Someone just dumped hundreds of resale weeks on Redweek

[billymach4]

I am subscribed to Redweek alerts and get emails when a week is listed for sale at various resorts that I choose to follow. I just got an email alert with hundreds of newly listed resale weeks at many resorts, all with Redweek full service. Looks like a mega-owner-renter just dumped their entire ownership portfolio for sale. Prices are reasonable to high - no real bargains. Anyone has an idea what's going on?

Someone is just bailing out. Who really knows. But makes for good discussion a cawfee tawk.

 

[JudiZ]

I have sold two timeshares on RW. One for San Francisco 52 week floating and another on Cape Cod for summer. Both were priced to sell and good weeks.

 

[DebraR]

I bet they're Canadian owned and they've decided to dump them because the Canadians are no longer coming to the US. I don't have proof of this, just a guess. They're all US properties as far as I can tell.

 

[lotus921v]

I bought my MGV platinum week on Redweek.

How much? I’m likely selling mine

 

[rickandcindy23]

How much? I’m likely selling mine

Why? It should be a stellar trader.

 

[claraj]

How much? I’m likely selling mine

You can check here for more sales transactions: http://www.rofr.net/

I purchased a 3BR EOY for about $2k. It's listed in rofr.net.

 

[bizaro86]

I bet they're Canadian owned and they've decided to dump them because the Canadians are no longer coming to the US. I don't have proof of this, just a guess. They're all US properties as far as I can tell.

I think that could make sense for a gradual increase in listings over time, but this was a big one-shot dump. I think it's unlikely one Canadian listed 1000 timeshares at once, and a coordinated effort on that specific day also doesn't make sense.

 

[Red elephant]

I bet they're Canadian owned and they've decided to dump them because the Canadians are no longer coming to the US. I don't have proof of this, just a guess. They're all US properties as far as I can tell.

There were Spanish weeks and Disneyland Paris week there too.

 

[ZacharyBattles]

A bit late here, but just to clarify—


All RedWeek Verified listings are now being handled by Fidelity Real Estate. Fidelity is currently in the process of onboarding their listings from FidelityResales onto the RedWeek platform. You can confirm this by comparing the new RedWeek alerts you’ve received with the listings already available on Fidelity’s website.


In short, it appears Fidelity is gradually merging its platform with RedWeek.


Wish I had seen this post earlier to share the insight!

 

[iftravel]

A bit late here, but just to clarify—


All RedWeek Verified listings are now being handled by Fidelity Real Estate. Fidelity is currently in the process of onboarding their listings from FidelityResales onto the RedWeek platform. You can confirm this by comparing the new RedWeek alerts you’ve received with the listings already available on Fidelity’s website.


In short, it appears Fidelity is gradually merging its platform with RedWeek.


Wish I had seen this post earlier to share the insight!

Now I know why the agent I talked to recently is the same one at Fidelity.

 

[TUGBrian]

guessing they have an agreement to pay the redweek fees as part of the what...$2000 or so dollars they charge to the owner?

great deal for everyone but the owner!

 

[ZacharyBattles]

guessing they have an agreement to pay the redweek fees as part of the what...$2000 or so dollars they charge to the owner?

great deal for everyone but the owner!

I can’t imagine this being well-received by owners listing on RedWeek. If Fidelity continues flooding the platform with their inventory, existing and future owner listings could easily get buried beneath it. Personally, I’m not a fan of this direction—but I suppose we’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out.

 

[vacationtime1]

Redweek doesn't give a damn about owners; we have seen too many examples in the past to ignore this. Redweek's customers are the renters and buyers; owners exist only to provide inventory. If Fidelity is willing to provide inventory, Redweek's private equity owners can make money selling or renting it.

 

[iftravel]

How much is it to sell your timeshare on RedWeek now? I am curious if it goes up or down. It's a view from top management: more synergy to drive down the cost and be more competitive, or more consolidation to monopolize the market.

 

[SherlockHolmes]

Not advocating for anyone, just delivering information.

ARDA's Stated Lobbying Goals vs. Actual Activities​

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing the timeshare (vacation ownership) industry, including developers, resorts, and related entities. Through its advocacy arm and the ARDA-Resort Owners' Coalition (ARDA-ROC), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit funded partly by timeshare owners' dues, ARDA positions itself as a balanced advocate for both industry growth and consumer protections. However, critics, including consumer advocacy groups, legal firms, and timeshare owners, argue that ARDA's lobbying primarily serves developer interests, often at the expense of owners, by opposing consumer-friendly reforms and using involuntarily collected funds. This discrepancy is highlighted in reports of misappropriated owner contributions, anti-consumer legislation pushes, and a focus on shielding developers from accountability.


