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Finding The Best Timeshare For You - Make The Search An Adventure!

Taking the plunge from average vacationer to vacation property owner is a big jump. The fear associated with a full, outright purchase of property hundreds or even thousands of miles away from home can be blissfully alleviated through the purchase of a timeshare.





By getting involved in a timeshare purchase, a buyer is joining thousands of others worldwide who have taken this route for its investment potential, simplicity and the peace of mind a great timeshare management company can afford a vacation home owner. Rather than have to handle every aspect of a second property's upkeep year-round while being far away from the actual site, timeshare owners have others to rely on to ensure their one week or two a year at their vacation spot are perfect and greeted by a property that's well-kept and ready for vacationing fun.



When choosing a timeshare that's right for you, there are some things you'll want to consider:

First and foremost, it's important to decide where you'd like your piece of the timeshare pie to be.

If you don't really want to vacation in the location of your timeshare every year, choose top destinations such as tropical beach resorts or high-traffic ski areas. This will allow you great brokerage power with your annual weeks in auctions and exchange situations.



If you plan on personally using your timeshare property for your own vacationing pleasure, location is extremely important. Make sure you like your choice destination, but keep in mind, it's possible to trade weeks whenever you'd like with owners in other resorts. A week in sunny Miami for a week in snowy Colorado perhaps?

Once you've researched locations, you'll find most major cities and tourist spots have more than their fair share of timeshare properties.

Now's the time to pick the actual timeshare destination itself. Look at different resorts,compare management companies and, if possible, talk to other owners.

Find out what's working and what's not and even frequent timeshare chat boards to get the advice of other timeshare users. A good timeshare company takes all the worries off owners' minds and handles the maintenance and upkeep paid for by annual fees in a way that's seamless for the owners.

Another thing to consider over and above location is the peak demand times for a resort. This will help you determine the value of your purchase for any possible trades of set stay times in the future.

You also need to decide whether you'd like to buy into a deed or a points system. A deed will give you a piece of ownership for a specific weekly block of time, whereas a points ownership program will allow you to break up your week into shorter periods of time. It's important to determine how the purchase and sale should go and what you're comfortable with in advance. Check out your options. This is a luxury, so remember you have the time to make good, well informed decisions.

After you've chosen the location, company and considered the purchase options, you're well on your way. Just make sure through the entire process you're not feeling pressured and do take the time to review all the options before signing on the dotted line. To find a timeshare that's right for you, just log on to the Internet and visit locations such as www.atimesharesz.com to do a thorough search. If the sale and the process involved is handled correctly, buying a timeshare isn't painful and the rewards you reap for a small investment are priceless - especially when it comes to the family memories and time away from the rat race a great timeshare destination can afford.

Copyright 2005 by Dana Sanders. All rights reserved.


Dare to Dream: The Vacation of a Lifetime In A Timeshare

What are your chances of getting the vacation of a lifetime without having to save for a lifetime?

Renting a timeshare may be the answer to your dream vacation without having to make a long-term commitment. Many individuals are willing to rent their allotted timeshare week to you. Because of an inconvenient date or some other personal reasons, many times owners are unable to use their timeshare and are willing to sell their time period to you. With a little research either on the Internet, local newspapers or even visiting with realtors, you may be able to step into a dream vacation. Exotic places wait for you and your loved ones.

Timeshare companies and timeshare owners offer an alternative to the overpriced hotel and motel rooms. Virtually every year the costs of hotels go up. You can usually control the price tag of your vacations by utilizing timeshare resort rentals. Timeshare owners normally charge a set price for their rentals, and they do not need to increase prices to pay for labor and other usual expenses incurred by hotels. This keeps the price of a vacation rental on a more consistent level each time it is rented.

Timeshare resorts are located in incredible destinations around the world. Where have you always longed to go, but thought, "Wow, it would be too expensive to stay in a place like that!"? Mexico? Hawaii? How about Europe? Sure, those destinations can be expensive, but with a timeshare rental, you can get into incredible resorts for a fraction of the costs of a hotel vacation.

