Winter sports enthusiasts who bought all-access passes to Northstar-at-Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe are now welcome at six other ski spots in California and Colorado after Vail Resorts Inc. purchased the Northstar resort for $63 million. The deal between Colorado’s Vail Resorts and Booth Creek Resort Properties LLC, which managed Northstar, was announced on October 25, 2010. Skiers and snowboarders who bought a $799 Double Whammy all-access pass to both Northstar and Sierra this season can exchange it for Vail’s $629 Epic Pass, which allows unlimited entry to Heavenly in California and Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado.

SOURCE: Kane, Will (2010, October 27). Vail Resorts purchases popular Northstar-at-Tahoe. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved from Http://www.sfgate.com

Hawaii’s timeshare inventory will grow by another 3,029 units in the next decade if developers with projects in the pipeline move forward with their plans. That information was part of an industry survey released last month by the Hawaii chapter of the American Resort Development Association, which recently revised its previous estimate of 4,881 timeshare units in the works.

The 3,029 units now listed include planned expansions at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club on Oahu, Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons and Hilton’s King’s Land project on the Big Island. Should those units be built, Hawaii’s current timeshare inventory of 8,608 units would increase by 35 percent to a total 11,637 units. From 2007 to 2009, Hawaii’s timeshare inventory climbed 12 percent to 8,608 units spread among 87 timeshare properties. This further planned timeshare development demonstrates that the concept of vacation ownership, particularly in Hawaii, can withstand an economic downturn, and a boost in the state’s timeshare supply could stimulate demand and travel.

SOURCE: Chiem, Linda (2010, October 8). Timeshares Could Add 3,029 More Units. Pacific Business News.

Retrieved from http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific.

The 2011 Amgen Tour of California is coming to Lake Tahoe. Stage one of the more than 800-mile race will start May 15 in South Lake Tahoe and end at the Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort after making one and a half clockwise revolutions of Lake Tahoe. Stage two will start at Squaw Valley USA, take riders over Donner Pass and end in Sacramento on May 16.

The Amgen tour is the country’s most prestigious bike race and draws the world’s top riders as it is the last major prep race in advance of the Tour de France. Tahoe tourism officials also expect area businesses to walk away happy. The tour estimates it has a more than $100 million impact to California cities each year.

1. Don’t ever, ever buy or sell ‘on the spot.’ Sleep on it, and take the time to evaluate whether the deal is a good one.

2. If you are offered a prize as an incentive, read the ‘fine print’ on the prize, and DO NOT PAY for anything.

3. Read the contract and have it reviewed by an attorney. If the sales person promised you something that’s not in the contract, don’t sign the contract!

4. If the presentation is too high pressure, leave. You have every right to leave when you want. Simply stand up and politely say ‘thank you very much but we’re leaving now.’ Then go — don’t let them argue with you.

5. Ask for references — and call them. Ask for folks who have been happy and unhappy with the previous service.

6. Don’t EVER pay up-front fees when selling your timeshare! A reputable company will only collect a commission once your timeshare is SOLD. Read more about Timeshare Resale scams here: Florida gets tough on timeshare resale firms.

7. Consider a timeshare the same way you’d consider any other real estate investment. Do research and educate yourself on the market and the value.

Some people prefer to look at the costs of a timeshare in terms of the money they spend on their vacations rather than as an investment. Just be sure it makes sense and that you want to go to the same place every year — or that there are good options for trading which will work for you year after year.

If you have any questions regarding the timeshare market, the resale value of your timeshare, trading options, selling your timeshare or buying a timeshare resale you can contact us by email or call us toll free at 1-800-996-2001.

You often have a choice: Buy it new, or buy it used.

Finding a great bargain on a used item online, in a secondhand store or at a garage sale is a great feeling, but sometimes you’re better off paying more and getting the item out of the box. On “The Early Show”, CBS News Business and Economic Correspondent Rebecca Jarvis had the scoop on some things you can save on by purchasing used ones, and some items that are best bought brand new.

THINGS YOU SHOULD BUY USED;

Timeshares: Buying timeshares isn’t for everyone, but if you decide that it suits your lifestyle, purchasing the property as a resale would be a better deal than buying it brand new: On average, you’ll save 67 percent on the price for a comparable new timeshare. If you’re new to timeshare ownership, give it a test run first by renting short term.

• View Great Timeshare Resale Deals in Lake Tahoe, Hawaii or Hotel Resorts in All Areas.
  

