Time Share: Is it for You?

Exhausted from depressing shades of gray skies hovering since last summer, you deserve a fun, relaxing vacation. Summer time, school is out, and Florida sounds great, and Floridians love to see you coming. Find the deals and get going.

Florida has exquisite vacation ownership properties featuring beautiful, deluxe accommodations, gated security, pools, hot tubs, golf, tennis, worldwide vacation exchanges, incentive sight-seeing tours, gifts, and free attraction tickets. Take the tour, and you get the tickets.

The "Deluxe Villas of Reality" have offered you a deal. You tour their villas, and they will furnish accommodations and attraction tickets. What a deal, three nights free, and you can find an inexpensive motel for the other three nights. Rest easy, you have everything under control.

With Grandma in the back seat with the kids, you drive to a magnificent hotel. You tell Grandma you will not stay long; , you are only going for the tickets. Once the guest list is signed and credentials verified, an escort leads you to a table, offers you coffee, and tells you to help yourself to breakfast. Before you could finish breakfast, your ten year old is standing in front of you with a message from Grandma. The car is hot, and Grandma says the ice cream has melted.

In an attempt to rush things along, you look for your escort. The escort and another team member come to your table. You explain your circumstances to the salesperson . Apologies everywhere, but you are obligated to see the property to receive your complimentary "goodies package". . With hour number two approaching, you might as well follow through. The ten year old tracks you down again to let you know someone is bleeding, and Grandma is not happy.

And you know the rest. The tour goes on for three or four hours. To your surprise, you can only stay at the "Reality" if you purchase space at the "Reality". But you cannot say no. You love what you have seen and you want to purchase. The salesperson has called the manager because the manager has the authority to save you money or "sweeten the deal". Listen carefully to this sentence, "If I understand what you are telling me, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, if I can get this space by the pool, for this price, then we have a deal? Expect some creative financing and budget friendly monthly payments. Understand the details.

If you say no, you will be staying at the dilapidated "I Said No Inn". After all, the letter offered accommodations, but not at the "Deluxe Reality". Unfortunately, you have received a good dose of Reality.

Time share is not for everyone. If you enjoy taking a quality vacation every year, spending time with your family, want more than a bed and bathroom, and love the amenities offered at a first class hotel, then time share is for you. Hotel fees each year could be higher than your maintenance fee, and vacation ownership elevates your comfort level. Most resorts offer cookouts, pool parties, promotional offers, etc. Depending on your lifestyle, promotional participation can save you money.

I am not pushing time share. Please, do not purchase if you find the expense, lifestyle or schedule unsuitable. The maintenance fee never goes away (unless you are purchasing for a limited time period). Because the stigma associated with sleazy deals and promises, timeshares are difficult to resell. Most buyers receive no return on their investment.

You are responsible for the loan payments until the loan is "paid in full". For instance, you and your significant other purchase. You go separate ways. You quit claim your part (sign over your share to your partner). If your name is on the "mortgage loan", you are responsible for the loan until the loan is paid, even if your partner is paying. Select wisely before you partner with anyone.

Consider the following negatives:
It may be inconvenient to travel if your children are involved in activities.
Consider who will take care of the pets.
Is your vacation time flexible?
Check your commitments.
Financially, would this purchase pinch your budget?
Consider the needs of all family member and future long term expenses?
Dental Care
College payments
How soon will you need a new car, roof, home improvements?

It is OK to say "NO".