Atlantis Harborside unit rental appears shady

If anyone is looking to rent unit 3740 & 3741, a corner spot in building 2 phase 1 of Harborside, for a steal of deal during the week of Dec. 29 to Jan. 5, it's likely a bogus ad.

Had two brokers, on the same day offer me this spot, Stephan Crant from SellMyTimesahreNOW.com and Jeremy from TheTimeshareBrokers.com (ttb-rentals). Stephan offered it at $6500, Jeremy offered it for $6199, then low and behold, I find an ad for the same unit and week offered on Redweek for $5500 by Charlie Tang. So what gives?!

Stephan asked if he could beat $6199, if I would book with him; this was all dependent on him contacting the owner of course. When I emailed back the discovery of $5500 on Redweek and asked him what was going on, his reply email never addressed it. "Unfortunately, Mary, I am out of the race. The owner I had would not agree to our terms and policies, so go ahead and book with ttb.

Please hold on to my contact information. If I can be of assistance in the future for you or your family or friends, please reach out. Enjoy your vacation!"

Stephan Crant | Licensed Real Estate Agent | Timeshare Broker Services

Next on the list was to contact Charlie, just out of curiosity. My first email simply asked if he was the deeded owner. His reply, "Yes I am. Why do you ask?" My email back told him about the two brokers and their prices, so I asked why his was even lower for such a premium spot and week, and why the "deal" fell through with Stephan. His answer? "Yes these brokers did get in touch with me asking for availability. What they basically do is add on their margin. Its normal in a free market." My reply, "Why then would you turn down offers of $6199 and $6500 when you're listing it for only $5500?" No response.

No further emails from Jeremy either.

These three are despicable. Renter beware.

If I understand correctly Charlie Tang is renting out for $5500. The brokers won't pay him more than $5500. If you want it for $5500 you would need to rent from him (without the middle men taking their cut) For them to lower the price they would likely have to get Charlie to agree to lower his price.

The brokers hope you don't find the owner to deal with direct or that you are willing to pay a premium to go through the brokers.

So I am not sure what your problem is. Not really a scam just they way they do business.

tracey75 wrote:

If I understand correctly Charlie Tang is renting out for $5500. The brokers won't pay him more than $5500. If you want it for $5500 you would need to rent from him (without the middle men taking their cut) For them to lower the price they would likely have to get Charlie to agree to lower his price.

The brokers hope you don't find the owner to deal with direct or that you are willing to pay a premium to go through the brokers.

So I am not sure what your problem is. Not really a scam just they way they do business.

Sounds about right to me, although if the owner is able and willing to advertise and rent entirely on his own, why is he even bothering to complicate his life with "middleman" brokers who will inevitably just muddy up the waters?

Seems to me, if you're the owner working with brokers, you wouldn't care as all you're looking to do it rent the place and get paid. Or, lets say these guys contacted him out of the blue and he doesn't want to work with them, only rent it out himself as the owner. Fine, then tell me that if that's the case!

Unfortunately, he's not being forthright answering any of my questions nor instilling any sort of confidence that he's really the owner who may happen to just have a great deal. Why not say, "I don't deal with brokers" or explain, "I'm contacted all the time by them but I prefer renting my place out myself"? Or, "They contacted me so that must have been you! I am the owner and yes, I'd like to rent it out for only XYZ as all I need is to recoup yearly fees with a little extra." Never even bothered to ask if I wanted to rent it despite the brokers attempts to circumvent his better deal.

The whole thing is odd to say the least. Could be a cultural/language communication barrier, but my gut says no when he will not answer a simple question with a simple answer.

From what I've read, there are not many corner units per building; it's a premium location with poolside and harbor views in phase 1, especially during a holiday weekend. The price is crazy low when compared to the rest, almost too low to be believable at this juncture.

And Jeremy did email back yesterday saying everything was in order and ready to go. So now Charlie will rent through the second guy asking $6199?!

None of this adds up whatsoever.

When I told Jeremy I was signing paperwork with an owner on a different unit, he shot back an email telling me what a mistake that was as I could have saved thousands (plural) of dollars using him (eye roll). I replied telling him what I discovered with this unit 3740/3741 business, he naturally never answered back.

I ended up renting with another owner on Redweek who I know is legit, answers questions, isn't playing games, and knows how to communicate.

...

To my understanding here, the brokers are doing what they do which is find a place, add onto price and take their cut. Charlie on the other hand... I still don't know if he is or isn't working with a broker (per Jeremy's email yesterday), why he's renting so low for such a premium spot and week, or if this unit is nothing but bait and switch for an "unforeseen computer glitch" come December which would put me at an impasse for either a pricier unit or for one with no view, etc. Not worth finding out.

Who knows, maybe someone will get a whale of deal and have a wonderful time in this unit, but too many flags and unanswered questions are attached to this deal for me. Having to rent should be transparent and simple without the runaround and doubt.