layout image layout image
 
Timeshares header image

The Benefits and Disadvantages of Owning a Timeshare

Just about everything we encounter on the road of life comes with benefits and disadvantages, the key is being able to weigh them and make a wise decision. This same is true when it comes to purchasing a timeshare. You need to sit down and take a long hard look at both sides, before making your decision.

 

We will go over the benefits that you get from owning a timeshare first, before we get into the negative stuff. The first benefit should be fairly obvious. It is much more cost effective to purchase a timeshare for vacation use than it is to buy a property only for your own purposes that you will only use once or twice a year. Most vacation properties cost well over $200,000, and unless you will be there frequently, is it really worth it? You could stay in a luxury hotel for each and every vacation to come and possibly still not spend that kind of money, not to mention the extra money you will have to layout for maintenance, taxes, landscaping, etc. The typical cost of a timeshare is about $10,000, maybe a little more by the time you add in all of the extra fees that the owners share.

Other than saving money, which is highly important to me, you also get to spend your vacation in a home similar to your own, rather than in a stuffy hotel. Most timeshare homes have at least two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, at least two bathrooms, a den, and a laundry room. It will basically be just like staying at home, only you are in a different location. Timeshare homes are completely furnished as well, and some even have a private pool.

When you have a timeshare property, you don’t have to do any of the maintenance work yourself, you simply chip in for the monthly fees, and someone else worries about all of that. If you have a timeshare manager, you don’t even have to worry about finding staff to do the work, you just pay a portion of the bills.

You don’t have to agonize over your yearly vacation, trying to decide where to go, getting your reservations, etc. You always know when your vacation will be, where you will go, and where you will be staying, you simply have to pack.

Now, onto the disadvantages of owning your own timeshare, so keep reading. One of the biggest disadvantages is that scammers have found ways to scam timeshare owners, and those who are looking to purchase a timeshare, meaning that you really do have to look over your shoulder the entire time, until everything is signed, and all the legal paperwork is done.

You do have to pay monthly fees on the timeshare, which can sometimes, be hard to make, especially if you have a lot of other monthly debt.

Timeshares don’t really gain in value, so when and if you decide to sell yours, you can expect to maybe only get half of what you originally paid for it, which is why timeshares are not good investment ideas.

You may be limited to when and how you can use the timeshare, and if you don’t take the time to read all of the fine print in your contract, you could end up in trouble. You might end up being stuck with a timeshare that you can only use in November, and who wants to go to the beach in November?

As you can see, you have a lot to think about, and you do need to be extremely cautious when purchasing your timeshare, if that is the route you decide to take.

 

Recommended Products
Timeshares Headlines

Child's death sparks bed recall - ABC15.com (KNXV-TV)


Child's death sparks bed recall
ABC15.com (KNXV-TV), AZ - 13 hours ago
Now onto timeshares. Have you been to one of those sales presentations? I have. They can be brutal sometimes. I went to get the freebies offered as an ...
Read more...

New law streamlines Florida's regulatory process - Bizjournals.com


New law streamlines Florida's regulatory process
Bizjournals.com, NC - 22 hours ago
The department has been renamed the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes. Mixed martial arts events are now authorized in the ...
Read more...

Vacation Without Breaking The Bank - CBS News


CBS News

Vacation Without Breaking The Bank
CBS News, NY - Jul 2, 2008
"Is a timeshare a scam or not? Is it something I should stay away from, or something that may benefit me and my family?" Timeshares are tricky. ...
Read more...

Nicolay new human resources director at Timeshare firm - Foster's Daily Democrat


Nicolay new human resources director at Timeshare firm
Foster's Daily Democrat, NH - Jul 3, 2008
DOVER — Sell My Timeshare NOW has hired Carla Nicolay as its new human resources director. Nicolay has over 20 years of experience in human resources. ...
Read more...

Timeshares can save owners time and money when planning vacations - CNN


CNN

Timeshares can save owners time and money when planning vacations
CNN - Jun 13, 2008
(AP) -- Question: I'm thinking about buying a timeshare. Would it be a worthwhile investment? People often buy a timeshare and never use it, according to ...
Read more...

Eco homes: Sharing more than just time… - Telegraph.co.uk


Telegraph.co.uk

Eco homes: Sharing more than just time…
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Jun 27, 2008
As timeshares go, the deal was pretty standard, but aside from offering a buy-back guarantee (at cost, after five years) Ferrers had a green agenda from the ...
Read more...

Bargain breaks at British timeshares - BirminghamMail.net


Bargain breaks at British timeshares
BirminghamMail.net, UK - Jun 25, 2008
SEVERAL leading timeshare developments are hoping to cash in on strong demand for stay at home holidays in the UK this summer - and are offering high ...
Read more...

Holiday Resales Shines Spotlight on Orlando Timeshares - PR Newswire (press release)


Holiday Resales Shines Spotlight on Orlando Timeshares
PR Newswire (press release), NY - Jun 17, 2008
SEATTLE, June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Say the word "timeshare" and a lot of people think of Orlando, and with good reason. "America's Playground" is one of the ...
Read more...

 
layout image layout image