In most cases, hotel and motel rooms are undersized, have few amenities, and cost more than a timeshare rental. Typically when you rent a timeshare unit, prices are for seven nights, not per person. The units can sleep anywhere from 2 to 10 people. You choose the type of room and amenities you want! Studio, 1, or 2 Bedroom with kitchen, dining and living area units are all available.

No matter how nice the Hotel or Bed & Breakfast..... it still is just one small room! Why spend one or more weeks on vacation in a cramped hotel room and have the extra expense of eating out for every meal. Enjoy the spaciousness and freedom of a completely furnished resort condominium and save money all at the same time! And you will not be required to attend a timeshare sales presentation.

Put your vacation plans into motion and start your search for the ultimate spot you've been dreaming about. Whether you have dreamed about walking barefoot on an island or skiing down a mountain in another country, there is a timeshare available to you at a more than reasonable price. It takes only a little time to put the details together and make your dream vacation become a reality.

Timeshares are a proven concept for vacationers in many countries, and holiday planning is one of the top growing segments of the leisure time industry all over the world today. Why not begin your search today by perusing newspapers and travel magazines, or logging onto the Internet and searching for "timeshare rentals?" Dare to dream!

© Copyright 2004 by Dana Sanders. All rights reserved.Looking for information about timeshares? Go to http://www.atimesharesz.com. A Timeshares Z is a timeshares and vacation, resort and condo rentals and resales directory. Visit http://www.atimesharesz.com/getaways.htm for featured low-priced vacation getaways at popular destinations across the U.S.



Vacationing with Children

Traveling with children will be a memorable event - the question is "What kind?" Your chances of a lifetime memory you will cherish increase significantly with some advance communication and preparation.

The book, Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever, outlines a five-step process you can apply to organizing any area of your life - including traveling with children of any age. Make the children a part of the trip by letting them help you plan.

Your children will enjoy the trip more if they feel they have some say about the agenda. Get books from the library, or do an Internet search, on the area you plan to visit. Give them some options of what to do and actually use some of their suggestions. Who knows? You may enjoy their suggestions more than you think.

Here is a guide to vacationing with children, using the 5 steps:

1. Design your vision.
The first step to happy memories is good communication. Start scheduling family meetings to plan - the earlier the better. A
t the first meeting, ask each member of the family to describe what he or she would like to have in order to have a wildly successful vacation. It's a great idea to put some structure into this discussion. Use a flip chart and have family members take turns recording answers. Subsequent meetings can be used to work out each of the next steps.

2. Eliminate your obstacles.
Mark Twain is credited with saying "Progress starts with the truth." Certainly that applies in this situation. For example, some teens simply do not think it's "cool" to travel with mom and dad. If you want your teens to enjoy their travel experience, make sure you understand what they like and dislike. With young children, keep in mind "less is more." A swim in the hotel pool may be a much better choice than another two hours at the theme park.

3. Commit your time.
There could be several issues here. If your teens are working, they may resent having to miss work - or they may be delighted. In either case, find out their preferences, and see what you can do to accommodate them without jeopardizing your own needs. One of the issues likely to come up is the daily travel schedule itself. Young children need naps, teens may want to sleep late, while parents relish the idea of "getting an early start." Compromise is probably the best solution here.

4. Select your tools
Growing up on a farm in Nebraska, one of the things my daddy taught me was "Half of any job is having the right tool." While you may think it's ridiculous to think about "tools" for a vacation, it is really essential. For example, if it is impossible to reach a compromise about the music on the car CD player, headphones for individual players could be a godsend!

Tools can also include systems for the way you handle situations. One of the major keys to success in organizing any activity is focusing on individual strengths - if one child is particularly adept at photography, make them the official family photographer, while another might be a great navigator.

5. Maintain your success
At the end of each day, take a few minutes for a "Check-In" session. What was the best thing that happened that day? Why? How can we make sure we have more like it? What didn't work? Why?

How can we eliminate the situation in the future? Make sure you use this process at the end of the vacation - make some notes and put them in your GO System File  for next year's planning.

Here are some general tips you can use to ensure a great vacation:

Choose age appropriate destinations. This doesn't mean every trip has to involve a theme park or sports event; it simply means keep the trip's educational value at a level they can comprehend and appreciate. If your children's ages span a wide range, have at least one activity geared to each child. Picking a hotel with a pool can make a big difference!