Below, I'll compare ARDA's publicly stated lobbying priorities (drawn from their official website and materials) with evidence of their actual activities, based on lobbying records, settlements, and third-party analyses. Note that ARDA's federal lobbying is tracked by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and OpenSecrets.org, showing expenditures of around $1-2 million annually in recent years (e.g., $1.17 million in the first half of 2021 alone, extrapolated to over $2 million yearly). State-level lobbying is also significant in timeshare-heavy areas like Florida, Arizona, and Wisconsin.

Stated Claims vs. Actual Lobbying​

ARDA's advocacy is framed as bipartisan and multifaceted, emphasizing education, partnerships, and balanced regulations. In reality, their efforts often tilt toward protecting developer revenues, such as by limiting owner exits and resisting taxes or fees that could impact profits. Here's a breakdown:

Category	What ARDA Claims to Lobby For	Actual Lobbying Activities and Discrepancies
Consumer Protection	Strong consumer safeguards, including regulations on sales and marketing practices, and advocacy for owners' rights through ARDA-ROC. They highlight "wins" like enhanced disclosures and protections against scams.	ARDA-ROC supports greater regulation and transparency for "timeshare exit companies" (third-party firms helping owners cancel contracts), framing it as anti-scam measures. However, critics argue this protects developers by making exits harder and more expensive for owners, often through laws that penalize exit firms without addressing underlying contract issues. For instance, in Florida, ARDA-backed lobbyists supported HB 435/SB (2019), which aimed to curb exit companies but was opposed by those firms as anti-consumer. Owners and legal experts claim ARDA misrepresents itself as an owner advocate while diverting over $5 million annually from involuntary owner dues (bundled in maintenance fees) for developer-friendly lobbying, without clear consent—leading to FEC settlements for misreporting and prohibited contributions in 2010.
Industry Regulation and Legislation	Sensible timeshare laws, subdivided land regulations, and fair real estate/property management licensing to promote industry growth while ensuring compliance. They claim to educate policymakers and represent both developers and owners internationally.	ARDA lobbies for non-judicial foreclosure laws, which allow quicker repossession of defaulted timeshares, saving developer-controlled HOAs time and money but burdening owners with faster losses. In Wisconsin, they advocate on "all matters related to the regulation of the timeshare industry," often pushing for developer-favorable changes. Critics note ARDA opposes bills that would enhance owner rights, such as extended cooling-off periods or easier contract terminations, with no public discussion of these oppositions on their site. For example, ARDA-ROC has led efforts on timeshare termination legislation when plans expire, but this is seen as reactive damage control rather than proactive owner support.
Taxes and Fees	Balanced sales, property, and occupancy taxes to support tourism and hospitality, partnering with groups like the U.S. Travel Association.	ARDA-ROC has successfully opposed multiple efforts to impose new visitor fees, such as a $50 per visitor charge in certain states, arguing it harms the industry—directly benefiting resort revenues but not necessarily owners who pay maintenance fees. This aligns with their $4.9-9.6 billion industry revenue focus, but critics highlight a "corruption quotient" from high lobbying spend relative to revenue, suggesting influence peddling.
Overall Representation	A voice for vacation ownership, including owners via ARDA-ROC, with lobbying, consumer advocacy, and legislative representation since 1989.	In practice, ARDA is accused of primarily representing developers (95% of members), not owners, with funds from 1.6 million owners used for anti-consumer actions like blocking resale markets or exit reforms. Owner forums and legal sites describe ARDA as a "tool for timeshare companies" that donates to politicians to maintain status quo, doing "zero for current owners." The 2010 FEC settlement underscores improper solicitation and reporting, pointing to ethical lapses.

Key Trends and Criticisms​

• Funding Discrepancies: ARDA-ROC raises $5-6 million yearly from owners, but a portion is allegedly misappropriated for lobbying without opt-in consent, leading to claims of illegality and corruption. This contrasts with their "owner advocate" branding.
• Legislative Focus: While ARDA touts "favorable legislation" on timeshare laws, actual efforts often oppose owner-empowering bills (e.g., in Arizona and Florida) and support developer tools like non-judicial foreclosures.
• Industry Impact: With 1,570 resorts and 205,100 units, ARDA's influence is substantial, but rampant owner complaints (e.g., perpetual contracts) suggest lobbying prioritizes sales over satisfaction.

