What is a Timeshare, How do they Work?

Today’s timeshare ownership takes many forms and is as flexible and varied as the happy and highly satisfied owners and renters who enjoy it. Yet because the product has evolved so much over the years, you may be wondering what is timeshare really all about?

Very simply, timeshare is shared ownership of a vacation product or program, which is why you will often hear it called vacation ownership. Your timeshare ownership may be linked to a deeded interest in a resort property, an interval of vacation time, or to timeshare points, which can be used to cover the cost of your getaways and vacation days.

Timeshares are found in almost every state in the U.S. and more than 5000 resorts in over 100 countries around the world. You can read more about "How Timeshares Work" if you'd like to know more about timeshares.

Timeshare vs. the Privately-Owned Vacation Home

Although most people would love to own a private vacation home, for many couples and families, purchasing a second home solely for the purpose of enjoying a few weeks of vacation time each year is out of the question. A privately held vacation home must be purchased (often financed) and then maintained even when no one is there to enjoy it, including covering the ongoing costs of taxes, insurance, homeowners association fees, and any other obligations that may be associated with the property.

When people ask, “what is timeshare?” one answer is that timeshare is the very best solution to affordably owning vacation property without the year-round costs, worries, and responsibilities associated with private ownership. Beyond the ownership benefits inherent in sharing the cost and commitment of a vacation property, timeshare means a whole list of benefits for the vacation property user.

For example, when you vacation in a timeshare (as either an owner or a timeshare renter), you have the assurance that, unlike vacationing in a private rental, there will always be:

• Onsite amenities for you and your family to enjoy
• On-property maintenance and security, to help assure that your vacation will be safe and your vacation condo or timeshare villa will be reliably maintained
• A responsive staff to assist you with whatever you need to make your vacation time enjoyable and relaxing.

Timeshare verses Hotels

If you ever went on vacation with your family and stayed in a stuffy one room hotel you'll know what I am talking about when I say hotels are just not that comfortable for a family vacation accommodation. Timeshares offer a home like experiance while vacationing away. Most timeshares have 1 to 3 bedrooms, 1 to 2 bathrooms, full kitchens, living room, and dinning room, all fully furnished. The surprise? It's not unusual to be able to rent a timeshare for the same price as that 1 room hotel.

A Timeshare is the Best Kind of Home Away from Home

Although there’s been a lot of buzz about private homes as vacation rentals in recent years, with websites cropping up to make the process seem easier and more reliable, the whole concept of renting a home away from home, sight-unseen, is fraught with in-built problems. Does the property you will rent look like it does in the photo? Who will be around to help you if the plumbing or the heat and air conditioning breaks down? What’s the surrounding area like—is it safe and desirable for your family? And bottom line: how do you know you will get what you pay for when you are dealing with unknown individuals often on the other side of the country or perhaps even the other side of the globe?

Why gamble with your hard-earned money and precious vacation days when the real home away from home is found at spacious and luxurious timeshare resorts? With timeshares, you know before you go that you are getting a great vacation destination, an amenity-laden resort property, and the peace of mind that comes with entrusting your vacation to the brands that anchor today’s hospitality marketplace.

Talk to our team of timeshare specialists at BuyaTimeshare.com. Ask us the question, “What is timeshare?” We have the answers you need and the vacations deals you’ve been dreaming about.