Buying
Timeshare buying advice: start with the ownership
Good timeshare buying advice starts with a usable vacation plan. Identify the ownership that matches your destinations, dates and accommodation, then check the rights and continuing costs behind the listing before comparing asking prices.
Turn your travel plans into a short buying brief
- Name a destination you expect to revisit, rather than a place you might visit once.
- State your likely travel months, party size and minimum accommodation needs.
- Separate a comfortable ongoing budget from the amount available for the purchase.
- Note whether dates are flexible and how far ahead you can realistically reserve.
Describe the vacations you would use
Start with your likely destinations, travel season, party size, length of stay and booking flexibility. A fixed holiday week, a floating-season week and a points interest can serve different needs.
Compare the same accommodation and travel dates when considering rental alternatives. Include years when you may not travel; do not assume unused time can always be rented or exchanged.
Check the exact interest before comparing price
- Identify the legal resort or club, ownership type, annual or biennial use, unit size and season.
- For points, confirm the allocation, use year, available balance and any banked or borrowed points.
- Ask which booking, exchange and membership rights transfer to a resale buyer.
- Review the current recurring bill, assessments and written closing/transfer quote.
Move from a listing to verified documents
Ask the agent to reconcile the listing with the seller’s records and the program’s current written information. A resort directory or representative photograph does not establish the exact interest being sold.
Only send identity or financial documents through an agreed secure channel. Review the purchase documents and any applicable cancellation rights before signing.
A useful follow-up question
What should I send with my first buyer inquiry?
Send the resort or destinations you are considering, your travel preferences and an MLS reference if you have one. Your name and email are enough to start; account credentials and financial documents can wait for an agreed secure process.
Continue your comparison
Sources and further information
Discuss your next step
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