Working with DFC in Donating Our TS

[laf Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close laf]

bjones9942: I see what you are saying and this has been one of my concerns. I've asked this question with the two DFC specialists I have worked with and the V.P. of Sales and Marketing, which they all stated that my obligations and liabilities to my TS will no longer exist once we sign, notarize and send in the "Deed of Gift". When asked if the guaranteed and final transfer was contingent on the resale and/or a charity accepts our TS, the response was no. That the process with us is, it is a guaranteed transfer of ownership whether they sell it or a charity accepts it. It would be interesting to know your reasoning for your position. I presume you have purchased from DFC in the past(?), "Having been on the 'other' side of a DFC transaction"...

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

I was involved in a transaction that did not complete because they listed a completely different timeshare than the one they were actually selling. Before this was discovered, I saw communication with the original owner requesting her to pay the transfer fee so they could sell the unit.

I would ask myself why they would put themselves on the hook for the future annual maintenance fees if they don't have a buyer lined up. *That* doesn't make any sense to me, and in fact, when the mistake was discovered with my transaction, they made me wait until they found another buyer before they were willing to correct their error. In my case, *I* called the resort (vacation club actually) after almost 2 months of waiting for action by DFC (Resort Closings) and they were nice enough to cancel my transaction directly.

In any event, I would make sure you call the resort once you've been told that your property has been transferred - just to confirm.

[laf Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close laf]

bjones9942;469121: From what I am gathering, it appears from what you are saying you were in the process of "purchasing" a TS from DFC. I do know if a person is "donating" their TS to DFC, ALL fees must be paid to them (Resort Closings Inc.) for the "guaranteed transfer" to be complete even with the "Deed of Gift" finalized, which makes sense. It is solid advice to verify the transfer by contacting the resort as well as the county the resort is in which I have all intentions of doing. Due to your previous post regarding your main concern, which I share with you and have previously asked DFC specialists and the V.P. of Sales and Marketing, you made me a little nervous. So, I shot the V.P. of Sales and Marketing an email earlier today specifically asking the question again in writing. Below is the exact communications minus identifiers:

Hey XXXXXXXXXXX,

I appreciate our telephone conversation we had yesterday very much and I thank you for your time. I had one other question I need to ask you and I don’t remember if I did:

Question: The transfer of our timeshare is complete and final when DFC receives our completed “Deed of Gift” – meaning we as the “Grantor(s)” are totally free and clear of all responsibilities and obligations to our timeshare - This is NOT contingent on DFC selling and/or a charity accepts our timeshare before we as the “Grantor(s)” are totally free and clear of all responsibilities and obligations to our timeshare is it?

Response:

XXXXXXXXXXXX,

You are no longer the owners when DFC receives the signed deed and the remainder of your payment. Correct, this is not contingent on your property being sold or accepted by another charity. Let me know if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

V.P. Sales and Marketing
Resort Closings, Inc.
3701 Trakker Trail, Suite 2K
Bozeman, MT 59718

The written response is the same as the verbal responses DFC has given me. However, I do feel much better to have it in writing, which I was hoping to have it in writing when I specifically asked this question with my 2nd DFC specialist but she would never answer my questions via email.

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

I certainly hope you are right. As I said, it appeared they didn't even attempt to correct my situation until they had a buyer for it.

I'm not sure why John (DFC/Resort Closings/...) isn't leaving his .02 cents here ... surely he's a poster here as well as tugbbs.com?

[laf Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close laf]

bjones9942;469121: Well one thing we can be certain, we all shall see when I am done with the donation process with DFC. Hopefully, things will work out for the best. I have no reason to question the validity of what DFC / Resort Closings Inc. is leading me to believe. So at this point in the game, it is appearing they are a stand up organization. Like I said, WE shall see.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I rent to buy time, hoping for a better market to find someone to take over ownership, and cut the loss while waiting. I do not intend to own them forever and I certainly am not going to pay someone to take them off my hands.

Who knows what the future holds, but it's hard to imagine it will be a worse market than now (unless the end of the timeshare world really has arrived.)

If it costs $2600 to find another owner (if that is really true) and I can net a $300 annual fee by renting, I can go 8 years before being worse of. It takes very little effort to advertise on the Internet. Many on this site do it, some as a business and for other owners, too. Maybe they will offer to help you rent.

I would walk away from timeshare ownership and suffer whatever consequence there is to doing that before paying someone to take them, but not until I have exhausted sensible remedies. (Thanks in advance to anyone for a lecture about not living up to my obligations. )

But, you do what you want.

[laf Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close laf]

JLB: I respect and understand what you are saying. However, I don't have it in me nor will my profession allow me to walk away from my obligations without serious consequences to include termination. Additionally, I (we) don't have the time to mess with trying to rent our TS. On a last note, all information I am providing in my posts are "factual" information and information that has proven to be credible through verifications. My intent is not to mislead anyone on this forum or in any forum for that matter. I am a strong advocate for consumers and their rights and want to help anyone I believe could benefit from my experience. I look at the information I am providing as "insight" to a possible avenue for someone who may be in the same or similar position as I. With so many rip off companies out there, I consider this viably important.

