Timeshare resorts offer some of the nation's best vacationing. If you've never checked out timeshares or are not familiar with them, here's a basic primer. A timeshare is a resort where the property is owned by a group of people who wish to use the property for vacationing, and split the costs of ownership and maintenance, usually hiring a professional staff to maintain the property. Owners are usually allowed a certain number of days of usage per year at no additional cost, or at a very modest price. As an example, a popular timeshare in Branson, Missouri with an extensive campground charges the members one dollar a day for the space used, which includes electricity and sewer hookups and use of community bath houses and recreation facilities. This timeshare includes shuffleboard, a game room, tennis courts, disc golf, walking and nature trails, bike paths, bicycle rentals, an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor swimming pool, and two fishing ponds for the youngsters. They also acquire for their owner members discount tickets to many area restaurants, music shows, and even the IMAX theatre located close by. Members at this resort are allowed to stay 21 days straight and then must leave for seven days before returning. This prevents people from actually making the timeshare their primary residence and keeping it as a vacation destination.

Many timeshares have joint usage agreements with other timeshares around the country, and even around the world. The Missouri timeshare owners can, for instance make use of timeshares in Hawaii or the US Virgin Islands if space is available. The same is true for members of other timeshares who can come and use the Missouri facility. Many timeshares are sold with the stipulation being that the owner has one week of use per year at the timeshare. Others have more flexible arrangements. Many also allow owners to give their week of use to friends or family members, as long as yearly maintenance fees are paid.

Why would someone want to purchase and use a timeshare? A timeshare owner is an actual owner of the property, and everyone prefers to own rather than rent. Also a timeshare offers a guaranteed vacation location every year. Additionally the flexibility of being able to make an exchange offers variety. Add to that the variety of timeshares available, and it is easy to see why timeshares are popular.

The concept of the timeshare was introduced in the 1960's by the owner of a ski resort in France. His proposal was that owning a set amount of time per year was preferable to renting the resort. The concept caught on, not only in France but world wide, with timeshares enjoying increasing popularity in the U.S.

One owner of the Missouri timeshare we discussed above is retired now. He owns memberships in two different timeshares, one in Missouri and the other in Florida, and divides his vacation time between the two locations, living permanently in a 24 foot travel trailer, complete with a satellite dish, television, stereo, a rack on the trailer for his bicycles, and all the fishing tackle he can carry. He is in fact so sold on the whole timeshare concept that he is considering buying a third membership in a Canadian timeshare company in order to spend time every year at Lake of the Woods, fishing for lake trout and muskee. He also plans to pass on his time share memberships to his children so that the family legacy can continue long after he is good, one of the benefits of timeshare ownership that he enjoys.

No matter what part of the country you live in, there are timeshare resorts available. Before making a purchase most timeshares will offer free tours and a free or reduced rate on a weekend stay to get a feel for the timeshare. This is a great way to make a determination on whether or not a timeshare is for you. While using your trial period, talk to a few of the timeshare owners and see how happy they are with their memberships. That will help you with your decision on membership. Whatever you decide, timeshares are great family vacation assets, so check them out carefully.