Perhaps you've wondered: "Does it make financial sense (or does it make sense at all) to buy a timeshare? Well, the answer can be both yes or no depending on who is buying and for what purpose it is being bought.

A standard answer would be that you are the owner, and when you lease something you can't make that same statement. Ownership of timeshares has increased dramatically since it was first conceived in the US and since most misconceptions about timeshares by people have been clarified. Many hotel chains and resorts have become a part of the timeshare industry and it is estimated that it has become a five billion dollar a year industry. Nearly two million Americans own timeshares and the number keeps steadily increasing. Here are some of the many reasons that Americans have become timeshare owners...

If you will take into account the amount of money that you will spend staying in a hotel for a week might be up to $900 and that you may do this once a week every 30 years, you will see that your will be spending a great deal of money. Now, consider buying a timeshare property for $10,000 with an additional annual maintenance fee and you will end up saving $3,500. Another benefit of a timeshare property would be that you own the property and this is an investment that should return your original investment, so in reality a timeshare property will cost you a lot less in the long run than staying at a hotel during your vacations. An additional benefit would be having all the comforts of your own home, including a kitchen, laundry room and much more room than a cramped hotel room and, of course, all resort facilities would be available to you while on vacation.

Does it make more sense now? You know where you are going on vacation, so it saves you the hassle of planning your vacation each year. You have a guaranteed vacation each year.

A timeshare can be viewed as money lying safely in a bank account. It can be sold at any time. Should you purchase a deeded plan, your heirs will also inherit your timeshare when you pass away.

Consider being the owner of a timeshare versus a vacation home. With a timeshare, you don't need to be responsible for repairs, upkeep, and maintenance of the property. You can leave it all to the management company, paying a small fee that is well worth saving yourself the hassle of taking care of it all. A timeshare still feels like your very own home when you stay there; but living there is as carefree as staying in a hotel!

In addition to these benefits, timeshare companies offer many discounts like bonus weeks, discounts on airfare, car rentals, attraction tickets, restaurants and more.