Rent or Buy? How you decide?

[lkc1234]

I think that there is an exception to what I previously wrote: If you own a specific week at a specific resort and you keep using that week every year For many years: this might be more economical than renting.
there are people who have owned for many years and still enjoy going to the same resort every year.
But who does this? A minority of timeshare owners...
If the idea is to be in the TS system to travel around and try different places, with points or exchanges, owning a TS no longer is better than renting.
The « point systems » are more widespread and points are not better than rentals for sure.
If I think of a first time buyer buying a timeshare in 2021, I do think that it is not a good option.

I do it and have been doing it for years and I will continue doing it.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Wondering if there is a good way one can analyze if it worth Buying a TS vs. Renting a TS?
I assume the usage is the key. If you use the TS a lot in long run it is better to Buy. Just like Buying a Home vs Renting a Home. For most part one difference is in TS, you don’t build much equity. Experienced TS owners must have done this analysis many times. Like to get their view. Thanks

Location -location-location & when you need it.

examples
Park City Utah -peak ski season - buy a TS - perhaps even a fixed week.
Park City Utah- mud week - rent a TS or similar

Paris France - very few timeshares , hotel rooms are small. - an AirBNB with a kitchen may be your best value

 

[bogey21]

At one time I owned 6 Fixed Weeks/Fixed Units at 6 different Independent Resorts. Three benefits over renting. First, I had my cost locked in. Second I knew exactly what I owned, location within Resort, size of Unit, view, etc. And third, it gave me a lot more time to make cost effective travel arrangements...

George

 

[Cecile Boisvert]

At one time I owned 6 Fixed Weeks/Fixed Units at 6 different Independent Resorts. Three benefits over renting. First, I had my cost locked in. Second I knew exactly what I owned, location in Resort, size of Unit, view, etc. And third, it gave me a lot more time to make cost effective travel arrangements...

George

Fixed weeks are much better than Points b3cause of exactly these reasons

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Unless you are certain you will travel to a week 7 ski or Hawaii week every year, floating platinum season weeks enrolled in a points programs offer flexibility and will be more useful as your travel needs evolve. Examples, HGVC, MVC and Vistana mandatory premium season deeds with attached points to use in the mini-system. You also can also downsize the size of the unit if your children don't join. As stated in a prior post. We pay $1000 in Vegas and use points to get a 2 bdrm Oceanfront Hawaii during prime summer weeks. Great value.

Key is knowing where you will vacation. If renting is cheaper or equal to MF in your desired destination and season then don't own.

 

[RunCat]

Comparing the cost of renting vs buying today, I think the economics points to the value of renting. However, what will those economics be in 10 years? IMO, purchasing a T/S, especially from the developer, must be looked at as a long term commitment. Our family owns with the Welk (Hyatt now) resort. A ski week in Northstar is currently for rent on Redweek for $400-600/night => $3000/week. My cost would be about $1680. Comparing other places, I find similar savings.
Of course others are much happier dealing with AirBnB or staying in less costly accommodations. But for our family, we are quite happy with the perks and don't mind the limitations of timeshares.

 

[CO skier]

But I really think that no one should buy a timeshare in 2021 - travel options have evolved over the recent years and if you are new to TS, it is no longer the best option available.

This is a generalization that is terrible advice. Each person should evaluate their circumstances. Taking the "Timeshare Quiz" at this link is a good place to start if timesharing may be right for any one person:

"What to Buy" Questions for New Timeshare Owners

Here are some questions you can answer to focus your timeshare wants/needs. Suggestion - copy the questions below, and start a new thread entitled "My Survey" or "What should I buy?," or something similar, and answer the questions in a NEW thread. 1) Is there a vacation destination you wish...

tugbbs.com

Short story is that if you want the "best" timeshare reservations and cannot plan 9-13 months in advance, then maybe renting is a better option.

 

[CO skier]

well...my point is : renting is better than buying...you can rent beachfront timeshare...