Lay the ground rules early. Before you even leave the house, make sure your children know what is and isn't acceptable behavior on the road. As elementary as this may seem, if you don't tell your children what you expect, how can they oblige?

Let the children pack their own suitcases as much as possible. Make sure each child has a small carry-on bag for which they are responsible. Include things they can do on the road or in the air--a walkman and tapes, comic books, handheld video games, etc.

Decide ahead of time about seating arrangements and make contingency plans in case requested seats are not available.

Establish a meeting place at each stop. Nothing could be worse that having a child get lost in an unfamiliar environment. Whenever you visit a location, identify a spot where the family can meet if you happen to get separated, or carry cell phones or pagers.

Carry current photos of your children. That way others can help you locate your lost child. If your child can tell time, make sure they take a watch!

Pack a first aid kit. Face it. Kids will be kids. That means scraped knees, bug bites, and cuts and bruises. When traveling with children, always keep a first aid kit handy.

Check for children travel specials. Pre-planning can save you lots of money. Many airlines, restaurants, and hotels offer discounts for children, whether it's a "kids stay or eat free" deal or a "half-off children's rate." Let Internet-savvy children put their mouse to work for a happier vacation.

The most important thing to remember - flexibility.

Traveling with children of any age is always a challenge. Spend more time enjoying the precious memories you will be creating and less time fretting over what could go wrong. Keep your sense of humor in full swing and happy traveling.

© Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.ProductiveEnvironment.com









Timeshare Presentations:

Scams or Opportunities

Timeshare presentations are tricky animals. They can either be an excellent method of obtaining expensive vacations for nothing more than a couple of hours of your time or they can turn into pricey burdens on your budget.

Depending on your approach, timeshare presentations can either work for you or against you - the trick is making it worth your time.

Many travelers find themselves in a budget situation where they have more time than money. Before you plan your next vacation, seek out timeshare presentations in the area. Often, these companies offer hefty incentives for attending their presentations. These incentives can range from free nights at luxury resorts to expensive electronics or gift certificates.

Many families choose to attend these presentations to offset the cost of expensive attractions, such as Walt Disney World theme parks or Universal Studios. Quite often, timeshare companies entice attendants into their presentation with free or deeply discounted attraction tickets.

Others choose to take long weekends at luxury resorts, often within driving distance of their homes.

When choosing timeshare incentives that deal with free or discounted hotels or resorts, think carefully about your proximity to the property.

If the gift is four nights at a Caribbean resort in exchange for sitting through a timeshare presentation and you live in New England, the freebie may not be worth your while. However, evaluate your need or want based on your desired vacation spots. If you are planning a vacation to Hawaii, then the presentation that offers a free weekend in a beach-front hotel may prove quite interesting.

Before you embark on your vacation, search out interesting timeshare presentations that offer incentives appropriate to that area and your interests.

Many timeshare companies require reservations or only offer presentations certain on certain days of the week. For this reason, you should contact the company and let them know of your interest in their property and the dates you will be in town to attend the presentation.





This is an excellent opportunity to find out exactly what the presentation entails, an estimated time of the presentation, and the details of the incentives. The best way for you to escape unscathed with a positive experience of your timeshare presentation is to know what you're getting before you attend. Be leery of incentives that revolve around sweepstakes or contest entries. The best timeshare presentations to look for are ones that will provide you with something more than a chance to win a prize.

Other people choose to use timeshare presentations as a way to view properties they may be interested in purchasing. Usually, the presentation gives you an in-depth tour of the grounds, amenities, and properties available.



Many individuals interested in purchasing a timeshare may wish to attend these presentations as an introduction to different types of properties in the area of interest, and the incentives are perks of the deal.

The salesmen will be proficient in their job and may weave a convincing tale. Be warned before you sign any paperwork - these timeshare companies often grossly overcharge for their properties.

If you are genuinely interested in purchasing a timeshare, take the time to review the secondary market. Often, timeshares can be purchased from a current owner for thousands of dollars less than buying the same timeshare at the presentation.

