For many, the appeal of a timeshare is that it gives them their own luxury property in paradise which they can return to every year; essentially a home away from home.
However, the timeshare industry has come under scrutiny for its high maintenance fees and notoriously hard-to-exit contracts, so lots of people understandably have reservations.
We’ve taken a look at some of the alternatives that will still allow you to get away for that perfect annual holiday.
Purchase a holiday home
Instead of purchasing a ‘share’ of a holiday property, why not just go the whole hog and buy one for yourself?
The obvious benefit here is that you aren’t tied down to a certain week or period of time, and will be able to head out to your holiday home whenever you want.
Another great thing about having your own holiday home is that you can share it out amongst your friends and family while you’re not using it, a great way to earn some brownie points and pay off some favours!
The downside is obviously the initial outlay that you’re going have to pay for the holiday home in the first place, but the beauty of having your own place is that you can rent it out while you’re not using it and make some of that money back!
In fact, did you know that a holiday home could wind up earning you three times more than a buy-to-let property! Whether you’re looking to invest in a holiday lodge, a cottage or even something a little more out there; there’s always something on the market.
This leads us to…
Rent out somebody else’s holiday home
Thanks to the rise of apps such as Airbnb, it’s never been easier or more affordable to rent out holiday properties (or even just a spare room!).
The rooms are often far cheaper than a hotel room (and definitely cheaper than a hotel room!) and let you enjoy that ‘home from home’ experience that you expect from a timeshare.
No matter how many different countries you visit, staying in hotel after hotel can become a very monotonous experience, and staying in a holiday home offers a much more unique and comfortable accommodation option.
Check out some package deals
If you’re concerned about the excessive costs associated with timeshares, why not shop around for some package holiday deals?
Obviously, this is going to require a fair bit of shopping around, but if you do lots of research we’re sure that you’ll be able to find a cost-effective solution which covers all of your holidaying needs!
Not only is this a cheaper option but it takes a lot of the pressure out of planning all the various aspects of your trip.
Rent a timeshare
If you’re still convinced that a timeshare is the right option for you, why not test the waters by renting one out first.
This can often be a much more financially sound decision, especially if you’re not planning to use a timeshare all that often.
Renting allows you to see what it’s like in a certain area or resort before fully committing to purchasing a timeshare, and essentially will serve as a test run.
You could even use the holiday as a chance to speak to other timeshare owners in the area and find out their experiences of owning one.
If you do decide to rent (or buy) a timeshare, make sure to get in touch with one of our experts here at the Timeshare Consumer Association to talk through your options and make sure that you’re making the right decision for you.
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk