Timesharing Today Magazine Article
Use These Tips to Make Buying a Timeshare Easier for You
We all start getting antsy by the time our vacation time rolls around, and since we have worked hard all year, we deserve to be able to take the time off, and go somewhere fun for a change. Many people, however, decide to just stay home, because they don’t want to go through the trouble of deciding where to go, making reservations, dragging the kids along, etc. If you aren’t able to plan your vacation well in advance, then odds are, you won’t go. One way to get past this problem is by purchasing a timeshare. If you have decided that you want to take the leap and purchase a timeshare in your favorite vacation spot, there are some tips that you can use, to help make sure you get a good deal.
When you decide you want to purchase a timeshare, you first need to take the time to learn about the different varieties of timeshares out there. In general, there are two main varieties of timeshares today, a deeded timeshare, and a floating timeshare. If you go with the deeded timeshare option, you are actually part owner of a property, and will be able to use it according to the terms of the contract that is drawn up with all of the other owners. You will only be able to use the property at a certain time each year, and if you can’t go at that time, and another owner isn’t willing to trade with you, then you lose your time for the year. With a floating timeshare, you reserve the dates that you want to have the property available to you, again, according to the contract terms. The floating timeshare is more popular, for obvious reasons, but once your “lease” is over with, you will no longer be able to use the property.
You want to choose a timeshare in a spot that you can get to at least once a year, so don’t pick one in Hawaii, for example, if you don’t think you can afford to go on a yearly basis. Once you have a location in mind, look at some of the timeshares in the area, and do some comparison shopping, before making a final choice.
It is a good idea to also take the time to research what rights you would have as the owner of a timeshare, so you don’t get taken advantage of. Anyone who knows these rights, and knows that you aren’t aware of them, could easily take you for a ride if you aren’t careful.
Keep in mind as well that it is not advisable to purchase a timeshare for a financial investment, and if that is what you are thinking of, then you should maybe look at some other investment options. When it comes to reselling a timeshare, most of the time the owner loses money, so keep that in mind.
Remember, when buying a timeshare, you are not only responsible for the initial fee, but will also be sharing costs with the other owners. You will need to pay a portion of the mortgage payment each month, maintenance costs, property taxes, and any other fees that come up with the purchase of the property. You should look at the average monthly costs of the timeshare, and then weigh that with the average hotel costs in the area, and decide whether or not it really is worth it to you. You may find that you can save money by reserving a room in a four star hotel for the week of your vacation, rather than paying the high costs associated with many timeshares.