Office Furniture: Good office furniture is built to withstand heavy use and handling. Really solid pieces will last a lifetime, long after they’re resold the first or second time. A great used desk or file cabinet will work as well as (or better than) a new one, but for a fraction of the cost. And with the recession shutting down so many businesses, you can easily find lots of great office furniture deals.

Home Accents: Home decor and artwork are rarely handled on a day-to-day basis, so they’re generally still in good condition even after being resold multiple times. If you like the worn-out look of some decor pieces, you can be sure you didn’t pay extra for something that comes naturally with time. And don’t forget, for most of us, discovering a true gem at a garage sale is 90% of the fun!

THINGS YOU SHOULD BUY NEW;

Digital and video cameras: Like laptops, used digital and video cameras are likely to have been dropped and banged around. It may not be obvious, but once the damage kicks in, it’ll be expensive to repair. If you know what to look for in a digital camera, you can get a great new camera without breaking the bank.

Plasma and LCD TVs: The cost of fixing or replacing the parts on plasma or other HDTVs is high. Sometimes it costs as much as buying a new TV. Considering the repair costs, you’d want to get an extended warranty, but that isn’t an option if you buy your TV used.

Vacuum cleaners: Vacuums are among the heavy-duty household appliances that tend to get a lot of use and abuse. They can also cost more to fix than to purchase new. Oreck vacuums, for example, are well worth the price for their sucking power. Keep in mind that older models tend to spew more dust than they suck up. So suck up and pay out the cash for a good vacuum. Your nose will thank you.

At Paradise Timeshare Resale we often field inquiries from potential sellers who are new to the resale market. Here are three key steps to get you started;

1. DO use a licensed real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the timeshare resale market.
2. DO NOT do business with any timeshare resale company that charges upfront fees to market your property. They are scam operators and not legitimate resale businesses.
3. DO Select a timeshare resale company that has a strong internet presence, a high-traffic physical office location, and a strong team of licensed real estate professionals that know their market.

Click on this link for the complete primer on how to sell my timeshare.

The Americana Village, one of the best timeshare values in South Lake Tahoe, just got even better! This property has undergone an extensive interior remodel campaign and the resulting comfort and luxury compare favorably with the best four star properties in the area.

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The great news for potential buyers is that this news has not been widely circulated and they represent a great timeshare value. There is a wide selection of studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units available on the Paradise Website. Capitalize now on a great timeshare value.

Almost 30 of Lake Tahoe’s finest restaurants are participating in the inaugural Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week, a week-long celebration taking place from Sept. 5-12. There are no passes, tickets or coupons needed to take part in Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week. Guests simply visit the various locations that are offering three-course, prix-fixe menus for $20, $30 and $40 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Reservations are recommended.

To learn more about Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week, a list of participating dining establishments and their downloadable prix-fixe menus, lodging discounts (up to 25 percent off for Restaurant Week attendees) and how to take part, visit www.tahoerestaurantweek.com or call Pettit Gilwee Public Relations at (530) 583-2138.

SOURCE: Staff Report (2010, August 6). Tahoe Daily Tribune. Retrieved from http://www.tahoedailytribune.com

Lake Tahoe, CA July 16, 2010 – As the summer influx of visitors to Lake Tahoe nears its seasonal peak, the Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts issued their results for the 2009-2010 ski season and recorded a whopping 17 percent increase in skier visits over the prior year.

According to an announcement from Ski Lake Tahoe — a group composed of Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Squaw Valley USA — 2009-10 was the second busiest season ever for Tahoe, and more than four times the national average recorded by the National Ski Area Association. The resorts attributed the visitor influx to the more than 600 inches of snow that fell — double the national average — and a long winter with some ski lifts operating from Halloween through the Fourth of July.

“The combination of reliable snow conditions coupled with unbeatable vacation deals and a totally unique, memorable winter experience has become the trademark of the Ski Lake Tahoe resorts,” said John Wagnon, president of Ski Lake Tahoe.

SOURCE: Shueh, Jason (2010, July 16). Lake Tahoe ski resorts report second busiest season in history. North Lake Tahoe Bonanza. Retrieved from http://www.tahoebonanza.com

Nancy Beaulieu from Paradise Timeshare Resale shares insider information about The Ridge Timeshare in Lake Tahoe. She shares three Reasons why you should buy a Timeshare Resale NOW from The Ridge. If you would like more information on pricing or purchasing please contact Nancy Beaulieu at Paradise Timeshare Resale.