The most important way to make sure timeshare presentations are an opportunity instead of a scam is to discuss your options before attending a presentation.

If your main reason for sitting through the sales pitch is the incentive at the end of the talk, then keep that in mind. The salesmen are often talented individuals who can convince all who sit through their pitches that the best way to vacation is a timeshare.

Far too many people feel pressured into a purchasing a timeshare when they have no need nor budget for a timeshare. If you are interested in purchasing a timeshare, remember the consequences of purchasing from a high-pressure salesman.

If you conduct the proper research and remember your expectations and budget, you can easily turn a timeshare presentation into an excellent opportunity for budget-friendly vacationing.

Copyright 2005 by Dana Sanders. All rightsreserved.Visithttp://www.atimesha for featured low-priced vacation getaways at popular destinations across the U.S. Looking for information about timeshares? Go to http://www.atimesharesz.com. A Timeshares Z is a timeshares and vacation, resort and condo rentals and resales directory.

So You Want to Sell Your Timeshare?

You are the owner of a timeshare and have decided the time has come to part ways. You may be interested in another timeshare or have decided a timeshare isn't for you. Whatever your reason may be, a timeshare is a piece of real estate and you should place as much thought and planning into selling a timeshare as you would any other piece of real estate.

Many agencies exist that will assist you in selling your timeshare or buy it outright. However, just as any situation where money is involved, there are many agencies that will successfully take your money and your timeshare, leaving you with a small percent of your profit.

Of course, legitimate agencies exist that will assist you selling your timeshare in a completely professional manner. Weeding the legitimate agencies from the scam artists will save you a lot of time, frustration, and money.

The best scam detector you have in your arsenal is your common sense. Before placing your money and property in someone else's hands, it would be a good idea to do some research on that agency. Ask questions, check out their references, and contact the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the agency.

Remember the golden rule of buying and selling: if it's too good to be true, then it probably is! Do not decide on a whim. Spontaneity may be a good quality in other aspects of life, but not when dealing with anything to do with money. Your goal isn't to line someone else's pockets. Your goal is to sell your timeshare for its full market value.

Beware of companies who require a fee before the sale of your timeshare has transpired. Even if they claim this fee is refundable once the sale is made, the best thing to do is turn on your heels and leave. Remember the basic relationship between a company and a client. Pay only after the desired result is achieved. Once the agency has your money, you have taken away their incentive to work.

Selling a timeshare can be a difficult task since there are many factors that are involved. Not only are you selling a specific time during the year, you are also selling a location and a resort. These factors make finding a buyer a bit more difficult, since someone may be interested in the time and location, but not the resort or vice versa.

In order to provide the buyer with the best timeshare option, you need to price the timeshare realistically. Find out the going market value for other timeshares in your area or during your allotted time. To find this information, contact the resort for their current selling prices or check out the real estate records for your area. Another way to obtain a price is through an appraisal of your timeshare. An appraisal company will charge a fee for their service and can readily be found in the telephone book or by contacting an appraiser's association, such as the Appraisal Foundation.

Keep in mind, your goal is to sell your timeshare. Making a profit on your timeshare is a totally different matter.

Remember, the key word to pricing is "realistic." The realistic pricing for your timeshare may be considerably less than the original selling price. Keep in mind, you have used the timeshare for the length of your ownership and probably have fond memories attached to your time on vacation. If the price is less than you were hoping for, remember these good times and think of the difference in price as vacation costs.

After pricing your timeshare appropriately, you can choose an agent to sell your timeshare or sell it yourself. If you opt to sell your timeshare yourself, start by advertising. Take advantage of any local newspapers where your timeshare is based. A great tool is the Timeshare User's Group at www.tug2.net. This website has great information on owning and selling a timeshare and is an excellent resource. Also check into advertising at the resort itself. Many resorts have publications, newsletters, or bulletin boards.

However you choose to sell your timeshare, making well-planned decisions will ensure you will succeed in selling your timeshare and having the best possible experience.

© Copyright 2005 by Dana Sanders. All rights reserved.To learn more about selling your timeshare, just log on to the Internet and visit locations such as http://www.atimesharesz.com to do a thorough search.