Timeshares are a great way for people go on a holiday and still be able to own in their favorite getaway. The actual invention of a timeshare was back in the 60′s in the French Alps when a developer and resort owner decided it would be valuable to people to ”stop renting a room” and “purchase a piece of the hotel”. The idea was well received and soon became popular all over the world. There are different types of time shares, some of them have different ownership rights while some others have different usage rights. There are a few different types of time share ownership, so first let’s define what those are:

Fixed: a fixed timeshare is exactly as it sounds, a fixed time- usually a week or more. Typically the resort will use a normal annual calendar and sell the use of a particular unit by week number. If, for example, you owned week #1 and 2, that typically means you have your unit for the first two weeks of the year, each year, meaning the first 2 weeks in January.

Floating: A floating timeshare is still a fixed amount of time, but the specific dates are what is actually ”floating”. With floating timeshares, the owner owns a number of days or weeks, let’s say for this example 7 days, or one week. That week will typically have some indication of when it may be used, for example ”one summer week”, defined by the constraints of the calendar season ”summer”. The owner then must reserve which week he or she wants during the summer. There is usually great competition for the holiday weeks, so often a floating timeshare will be exclusive of the holiday weeks, as those will typically be sold as ”fixed” timeshare weeks, often at a much greater price.

Rotating: a rotating timeshare is designed to combine the advantages of the floating timeshare and the fixed. The owner knows which week is his or hers in advance, but it will vary to give each owner equal chance at having the holiday week. The rotation can go either forward or back on the calendar and season, rotating through all owners. Now within those three types of timeshares there are two types of ownership: deeded and right to use. You can probably guess the difference just by the name. The deeded timeshare means you actually own a fraction of real property, to be bought and/or sold under the community by-laws as an owner pleases.

Now timeshares have grown so in popularity they have spread into other industries. When it originated it was primarily just resorts, and typically those with a more apartment-style accommodations. Now you can buy a timeshare on a cruise ship, a timeshare of a campground, even a timeshare of a yacht or high end private jet. But the business model says the same. You are purchasing a slice of time/ownership of that entity for your own use and pleasure. And, depending on the type of ownership you have, can share that with friends and family, and in some cases even sell it to someone else to use.

Planning: It is the initial step required when you have decided to start looking for a new apartment. Planning will help you identify the basic things required for a hassle-free move into your new rental home. It is a road map that will keep you on track to finding your next perfect apartment home. Planning ahead keeps you on target to achieve your moving date, helps you find the right location, the right type of apartment and amenities you need and a strategy that will give you success in your apartment search. First, start searching by informing your friends and co-workers that your are searching for an apartment. This will give you some excellent leads because recommendations by others, especially people you know, often leads to finding a very good apartment home.

Executing: Once you have a good search strategy in place, it time to implement that strategy. First, go online to the many apartment search sites and begin compiling a list of possible apartments. Once you have an exhaustive list, begin making calls to the property managers to find out which properties have apartments available. Once you have a list of apartment communities that have units available, organize your list by location in order to save you time and money when you go out to look at these apartments. While you’re out, keep an eye out for vacancy signs. Get the information from these signs and write down the apartment information like the exterior, cleanliness, parking and pets.

Meet the management: Apartment mangers are usually available on weekdays. Some are available on weekends. When you meet with the office manager, be aware of how friendly and helpful they are. Inform the manager that you are responding to the ad you saw. The office manger should let you know when the apartment will be available, and offer any information about the complex and surrounding neighborhood. During this visit with the property manager, this is your time to look at the unit, and ask questions, do not assume anything. Write down what you liked or did not liked about the apartment.

Thorough analysis: Searching for an apartment is a time consuming venture. You’ll need lots of patience. You’ll make lots of calls. Remember, not every apartment manager will call you back. Press on and don’t get discouraged. Everything is first come, first serve. Keep your options open. Just because you turn in an application, does not mean you have to take the apartment. Try to speak with the residents to get a real assessment of what it’s like to live there, or go online and read apartment reviews from the previous tenants. Do thorough research before making a decision. Remember, you’ll be locked into a lease for at least 6 months, so make the best possible decision you can. Take your time to decide.