Second Homes vs Timeshare: Wish I Was Lil' Bit Taller...

Wouldn't we all love to have the option and capability to purchase a fabulous second home?  Or maybe that second home purchase isn't for luxury reasons at all.  A commute to and from work that might be well over 50 miles one way, 100 miles altogether from there and back to homebase might be reason enough to consider leasing or purchasing a place to stay that is comfortable and accommodating for your needs. Perhaps you have family members that live far away, back in your hometown, or way out in the 'country'.  Purchasing a second home in your family's native land is appealing to some. These can also be reasons that cause you to think about building or purchasing long-term lodging elsewhere.  If your visits to places where there is work, family, school, or occasional business that can be frequent could make it necessary to stay over several nights. It might be worth the investment to look into taking steps toward a second home.  Perhaps the new sensation of a tiny home or container home construction might be a cost-efficient means of settling into a spot that suits your long-term but seasonal needs. There is always the option to make a second home an extra income property when you are not staying there.  To rent the property for seasonal stays can offer a good return on your investment.  And then we think of what a Timeshare is and how beneficial ...or not, that a Timeshare might be.  According to Wikipedia, a Timeshare [is a property with a divided form of ownership or use rights. These properties are typically resort condominium units, in which multiple parties hold rights to use the property, and each owner of the same accommodation is allotted their period of time. Units may be sold as a partial ownership, lease, or "right to use", in which case the latter holds no claim to ownership of the property.] 

How many of you have sat through a Timeshare presentation and actually decided to buy into one.  If you do own a Timeshare, do you have access and use of every place and location that you originally were told you could visit and vacation?  How expensive is the program as it relates to the value versus the investment in time used?  I imagine, just like anything else, it is so very important to listen intently and ask the right questions during a Timeshare presentation and not be wowed by the amenities and temptation of the wonderful destinations and even the gifts and offerings that come along with some sales pitches. Just like making any big purchase, the details do matter, and in the long run, does it make much sense to invest in something that may not be used as frequently as you might want to believe for the cost of the packaging?  Think of those coupon books that can be purchased for a fair dollar amount and offers discount pricing on some wonderful places to eat.  I love those things because I love to eat and it might be worth it to me to make sure I take full advantage of the whole thing. It is probably much more convenient to arrange a dinner or meal than it is to plan a vacation or even a staycation that fits the bill for the whole package of a Timeshare.  However, if it suits your lifestyle and pocketbook, some of those deals are right on point. To purchase your own second home to share with no one if you can afford it would be most suitable for one locale that you might visit often and frequently.  The timeshare option might be more suitable if you love to travel and have the time, and/or organizational planning skills to actually utilize the deal.  

Now there is a class of folks who have many.  Second, third, and fourth homes all across the world. I don't know any of those classes of people just yet and that's part of what I love about real estate.  It's about culture, lifestyle, diversity, nature, learning about people and places we would not otherwise have heard of.  It is a great creative art form in realizing not only what we have in striving to achieve what we called The American Dream.  It is a 'free' way of being and believing that we can do all things when we believe we are deserving through hard work and determination and faith. The laws of the land don't also seem fair or right when it comes to civilities, culture, and color also gender. The National Association of Realtor®'s preamble to the Code of Ethics begins with, 'Under all is the land.'  It's that tagline for me. What it is in nature, the native histories, and the possibilities that are infinite in our rights to pursue our happiness in choosing a first dwelling, a second home, or even a timeshare. I hope you get YOUR dreams manifested in due time. I hope we all have our dreams and goals manifested. For your first or second home, I'd love to assist you in your search or sale. Merry merry Christmas. 

Peace. Stephanie.