When researching the best timeshare resellers in this dismal economic climate, a simple conclusion is that timeshare values have a direct relationship with the location of the property. The hottest resellers have common elements such as superb weather, theme parks, pristine beaches and sport and entertainment venues. The following locations remain popular and retain higher resale values.
Investors preferring to stay within the borders of the United States consistently focus on three main areas: Florida, California and South Carolina. The next-best states are Nevada, Hawaii, Arizona and California. These timeshare markets have the ingredients to help timeshares retain and increase their value.
• Florida: Orlando has about 50 percent of the state's timeshare resorts for obvious reasons. Both Florida coasts are big players; top markets include Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Clearwater and Fort Lauderdale.
• Nevada: Las Vegas is the fastest-growing resort area in the world.
• South Carolina: Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach are excellent resellers.
• Hawaii: This state has (and always will be) a top location. An added benefit is that the timeshare has an exotic atmosphere, but is located on American soil.
• Virginia: Charming and historic Williamsburg is one of the top East Coast timeshare destinations.
• California: Anaheim, San Diego, Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe and San Francisco are all emerging giants. Napa Valley is one of the fastest-growing markets.
• Arizona: Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley are some of the fastest-growing timeshare markets in the country. Sedona has been one of America's best-kept vacation secrets for a long time.
• Colorado: Steamboat Springs and Aspen have found ways to keep this location an attractive investment even after the snow melts.
The more adventurous are finding Europe, India and China targets of vacation ownership. Europeans notoriously take more and longer vacations than Americans and favor warm, sunny and easy destinations, like the Canary Islands and the Caribbean.
• Mexico: The top tourist destinations for North Americans are Acapulco, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.
• The Caribbean: Aruba, the Virgin Islands and the Bahamas; though geographically small, investors and vacationers do not hesitate to visit these paradise islands.
• Southern coast of Spain and the Canary Islands: Top destinations in Europe.
• India/Asia: India's Goa and Bangalore locations are the hottest places to visit. Shanghai and Hong Kong in China are enormous reseller markets.
• Canada: Best reseller areas are British Columbia, Vancouver and Victoria.
If you originally bought from a developer, with few exceptions, most timeshares sell on the resale market for 30 to 50 percent of the price you initially paid. If you do your homework and set a competitive price, you can sell, swap or barter your timeshare. Advertise your allotted timeshare at a realistic and highly competitive price. Research current and completed eBay auctions, check real estate records in the county where the timeshare is located and work the broker sites. Most of all you must be creative in a dismal real estate market.
