Timeshare Values Presents:
Getting to know Timeshares And
How to Save Money with Timeshare Ownership

This is Interesting...

The timeshare industry has enjoyed growing success especially over the past decade or so - proof of its value to vacationers.

Roughly 5,500 timeshare resorts exist throughout the world in over 90 countries. Timeshares are located all over the world in tons of incredible places, but the most popular vacation destination is right here in the U.S.

Florida has over 27,000 timeshare units, more than any other state. Almost 17,000 of them are in Orlando alone! The U.S. Is very much at the forefront of vacation ownership - not only because some of the timeshare industry's biggest resort developers are based out of this country, but also Americans make up a large portion of the global timeshare owner community. About 3 million U.S. households own timeshares at U.S. resorts!

Resort Developers - the Major Players and their Role in the Industry

One of the main things that solidified the timeshare industry was the emergence of major names in hospitality and lodging creating timeshares at their resorts and even building brand new resorts completely dedicated to timeshare owners.

Today it is the brand names that attract many timeshare buyers to this method of vacationing. Timeshare Values offers timeshare resort property from companies like:

• Hyatt
• Disney Vacation Club
• Marriott
• Westgate
• Wyndham Worldwide
• Starwood - owners of Westin, Sheraton, and Hilton which runs Embassy Vacation Resorts
• Bluegreen

Timeshares from these companies are desirable because people interested in buying timeshare know they are getting a quality product in an incredible location.

These companies also helped to legitimize an industry that was once plagued by scammers. Today it is now much safer to buy timeshares because brand names brought an element of trust. As the timeshare industry rebuilt its name with reliability and honesty, the resale sector blossomed.

Resales often form a bridge between buyers and the top-rate timeshare resorts developers. These high-quality resorts are very desirable, but not very affordable. Some who want to buy timeshare can afford to buy directly from the resort, but many prefer to save thousands from a reputable third-party reseller like Timeshare Values. We have an extensive inventory of many resorts from all these developers and much more.

Timeshare resorts are unique in several ways. First they are designed almost exclusively for vacationers, unlike hotels which serve business travelers, extended-stay patrons, passers-through, as well as vacationers. This discrepancy allows timeshare resorts to provide every possible amenity for a specific type of traveler - those on holiday!

Timeshare memberships are designed to guarantee vacationers time at a resort in whatever destination they choose. Usage and ownership options such as exchange programs and flexible ownership are just a couple of innovations concocted by the major resort groups in order to better server the timeshare owners that frequent their resorts.

Speaking of destinations, one of the biggest differences between timeshares and hotels is that you will find timeshare resorts in some of the most breathtaking places on the planet, not just in any old place. Because of this, major hotel companies like the ones listed above are located in places like the Caribbean, South Africa, Hawaii, British Columbia, Colorado, Spain, France, Mexico and England among many other incredible areas. You will find at least a couple of the major resort chains in all of those destinations and some of the more popular destinations will have more than one resort from all of the most coveted resort names.

Exchange Companies

There are two main timeshare exchange companies: Resort Condominiums International (RCI) and Interval International (II). These are not timeshare companies - they do not operate any resorts. Instead they work through affiliations through resort developers to allow owners to use different timeshare properties.

• Exchange companies are affiliated with countless resorts in more destinations than you could imagine across the planet! Whether popular or remote you can find affiliated resorts in all types of destinations.
• Having a membership with an exchange company means that you - as an owner - can exchange your property for a number of points respective to the quality of the property.
• Points can be used to purchase ownership at any resort in the extensive networks of affiliated resorts in the exchange companies.
• There are membership fees (usually annual) to belong to an exchange company.

Points Programs

Points programs were designed to allow for more flexible usage for the timeshare owner and also increase the options any timeshare owner has in regard to resorts, weeks and destinations. You can think of points as timeshare money to use with exchange companies.

Benefits of a points-based program:

• Flexibility - More options and less restrictions when it comes to usage times and available properties.
• New Places - You can use points at all kinds of resorts, not just your home resort.
• Save up Points - Banking your points allows you to save one year's points to use the next year.
• Upgrade - By saving points or purchasing more points you can travel to more coveted locations and stay at higher-quality resorts than your home resort.
• Membership Options - Similar to conventional timeshares memberships, points-based programs have several different usage options depending on what exchange program you use.

How to Save Money with Timeshares

The easiest and most effective way to save money on a timeshare purchase is by buying timeshare on the resale market instead of directly from a resort. When vacationers buy timeshare from a trusted reseller they are saving thousands of dollars. Many timeshares on the resale market are available for at least 20% less than resort rates, but most are even more and can be up to even 70% or 80%.

Buying resale is not only a money-saving route, but also a lot safer. Resorts do not always tell the whole story when people buy timeshares from them. When you buy timeshare resales you have professionals you can talk to to get all the information you need and the ads on reliable resale websites have everything about the timeshare right there for you to see - including pictures!

Another really easy tip to getting the most out of your timeshare and how to save money as an owner is by using your vacation property every year. Don't miss a usage week because you will still have to pay maintenance fees. A lot of saving money when you buy timeshare is making the most out of your membership.

If you are not going to be able to use your week you do have options. You can rent out your timeshare to cover the cost of that year's maintenance fees (and sometimes a little extra for missing your vacation!). You can also bank your week depending on your membership. That way the week doesn't go to waste and you can go twice the next year or take an extra long holiday.

Some points memberships allow you to use your points on airfare with affiliated airlines as well as cruises, other hotels, etc. Using some points on airfare is a great way to save money especially with the rising cost of fuel.

Timeshare memberships at all inclusive resorts can also help you out with the cost of vacationing. This will allow you and your family to get breaks on meals, drinks, and even activities. When you buy timeshare at all inclusive resorts you can cut costs by a large percentage!