like to hear from anyone who actually knows. I asked Westgate, but of course they couldn't/wouldn't tell me a thing.
Thank you!

Did you were able to get rid of your TS w WGSM?
 

MikeTimeshare

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I'm in the process right now. Found a buyer for my Westgate Smoky Mountains 2BR EOY timeshare. Just sent the paperwork in. They say to send it via fax (which after multiple tries was always busy), so I called and they said to email. The buyer says he's tried to buy Westgate timeshares before and they always exercise their ROFR. I'll try and update here if/when it's finalized.
 

kupool

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From what I've heard WG totally screws over non-developer owners. Reservations are limited to 60 days out and the fees to trade with II are outrageous.
 

dioxide45

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kupool

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Here is their ownership guide. It seems that II exchanging is fine as it would be for any other II member, they get you on exchanging within Westgate resorts and locking off. The fees for those are $700.
Thanks for the link and info. I can see where splitting a lock-off ($700), booking elsewhere within WG ($700), splitting a week ($700), or reinstatement of an expired week ($700) could get very pricey in a hurry. Although, I didn't read it in the owners guide I thought there were some restrictions on when a resale owner could book within their resort, i.e. cannot be booked prior to 60 days prior to arrival. Does anyone know if this is true?
 

dioxide45

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Thanks for the link and info. I can see where splitting a lock-off ($700), booking elsewhere within WG ($700), splitting a week ($700), or reinstatement of an expired week ($700) could get very pricey in a hurry. Although, I didn't read it in the owners guide I thought there were some restrictions on when a resale owner could book within their resort, i.e. cannot be booked prior to 60 days prior to arrival. Does anyone know if this is true?
I am not aware of any home resort restrictions for resale owners.
 

dioxide45

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Westgate does on occasion exercise ROFR from what I have heard. For example a fixed ski week 7, 51 or 52 are likely candidates for ROFR.
For floating weeks, I think you only need to worry if Westgate doesn't have inventory for that resort and season and has a specific buyer looking to purchase.
I've also heard where Westgate will play games saying they have ROFR when they legally don't have that right. This holds up sales and transfers and even causes some people to lose the "buyer".
 
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