Most first-time timeshare owners buy their first timeshares in Orlando. Like any timeshare purchase, a buyer should consider the pros and cons before putting ink on a contract.

Florida has more timeshares than anywhere else in the world, and Orlando has the most timeshares out of any region in Florida. RCI and Interval International show a  combined total of about 100 timeshare resorts in the Orlando area. Though there is clearly a high density of resorts offering vacation ownership in this part of Florida, the demand for Orlando timeshares is so high that new resorts are being scheduled for development all the time. Within the industry, it is said that most first-time timeshare buyers choose to buy their first timeshares in, or near, Orlando.

This has a twofold effect. On one hand, this situation creates a wide variety of options for timeshare buyers to choose from. On the other hand, a high consumer demand creates plenty of opportunities for timeshare scammers to ply their nefarious trade.

Before you buy Orlando timeshares, here’s some timeshare advice.

-Orlando is a great place for a high-intensity vacation, but if you’re looking for peace, quiet, and relaxation, keep in mind that even during some low-demand weeks, Orlando is jumping with activity. Plan any Orlando timeshare purchase accordingly! (Of course, if you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, you can get what you’re looking for and save a bundle if you buy time during Orlando’s slow season).

-In Orlando, the word “resort” can describe a wide range of different properties. Some have less-than-amenable amenities. Be sure that you know what you are getting before you buy.

-Anyone buying timeshare in Orlando is likely to be approached by people working for a resort development company. Sometimes these people offer cut-rate theme park tickets or other incentives -provided that the prospect attends a timeshare sales presentation.  While high-pressure sales pitches are frowned upon by ethical timeshare salespeople, the high demand for Orlando timeshares attracts a wide variety of people to the scene. Some of these will not hesitate to apply high pressure tactics to prospective buyers. Others are most certainly scammers. Investigating the resale market is almost always preferable. Due to the availability of inexpensive timeshares on the market, there are a lot of budget-friendly options available for the resale buyer. Also, when buying timeshare directly from an owner, a buyer doesn’t need to sit through a hard-sell presentation.

Though navigating the world of Orlando timeshares can be tricky, owning timeshare in Orlando can be immensely rewarding. The exchange value of Orlando properties is traditionally very favorable.  An Orlando timeshare purchase might be a smart move if you are buying timeshare for the exchange value. Location is another important consideration. There is so much to do in the Orlando area that a family could vacation here for twenty years and continually find new places to explore, or new activities to enjoy. As stated before, the sheer variety of options and amenities offered by resorts in Orlando allows a timeshare buyer to find the exact combination of amenities and facilities that he or she is looking for. Whether you are an avid golfer who wants a high-class resort with a first-rate course, or if you want to camp out under the stars at a wilderness retreat, Orlando probably has what you’re looking for. It may take some time to find the right resort, but in Orlando, chances are you’ll discover your ideal vacation spot.

Be sure to know all the facts before buying resale timeshares.

(Whereas the following information is geared toward those buying timeshare on the resale market, anyone selling timeshares should pay attention. If you plan on selling your timeshare, know that smart buyers will ask questions along the lines of the information presented below. I would encourage anyone selling timeshare to answer questions candidly and honestly.)

While it is true that timeshare resales cost much less than timeshare bought directly from a resort developer, you still need to make sure you’re getting what you want out of the deal when buying a resale timeshare. 

Here are some important points for timeshare buyers to consider:

1. One of the first questions that we ask to a prospective advertiser is whether or not the maintenance fees and property taxes have been paid up-to-date. The answer to this question could mean a difference of several thousand dollars in the total cost to the timeshare buyer. Make sure you know the whole cost before you buy.

2. As we all know, buying anything sight-unseen can sometimes bring unexpected results. For this reason, some timeshare owners like to see the actual timeshare unit in person before they sign paperwork.

3. For timeshares that are affiliated with an exchange company, find out if this membership can be transferred. This may save you a lot of hassles later on. This applies to points-system timesharing too. Find out if these points are transferable! Also, be sure that the bonus weeks or any other extras included in the purchase price of your resale timeshare can be transferred.

4. Find out the reason why the timeshare is being sold. This is an important consideration for any buyer.

5. Often, the seller pays to advertise the property while the buyer pays the closing costs. Find out what charges you will be responsible for when the sale closes.

6. Some timeshare units are inevitably located in a facility that has been partially remodeled. Make sure you’re not paying a new-unit price for an old, beat-up timeshare.

7. Has the timeshare been used this year? This is especially important when dealing with an odd-or even-year-use timeshare. It might be two years before you can actually use your timeshare. In the case of right-to-use timeshares, the lease on such property is usually only good for a certain number of years. Be sure to find out how much time is left on the lease.

I hope that those considering a timeshare purchase would ponder these seven points. These timeshare tips could save a lot of grief in the long run.

