1. Understand all the Cost - make sure when purchasing a resale timeshare the company/vendor informs you of all the additional costs such as resale agent fees, resort transfer fees, annual maintenance fees (including outstanding fees), enrolment fees into an exchange organization, etc. Most reputable and professional companies will provide a Buyer’s Guideline of all the procedures required from the Seller.

2. Understand What You Are Buying – Please note there are numerous variations of timeshare on the market such as: Weeks, Floating Weeks; Floating Time; Floating Weeks and Floating Time; and Pure Points; and just Points to name a few. Then there are the seasons, (Red, White, & Blue, or, High, Medium, Low), and each offers various exchange and usage options. As a general guideline, the higher the demand for the country, the area location, the resort, the season, the size of the unit, the better.

3. Know the Type of Membership/Deed of the Timeshare – Some resorts in Spain and Portugal may offer an “Escritura” type of Deed which means the transfer may require a notary in the country of registration, and usually for considerable costs. Some resorts are a “Right to Use” for a certain number of years, so make sure how many years remaining you are purchasing. Other resorts are “Deeded” and have to be registered via certain Trustees and/or government Land Registry offices and taxes paid. This should all be explained at the point of sale.

4. Comparison Shop – After deciding to purchase a timeshare make sure to ask other companies what they might have available for comparable prices, locations, and even for the same resort.

5. The Art of Negotiation – Please note that many timeshare owner’s who want to sell their timeshare are considered to be highly motivated, as such, there is no harm in negotiating. Everything is negotiable if someone really wants to sell, and you could save hundreds!

6. It’s In The Details – If it’s too good to be true, and you see a bargain timeshare for sale, make sure you are fully aware of all the details of the resort, the unit size, if the resort is a still member of a recognized exchange organization, etc…

7. Location, Location, Location – The 3 most important things to remember when purchasing any property is location, location, location. For timeshare this refers to what country, area, resort, season, unit, etc. For example, is it the Greek Isles, or Timbuktu? Is it in a popular resort holiday destination area such as a ski resort or beach area? What season are the week(s)/point(s) in: high, medium, or low? What is the size of unit you own? Is the resort a recognized brand name? Also, try to find out where in the resort the unit is located, if it has views, if it is near the pool, is it in the new part of the resort, or even one of the first or last units to be built on the resort.