 

[sponger76]

Not advocating for anyone, just delivering information.

ARDA's Stated Lobbying Goals vs. Actual Activities​

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing the timeshare (vacation ownership) industry, including developers, resorts, and related entities. Through its advocacy arm and the ARDA-Resort Owners' Coalition (ARDA-ROC), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit funded partly by timeshare owners' dues, ARDA positions itself as a balanced advocate for both industry growth and consumer protections. However, critics, including consumer advocacy groups, legal firms, and timeshare owners, argue that ARDA's lobbying primarily serves developer interests, often at the expense of owners, by opposing consumer-friendly reforms and using involuntarily collected funds. This discrepancy is highlighted in reports of misappropriated owner contributions, anti-consumer legislation pushes, and a focus on shielding developers from accountability.


Below, I'll compare ARDA's publicly stated lobbying priorities (drawn from their official website and materials) with evidence of their actual activities, based on lobbying records, settlements, and third-party analyses. Note that ARDA's federal lobbying is tracked by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and OpenSecrets.org, showing expenditures of around $1-2 million annually in recent years (e.g., $1.17 million in the first half of 2021 alone, extrapolated to over $2 million yearly). State-level lobbying is also significant in timeshare-heavy areas like Florida, Arizona, and Wisconsin.

Stated Claims vs. Actual Lobbying​

ARDA's advocacy is framed as bipartisan and multifaceted, emphasizing education, partnerships, and balanced regulations. In reality, their efforts often tilt toward protecting developer revenues, such as by limiting owner exits and resisting taxes or fees that could impact profits. Here's a breakdown:

Category	What ARDA Claims to Lobby For	Actual Lobbying Activities and Discrepancies
Consumer Protection	Strong consumer safeguards, including regulations on sales and marketing practices, and advocacy for owners' rights through ARDA-ROC. They highlight "wins" like enhanced disclosures and protections against scams.	ARDA-ROC supports greater regulation and transparency for "timeshare exit companies" (third-party firms helping owners cancel contracts), framing it as anti-scam measures. However, critics argue this protects developers by making exits harder and more expensive for owners, often through laws that penalize exit firms without addressing underlying contract issues. For instance, in Florida, ARDA-backed lobbyists supported HB 435/SB (2019), which aimed to curb exit companies but was opposed by those firms as anti-consumer. Owners and legal experts claim ARDA misrepresents itself as an owner advocate while diverting over $5 million annually from involuntary owner dues (bundled in maintenance fees) for developer-friendly lobbying, without clear consent—leading to FEC settlements for misreporting and prohibited contributions in 2010.
Industry Regulation and Legislation	Sensible timeshare laws, subdivided land regulations, and fair real estate/property management licensing to promote industry growth while ensuring compliance. They claim to educate policymakers and represent both developers and owners internationally.	ARDA lobbies for non-judicial foreclosure laws, which allow quicker repossession of defaulted timeshares, saving developer-controlled HOAs time and money but burdening owners with faster losses. In Wisconsin, they advocate on "all matters related to the regulation of the timeshare industry," often pushing for developer-favorable changes. Critics note ARDA opposes bills that would enhance owner rights, such as extended cooling-off periods or easier contract terminations, with no public discussion of these oppositions on their site. For example, ARDA-ROC has led efforts on timeshare termination legislation when plans expire, but this is seen as reactive damage control rather than proactive owner support.
Taxes and Fees	Balanced sales, property, and occupancy taxes to support tourism and hospitality, partnering with groups like the U.S. Travel Association.	ARDA-ROC has successfully opposed multiple efforts to impose new visitor fees, such as a $50 per visitor charge in certain states, arguing it harms the industry—directly benefiting resort revenues but not necessarily owners who pay maintenance fees. This aligns with their $4.9-9.6 billion industry revenue focus, but critics highlight a "corruption quotient" from high lobbying spend relative to revenue, suggesting influence peddling.
Overall Representation	A voice for vacation ownership, including owners via ARDA-ROC, with lobbying, consumer advocacy, and legislative representation since 1989.	In practice, ARDA is accused of primarily representing developers (95% of members), not owners, with funds from 1.6 million owners used for anti-consumer actions like blocking resale markets or exit reforms. Owner forums and legal sites describe ARDA as a "tool for timeshare companies" that donates to politicians to maintain status quo, doing "zero for current owners." The 2010 FEC settlement underscores improper solicitation and reporting, pointing to ethical lapses.

