Most American timeshares are deeded, which means they receive similar treatment to that of real estate. Therefore how do we navigate the costly, time-consuming process of transferring a warranty deed? To find out, we sat down with Conveyancing Manager John Pearce, our warranty deed specialist.
TLG: Hi John! How long have you been working for Travel & Leisure Group and what initially drew you to the position?
JP: I’ve now been with Travel & Leisure Group for six years. My earlier working years gave me the opportunity to travel, and consequently, I became interested in working in the holiday industry. Even when I’m on holiday I pop into resorts and leave a business card!
TLG: You are the Conveyancing Manager. Can you tell us what this means?
JP: In this department, we work with various teams (inside and outside the company) to gather information. We liaise with resorts to make sure staff have as many up-to-date details as possible. Having the correct information is vital to us because it makes every transfer process that much easier. We also carry out inventory checks for all serious buying enquiries to verify ownership information.
My working day is a mix of things and can very much depend on which stage we are at in each transfer of ownership. The bulk of my work is with warranty deeds, therefore the majority of the resorts I deal with are in the USA. This means a considerable amount of my communication takes place in the afternoon/early evening.
The Ups and Downs of a Warranty Deed Transfer
TLG: What’s your favourite part of the job?
JP: I really enjoy the diversity, working with clients, and gathering information on new resorts. I now have a network of people who help and offer advice, which I think is vital to providing the best service possible. I’m proud of how the Conveyancing Department has grown over the years. Because of this, major resorts now recommend our transfer of ownership service to owners wishing to transfer ownerships to family and friends. Word of mouth and very positive customer feedback has also brought many referrals to me as well.
TLG: What was your most difficult transfer of ownership to date?
JP: They are all difficult in their own way, and they all offer their own special challenges. The hardest transfer is usually with a resort that we haven’t dealt with before. Information is critical to this role; it’s so important to gather as much information as possible to add to our “legal bible” which is both digital- and paper-based.
TLG: What particular challenges do warranty deed transfers present?
JP: Getting the information and documents together to be able to start the process is the biggest challenge. The transfer of ownership process is very lengthy, and furthermore, each resort has its own operational procedure. All warranty deeds must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public. This role demands excellent organisational skills and requires a lot of forward planning. We keep track of every process on our database and paper files, which lets us know what to do next and how to react to the next task. Information is key as I said before and each time we work with a new resort, we detail each process ready for the next time.
Looking Ahead…
TLG: What advances would you like to see in the timeshare industry?
JP: The industry has been in transition for many years. Everyone is working tirelessly to shed the old image and create positives about owning high quality 5* accommodation. The timeshare industry now enjoys a wider demographic and therefore has had to sharpen its image.
The introduction of shorter lease agreements and rentals are becoming very popular. Rentals grow in popularity each year and are a great introduction to owning. I’d like to see these advances keep moving in the right direction; timeshare is a legitimate holiday choice, as millions of owners around the world can attest!
Do you have a warranty deed timeshare that you want to transfer to a friend, family member, or someone else? If so, contact our Conveyancing Department today for a hassle-free discussion of your options.
Until next time, stay safe and travel happy!
