Realty5, Inc.

May 11, 2015

Nino received another call from a "Company" that "helps" timeshare owners find buyers for their weeks. Here is what Nino had to say:
Hi Bob and Mary Ann,

Hope all is well with you folks.

I received a call from another one of these scammers requesting to rent our Grand Luxxe four bedroom unit.

I played along as I usually do. I don’t know how much clearer I could have made it that we will not send any monies whatsoever to the escrow agent.

They said repeatedly over the phone that we would not have to send any monies in advance. Sure enough – the draft contract they sent had a sentence stating otherwise. Please see email exchange below.

The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota has a warning on Realty 5 Inc. Please see weblink below.

If you are agreeable, please post the exchange below on the Aimfair website to warn our fellow Grand Luxxe members of Realty 5 Inc.

Thanks very much in advance.

Regards,

Nino

Nino's exchange with the sales personnel:
First Email:

From: Sean Harper
Sent: May-07-15 11:01 AM
To: Nino Silvestri
Subject: Rental proposal - Sean Harper

Good morning Mr. & Mrs. Silvestri,

We appreciate the time you have taken to listen to our phone call and consider our Proposal, please feel free to contact us for any questions Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm central time.

Best regards,

Sean Harper

The contents of this message may contain confidential and/or privileged subject matter. If this message has been received in error, please contact the sender and delete all copies. Like other forms of communication, e-mail communications may be vulnerable to interception by unauthorized parties. If you do not wish us to communicate with you by e-mail, please notify us at your earliest convenience. In the absence of such notification, your consent is assumed. Should you choose to allow us to communicate by e-mail, we will not take any additional security measures (such as encryption) unless specifically requested.


Nino's Response to First Email:

From: Nino Silvestri
Sent: May-07-15 12:09 PM
To: 'Sean Harper'
Subject: RE: Rental proposal - Sean Harper

Sean,

The way we operate is that we will reserve the weeks directly with Vida Vacations, and confirm such to Realty 5 with email confirmation from Vida.

Either we, or the escrow agent, will send the commission to Realty 5 – whichever you prefer. What is the Realty 5 Commission?

We will look after any taxes payable directly to the competent tax authorities.

The above is NOT NEGOTIABLE. (Emphasis added)

If the above is not acceptable to Realty 5, then please don’t waste your time or ours.

Regards,

Nino Silvestri


Response to Nino's Firm and Clear Email to Sean Harper by Sean Harper's boss - Paul Kardasz:

From: Paul Kardasz
Sent: May 8, 2015 11:05 AM
To: Nino Silvestri
Subject: Rental agreement- Paul Kardasz

Good morning Mr. & Mrs. Silvestri,
We are pleased to hear that you’ve agreed to move forward to the next step of this transaction.

The following attachment is the rental agreement, please hold all your inquiries for the senior executive who will guide you through the process.

We appreciate your business.

Best regards,


Paul Kardasz

The contents of this message may contain confidential and/or privileged subject matter. If this message has been received in error, please contact the sender and delete all copies. Like other forms of communication, e-mail communications may be vulnerable to interception by unauthorized parties. If you do not wish us to communicate with you by e-mail, please notify us at your earliest convenience. In the absence of such notification, your consent is assumed. Should you choose to allow us to communicate by e-mail, we will not take any additional security measures (such as encryption) unless specifically requested.


Nino's Response to Paul Kardasz's Email:

From: Nino Silvestri
Sent: May 8, 2015 11:17 AM
To: 'Paul Kardasz'
Subject: RE: Rental agreement- Paul Kardasz

Paul,

What does this mean. This sentence has to be deleted. If not, there is no point talking any further.

As I said more than once to you, we will not be depositing any funds to the escrow, or anyone else – for any reason.

Any maintenance fees, taxes, etc that we are responsible for will be paid directly by us to the appropriate party.

Please confirm that this sentence will be deleted. If not, have a nice day.

