New to Group - How to Get Rid of 4 Seasons Aviara Timeshare in Carlsbad, CA

[CCR_LA]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to this group. Grateful I found it. Long story short, my parents bought a Four Seasons Aviara timeshare in Carlsbad, CA decades ago. My father passed away last year. My siblings and I are trying to help our Mom get out of this timeshare. The cost keeps rising, and my mom cannot keep paying. We just want to be done with it.

TRI-West, the broker company, hasn’t been helpful. Their response to our request to sell is “setup reservations as buyers always want to know what reservations the sellers have in place. That’s how buyers decide which listing to purchase.” I don’t understand…what does that mean?

Is there anyone in this group I could speak with or have advice they could share?

Thank you in advance,
CC

 

[TUGBrian]

start here https://sell.tug2.net

welcome to TUG!

 

[WorldT]

Are you trying to give it away for free or do you want some money for it? It is probably worth something, but if you are ready to part with it without asking for money, then you should be able to get rid of it fairly easily. The options above will decide recommendations on how to proceed.

 

[bizaro86]

Post an ad here:

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Timeshare ownerships offered completely free by owners! Rehome an unwanted timeshare at no cost! Timeshares listed here must be offered completely free!

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The information you need to include is in that forum in a post near the top. But if you have the season (eg gold or platinum) the fees, and whether the current usage is available (has it been used for 2026) you'll have a good start.

 

[RX8]

It is probably worth something, but if you are ready to part with it without asking for money, then you should be able to get rid of it fairly easily.

I think the high maintenance fees will make it difficult to even give away. There are a whopping 158 listings at Redweek and 36 of them are free.

 

[vacationtime1]

TRI-West, the broker company, hasn’t been helpful. Their response to our request to sell is “setup reservations as buyers always want to know what reservations the sellers have in place. That’s how buyers decide which listing to purchase.” I don’t understand…what does that mean?

It's January. If you list your Aviara TS now, potential buyers will consider that if they buy, it will take a few months to close the transaction -- timeshare escrows are notoriously slow. So if the buyers become the registered owners in let's say July, 2026, they will find it difficult or impossible to make a 2026 reservation -- although they will be paying 2026 maintenance fees. That makes your unit less desirable.

The brokers are suggesting that if you make a 2026 reservation for a week towards the end of 2026 (which will be transferred to your buyers in escrow), your buyers would be able to use the property in 2026. That would make your listing more desirable than the other Aviara units listed for sale at the same price.

 

[zentraveler]

I think the high maintenance fees will make it difficult to even give away. There are a whopping 158 listings at Redweek and 36 of them are free.

Although the MF's are on the higher side, the 2 BR units can be locked off and deposited into II. We have used our 2 units to go to Hawaii 25 of the last 27 years which we consider worth it. We have also used the studio to trade into some 2 BR units (Maine last year + several others) and compared with some of the eye popping Hawaii properties MF and the cost to rent them, we consider them worth what we get. Property taxes at FSA less than $200 (I had them re-assessed in 2008).

The property is beautiful and in a good location. Buying it to use is absolutely the best use of it, but it trades in II extremely well. We stayed at the Hyatt Northstar and Marriott Timber Lodge - two BR each - for two weeks in October using the AC's we got when we deposited our 2 weeks. We have been happy to own it for so long and plan to continue.

 

[CCR_LA]

Are you trying to give it away for free or do you want some money for it? It is probably worth something, but if you are ready to part with it without asking for money, then you should be able to get rid of it fairly easily. The options above will decide recommendations on how to proceed.

My mom is paying an annual fee of $11K. We want out of paying that annual fee and being done with it. At this point, I think I can speak on her behalf to say - we’re not trying to make money out of this. Thank you for your response.

 

[bizaro86]

My mom is paying an annual fee of $11K. We want out of paying that annual fee and being done with it. At this point, I think I can speak on her behalf to say - we’re not trying to make money out of this. Thank you for your response.

