If it is just renting one for a week, that would be fun, but I would not buy one I think people have trouble getting their money out of it. I would check with hotels and see about rates to live in a hotel for a week. We stayed in Florida for a month one time and it was before spring break. Not good for swimming and it wasn't fancy but it was clean, had a kitchenette and only $300 a month. We used it for a base and we toured almost every day. the reason we got it for that price was, the owner just wanted to make his expenses during the off season. A week or two after we left there, the rooms were almost $200 a night.

I have never been a fan of time shares. I have a good friend in CA who has had a time share in Maui for many years. She sometimes trades it for a week at Tahoe or Sedona. Some years she doesn't use her time at all. On the other hand, I have a cousin in Southern CA who has had a time share at Tahoe for many years and uses it every year. Both of these timeshares are 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and I have stayed at each of them.
I don't think a 1 bedroom timeshare would be very practical. This is JMHO.

I don't think you should think of a timeshare as an "investment". I've always heard they are hard to sell & you don't come near to getting your money back if you do manage to find a sucker buyer. I think this was a "hot" real estate thing many years ago, now... not so much.

I've never understood the appeal of a timeshare. Why not rent a hotel or condo in the area of choice? Why lock yourself in to the same spot year after year?

I would not even think of buying a timeshare. You are talking about several thousand of dollars and a stiff fee every year. Do so research on pros and cons of timeshares You can only use it once a year and that is alot of money for a one time use.

Without the time share you'd have the freedom to schedule a vacation at a time that's convenient for both of you and you'd have the option of going anywhere you'd like.

I'm not sure I can see the advantage of locking yourself into a one week time share with the hopes that you can trade it for another week.

I guess this is where you need to make a list of pros and cons.

I forgot to add that a fellow who works with my DH has a time share through a hotel chain and he loves it. He can visit any of the resorts the hotel operates and he can trade a week to get an upgraded stay on one of his other weeks.

As for the kids it's so hard to predict what they'll do. So I guess the best thing to do is figure out what's best for you and your DH.

Consider it a lousy investment that will cost you fees every year. Most people find it a mistake.

I have to disagree with the posters here, but it looks like none of them actually own a timeshare. I have had one for about 15 years and I love it. Last year we upgraded to a more luxurious unit. In 15 years we have NEVER been to our unit. We use it to trade to go to other places. You get getaway weeks, its so much more than just your one week. You can go anytime you want, just about any place you want. Learning how to use it is the trick. The value is not in your week itself, its very difficult to trade your week and go where you want, (this is what they dont tell you) but if you're open to travel to different places, there are always getaway weeks all around the world. I'd be curious to know what price your husbands cousin is wanting to sell it for. They are very difficult to sell. You may get a better deal going to Florida yourself, sitting thru one of their presentations and just waiting to see what deal they offer you. The more you say no, the more enticing they make it. Often, they offer a complimentary week for you to stay at the timeshare to "try it out" as long as you listen to the presentation. Good luck.

On the positive side...I can say that April is far better weatherwise than June, July, August, September or October. I live 30 minutes from Pompano Beach. I know one couple who have a time share at Lighthouse Point in Pompano. It's just OK.

Thanks everyone and just fyi - I don't think the couple that has the timeshare now uses their timeshare for travel elsewhere. DH and I are putting together a list of pros & cons

linda117 - thank you for your perspective. This is a property/timeshare affiliated with RCI. I am doing research on it, and any additional info is appreciated.

I don't like monthly bills and a contract, that is why I don't have a regular cell or dish/satellite TV. My cell is prepaid, my cable is by the month. If I quit in the middle of the month I only pay for the days it's on.

Do the Math. Figure up how much a year you will pay plus the maintenance to see what the week will cost. Then check on nice hotels in the area for a week.

And has DH brought up your birthday gift?

You need to read what Dave Ramsey says about time shares. No way, no how, no, no, no.

Here's a link to Dave Ramsey's article

Here is a link that might be useful: The Truth About Timeshares

Funny, this topic just came up on the TripAdvisor "Hawaii" forum. Many people are trying to dump their timeshares. One poster said her friend not only couldn't sell hers, she had to pay someone to take her shares -- to assume her obligation to pay the rising maintenance/management fees.

I don't know about other areas, but Hawaii hates timeshares and taxes them higher than any other real estate.

We own a vacation rental condo on Maui. When the RE bubble burst I was worried that some owners in our complex would default (especially those who'd counted on flipping). I was concerned that the association would be in the red from unpaid fees. As it's turned out, less than 2% of the units were foreclosed. They've now all been sold, and the new owners are paying association fees. It makes me wonder what happens to timeshare properties when a big percentage of owners default and are not paying their fees.

Owning property has advantages over owning 'time'. Our travel to and from our condo is a tax deduction. (IRS says you can visit to do maintenance.) The RE tax is a deduction. We can schedule our visits any time we please, even in high season. We're not bound to a certain number of days or to trying to make 'trades' for times. We can leave clothing, etc. in the condo in owner's storage. We have a say in the way the complex is maintained (and in all expenditures). We know exactly where we're staying; not getting a 'category', a generic 1 BR 2 bath Ocean View. We have equity.

I never thought timeshares were a good idea; the increasing default level adds to my negative opinion. I'd rather be free to rent when and where I wish. (We might not *own* our vacation rental condo if we hadn't sold another rental property and wanted to avoid huge capital gains!)

Pompano Beach is a pretty area -- or at least it was some years back when I used to visit my aunt's home along the waterway.

Do you have a contact possibility, esp. email address for the folks that you know, relatives, friends from years past, etc.?

How about getting out a message to them to ask what their experiences may have been?

[Another opportunity to use what ole joyful has been offering as a cost-free Christmas gift here for upwards of ten years. That he said should save you hundreds, more likely thousands, over the years ... unless currently you have one foot near the grave].

ole joyful