Vacation Ownership, or timeshare, is a property arrangement where multiple buyers share ownership or lease rights for designated periods. This model is commonly used for resorts, condos, apartments, and campgrounds. According to a 2023 report by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), which includes data from 2022, there are 1,541 timeshare resorts in the U.S., offering 252,470 units.

How It Works

Timeshares are shared vacation properties where ownership or usage rights are divided among several Vacation Owners. They are popular in destinations where buyers desire recurring access to a property without the expense of full ownership. Buyers (Vacation Owners) receive the right to use the property exclusively for a specific period each year, often in one-week increments.

Timeshares are in one of the following Ownership models:

Fixed Weeks

A fixed-period timeshare gives a Vacation Owner the right to exclusively use the property for a specific week or weeks each year. The main advantage is that the buyer can plan an annual vacation at the same time every year.

Points

In the points-based timeshare system, usage rights are represented by points, which vary based on factors like resort location, unit size, and vacation dates. These points can be used to access one or multiple resort properties. Owners can exchange their points within our resorts (internal exchange) or with other resorts (external exchange). While this system offers more flexibility in vacation choices, the value of points can vary significantly depending on the property and the time of year.

Timeshares Types

Timeshares are structured as shared deeds. Shared-deeded ownership gives you a percentage of the physical property corresponding to the period bought. For example, one resort condo sold in timeshare increments of one week can technically have 52 total deeds. Buying one week would confer a one-fifty-second ownership interest in the unit, while two weeks would give you a one-twenty-sixth interest, and so forth. Shared-deeded ownership interest is held in perpetuity and can be resold or willed to other parties.

How Many People In the U.S. Have Timeshares?

According the the ARDA, more than 9.9 million people own one or more timeshares.

What Percent of People Actually Buy Timeshares?

If U.S. Census and ARDA information (in its 2023 report reflecting 2022 data, the latest available) is accurate, there were about 127 million households in the U.S. in 2020, and 9.9 million households owned timeshares—about 7.8% of U.S. households own timeshares.

A fixed-period timeshare gives a timeshare buyer the right to exclusively use the property for a specific week or weeks each year. The main advantage is that the buyer can plan an annual vacation at the same time every year. The disadvantage of this method is that it may be very difficult to change the dates for the fixed period if work or school schedules change.

We allow Owners to “exchange” their timeshare location with another one to provide more flexibility for Owners among several destinations.

Advantages of Vacation Ownership

Familiar location every year without any unpleasant surprises

• Resort-like amenities and services
• Avoids the hassle of booking a new vacation each year

Most timeshares are owned by large corporations in desirable vacation locations. Timeshare buyers have the peace of mind of knowing that they can vacation in a familiar location every year without any unpleasant surprises.

Timeshare properties usually have resort-like amenities and services and are professionally managed. Compared with a typical hotel room, a timeshare property is likely to be significantly larger and have more features, enabling a more comfortable stay.

Timeshares may thus be suitable for people who prefer vacationing in a predictable setting every year, without the hassle of venturing into the unknown regarding their next vacation.

Renting a Timeshare

Timeshares typically become available for rent when the owner does not need the unit for a specific period. Owners place their unit in our Vacation Owner Rental Program, permitting the Eastern Slope Inn hospitality, reservations, & marketing teams to rent it to a visitor. Renting a timeshare is a good way to try one out before you make a long-term purchase.