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Five Tips for Timesharing |
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Written by Mij Gnow
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Apr 15, 2008 at 06:50 AM |
As the international tourism industry continues to grow, time shares sales are blossoming. These vacation properties are becoming an increasingly popular way for frequent vacationers to secure convenient, cost-effective lodgings on an annual or biennial basis. A timeshare can be a great long-term investment, but before you embark on your journey to find the perfect vacation property for you, there are a few things you should consider to make an informed, practical purchase.
1. Research Carefully
A timeshare is something you will have for years to come. You may even purchase a deeded timeshare that will allow you to pass your vacation property along to your children or grandchildren. As such, you will want to ensure that the timeshare you are considering will be right for you and your family. Take your time and research carefully. Call the resort and request information; visit a few timeshare blogs and/or forums. Ask previous and current owners about their experiences at the particular resort.
Consider your budget to determine the number of weeks, unit size and season you will be able to purchase.
2. Rent Timeshare First
Once you have narrowed your research to a few different resorts, try to find a timeshare rental at each. Renting is a great way to determine what you are looking for in a vacation property, and it is also a great way to compare resorts in a very hands-on way. Not to mention the fact that renting timeshare is often less expensive than paying for nightly accommodations in a hotel anyway.
3. Buy Timeshare Resale to Save Thousands
When you are ready to buy timeshare, you can save thousands on your purchase when you work with a knowledgeable timeshare reseller. With resale you will be purchasing from a previous owner, rather than directly from the resort, and therefore won't have to pay for resort expenses like marketing fees and salesmen's commissions.
4. Buy an Affiliated Timeshare to Travel the Globe
One little known fact about timeshares is that they are actually very flexible. In fact, it is estimated that some 70% of vacation property owners use their timeshare to travel to destinations other than their "home resort" (the resort that is deeded or contracted to them.) International corporations called exchange companies, and overarching programs called vacation clubs, make it possible for owners to trade their time for time at one of thousands of resorts worldwide.
5. Take Advantage of Added Benefits
Many exchange companies and vacation clubs offer enhanced, supplemental programs that allow owners to use their "points" to help with other travel-related expenses like vehicle rental, air-fair, cruises and even meal tickets.
About the Author
Mij Gnow is the creator and administrator of GreatVille Travel Directory (http://www.greatville.com), a comprehensive resource to travel, vacations and holidays around the world.
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Last Updated ( Apr 15, 2008 at 06:55 AM )
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