So, in about a month I will be reserving a 1 bedroom beachfront condo for six straight weeks in Gleneden, OR for 2022 using my timeshare points. Total cost $3888. It will take less than 30 seconds, two times to make the reservations. No hours of searching AirBnB, whatever, and no risk of scams -- GUARANTEED reservations 13 months from now.

Go ahead and show me where I can rent anything like this. I will wait.

 

[Cecile Boisvert]

So, in about a month I will be reserving a 1 bedroom beachfront condo for six straight weeks in Gleneden, OR for 2022 using my timeshare points. Total cost $3888. It will take less than 30 seconds, two times to make the reservations. No hours of searching AirBnB, whatever, and no risk of scams -- GUARANTEED reservations 13 months from now.

Go ahead and show me where I can rent anything like this. I will wait.

Good for you! Just to clarify:
1) I am not an AirBnB advocate...I am simply « pro-rental ».
2) with the point system, you can also spend hours searching for a good timeshare (I sure did) I have never experienced a « 30 second search »
3) $3,888 for 5 weeks is not necessarily the deal of the century - but again , good for you if you are happy with it.
4) my Intent in posting on this board has never been to « diss » the various choices one may make with timeshares. Sorry if I insulted anyone. My intent was to warn any NEW person thinking of buying a timeshare in 2021 (anyone who does not already own one) that buying is not such a great idea - but hey, it is just one opinion . it is totally ok if you disagree with it (and true, I am stubborn about this!)

 

[theo]

I can’t think of a single reason why buying a timeshare would be better than renting a timeshare, even if you purchase one on EBay for $1...
when you add all the various costs , it is no longer an economical option for your vacation.
Maintenance fees, booking fees, membership fees, you name it...when you add all this up, you can conclude that you are usually better off renting . There are so many rental platforms nowadays...
plus you don’t have to book a year in advance and you can find better last minute deals if you are not in the TS system.
my two cents anyways (I have owned 3 timeshares for more than 10 years - bought on EBay).

I respectfully disagree with much (most, actually) of this particular input.

First, owners of fixed weeks at places and times they know that they want to visit and stay on a routine basis never have to book anything "a year in advance". In fact, they never actually have to "book" at all --- they need only pay their maintenance fees and show up to use and enjoy their weeks. We do exactly that. Of course, to be cost effective any such ownerships must be resale purchases acquired at reasonable cost, never directly from any developer and at places with maintenance fee costs within reasonable limits.

Second, some people don't want to spend time and / or effort "shopping" for rentals or scouring the Internet for "last minute deals", weeding out would-be scammers ---and then have to hastily make expensive last minute travel arrangements. No thanks, (and I frankly don't care how many different "rental platforms" are available). Additionally, rentals in prime time in prime places where seasonal demand consistently exceeds supply are often tough to secure, even well in advance --- and are significantly overpriced to boot.

There are certainly lots of different flavors, options, approaches and personal preferences on Planet Timeshare; one size does not fit all. For us, owning a string of consecutive prime fixed weeks in locations we consistently enjoy has essentially created "vacation homes" --- minus the time consumption and aggravation and expense of repairs, maintenance, insurance, groundskeeping responsibilities, etc. (been there, done that, got the T-shirt --- and ultimately chose to just say goodbye to all of those burdens, gladly and permanently).

I certainly would not attempt to make the case that our particular approach has "saved money"; I doubt that it has done so. However, convenience and reliable predictability for travel planning, scheduling and annual use in lodging in places of known cost and proven quality also certainly has intrinsic value; it's not just about "numbers on a balance sheet". In the end of course, to each their own.

 

[jehb2]

I can’t think of a single reason why buying a timeshare would be better than renting a timeshare

Right now I’m in the middle of planning a Hawaiian Vacation for my brother and I have forgotten just how expensive a Hawaiian vacation can be. We own at Hilton Lagoon Tower. If I try to get him something comparable, 2 bedroom 2bath beachfront Waikiki, it’s expensive. My ownership is cheaper then the other ”affordable” hotels and rentals 3 blocks back from the beach.