"Worldmark the Club" consists of about 250,000 owners who together own outright 65 properties worth over $1B. Most properties are located in North America (especially West Coast, but with some on the East) and a few in the South Pacific. Ownership is perpetual (they can be sold, donated, rented or willed).
Each "unit" is assigned a point value (this never changes throughout the life of each individual resort). The value depends on day of week, season, size. Typical values for a one bedroom unit (sleeping 4) are 500-1,000, for a 2 bedroom (sleeping 6) 700-1,300.
Resorts are very high standard. All but the 'studios' have full kitchens with all you need to self-cater. They are kept very clean, well maintained and up to date. Most resorts have golf courses (reduced fees) and swimming pools/spas/gyms and are in excellent locations.
Ownerships start at 5,000 annual points, 6,000-8,000 are more typical. This means that on the owner's anniversary date those points are credited to their account. Points can be banked for use in the following year and can be borrowed one year in advance. So - a 6,000 point owner has access to 18,000 points.
Those points can be used to book stays at any of the resorts, any combination depending only on availability (which is good). See below ** for more details on why this is an excellent timeshare system.
Owners pay a maintenance fee ($425 for a 6,000 point membership) and for each stay (no matter how long) a housekeeping fee of $50+ (depending on size).
For more information on Worldmark and on purchasing direct from the developer check http://www.worldmarktheclub.com .
For information on the resale market (prices are less than 50% of the developer's price) contact John Avery at jnjavery@yahoo.com
** Why Worldmark is a very attractive timeshare:
1. Locations: Those who enjoy travelling in Western N America or South Pacific, or who like to get away to one of the six locations in Oregon will find this very attractive. There are also several locations in Australia and S Pacific. Five in Hawaii.
2. Flexibility: You are able to book 7+ day stay up to 13 months ahead of time and are not restricted to one resort. For instance a road trip combining Eagle Crest, McCall ID, West Yellowstone, Coeur d'Alene, Leavenworth is possible. You can book stays for guests, with or without you. Points can be banked and used in the RCI system which has 3,500 resorts worldwide. There are some fees and additional rules (don't buy Worldmark just to use RCI).
3. Bonus Time: This is a tremendous added 'bonus'! Not only do you get to stay using your annual points but you can have unlimited additional use of resorts by paying a minimal per night fee. Basically, Worldmark don't want vacant units, so, 14 days ahead of time they make them available at 4.6 cents per point (a 1000 point unit would cost you $46 for that night and no housekeeping fee).
4. Savings: Not only does the price per night work out much less than equivalent standard hotel rooms but it also comes with the self-catering option for savings on eating out all the time.