Beware of timeshare resale companies that refuse to disclose their location. If they won’t post their physical address on their site, or if they hide behind a PO Box… they’re probably up to no good!

(Author’s note: for the purposes of today’s post, I’ll be using the term “transparency“. According to business-in-asia.com’s Business Glossary, “transparency” is defined as:

“The concept of making trade-related administrative processes easier to follow, including opening them to public scrutiny and subject to clear methods of challenge or amendment.”)

As stated in earlier posts, my goal for this weblog is to provide quality timeshare tips and advice for timeshare owners instead of promoting my own company. However, for today’s post, I would like to use my own company as an example to make a few observations about the current state of the timeshare resale industry.

I’ve often remarked that the timeshare industry is changing for the better. When big hotel brands entered the timeshare marketplace over a decade ago, these ushered in an era of greater accountability and honesty in the timeshare business. True, this multi-billion dollar industry attracts its share of scammers, but so does any other lucrative business. Essentially, the entire industry is undergoing a massive change in business practices, from the top down.

Though corporate policy is decided at the highest level, it can take a while for all these changes to filter down to the base of the pyramid, where most timeshare owners feel the difference. This is why, even while the entire industry is reaping the long-term rewards earned by years of sound business practices, it is an ugly fact that the timeshare resale sector has been the one segment of the industry LEAST receptive to these positive changes. Each day ARDA and other groups within the timeshare industry are taking new measures to put an end to “antiquated” high-pressure timeshare sales tactics. At the same time, hundreds of boiler-room operations across the world dazzle their prospects with false promises, badger their victims when they don’t rise to the bait, and eventually take the money and run.

Timeshare owners and resale companies have at least one thing in common: we’re both sick and tired of the deceptive practices in the timeshare industry. As a resale company, we compete with some of the most nefarious scam artists this side of organized crime. It frustrates me that these people actually get a share of the timeshare resale market while at the same time dragging the entire industry through the mud.

It is time to put an end to these lousy business practices once and for all. One way we can do this is to educate first-time timeshare buyers about the timeshare industry. Common sense dictates that a well-educated consumer is much harder to scam. The same consumer will inevitably respond well to honesty and fair treatment. This mode of thinking has caught on in some circles of the timeshare sales community, and I think that it is time to apply it to the resale sector too.

Another way to promote better business practices is through integrity, transparency, and honesty. For instance, a timeshare company that refuses to disclose its physical location probably has reasons for being duplicitous. If a company does not post its physical address on its website, or hides behind a post office box, there’s probably something funny going on. Maybe it’s a one-man operation conducted from a basement somewhere. We’ve all heard stories about fraudulent “businesses” based out of a cell in a maximum-security penitentiary. The bottom line is, if something that claims to be a timeshare resale company will not give out its actual physical location, do not give it any money!

In summary, transparency is the order of the day. It is the only way for a company to attain any degree of credibility in the modern age. This is especially true of online businesses, who by their nature can be subject to the scrutiny of millions of people all over the world at any time. Our business model is centered around long-term success in a modern business climate. Not only for ourselves, but also for our advertisers. It is in our best interests as a company to provide openness and accountability to both potential clients and long-term advertisers.

Points-based timeshare ownership offers owners more flexibility, but there are some things about points systems that any timeshare owner should know.

The concept of points-based vacation ownership is one of the most significant innovations within the timeshare industry in recent years. The goal of this article is to illuminate some of the pros and cons frequently encountered by timeshare owners who buy into a points-based system of timeshare ownership.

First of all, timeshare owners who buy points often do not own them. Most resort chains/exchange companies hold these points in trust. This can pose advantages and disadvantages depending on the owner’s particular needs and preferences. There are some exceptions to this statement, but by and large this is the case.

Points can be redeemable for a number of things, including airfare, hotels, and car rentals. Whereas this is an obvious convenience, points owners can expect to pay fees each time they use their points. For example, using points for plane tickets, renting a car at the airport, and staying overnight at a hotel could cost about $100.00 in accumulated fees.

Possibly worst of all, inflation often occurs with timeshare points. For example, if you have 150,000 points, you might be able to exchange these for a particular resort this year, but what about next year, when the resort you want suddenly costs 200,000 points?

Also, there may be additional restrictions imposed on the transfer of points between owners. This might make things difficult on the resale market. It is best to ask the timeshare seller or the home resort about any restrictions regarding the sale of timeshare points.

Though some difficulties arise, a points-based timeshare allows very flexible vacationing. Herein lies the real beauty of this type of ownership. Stay for as little or as long as you want! Points allow much greater freedom in determining a vacation itinerary.

Again, timeshare points can also be redeemed for a number of important vacation necessities, like hotel rooms, auto rentals, and airfare. Some theme parks even accept points toward tickets to their attractions.

Like everything else in the world of timeshare, a shrewd timeshare owner will learn how to benefit from these opportunities.