Tips to owning a timeshare and how it’s works

What Is a Timeshare?

A timeshare is a way for a number of people to share ownership of a property, usually a vacation property such as a condominium unit within a resort area. Each buyer usually purchases a certain period of time in a particular unit. Timeshares typically divide the property into one- to two-week periods. If a buyer desires a longer time period, purchasing several consecutive timeshares may be an option (if available).

Fixed vs. Floating Weeks

Traditional timeshare properties typically sell a set week (or weeks) in a property. A buyer selects the dates he or she wants to spend there, and buys the right to use the property during those dates each year.
Some timeshares offer “flexible” or “floating” weeks. This arrangement is less rigid, and allows a buyer to choose a week or weeks without a set date, but within a certain time period (or season). The owner is then entitled to reserve his or her week each year at any time during that time period (subject to availability).

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For example, a buyer might purchase a week during “high season,” which entitles the buyer to reserve any week during the property’s designated busy, popular season each year. Since the high season might stretch from December through March, this gives the owner a bit of vacation flexibility.

Legal Structure of a Timeshare

What kind of property interest you’ll own if you buy a timeshare depends on the type of timeshare purchased. Timeshares are typically structured either as shared deeded ownership or shared leased ownership.

Shared Deeded Ownership

With shared deeded ownership, each owner is granted a percentage of the real property itself, correlating to the amount of time purchased. The owner receives a deed for his or her percentage of the unit, specifying when the owner can use the property.

This means that with deeded ownership, many deeds are issued for each property. For example, a condominium unit sold in one-week timeshare increments will have 52 total deeds when fully sold, one issued to each partial owner.

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Shared Leased Ownership Interest

If the timeshare is structured as a shared leased ownership, the developer retains deeded title to the property, and each owner holds a leased interest in the property. Each lease agreement entitles the owner to use a particular property each year for a set week, or a “floating” week during a set of dates.

If you buy a leased ownership timeshare, your interest in the property typically expires after a certain term of years, or at the latest, upon your death. A leased ownership also typically restricts property transfers more than a deeded ownership interest. This means as an owner, you might be restricted from selling or otherwise transferring your timeshare to another. Due to these factors, a leased ownership interest might be purchased for a lower purchase price than a similar deeded timeshare.

Timeshare Exchange Programs

With either a leased or deeded type of timeshare structure, the owner buys the right to use one particular property. This can be limiting to someone who prefers to vacation in a variety of places.

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To offer greater flexibility, many resort developments participate in exchange programs. Exchange programs enable timeshare owners to trade time in their own property for time in another participating property. For example, the owner of a week in January at a condominium unit in a beach resort might trade the property for a week in a condo at a ski resort this year, and for a week in a New York City accommodation the next.

Exchange clubs can involve some challenges however. Usually, owners are limited to choosing another property classified similar to their own. Plus, additional fees are common, and popular properties might be tricky to get.

Expenses of Buying and Owning a Timeshare
Although owning a timeshare means you won’t need to throw your money at rental accommodations each year, timeshares are by no means expense-free.

First, you will need a chunk of money for the purchase price. If you don’t have the full amount upfront, expect to pay high rates for financing the balance. Since timeshares rarely maintain their value, they won’t qualify for financing at most banks.

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If you do find a bank that agrees to finance the timeshare purchase, the interest rate is sure to be high. Alternative financing through the developer is typically available, but again, only at steep interest rates.
A timeshare owner must also pay annual maintenance fees (which typically cover expenses for the upkeep of the property). And these fees are due whether or not the owner uses the property. Even worse, these fees commonly escalate continuously; sometimes well beyond an affordable level.

You might recoup some of the expenses by renting your timeshare out during a year you don’t use it (if the rules governing your particular property allow it). However, you might need to pay a portion of the rent to the rental agent, or pay additional fees (such as cleaning or booking fees).

Benefits of Owning a Timeshare

There are a variety of reasons why timeshares can work well as a vacation option. If you vacation at the same resort each year for the same one- to two-week period, a timeshare might be a great way to own a property you love, without incurring the high costs of owning your own home. (For details on the costs of resort home ownership see Budgeting to Buy a Resort Home? Expenses Not to Overlook.)

Timeshares can also bring the comfort of knowing just what you’ll get each year, without the hassle of reserving and renting accommodations, and without the fear that your favorite place to stay won’t be available. Additionally, some timeshares offer perks such as the right to use fitness rooms and hot tubs. Some even offer on-site storage, allowing you to conveniently stash equipment such as your surfboard or snowboard, avoiding the hassle and expense of carting them back and forth.

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And just because you might not use the timeshare every year does not mean you can’t enjoy owning it. Many owners enjoy periodically loaning out their weeks to friends or relatives. Some owners might even donate the timeshare week(s), as an auction item at a charity benefit for example.

If you don’t want to vacation at the same time each year, flexible or floating dates provide a nice option. And if you’d like to branch out and explore, consider using the property’s exchange program (make sure a good exchange program is offered before you buy).