TS Today - Creating a Vision for the Future of Vacation Ownership Issue #96 Nov/Dec, 2007 | Page 31

TimeSharing Today Page 33 Profile: TRI West Real Estate This is another in the series of profiles of TimeSharing Today advertisers. TRI West Real Estate has been offering education and advice on timeshare ownership since 1981. They specialize in the resale and rental of quality timeshare resorts worldwide. TRI West Real Estate is the largest and oldest licensed resale and rental broker on the West Coast and is recognized as an innovative pioneer in the timeshare resale/rental marketplace. TRI West was the first company to publish a monthly Timeshare Multiple Listing (MLS) book (1982), conduct live annual National Timeshare Auctions (1985), publish a combined (II/RCI) Resort Directory Guide (1995), create the “Home of the Timeshare Bluebook” website (1995), be approved by the California Department of Real Estate for optional Timeshare Multiple Listing Services (1997), open a storefront Timeshare Resale & Rental Vacation Gallery (2000), open Vacation Home Alternatives department for upscale fractionals (2003). TRI West has over 5,000 current listings worldwide with a large selection in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Mexico. Information on available listings, as well as consumer tips on renting or buying timeshares, is provided by TRI West licensed agents and at http:// www.triwest-timeshare.com. The company has sold over 6,800 timeshares and processed over 3,000 rental transactions for owners, buyers and travelers worldwide. TRI West current services and fees are: Listing a timeshare for sale or rentalno charge Optional MDR Telecom MLS exposure - $225 Sale commission subject to minimum - 15% Rental commission subject to minimum - 40% Viccie Mac, TRI West Sales and Rental Manager, has been in the timeshare business since 1978. Before joining TRI West she managed the marketing of off-site broker timeshare sales for several real estate offices for resorts in Arizona, Utah and Mexico. Mac gained additional resort experience as director of sales at a major Arizona resort. She has been active in the rental of timeshares since 1986 and began focusing on owner rentals in 1990. Viccie published the first “Owner’s Guide to Renting” and “Rental Tips for Owners” in 1992. She is currently licensed in Arizona and California and manages both the sales and rental activities for TRI West. Senior Sales Agents include Greg Gibson and Betty Zipf. Mario Collura, President and Broker of TRI West, entered the timeshare industry as one of the developers at The Whaler in Maui, Hawaii in 1979. During the next few years he was also a sub-broker for a number of timeshare projects in CA, HI, and Mexico. Since 1981 he has concentrated his efforts on helping to create a viable secondary market for the resales and rentals of timeshare properties. Collura is the author of “Mario’s Tips” and is frequently quoted in national media. His “Tips,” along with the other educational tools developed by TRI West, provide the basis for educating the consumer about timeshares and ultimately creating a mature secondary market for the time- Nov/Dec, 2007 share industry. Mario earned a BSEE from Case Western Reserve University and has conducted graduate work toward an MBA Degree at UCLA. He is licensed in California as a general contractor, and as a real estate broker in the states of Arizona, California and Nevada. He has been a guest speaker on the subject of Timeshare Resales and Rentals at conventions of both the California Association of Realtors and ARDA, as well as many resort and management homeowner association meetings. He also served as an expert witness to testify regarding the value of timeshare property for California, Florida, and Federal court cases. Mario Collura is a Preferred Resale Broker recommended and trained by Four Seasons for the sale of Residence Club Intervals at Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara, North San Diego CA and Scottsdale at Troon North AZ. TRI West Real Estate is located at 13353 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066. The toll free number is (800) 4236377. Email is [email protected] or online at http://www.triwest-timeshare.com. www.tstoday.com for back issues, message boards, Resale Value Tracker and much more