Even www.forbes.com is getting into the spirit of the season - promoting nine great timeshare destinations where you can stay for a greatly reduced rate. They describe these nine choices like this - "good news for cash-strapped and none-too-proud vacationers willing to sit through a two-hour presentation in order to enjoy up to a week's worth of deeply discounted fun in the sun or on the slopes. If you're in that camp, here are nine gambits worth a look. ' (read the story here) With a few of their recommendations like Wyndham, Marriott, and Silverleaf they don't specify which resorts to choose but describe incentives for a budget minded traveler to stay at their resort for a seriously reduced rate.

This time of year, the Raintree's Club Regina Los Cabos looks especially enticing:

Especially with this stuff swirling around the midwest and northeast:

Palm trees, beaches, and warm ocean water sounds appealing!

In their article they mention Island One, Orlando Florida, a great fractional in Destin Florida - Emerald Grande, Consolidated Resorts Tahiti Village Las Vegas, and the Westin Maui Resort and Spa. All terrific destinations - especially if you want to dodge that blue and pink stuff in the above radar image....

Happy traveling in 2009!

Great beach and tropical timeshare deals for Cabo San Lucas Mexico are here.

In discussions about resort properties and second homes I often hear people use the word "timeshare" and "fractional" interchangeably. There are huge differences in these two types of less than whole ownership property.  To begin with, there are far more timeshare developments in North America than fractionals.  In the state of Florida alone, there are over 750,000 unit weeks of timeshare that have been sold. Many less owners of fractionals exist. The sales approach to timeshares is also more aggressive than fractionals.  And according to basic industry standards, the average fractional owner will have twice the annual income than a timeshare owner. (Timeshare and Fractional glossary)

The most obvious difference is the amount of time you get to use the property.  Timeshares are sold in intervals of one week at a time.  Fractionals, for the most part, consist of one month to three month (quarter share) deeds.

When it comes time to sell your timeshare or fractional, there are some differences there as well. The resales market for fractionals is stronger than for timeshares because of supply and demand. Also, fractionals will usually hold their resales value much better than a timeshare will.

If you have decided to buy or sell a timeshare or fractional, it would be wise to check out the services of a professional like the ones you'd find at www.rpmls.com.  They have the experience, size, and systems to get the job done.