"Lessors shall deposit funds for said payments as instructed by Escrow within three (3) business days of receiving notification and/or within ten (10) days prior to scheduled closing, whichever is sooner, and Lessor shall be reimbursed in full at closing for all prepayments directly related to this transaction and or to intervals transferring to Lessee at closing.


TAP TO OPEN OR CLOSE - THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU REVIEW OF REALTY5, INC..

Realty5 Inc. Better Business Bureau Review

On November 17, 2014, building management at the address claimed by the company informed BBB that Realty 5 is not located at that address.

Over the last two years, many companies claiming to be located in the Midwest and purporting to offer timeshare reselling services have proved to be fraudulent foreign entities with no local presence.

People who are hoping to sell timeshare properties should be aware that requests to pay money upfront are usually the sign of a fraudulent operation. BBB offers these tips to those seeking to sell their timeshares:

  • Be realistic. In regard to timeshares, it's generally a buyer's - not a seller's - market. Unscrupulous timeshare resellers may contact you claiming that your property is in demand and they can sell it immediately; unfortunately, these promises often prove to be false.

  • Be Wary of Upfront Fees - Remember, unless it's negotiated into the purchase agreement, only buyers pay closing costs. Consider opting for a company that offers to sell for a fee only after the timeshare is sold. Many complaints to BBB regarding timeshare resellers involve situations where people were told they needed to wire "advance appraisal fees," escrow funds or that they just had to pay closing costs and their timeshare would be sold. Never wire money to people you don't know.

  • Use a Business You can Trust - Make sure the timeshare reseller you use is a BBB Accredited Business or at the very least has a good rating with BBB. You can research businesses for free at bbb.org.

  • Confirm Licensing Requirements - Some timeshare resellers will use fake addresses or PO boxes in order to mislead timeshare owners. Confirm where the company is located and in what states it does business. Ask if the company's salespeople are licensed to sell real estate where your timeshare is located. If so, verify this with the state licensing board.

  • Get the Facts on the Figures - Find out if the business charges a commission. Do they handle the entire closing and provide escrow services? Do they charge an up-front listing or advertising fee? What does it cover and is it refundable?

  • Don't Fall for the Hard Sell or an Offer that Sounds Too Good to Be True - Don't agree to anything over the phone but instead ask the salesperson to send you written materials; take the time to think it over and don't be pressured. You may want to have an attorney review any purchase agreement.

  • Watch out for third-party companies. Fraudulent timeshare reselling entities often associate with alleged third-party title or escrow services. Be sure to research those companies as well. If you can't find any information on them, that might be a sign there's a problem.

Though Realty 5's filing with the Minnesota Secretary of State's (SOS) Office is current, BBB has concerns this is a situation where an unknown entity has assumed the name of a previously operating but now defunct Minnesota business.

Realty 5 was originally registered with the MN Secretary of State's Office in 1977. In 1991, according to the MN SOS website, the company was dissolved. Then in June of 2014 the MN SOS filing for Realty 5 was reinstated.

BBB has noted other situations involving alleged timeshare resale, title and escrow firms, where expired MN SOS registrations have been assumed, giving consumers the impression these companies have established track records, when in fact the timeshare operations in question have no relationship with the original - legitimate - Minnesota businesses they're purporting to be.

BBB file opened: 11/11/2014
Business Management

Principal: Arturo Jimenez (Owner/Manager)Stephanie Kardasz (Owner)
Contact Information

Paul Kardasz
Business Category

Timeshare Resale and Rental Marketing

If you choose to do business with Realty 5 Inc, please let them know that you contacted BBB for a Business Review.

- See more at: http://www.bbb.org/minnesota/business-reviews/timeshare-resale-and-rental-marketing/realty-5-in-guadalajara-jal-96554801#sthash.pIclnzyY.dpuf


Thank you Nino. Your proactive approach to clarifying and challenging these cold caller's true adjenda is important for all of us to keep in mind and practice. Your message that we are all in charge of these matters is key to not becoming a victim.
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