Update: Resort Closings Inc. contacted me yesterday (Nov. 3rd) and stated I needed to take care of an $80 outstanding debt with my resort before we could close on the transfer. I contacted my resort today regarding the matter. Orange Lake informed me that I was up to date with all my obligations and I wasn't past due any amount. However, the rep realized on her end I was in the process of transferring my ownership with Resort Closings Inc. and stated it probably is in reference to this year’s taxes, which typically do not get billed until the maintenance bill is sent out in late November. So the rep checked with another department and realized this to be the case and stated yes I would have to pay this year (2011) taxes before the transfer could go through. So, I paid the $80 right then and there and sent Resort Closings Inc. a receipt that Orange Lake Country Club sent me via email showing proof of payment. I asked the Orange Lake rep about Resort Closings Inc. This is basically what she stated: Orange Lake does allot of business with them, they have been in business for many years, are reputable and good. She stated that when they receive the paperwork from them on the transfer, typically that same day the transfer will be complete and final with Orange Lake. Orange Lake will send us a letter / document via U.S. Postal Service stating the transfer. She indicated Resort Closings Inc. should do the same. She stated the transfer is pretty much a very simple and quick process once they receive the paperwork. In summary up to this point, I received via email from Resort Closings Inc. a "Deed of Gift" early last week. We completed the "Deed of Gift" and I sent it via U.S. Postal, express certified return receipt, for delivery to Resort Closings Inc. on Monday, Nov. 7th by 3:00 p.m. their time. I left my specialist a message today to make arrangements for final payment of $1,695 to complete the transfer fees (donation). Once this final payment is paid, Resort Closings Inc. at that time should be able to provide Orange Lake the needed paperwork to finalize the transfer, which should be sometime next week. This is also the way it was explained to me by the V.P. of Sales and Marketing earlier this week on how it should play out if I do everything on my end as I have previously outlined. Everything at this point in the game appears to be on the up and up. WE shall see. Stay tuned or on the edge of your seat (bjones9942)!! lol

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

Yes, I still am. Seeing how there have been several less than stellar experiences with Resort Closings posted on 'the other' timeshare forum as of late, I'm still very wary of them.

[laf Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close laf]

I spoke with "Rose" today (11-08-11) at Resort Closings, Inc. regarding my donation. First I would like to point out that the Specialist I have with Resort Closings, Inc. is going to college and isn't easy to get in contact with. So I have been speaking with other people due to this. I made a nice complaint to "Rose" who is a manager there. Rose indicated to me the following: They received my completed "Deed of Gift" (11-07-11). My transfer to DFC should be complete when they receive all the information back from the resort (Estoppel letter) which should be soon; I pay my remaining fees ($1,695) and my 2012 MF (approx. $700). She said they then would file the new deed with the county and the resort. When asked if the filing of the new deed with the county and resort wouldn't take place UNTILL a "buyer" has been found and complete, she said "No." Once they receive all information back from the resort, I pay my remaining fees and 2012 MF, my transfer to DFC will be complete because I have a "guaranteed transfer", which I do not have to wait for them to sell my TS for my name to be taken off of the deed on file with the county and resort; the deed will be in Project Phloranthrapy (spelling??) with the county and resort and remain as such until they are able to sell it. WE shall see... I am still waiting on my specialist to contact me with information so I can pay off my fees.

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

Ms. Rose Young was my nightmare. Good luck. I'm no longer sitting on the edge, and am staying as far away from that woman as possible.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I pointed out on the Poipu threa that a Point at Poipu charity unit on eBay is hiding the Special Assessment the buyer will be obligated to. No just hiding, saying there is no obligation to the buyer.

I could be wrong, cuz that's the way memory works, but I think it is a Resort Closings offering.

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

It's been about three weeks ... has the property been transferred out of your name?

I spoke with "Rose" today (11-08-11) at Resort Closings, Inc. regarding my donation. First I would like to point out that the Specialist I have with Resort Closings, Inc. is going to college and isn't easy to get in contact with. So I have been speaking with other people due to this. I made a nice complaint to "Rose" who is a manager there. Rose indicated to me the following: They received my completed "Deed of Gift" (11-07-11). My transfer to DFC should be complete when they receive all the information back from the resort (Estoppel letter) which should be soon; I pay my remaining fees ($1,695) and my 2012 MF (approx. $700). She said they then would file the new deed with the county and the resort. When asked if the filing of the new deed with the county and resort wouldn't take place UNTILL a "buyer" has been found and complete, she said "No." Once they receive all information back from the resort, I pay my remaining fees and 2012 MF, my transfer to DFC will be complete because I have a "guaranteed transfer", which I do not have to wait for them to sell my TS for my name to be taken off of the deed on file with the county and resort; the deed will be in Project Phloranthrapy (spelling??) with the county and resort and remain as such until they are able to sell it. WE shall see... I am still waiting on my specialist to contact me with information so I can pay off my fees.