Key Trends and Criticisms​

• Funding Discrepancies: ARDA-ROC raises $5-6 million yearly from owners, but a portion is allegedly misappropriated for lobbying without opt-in consent, leading to claims of illegality and corruption. This contrasts with their "owner advocate" branding.
• Legislative Focus: While ARDA touts "favorable legislation" on timeshare laws, actual efforts often oppose owner-empowering bills (e.g., in Arizona and Florida) and support developer tools like non-judicial foreclosures.
• Industry Impact: With 1,570 resorts and 205,100 units, ARDA's influence is substantial, but rampant owner complaints (e.g., perpetual contracts) suggest lobbying prioritizes sales over satisfaction.

That's interesting and all, but what does it have to with the topic of discussion in this particular thread?

 

[TUGBrian]

guessing they meant to post that in a different thread?

 

[ZacharyBattles]

Redweek doesn't give a damn about owners; we have seen too many examples in the past to ignore this. Redweek's customers are the renters and buyers; owners exist only to provide inventory. If Fidelity is willing to provide inventory, Redweek's private equity owners can make money selling or renting it.

I agree with the tone, but as for the inventory Fidelity is bringing onto RedWeek, as well as any Verified Listings, those are actually handled by Fidelity Resales agents (even though the listings appear as Managed by RedWeek Real Estate). The exact relationship between the two companies is still unclear—there’s been speculation that Fidelity purchased RedWeek, though I’m more inclined to think it’s a joint venture. What is confirmed is that Fidelity recently acquired Timeshare Broker Associates.

 

[dioxide45]

I agree with the tone, but as for the inventory Fidelity is bringing onto RedWeek, as well as any Verified Listings, those are actually handled by Fidelity Resales agents (even though the listings appear as Managed by RedWeek Real Estate). The exact relationship between the two companies is still unclear—there’s been speculation that Fidelity purchased RedWeek, though I’m more inclined to think it’s a joint venture. What is confirmed is that Fidelity recently acquired Timeshare Broker Associates.

Looking at Redweek's privacy policy, it seems to still mention Arrivia, which would lead me to think they didn't sell to Fidelity. I would also think Redweek being sold to another company would be bigger news. As you say, it would seem a joint venture is more what is happening or that Redweek just decided to outsource their real estate services to Fidelity. I still don't see any official release or statement indicating they've done such a thing. But some people have reported that the broker they were working with for a Redweek listing was also a Fidelity broker.

 

[ZacharyBattles]

Looking at Redweek's privacy policy, it seems to still mention Arrivia, which would lead me to think they didn't sell to Fidelity. I would also think Redweek being sold to another company would be bigger news. As you say, it would seem a joint venture is more what is happening or that Redweek just decided to outsource their real estate services to Fidelity. I still don't see any official release or statement indicating they've done such a thing. But some people have reported that the broker they were working with for a Redweek listing was also a Fidelity broker.

I can confirm with certainty that the vast majority RedWeek Verified resale listings—though shown as “Managed by RedWeek Real Estate”—are actually handled by Fidelity. I did notice recently however, that another resale broker had a verified listing and it NOT be managed by RedWeek Real Estate. Here's official correspondence from RedWeek advising of the changes to resale operations:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From:
Date:
To:
Subject: Upcoming Changes to RedWeek's Resale Department

I trust this message finds you in good health. We are writing to inform you of forthcoming modifications to RedWeek's operational framework.

RedWeek has partnered with a leading industry brokerage to enhance our members' overall experience and broaden the visibility of their postings.

As of Monday, August 18, 2025, all resale operations within RedWeek will be managed by Fidelity Real Estate.

We will continue to provide support for ongoing transactions through the closing phase, and all deals currently in progress will be directed to the designated title company accordingly.

However, please note that any new sales initiated under Fidelity's management will be subject to their exclusive discretion regarding the selection of the title company.

For your convenience, we have included their contact information should you wish to contact them regarding potential business opportunities for new transactions.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"RedWeek has partnered with a leading industry brokerage to enhance our members' overall experience and broaden the visibility of their postings."

Well, "dumping hundreds of resale weeks" onto the RedWeek platform isn't going to broaden the visibility of RedWeek Members' postings.