Since I am new to the timeshare concept, what are the downsides to owning?

(This question directed to those who own timeshares

Do the upsides outweigh the downsides? What about owning a timeshare do you feel is most beneficial, and would you recommend it to others?

That all depends on whether you were talked into buying this on a vacation under high pressure at an escalated price, or you were able to get a good deal.

Obviously if you don't need a vacation property your better off to rent a timeshare when your ready for a get-a-way. Now you have no unwanted maintenance fees & taxes, or a large loan to pay off. Worse case scenario you may have to pay a guest pass fee in order to enjoy the timeshare (usually $20-$50 if required by resort).

Now if you can find one of the many great deals available on the resale market and know that you can schedule a yearly vacation...owning a timeshare is a very smart move. Be strategic on where you purchase your vacation property, Hawaii, Florida and Mexico have better trading power when looking to take advantage of exchanging (RCI & II) your timeshare for a different location.

Rob Deladurantaye
1800-581-7330 ext.215

Large outlay of cash to purchase, constant yearly increases in maintenance fees and special assessments. We buy the use of what we want, when we want it for less than maintenance fees.

If you currently own or are renting a timeshare then you know the benefits it offers. You have probably had your timeshare for a couple years and love it, however you may want to move on to something else, which is no problem at all. If you are in the market of timeshare resales then you may want to explore other options in the timeshare. People are looking to buy a timeshare all the time, and since you are in the market to sell one you are in business. Reselling your timeshare online is a convenient and easy way to post your listing on the market without having to do any of the dirty work.

In my experience, the only downsides I have had involved not being able to use my timeshare when I wanted and not having planned far enough ahead for trying an exchange. Situations easily remedied by a little forethought on my part. I have learned to plan my vacations well enough in advance to take advantage of using my timeshare just how I want. Once, I even just rented out my week and it more than covered my maintenance fees. Count me in as one happy timeshare owner!