Industry Organizations
Aside from consumer-run timeshare groups, there are several industry organizations that lend credibility to the resort developers, resale brokerage firms, and exchange companies that are allowed to become members. No system of industry oversight can be perfect, of course, but a company's membership in one of the following groups shows that, at a minimum, the company knows that there are rules and regulations out there in the world.
American Resort Development Association
Know by the acronym ARDA, the American Resort Development Association is based in Washington, D.C. It was created in 1969 and now claims about a thousand members, some that are small, private firms and others that are worldwide conglomerates. Some members are timeshare homeowners' associations, while others are resort management companies and developers.
ARDA's goals include advocating for governmental policies that encourage timeshare industry growth, doing media and other outreach to spread the word about the growth of the timeshare industry, and providing educational materials for consumers and developers who want to enter the timeshare industry. It also enforces a Code of Standards and Ethics that consists of timeshare solicitation, sales, and general requirements. Sanctions can be levied against ARDA members who fail to comply with the code.
E-ALERT
Although companies may not follow the industry's rules and regulations, seals of approval from reputable groups and organizations are a good sign that the company is at least trying to take an ethical and legal approach to working with its colleagues, its competitors, and, ultimately, you — the timeshare consumer.
One of the best consumer-oriented features on the ARDA Web site is a searchable database of members, broken down into categories. Some of those categories include real estate brokerage, vacation club/travel club, travel services/tour operators, timesharing, resale brokers (licensed), and auctioneering — all things you may want to look into when buying, using, or selling a timeshare unit. To learn more about the American Resort Development Association, check out its Web site,
National Association of Realtors
The National Association of Realtors has been around since 1908 and now has more than a million members. Its core purpose is to help Realtors become more profitable and successful, but its benefit to you — the consumer — is that it promotes a Code of Ethics that is no fewer than eight pages long and that lays out in strict detail the way ethical real estate transactions should be made.
A nice feature on the group's Web site is a searchable database that will allow you to find a Realtor in your area who specializes in what the organization defines as resort area/second home sales — including timeshares. You can type in your city and state of residence, and a list of certified Realtors will pop up complete with contact information. To learn more about the National Association of Realtors, log on to its Web site,
