Appraisal

When dealing with timeshares, appraising the market value of a property can be difficult. Timeshares depreciate over time, so the appraisal process is far from an exact science. Because of this, timeshare appraisals are viewed as lacking credibility, especially because many appraisers will charge potential buyers or sellers a fee for the service.

If you are looking to get an idea of what a particular property is worth before you buy or sell, work with a knowledgeable timeshare reseller who can offer a market value analysis as an alternative to an appraisal. These analyses compare the price of the property with that of current resale listings for similar or equivalent properties, enabling the seller to price his or her property aggressively, yet still receive adequate compensation.

These often free market surveys are generally more appropriate to resale than are appraisals, because the key to selling timeshare is pricing it appropriately and aggressively. Buyers should also ask for a free market value analysis on their potential timeshare, to ensure that they're not paying too much for a vacation property.