Buying a timeshare is something a lot of people think about.
They may have come across timeshare companies, but have been unsure what they do.
Timeshare companies will differ slightly on the way they do business.
Basically, they act as the middle man between the purchaser and the timeshare owner or resort.
For those who don't know, a timeshare allows people who either can't afford, or do not want the hassle of owning their own holiday property, to get the best of both worlds.
A timeshare is a shared ownership in a vacation home that allows the buyer to have the use of that property at a specific time of the year.
Not everyone would want to go to the same place every year or at the same time.
However, you can exchange weeks with owners of other properties and/or buy a timeshare that includes flexible dates.
Not all timeshare companies will have flexible timeshares, so ensure you ask.
The ownership of a timeshare is not always related to property in the traditional sense.
Timeshare companies can also handle for you to obtain shares in cabins on cruise liners and even in vehicles such as camper vans.
The timeshare horror stories you may have heard of in the past are not as likely now since the industry is now a more flexible industry that offers something for everyone.
Although you don't have to pay a rental fee for a timeshare property during your specific week/s of use, you would be responsible with the other owners for maintenance and management costs.
This may not be just restricted to the property but applies to the facilities (for example, swimming pools, tennis courts, sauna) as well.
So make sure you are well aware of the costs before you buy.
The better timeshare resale companies will have this sort of information readily to hand and should be included in any contract you sign.
You can find timeshare companies that run exchange programs as well.
These will allow you get x amount of weeks every year in multiple resorts that participate in the program.
The programs will relate to resorts in one country or internationally.
So you see there is more to a timeshare than there used to be.
Do not be put off by the bad press that you may have seen in the past, this is much improved but there are some bad eggs out there! However, if you are careful and do your research, a timeshare is a great way to take a vacation! Before you buy, look at everything you can from the timeshare companies before you buy.