Buyers should only make a timeshare purchase if the location, facilities and time period available suits the buyer's requirements. Typically, buyers can purchase from an owner at approximately half the price charged by the developer. Buying from existing owners is more economical and gives buyers exactly the same benefits as buying new. As of 2010, according to the TCA, there are a great number of resale timeshare properties available, making it a buyer's market.
Only buy from a professional reseller: lists of reputable companies are available from the TCA. Furthermore, a reseller should offer buyers a two-week cooling off period, have an independent stakeholder account to hold the buyer's money and the seller's ownership certificate and certificates showing no debt is attached to the property.
TCA advises that buyers never purchase into a complex not yet built or with incomplete facilities. It also recommends that resorts have an owner's association, that the management fees are within TCA recommended guidelines and that buyers not make a purchase based solely on a presentation. TCA also emphasizes the fact that a timeshare purchase is not an investment.