[laf Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close laf]

bjones9942: No real updates since my last post. However, I did pay off my fees to Resort Closings, Inc. for a total of $2,695. I was waiting to receive my 2012 MF from the resort, which I just did ($754). "Rose" at Resort Closing Inc. stated I could pay them an approximate amount of what my 2012MF would be. If I paid more than what it was, they would keep the difference and apply it to my donation. I told her "No". Once I pay the 2012 MF to the resort, according to Resort Closing, Inc., they will send off the new deed to the county and the resort to initiate the transfer of ownership. I intend on paying the 2012 MF sometime in December 2011. Sooner the better. I will definately update my thread once I have updates. When this is all over with I will provide plenty of information for ALL to see. Thanks for your interest in my thread. It is good to know there are people out there interested enough to hang around and see how this works out. At least I know I am not doing this for nothing...I hope. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!

[johnkushman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close johnkushman]

DFC - John Kushman

Hello All,

I just found this thread.

To touch on a few points...

Donate for a Cause is the DBA of Project Philanthropy Inc a 501 c3 specifically founded as a charity for the purpose of fundraising for other charities through the acceptance of timeshare donations. Since 2004 more than $3.5 million has been raised on behalf of national and local charities.

Point at Poipu: All of the units we have for sale have the Special Assessment paid in full. No obligation to the buyer (unless diamond has a new one in a couple of years).

Recording of deeds: How we record the deed of gift, and Warranty/Grant deed is based on the resort/county. We can save a few bucks here in there sending in both deeds at the same time so we try to do that as often as possible. If we can record the deed online, we try to record the deed of gift as soon as we receive it signed from the donor.

Wyndham is a great example of why we record the deed of gift and warranty deed at the same time. If they receive from us the DOG & WD that were recorded the same day they will transfer the ownership from donor to charity to buyer the same day. Essentially the charity never has the ownership in their name with wyndham (the ownership was legally transferred from donor to charity with the DOG). This is important because Wyndham will not transfer the maintenance credit from donor to charity to buyer, only from donor to charity IF the deeds are not recorded on the same day. If the deeds are recorded on the same day they pass the mf credit from donor to buyer. I am not sure why wyndham does this and they have yet to give us a straight answer.

Some resorts will waive a transfer fee if we send both deeds at the same time, a savings we pass onto the donor (only charging them one Transfer Fee). Some resorts will only do that if the deeds are recorded the same day.

It is my job at Donate for a Cause to determine which properties can be donated for a fee and which can be donated for free. These lists of properties are fluid. If I know I can not find a due's paying owner that resort is on the list of properties we can not accept. We have a few of them (carriage hills in Canada, Attitash Mountain, Alpenland Resorts, Christie Lodge, Club Land'or, Cranberry Resorts in Canada, etc). If I know the property will sell for enough on the open market to cover all the costs it is on our free to donate list. If the property is only marketable with all of the closing costs covered and/or next usage free it falls under our guaranteed donation program. A few times the market has changed quickly enough to where a property is no longer quickly "liquid" and DFC is stuck paying the maintenance fees until I can find a dues paying owner. I would love to take ALL the properties that are offered to us for donation for free, but we wouldn't be raising money if we did that.

Please feel free to ask me questions.

John Kushman
VP Sales & Marketing
Donate for a Cause

[laf Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close laf]

In response to what John stated, it appears to be in line from what I have been told working with DFC & Resort Closings, Inc. However, it isn't specific to my case.

UPDATE: I have completed everything I needed to do on my end last month. Here is a "time line" of my case thus far:

*File Opened: 10/19/2011
*Account Research Complete: 11/16/2011
*New Owner Docs Drafted: 10/27/2011
*Documents Sent to Seller: 10/27/2011
*Documents Sent to Buyer: pending / NA
*Seller Docs Rcvd: 11/08/2011
*Buyer Docs Rcvd: pending / NA
*Buyer Funds Rcvd: pending / NA
*Escrow Closed: pending / NA
*Docs Sent to Recorder: 12/28/2011
*Completed Docs Sent: 12/28/2011 Resort Closings, Inc. - Received recorded deed. Emailed deed and donation documents to donor. Mailed transfer documents to resort. Documents I received via email: Resort Closings, Inc. - Attached are the donation documents you will need to prove you made a charitable donation, a receipt for the $2,396.00 and a receipt for the property itself. The IRS allows you to determine the fair market value of your property donation. For deeded properties you can claim up to $5,000.00 without the need of an appraisal. Attached is your appraisal and receipt. We are also supplying you with an IRS Form 8283 which you should consult your tax preparer regarding the use thereof.
*Transfer Confirmed by Resort: pending / NA
*File Closed: no

I hope this update keeps people's interest alive. I will provide additional updates as they happen more frequently since the holiday's are over. With that said, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and wishing you and your family a great Happy New Year!!!