The majority of the Timeshares outside of the US are NOT deeded. Marriott's Surf Club is not a deeded property. It is a Certificate of a Membership. The certificate gives evidence that its owner has a Mebership with the resort (similar to a member in a country club). One buys a membership; not buying an actual interest in land.

Ownerships outside of the US are Leases, Right to use (RTU) and Certificate of Memberships.

Q. What is a leased property?
A. Leased property is an interest in property which has a limited duration, sometimes renewable for extended periods. It can be assigned (transferred) by an assignment of lease or other similar document executed by the lessee or by his estate if he dies before the lease expires. It is basically an ownership interest for a limited period of time.

Q. What is a "Right to Use".
A. Timeshare ownership can have an expiration date, with the purchaser having right to use the timeshare for a specified period of time. The usual term of a lease is 30 to 99 years. The resort management or resort entity holds actual ownership of the resort property. Upon the expiration of the lease term, the use terminates and returns to the resort.

Q: What does "membership" mean?
A: Rather than purchasing at a specific resort in a specific size unit, vacation club members purchase the opportunity to use a variety of timeshare accommodations at numerous resort locations in varied unit sizes. The owner would have the use of all accommodations affiliated with the specific vacation club.

To be sure about finding out the type of ownership a certain resort sells, you can always contact the resort and ask to speak to Owner Services - which will be able to explain exactly what kind of ownership that resort has.

Hope that helped, its alot of info to take in. Let me know if you need any other help!!!