The idea behind timeshares is that you can vacation at a favorite spot without spending money on a hotel. Instead you share space over the years with others, making monthly payments until you own the place outright. If you can't use your allotted time, or want to earn some extra money, you could considering renting out your timeshare. If this is something that interests you, there are some steps you should take to ensure success.
If you are seriously considering letting this unit, you should get in touch with the management. You can also pull out the contract you signed to see if there are any provisions prohibiting you from renting periodically. You need to look for restrictive terms as well. If you find out letting the units is not an option, at least you won't have spent any money advertising and marketing a listing.
If management will allow you to rent, the next thing you have to do is set a price for the week or weekend. You should charge the tenants as much or more than it would have cost you to stay. There may be other owners who have had the same idea. If so, you can discuss how they arrived at their fee. The manager may be willing to tell you what the complex charges non-owners who visit.
Next you will have to see which times are available for you to rent the property. You will have to check carefully in order to avoid leasing the unit on a time when you want to be there. It's a good idea to call the management to make sure the times you are considering are not going to conflict with exchange or bonus days they already have scheduled.
When you are letting family or friends use the unit, you won't have to worry about advertising. If you want to open your share to the general public, you'll need to advertise in online and print newspapers. Classified line ads are the least expensive way to go there. You might consider listing the unit on an online auction site. You will get maximum exposure that way at an affordable rate.
Renting on the basis of a handshake is a bad idea. You have to develop a detailed, and legal, contract between you and any renter you accept. Along with other things, the contract must include the agreed upon rental dates, the amount of the security deposit, and the terms regarding vacation extension times.
As soon as the renters have vacated the property, you should have someone go in and inspect it. You don't want to return a security deposit before you know whether or not the renters left the unit in good condition. If everything is in order, you need to return the deposit promptly.
Timeshares are great for the right people. Before you purchase a share, you should carefully consider your decision. You want to be very sure you will use the unit and are able to rent it out if you don't.
If you are seriously considering letting this unit, you should get in touch with the management. You can also pull out the contract you signed to see if there are any provisions prohibiting you from renting periodically. You need to look for restrictive terms as well. If you find out letting the units is not an option, at least you won't have spent any money advertising and marketing a listing.
If management will allow you to rent, the next thing you have to do is set a price for the week or weekend. You should charge the tenants as much or more than it would have cost you to stay. There may be other owners who have had the same idea. If so, you can discuss how they arrived at their fee. The manager may be willing to tell you what the complex charges non-owners who visit.
Next you will have to see which times are available for you to rent the property. You will have to check carefully in order to avoid leasing the unit on a time when you want to be there. It's a good idea to call the management to make sure the times you are considering are not going to conflict with exchange or bonus days they already have scheduled.
When you are letting family or friends use the unit, you won't have to worry about advertising. If you want to open your share to the general public, you'll need to advertise in online and print newspapers. Classified line ads are the least expensive way to go there. You might consider listing the unit on an online auction site. You will get maximum exposure that way at an affordable rate.
Renting on the basis of a handshake is a bad idea. You have to develop a detailed, and legal, contract between you and any renter you accept. Along with other things, the contract must include the agreed upon rental dates, the amount of the security deposit, and the terms regarding vacation extension times.
As soon as the renters have vacated the property, you should have someone go in and inspect it. You don't want to return a security deposit before you know whether or not the renters left the unit in good condition. If everything is in order, you need to return the deposit promptly.
Timeshares are great for the right people. Before you purchase a share, you should carefully consider your decision. You want to be very sure you will use the unit and are able to rent it out if you don't.
About the Author:
You can get a summary of the things to keep in mind when renting out your timeshare at http://www.dreambuyrent.com/about-us right now.