That must be for more than 1 week. You'll need to understand what it is she owns before you can give it away, as a potential buyer will need that information. (Eg how many weeks, what season, etc)

 

[davidvel]

My mom is paying an annual fee of $11K. We want out of paying that annual fee and being done with it. At this point, I think I can speak on her behalf to say - we’re not trying to make money out of this. Thank you for your response.

As noted that is an incredibly high fee amount, and cannot be for a single unit/week.

 

[CCR_LA]

That must be for more than 1 week. You'll need to understand what it is she owns before you can give it away, as a potential buyer will need that information. (Eg how many weeks, what season, etc)

Thanks so much. Yes, it’s actually 4 weeks. We used to always go around Christmas, but I’ll need to get that information from her. Appreciate your note. This is all new to me and feels a little overwhelming…

 

[sng85]

Thanks so much. Yes, it’s actually 4 weeks. We used to always go around Christmas, but I’ll need to get that information from her. Appreciate your note. This is all new to me and feels a little overwhelming…

As others have said, Aviara can be tough to sell. If you visited during Christmas, that’s a gold week, which goes for $1 (if you can find a buyer). If your mom ends up owning some platinum weeks (summer), then those still actually have some value. If you have a gold/platinum week combo, you might be able to incentivize a platinum buyer by offering the package for $1. Also consider selling weeks individually which might be easier than selling multiple weeks together if they’re all the same season.

Lastly, you should post your weeks/giveaway also on the Aviara Owners Portal at https://www.myresidenceclub.com/. You might have better luck finding someone on the portal to transfer your weeks. I’ve seen other owners post their weeks for rent or sale on the portal.

Hope you’re able to find a solution.

 

[wmgjr]

Tri West is the worst

 

[CCR_LA]

As others have said, Aviara can be tough to sell. If you visited during Christmas, that’s a gold week, which goes for $1 (if you can find a buyer). If your mom ends up owning some platinum weeks (summer), then those still actually have some value. If you have a gold/platinum week combo, you might be able to incentivize a platinum buyer by offering the package for $1. Also consider selling weeks individually which might be easier than selling multiple weeks together if they’re all the same season.

Lastly, you should post your weeks/giveaway also on the Aviara Owners Portal at https://www.myresidenceclub.com/. You might have better luck finding someone on the portal to transfer your weeks. I’ve seen other owners post their weeks for rent or sale on the portal.

Hope you’re able to find a solution.

Thanks so much for your comments. So glad I found this group!

 

[CCR_LA]

Tri West is the worst

OMG… the worst…

 

[VacationForever]

Platinum weeks are also regularly given away for free. Can you find out if you can deedback the timeshare? They may charge you a fee for deedback. Do not use timeshare exit companies, they are pretty much scams because they will get your money and let the timeshare go into default. Your mother can do the same as a last ditch effort, to simply stop paying MF if the resort does not have a deedback program.

 

[b2bailey]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to this group. Grateful I found it. Long story short, my parents bought a Four Seasons Aviara timeshare in Carlsbad, CA decades ago. My father passed away last year. My siblings and I are trying to help our Mom get out of this timeshare. The cost keeps rising, and my mom cannot keep paying. We just want to be done with it.

TRI-West, the broker company, hasn’t been helpful. Their response to our request to sell is “setup reservations as buyers always want to know what reservations the sellers have in place. That’s how buyers decide which listing to purchase.” I don’t understand…what does that mean?

Is there anyone in this group I could speak with or have advice they could share?

Thank you in advance,
CC

First of all, do you know how to make reservations using those weeks?
If yes, go ahead and book 4 sequential weeks for the month of December.
You have nothing to lose by doing that.
Is your mom able to pay the 2026 Maintenance Fees? If yes, do it.
At that point you'll be able to negotiate with a potential buyer.

I'm not an owner there -- if I have misstated something -- please correct me.

 

[CCR_LA]

Platinum weeks are also regularly given away for free. Can you find out if you can deedback the timeshare? They may charge you a fee for deedback. Do not use timeshare exit companies, they are pretty much scams because they will get your money and let the timeshare go into default. Your mother can do the same as a last ditch effort, to simply stop paying MF if the resort does not have a deedback program.

I believe they do not have a deedback program. Thank you also for saying not to use a timeshare exit company. I almost did! I was thinking about that - what would happen if she just stopped paying.

 

[Passepartout]

I believe they do not have a deedback program. Thank you also for saying not to use a timeshare exit company. I almost did! I was thinking about that - what would happen if she just stopped paying.

I haven't read your entire thread, but I assume her ownership is fully paid off and all that is owing is annual Maintenance Fees (MF). If this is so and you (she) has no viable leads to unload it, worst case scenario is they bring suit against her for the MFs. They can (will) bill her, then block reservations and add penalties and interest. This can go on for years. Eventually, they will foreclose and then she's out. I have a hunch that she's 'Judgement Proof', meaning that even if they sue for the owed back MF, she hasn't the ability to pay. There's nothing for them to attach- like income. They can't take home, furnishings, bank accounts, retirement savings, Social Security etc. In short- (and is will stop FAR SHORT of this) they will just foreclose and have a sherriff's sale and buy herb weeks back for pennies. Rinse, resell and find another family to make big promises to and eventually bankrupt.

Stop paying if you don't have a buyer or plans for those weeks, and let the chips fall where they will.

Jim

 

[VacationForever]

I believe they do not have a deedback program. Thank you also for saying not to use a timeshare exit company. I almost did! I was thinking about that - what would happen if she just stopped paying.

Technically, they can try to sue her, but in reality, unpaid MF will go to collections and they will try to call her on her on her phone. After a while, the calls will stop. Worst case her credit history gets dinged.

 

[Seamaster]

Although the MF's are on the higher side, the 2 BR units can be locked off and deposited into II. We have used our 2 units to go to Hawaii 25 of the last 27 years which we consider worth it. We have also used the studio to trade into some 2 BR units (Maine last year + several others) and compared with some of the eye popping Hawaii properties MF and the cost to rent them, we consider them worth what we get. Property taxes at FSA less than $200 (I had them re-assessed in 2008).

The property is beautiful and in a good location. Buying it to use is absolutely the best use of it, but it trades in II extremely well. We stayed at the Hyatt Northstar and Marriott Timber Lodge - two BR each - for two weeks in October using the AC's we got when we deposited our 2 weeks. We have been happy to own it for so long and plan to continue.

That's really great first hand information. I have always been turned off by the MF there.

 

[easyrider]

Technically, they can try to sue her, but in reality, unpaid MF will go to collections and they will try to call her on her on her phone. After a while, the calls will stop. Worst case her credit history gets dinged.

That sounds right to me.

Bill

 

[andre10056]

I believe anything can be sold. You just need to "charge" a price that a buyer is willing to "pay".

Without knowing precisely what you own and not knowing anything about Aviara, I'd lock in desirable 2026 weeks and try selling it by first charging $1. If there are no takers, charge $1 and agree to pay all closing costs. If there are still no takers, charge $1, agree to pay all closing costs, and offer $500 cash to a buyer. At some point, offer a free stay this year (i.e., don't ask to be compensated for this year's maintenance fee) if need be. And keep going. At some "price", someone will assume your ownership.

I'd place ads on ebay, Redweek, craigslist, Facebook marketplace, Facebook timeshare sites (Aviara owners sites would be particularly good), other Aviara online sites if any, TUG, etc.

I've never understood people paying $9000 to a timeshare exit company to get out of (or so they erroneously think) a single timeshare when it's likely they wouldn't have to come near paying that number to get someone else to agree to put their name on the deed. Pay much less than $9000 and someone would very likely take whatever garbage you might own. Maybe not all garbage, but most garbage.

Of course, if you haven't already paid 2026 maintenance fees, I'd think long and hard about simply not paying anything ever again. If your mother owns substantial assets, I'd talk to an attorney about protecting her assets with an appropriate estate plan strategy (make sure you mention her not paying her timeshare MFs).